Daytime nightjar

muscardinus · #1 (**permalink**) 18-05-2009, 11:27 AM

How unusual is it to hear a nightjar chur in the daytime?

I heard an unmistakable 10-second burst of churring from close range at 5pm yesterday (May 17th) on a bracken-covered common near my home in the Quantocks in Somerset. Immediately preceding the churring I heard a couple of the species' frog-like calls.

I don't have the original, full version of BWP to hand so haven't been able to check the literature on this. I'd love to hear of anyone's experience of diurnal nightjar calls.

RoyW · #2 (**permalink**) 18-05-2009, 01:21 PM

I have twice heard very brief snatches of Nightjar song during the day - in the New Forest on both occasions.

I have just quickly scanned through the text in BWP and it states that although they try and stay motionless, and rely on their camouflage, they often give alarm calls as when they fly as a last resort. It also says that most cases of the advertising song being heard during the daytime are probably due to birds being disturbed from their roost.

Roy.

Deer Stalker · #3 (**permalink**) 18-05-2009, 08:02 PM

Iv'e heard them churr a few times during the day on the New Forest.

muscardinus · #4 (**permalink**) 21-05-2009, 12:13 PM

Thanks for the info!

Normally I wouldn't search for Nightjar till a warm June evening, so this was an unexpected bonus. I hope the bird wasn't disturbed too much and stays around to breed.