Nightjars

[Mully]

Yesterday, whilst walking my local heathland, I was very surprised to see a large number of nightjars flying overhead. To be honest I heard them first and them saw them. They flew from one woodland to another and back again. I guess there must have been a dozen at least. This is a bird that I have been waiting to see for a while but I didn't expect to see a large group like that at 1pm and on such a very hot sunny day! Do you think they had been disturbed or were they males chasing a female? They flew around for about 20 minutes before they disappeared to a wood nearby.There doesn't seem to be a lot of info available about these weird but wonderful birds. It was great to see and hear them. Made my day.

[Jonny]

I bet that made your day, what an experience. I must go up to the local heathland one evening to hear (experience) them. Have you ever tried the white handkerchief trick before.

[Mully]

Hi Jonny, no I haven't done the white handkerchief trick. Does that work then?
Later on this month there is a night time walk with a ranger at this heathland I use. I may go just to see the nightjars again.
I couldn't get over the large number seen yesterday and the conditions given. Strange.

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Mully

Hi Jonny, no I haven't done the white handkerchief trick. Does that work then?
Later on this month there is a night time walk with a ranger at this heathland I use. I may go just to see the nightjars again.
I couldn't get over the large number seen yesterday and the conditions given. Strange.

I have heard mixed reports about the hanky trick. What you do is wave a white hanky about or lay it on the ground and it is suposed to attract male nightjars, because they think that the white is another male on their patch or something like that. Not tried it myself, but I know of people who have, and like I said, mixed reports. I bet your ranger will have a hanky with him, just in case....

[rlchew]

I think Nightjars are always worth seeing and hearing .... strange but remarkable birds.

You were very lucky to see one during the middle of the day let alone so many at one time. I always tend to see them with eye strain during the gathering gloom at the end of the day whilst being bitten by insects!

I have never tried waving the white hanky, or at least not at Nightjars . I remember seeing Bill Oddie doing this on one of his TV programmes and it struck me as very suspect behaviour!

Richard

[Chalk Downlanders]

Forget the hankey. Chuck ping pong balls up in the air.

Quote
Chris Packham. On telly a few weeks ago.

Kev

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Sticky

Forget the hankey. Chuck ping pong balls up in the air.

Quote
Chris Packham. On telly a few weeks ago.

Kev

I think anything white is supposed to work. Its meant to represent the white on the males wings and tail.
Quote Rlchew
You were very lucky to see one during the middle of the day let alone so many at one time. I always tend to see them with eye strain during the gathering gloom at the end of the day whilst being bitten by insects! So true Richard so true lol.....