Trip report: Nightjar Evening, 23rd June 2007 · John Olley · Added 8 July 2007

Fourteen hardy souls met at the Cross Keys Pub in Hamsterley Village.  We emerged not too tipsy, but ready for what can be a rather frustrating and unpredictable quest, to see and hear one of our more elusive species, the Nightjar.  Our population of Nightjars has increased over the past two to three years and spread east, with birds now regular at our destinations tonight, Shipley Moss and Knitsley Fell. 

Our convoy of vehicles reached our first destination at around 21:00 hrs.  It was still very bright but rather cool with a slight north-westerly breeze.  After leaving the vehicles we soon discovered two roding Woodcock flying and calling over the woodland.  Over the next half hour up to six of these birds gave excellent views, with plenty of grunting and territorial disputes.  Robin, Song Thrush, lots of Curlew and a single Oystercatcher called, and Mallard and the local Greylags were all noted too. 

The Woodcock continued roding all night.  One of our group, who had wandered off, came back and informed us that two young Tawny Owls were sitting in trees close by.  We all rushed over but they soon disappeared into cover.  Fortunately they were heard calling on and off for a while, and eventually two adults started calling too.  In addition two small ducks whizzed past very close: probably Teal, but unproven. 

As it reached 22:00 hrs we all settled to listen for our target species.  We hit lucky at around 22:15 hrs, when two of the group picked up a brief call of a nightjar in the distance.  It briefly called again, but for most it was rather frustrating that nothing more was heard before we all gradually departed for home. 

There was one further sighting - not of a bird, but of the ghost of Knitsley Fell!  Not to our surprise this apparation was eventually discovered to be nothing more than a giant handkerchief called Colin Wilson.  One member of the group offered to help Colin onto the top of his vehicle in an attempt to attract the nightjars out; however, on balance it was decided that this would most likely send them back to Africa. 

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