A woman has told of witnessing a mystery big black cat issuing a screaming growl within 30m of her home at Kawarren, south of Colac.

The woman told big cat researchers she watched the puma-like creature in her back verandah light for minutes before she retreated inside.

"She was definitely scared by what she saw, and she's lived in the country all of her life," long-time big cat researcher Simon Townsend said.

"It was something she'd never seen before and it frightened her, she just got out of it."

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, was investigating why her dogs were barking when she made the after-dark sighting last week and heard the noise she described as more of a scream than a growl.

Mr Townsend said the description of the sound was consistent with other testimonies from across the region over the years.

He was unable to find tracks at the site and the woman had not noticed any animal losses but the sighting had magnified intrigue over consistent witness accounts of big cats prowling properties flanking Otways bush.

Mr Townsend, who lives at Freshwater Creek, said Modewarre remained a sighting hot spot.

He hopes more people will share testimonies through a new website he has established in partnership with Barwon Heads researcher John Turner.

The site has a link for people to forward details privately.

"Something we've noticed is that fear of ridicule is stronger than fear of the animal," Mr Townsend said.

"We thought this would give us a better profile than the ad-hoc way we've been doing things.

"This gives us a chance to connect and do something constructive, basically we're information gathering but hopefully it will lead to something conclusive."

The site has a photo gallery, websites and will include a sightings catalogue.

bigcatsvic.com.au [Link]