Lesley Gorman, RSPB Dorset Visitor Experience Manager, takes us on a night-time adventure across RSPB Arne's heath, in search of the elusive Nightjar.
If I were to tell you that I was heading out for a night-time walk in the hope of encountering a ‘Crepuscular Goat Sucker’ or a ‘Corpse Fowl’, you could be forgiven for thinking that I was going on a gothic themed ghost hunt. These are however names by which one of our most intriguing summer visitors are known, the Nightjar.
Photo above: Close up of a Nightjar, beak open, by Grahame Madge (rspb-images.com)
This unusual looking bird travels for over 5,000 miles each spring from its overwintering grounds in Africa. It arrives on our shores during April and May, leaving again in August for its return trip.
The Nightjar has been the stuff of myth and legend over the years. As an insect feeder, it was often seen around livestock where insects gathered. Myths grew that the bird suckled from the teats of goats, hence the nickname and its Latin name, Caprimulgus Europeus, roughly translates as ‘goat sucker’.
With its broad flat head, large eyes, and whiskery appearance, the Nightjar is an unusual looking bird. It has grey brown and buff colouring, streaked and barred plumage making it exceptionally well camouflaged amongst the leaf litter where it sits quietly during the day - it can easily be mistaken for log. When it does sit in trees it lies lengthways along the branch allowing it to appear almost invisible against the bark.
Watch Your Step
The female Nightjar usually lays one or two eggs directly onto the ground and its chicks are fully independent around one month after hatching. This bird and its nest are incredibly susceptible to disturbance and this is one of the reasons why we ask visitors to keep their dogs on very short leads and keep to the trail paths when exploring the heathland at RSPB Arne.
Over half of England’s most threatened breeding species nest on or near the ground, including Nightjars. These threatened species are under increasing pressure due habitat loss, predators, and climate change. Yet we can all help protect them from disturbance by simply following the Countryside Code and keeping to footpaths.”
Rare birds like Dartford Warbler, Nightjar and rare reptiles like Sand Lizards nest on heathland sites, which are often popular places to walk, cycle, horse ride and picnic too. By keeping to the footpaths and keeping your dog on a short lead you can help to keep nests, chicks and lizard hatchlings safe. Fire risk can also be very high on heathlands, so pack a picnic rather than a BBQ and take any litter home.
Photo above: Female Nightjar brooding on nest site next to two hunkered chicks by Ben Andrew(rspb-images.com)
Record High
Nightjar numbers across RSPB reserves in England and Wales hit a record high in 2022 and this includes for RSPB Arne. A total of 60 territorial males were recorded churring on our reserve in 2022, compared to only 20 recorded back in 1990.
Conservation work at RSPB Arne has succeeded in encouraging Nightjars to breed successfully in increasing numbers. We have restored the 630-hectare reserve to a mosaic of heathland, grassland and woodland and creating this variety of habitats for the birds is key to help them thrive. It's actually a herd of native Red Devon cattle, ponies, donkeys and pigs which are helping with this restoration.
Photo above: Donkeys on the grazing unit by Laura Pringle
Peter Robertson, RSPB Arne senior site manager, said: “This type of wilder grazing system is all about using animals to help create a dynamic mosaic of habitats. They are constantly changing things on a small scale – breaking up vegetation, creating bare ground as they pass through, and moving plants around in their dung and hooves. It’s the dung that attracts insects such as dung beetles which are great Nightjar food.”
Getting Up Close to a Nightjar
Night-time hunting is a speciality of the Nightjar and its wide mouth is a great tool for capturing moths as it flies silently over the heath. This agile flier, with its pointed wings and long tail, has a similar shape to a kestrel or a cuckoo in flight.
For me, there is nothing as magical as standing out on the heathland on a warm summer’s evening, eyes closed and simply listening to the churring sounds of these incredible birds. Take a listen here. It is such an unusual sound and interspersed with the slapping sounds of the males ‘clapping’ their wings - you can’t mistake it.
Photo above: Nightjar on the ground by Mike Richards (rspb-images.com)
If you want to experience this for yourself book onto a special RSPB Arne Night Wildlife Walk this summer. You can enjoy a locally sourced, home cooked meal with the walk leaders and then head off into the reserve for a magical experience. Just remember to bring the insect repellent! Book here
Past attendees to this event have said:
“The RSPB volunteers were very friendly and informative. Just after dusk the wind dropped, the moon rose and out came the nightjars. It was really spectacular, an amazing display. RSPB Arne never disappoints!”
“We did the Nightjar Walk with supper and it was a truly amazing experience. Neil was the main guide and he was brilliant at finding the Nightjars for us. All of the volunteers that came along were great so helpful and really have a passion for what they do. The noise the Nightjars make was fabulous, a truly magical experience. We had supper included in the price and it was the best sausage casserole I have had. Thank you all for making it a lovely evening ”
“Nightjar Walk an absolute must do. A magical and enchanting evening. Supper was good too. If you get the chance take it.”