An opportunity to head down into the south west of Northumberland to listen and look for Nightjars is always a treat. I’m always on the look out for suitable areas for different species and I had previously found an area of 10 year old conifers next to a recently cleared section of forest on a steep south facing slope.
Despite a cool breeze there was lots of activity to fill in the wait until dusk, a Song Thrush belted out its song for a full hour whilst several Tree Pipits, Willow Warblers, Wren and a Pied Wagtail came to inspect proceedings.
As silence fell some time after sunset a Woodcock called as it flew low overhead and a few seconds later, close by, a Nightjar began to churr. Some 30 seconds later it stopped and despite remaining on site for a further 30 minutes was never seen or heard again, though the cool breeze from the south may not have helped, keeping most of the moths that make up a good portion of their diet in more sheltered areas.
On a warmer night this site will be worth a further visit.