Record year for Nightjars

This year's survey of Nightjars at Broadwater recorded 16 churring males across the reserve which equates to 16 breeding territories. That's an increaser of 2 over last year's record number of territories and suggests that Nightjars are doing well. There were mixed fortunes for other heathland birds. Dartford Warblers bounced back from a disappointing 2022 and our surveys showed that there are 11 pairs on the reserve. Woodlark numbers dropped from 10 to 8 pairs. Once again there were no records of Tree Pipits whose numbers have fell over recent years and this is the second consecutive year that they have not bee recorded. Tree Pipit numbers have declined across southern and central England and they are on the red list of birds of conservation concern.