Quantock Hills Blog
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
- The hours you work as a Ranger are definitely not normal.
Posted by Andy Harris on 07 July 2010
Over the past few weeks I’ve been working many late days surveying for Long Eared Owls and Nightjars as well as patrolling.
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve lead some guided walks to view Nightjars, a nocturnal migratory bird that breeds here during the summer on our heaths and in our forests. The male Nightjar has a most unusual call - “churring” - which it does at dusk and dawn. Last Saturday night I had the fortune to introduce some members of the public to the sights and sounds of this very charismatic bird which in so many ways is unique if not a little odd. No sooner had we arrived at the site than the Nightjar began it’s churring with occasional breaks when it would fly off wings clapping then, in a most co-operative way, it landed in a dead silver birch in front of us and, despite the poor light, it allowed us to get a pretty good close view.
If you would like to join me on a Nightjar walk I shall be leading another one this coming Thursday (this time with my FC hat on) at 8:30pm from the Forestry Commission Office. There is a charge (£3.50-adult / £3-child) and you’ll need to book by phoning 01392 834233.
Photo c/o Mike Richards
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