Nightjar

Amazingly well camouflaged, it is best to look for Nightjars at dusk during May and June when the males can be seen displaying to females, flying around them, wing-clapping and calling. The call of the male Nightjar is a distinctive ‘churring’ sound and often the best indicator they are about.

How to Identify

If seen well, the Nightjar is unmistakable; its cryptic, bark-like plumage hiding it amongst the undergrowth. Adults have flat heads, a small bill with a surprisingly large gape and big eyes. Males have white patches towards the end of the wings and at the end of the tail; females lack these.

Where to Find

A rare summer visitor to England, Wales and southern Scotland.

How People Can Help

Nightjars suffered massive declines in the 1980’s due to loss of habitat, over 80% of lowland heathland in the UK has been lost in just 200 years. Nesting on the ground means that Nightjars are very sensitive to disturbance. The parents can easily be scared off their nests by walkers and particularly their dogs, leaving the eggs vulnerable to predators. Ensuring breeding birds are not disturbed and heathland nature reserves are well-managed are some of the ways The Wildlife Trusts are helping this bird to survive. You can help too: volunteer for The Wildlife Trusts and you could be involved in everything from clearing scrub to raising awareness about nesting birds. Don’t forget to keep dogs on leads in areas where ground-nesting birds are breeding.

Did you know?

If you are watching Nightjars at dusk, try flapping a white handkerchief in the air. Sometimes the males will come closer to investigate the white flashes!