Crossword Genius

Notes avocets flying (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

octaves

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'notes' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'avocets flying' is the wordplay.
'flying' indicates anagramming the letters (letters fly around into new positions).
'avocets' anagrammed gives 'OCTAVES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for octaves that I've seen before include "Eight-note spans" , "Musical intervals of eight notes" , "lot of notes" , "8-note hand spans (mus.)" , "Groups of eight consecutive notes on a scale" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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