Birds that are game for a steam engine whistle

STARLINGS are said to be expert mimics, especially of other bird calls and such sounds as telephone ringtones and car alarms, but a recent visit by Heritage Railway contributor Geoff Courtney to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, unearthed another winged mimic – game birds.

He explains: “My wife and I were walking through Cropton Forest at the back of Levisham station last month and, as usual, I was on alert for the sound of passing steam trains. I kept thinking I could hear locomotive whistles, but having a timetable to hand I realised nothing was due.

“Then we cottoned on that it was the call of game birds, which at this time of year are very active and noisy in such areas. The forest is so peaceful that sounds are easily picked up, and I am only half-joking when I say that we reckon game birds are imitating the whistle of steam locomotives, which they would often hear as they approached the station.

“I’m not sure they have the ability to imitate the LMS ‘hooter’ type whistle, they’re more like the LNER variety. I also reckon a chime whistle of an A4 would be a real challenge for them.”

IAN HIGGINS/BWR This lineside pheasant was determined not to hang around for too long at Charlie’s Gate, as the 11am departure from Bodmin Parkway behind Bagnall WD Austerity 0-6-0ST No. 75178 approached.

BARBARA PRINCE Standard fayre: Class 4MT 2-6-0 No. 76079 approaches Levisham station – and the sound of whistle-imitating game birds – with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway 10am Whitby to Pickering train on April 9.