Nightjars.......

29 May - Another perfect, warm evening during the current exceptional spell of fine spring weather. A change this year, for my Nightjar fix, a trip to the Forest of Dean rather than Greenham Common. I arrived a bit later than planned due to a road closure, but walked up to Crabtree in plenty of time. Two Fallow Deer in the clearing were followed by several adult Wild Boar accompanied by no less than 6 stripey piglets.....then about 10 minutes after sunset I heard the first brief churr of a Nightjar. Over the next 30 minutes or so I was treated to good views, at least 5 birds present, with a lot of wing-clapping by the males as pairs of birds flew in the dusk light, presumably courtship behaviour? At one stage a pair came within less than 10m and the white tail-corners and on the body were very obviously bright in the failing light. The churring call always has a slightly unearthly quality, ventriloquil in nature and hard to localise especially when the eyes are straining in the gloaming. A much better sight to view the birds than Greenham, with more open areas and less traffic noise. Surprisingly, and sadly, no roding Woodcock seen.