After our last attempt when we failed miserably, we altered our location slightly to try again for Nightjar. It started off as a warm evening with minimal wind that seemed to increase out of nowhere before dwindling to nothing. During that time birds were few and far between with the sound of Chiffchaff song being heard as we set the nets, but ending well before the light began to fail, a male Blackbird that somehow was on the path awaiting disturbance by each dog walker, dog or jogger that passed and a twilight Woodcock that flew by emitting its characteristic call.
Nightjars had not been seen or heard by the time that audiolures were set to play. Appropriate permissions had naturally been obtained. As we waited, and waited, a brief glimpse of a bird in flight was spied by EP. A bird was also heard, churring some distance up the path, by CL. The evening seemed even less promising that our last fruitless attempt and we began to wonder whether the motorway noise was interfering with the desired effect of the recording.
Having seen some literature detailing patterns of activity of Nightjars we decided that nets would come down at 11pm in the event that no capture was made, factoring in the likely 80 minutes activity before a probable, lengthy spell of inactivity before another spell of feeding activity at dawn (by which time we would be long gone).
We were all most surprised when CL returned from the double 60' with a bird.
Nightjars had not been seen or heard by the time that audiolures were set to play. Appropriate permissions had naturally been obtained. As we waited, and waited, a brief glimpse of a bird in flight was spied by EP. A bird was also heard, churring some distance up the path, by CL. The evening seemed even less promising that our last fruitless attempt and we began to wonder whether the motorway noise was interfering with the desired effect of the recording.
Having seen some literature detailing patterns of activity of Nightjars we decided that nets would come down at 11pm in the event that no capture was made, factoring in the likely 80 minutes activity before a probable, lengthy spell of inactivity before another spell of feeding activity at dawn (by which time we would be long gone).
We were all most surprised when CL returned from the double 60' with a bird.
4 Male Nightjar
Markings are examined for evidence of age.
White dabs on tail and wings confirm the age and sex.
White dabs on tail and wings confirm the age and sex.
Tail in moult
The bird appeared to be a non-breeder as there was no CP.
Nets were then taken down and we were off site with about 20 minutes to spare before midnight.
Roe Deer at dusk