All of our migrant breeding birds have now returned to Nagshead. Spotted Flycatchers arrived in early May and finally the first Nightjar was heard 'churring' on May 14th. We currently have three male Nightjars on the reserve, hearing their eerie churring song as darkness falls is a real highlight of the year at Nagshead! The males tend to arrive from Africa a little earlier than the females to set up territories on heathland and clear-felled areas, they begin churring from prominent perches at dusk to proclaim their territory to other males and attract a female for breeding. As well as churring, the males perform wing clapping displays in flight, clapping their wings loudly above their backs and flashing the white patches on their wings and tail. Nightjars are mostly crepuscular, meaning they are active at dawn and dusk. They have large eyes to help pick out prey items such as moths and beetles which are caught on the wing, but eyes have their limits and can only be used before total darkness falls or if there is a full moon which may allow night time hunting. Nightjars have incredibly cryptic plumage and spend the day roosting on logs and other debris on the clearing floor.
We are running three guided Nightjar walks this summer, 16th June, 27th June and 7th July. If you would like to hear and have the chance to encounter these wonderful birds please do get in touch to book your place. There is also a good chance of encountering other exciting wildlife on the walk, such as roding Woodcock, Tawny Owls, Wild Boar, Fallow Deer, and if you are really lucky, Glow Worms. Details of all of our events this summer can be found here. The following video was filmed at Nagshead last week; listen out for the wing clapping display as the Nightjar flies......
Churring Nightjar at RSPB Nagshead, May 2012 (Film: Lewis Thomson)