Nightjar?

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Nick D

thanks everyone for the fast replies.

I have been out this evening to have another look/listen. I cant get close enough to see any wing patterns. The call that i hear seem to be made in flight only, - it seems to have 3 distinct parts to it, 3 short wistles or "squeaks" made very quick succesion, the first and third "squeaks" are identical, and the second one is of a slightly different pitch.
Is there a website that you can listen to different bird calls?

Try http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/bird...tjar/index.asp

henrya

[John]

Originally Posted by thunder

Try The RSPB: Nightjar

henrya

Unfortunately Henry that's not the flight call. That is when the Nightjar is usually perched.

Click onto this link then select nightjar flight call then the wing clapping link. there is also a link to the churring sound.
Northamptonshire Sound Gallery

You might have to turn your sound up to hear them. The flight call only does it twice but that should be enough to let you know what it sounds like.

John

[geordie graham]

Hi Nick D. apparently there a lot of nightjars in Hamsterley Forest which is not far from you so it might well be a nightjar you are hearing.

[John]

Originally Posted by geordie graham

Hi Nick D. apparently there a lot of nightjars in Hamsterley Forest which is not far from you so it might well be a nightjar you are hearing.

If you go by the descriptions that Nick has stated it isn't.

It is all very well agreeing with a possible ID on a bird but you have to look how that bird sounds and how it flies. Nicks descriptions are way off the mark for a Nightjar. They don't have a shrill call and they don't fly with a direct flight.

John

[Nick D]

Hi folks,

ok - I have now had a clear view of the bird in question and can shed a lot more light on its identification.
Firstly - and sorry it is most certainly not a nightjar!

It is a lot larger - almost pigeon sized - but not as stocky. It is predominantly brown in colour and has a very long and fine beak - which seems to curve down slightly. The call seems only to be made during flight and carries a very long way. It seems to circle around a territory of apx 500m in diameter, calling as it flys. Flight is made up of what I would now call fairly "normal" flapping followed by a period of gliding. I am now more intreaged than ever to identify this bird. I have looked in books and on web - The closest resemblance seems to be a curlew - but the call is definitly not the standard curlew call, (dont know if there is a few different types of curlew call). The second one that caulght my eye as a possible candidate is the whimbrel, - not sure how feasable that is? but the call that is on the RSPB site is the closest that I have heard so far - but still not exact.

Thanks for your continued interest and help...

[John]

Check out my answer in post 7 as I mentioned the only other alternative it really could be. a Woodcock.

About half way between Nightjar and Woodpigeon sizewise.

John

[nightshade]

Wildlife SOS today had a rescued Nightjar on the programme
an excellent showing of this strangely attractive bird its gape
is amazing
the programme is likely to be repeated today and other days
in the early morning

[nightshade]

Satelite channel 524 animal planet now 13:30