Just CL & DKL this evening. It's proving difficult to find suitable days in between the wind and rain but despite rain due around 11pm we gave it a go as so few evenings are suitable. We got a total of 84 meters of net up at three spots fairly close together.
Churring started quite late and it was apparent that males were in the tall trees behind us. A few birds were seen flying quite high. We were close to packing up, mindful of the forecast of rain within an hour when CL returned with a pair caught together in the same net.
4M Nightjar
We do have reference materials for separating second year and adult birds, but it was extremely dark and we limit ourselves to an LED light to work by and are mindful that birds must not be dazzled during the assessment process. Under these circumstances we usually only record whether hatched this year or previously and the sex when possible.
4F Nightjar
Thanks to the Natural England team for access and information that allows us to support their work with nesting Nightjars.
Total: 3
Chiffchaff - 1
Nightjar - 2