Saw/heard my first nightjars last week

lovecrawlies · #1 (**permalink**) 14-06-2011, 08:33 PM

Walking my dogs late in a big local wood (East Sussex), I heard a very unusual noise. I might have left in a hurry, but earlier in the week I'd met a couple of disconsolate-looking men with binoculars in a nearby wood, who said they were hoping to see nightjars, or at least hear them call. I didn't know much about them, just a vague idea that they looked like a big brown swift, and the word 'churring', but that turned out to be enough. I stayed put, and experienced a fantastic display, three males calling, quite close and very LOUD, a sound that really fills the space. I saw the birds in silhouette as they called, then heard wing claps and the strange keeick flight calls. Two of them even flew acros the track I was standing on and circled back low over my head. When I finally tore myself away I quickly met another binoculared stranger, who turned out to be someone who runs regular 'nightjar walks'. No one had turned up that evening, so he walked back to the car park with me, and I ended up knowing a lot more about them by the time I set off for home. Pretty fabulous way to meet an extraordinary species!
Took hubby and children back the following night, and they enjoyed another breathtaking display.

Will be back to see them again, but meanwhile I have a niggling recollection of walking home late through my village a few years ago and hearing 'keewick', as on many other nights, but also wondering who was running a generator at that time of night..... pretty sure now it must have been a nightjar, but is that possible, right here in the village? It was some while ago now, but I might try some late forays just to see if I can hear or see anything nightjarish in the area now.

Just wanted to share!!! What fantastic birds, can't believe I've got so old without knowing what I was missing!

david156 · #2 (**permalink**) 14-06-2011, 08:37 PM

You'll get addicted to them. This time next year you'll be back out there again.

werdnal · #3 (**permalink**) 14-06-2011, 08:45 PM

I laughed at your generator comment! When we first had an NJ here a few years ago, it was a couple of fields away - only heard it, never seen one in the flesh. At the time I wasn't even sure what the noise was, but mentioned to my hubby about our neighbouring farmer having some sort of machinery running so late into the night. Only a few days later, when we realised the noise only happen at night, did we suddenly put 2 and 2 together, and checked the call on an internet bird sounds site, to confirm our conclusion.

Not heard one here for a couple years, but just this week, when going out after dark to shut our chickens in, I could hear one in the distance. A lot further away this time, but got the sound coming and going on the breeze.

Would love to see one though - you lucky thing

!

actionfinch · #4 (**permalink**) 22-06-2011, 03:05 PM

Im off to see /hear my first tonight weather permiting...

cant wait either

lovecrawlies · #5 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 10:57 AM

How did it go?

Jonners · #6 (**permalink**) 23-06-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovecrawlies

How did it go?

I think it's fair to say it went well

lovecrawlies · #7 (**permalink**) 30-06-2011, 09:47 AM

Another late dog walk (just not very organised during the day!), hubby and younger daughter in tow, not only another fabulous experience with the nightjars, but the edges of the path were dotted with glow worms. Whole thing slightly magical!

Flywaver · #8 (**permalink**) 30-06-2011, 11:00 AM

Does anyone know if Cavenham Heath in the East is good for Nightjars? I would imagine Thetford Forest is pretty sporadic. But i think Cavenham Heath would be better for a sighting at least..

Jonners · #9 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flywaver

Does anyone know if Cavenham Heath in the East is good for Nightjars? I would imagine Thetford Forest is pretty sporadic. But i think Cavenham Heath would be better for a sighting at least..

I have seen them at Cavenham Heath before, but West Stow is reliable. If you want to know exactly where PM me and I'll give you directions

. Saw a super one there the other night... calling from a branch then flew right round our heads!

Flywaver · #10 (**permalink**) 04-07-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonners

I have seen them at Cavenham Heath before, but West Stow is reliable. If you want to know exactly where PM me and I'll give you directions

. Saw a super one there the other night... calling from a branch then flew right round our heads!

That would be great thanks! I went to Cavenham Heath a few nights back. Superb place. Downside though was coming home. I hit a Hare a 60mph and it went through my left side bumper....