Trip Reports - 2008/2009
Nightjar Evening (3rd July 2009)
We again visited Knitsley Fell for the Nightjar visit this year. Again it was a pleasant evening with a slight breeze, but dry and clear.
En route some Canada Geese were seen close to our destination. As the group congregated on Howlea Lane by Hamsterley Forest, half a dozen Woodcock and some Mistle Thrush flew over. We first went to look on the Pond, where there were only some Tufted Ducks, Greylag Geese and Black-headed Gulls. A Curlew and chick was on the edge while a no doubt anxious parent flew over us. An Oystercatcher was heard and came into sight.
As we walked back towards the cars, Swallow and Woodpigeon appeared. Then a Sparrowhawk flew over, stalled as it was harassed by a Mistle Thrush, and disappeared. A Lesser Black-backed Gull was also seen.
We walked down the track towards our destination and past the farm. A brown hare ran across the fields, stopping and sitting upright for a while before moving leisurely on again. A Pied Wagtail was on the roof of the farm. In the distance a Tawny Owl could be heard and a pair of Grey Partridge appeared by the muck heap in the field.
It was still quite light as we approached the woodland but another Woodcock appeared. A Blue Tit could be heard and Blackbird sang sweetly. We entered the wood and some saw a Tawny Owl in a clearing. A Swift appeared.
We approached the clearing where we waited last year. Certainly two Woodcock (maybe more) were regularly appearing roding overhead. Someone found a young Jackdaw, probably only just having left the nest.
We waited and it got darker. The Woodcock kept appearing on a regular basis. But no sound of the magical chirring of the Nightjar. It was cool and possibly something was heard but it was in the far distance.
Time went on. Still no sound. But then a Nightjar suddenly appeared stage left. Not visible for very long, it was at least fairly close.
Then again nothing until, as the light really dimmed, a shape appeared over the far ridge. It flew towards us, all the way and over us. Still not chirring, but a strange little "chip" like call.
This time it was a good and long view. The long wings and almost invisible bill, falcon-like outline except for the bill. And then it was gone behind us, over the trees.
Some had a couple more brief sightings but try as we might we still heard no chirring, except possibly in the very far distance. Dark now, we returned to the cars and left.
I suppose it is more common on a Nightjar visit to hear the chirring but not see anything. We had at least one very good view. That has to be better than not hearing the usual Nightjar sound, and not seeing it!
Twenty species were seen, but as usual with the Nightjar visit, the trip would have been a "failure" if that one species had not appeared. But it was not.
Richard Cowen
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