Nightjar walk
Tuesday 13th June
Nightjar churring on top of tree at dusk
Several members gathered on Blaxhall Heath before dusk for the nightjar watch after the heathland bird watch. The last week has been warm but the day had seen some scattered showers. Nevertheless, the cloud cover and still air boded well for a meeting with a special bird of the night, and we were not disappointed.
As we took up position on the heath we were treated to the song of a nightigale for about a quarter of an hour. Finally, in the distance the low churring of a nightjar was detected, and as we turned to look in the direction another bird vocalised close behind us.
Nightjars seem to have done rather well this year, as we soon caught a glimpse of the ghostly outline on the heath, and a surpisingly large bird approached and flew overhead, giving us all a good view with the naked eye!
We moved towards the sound and located the source on one of the birds favourite songpost on a tree in the heath, and there was another opportunity for good views, with an interaction as another male flew towards the tree dislodging the singer.
Overall there seemed to be three or four birds in easy earshot, and a couple of other individuals churring in the far distance - a very rewarding evening was had by all in the presence of these unearthly summer ghosts of the Suffolk heaths. You can listen to the eerie sound of the nightjar we heard on the heath, below
Nightjar churring on Blaxhall Heath mp3 1M (recordist Richard M)
there is a short video available
Stephen M
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