Record number of nightjars in Kent's Blean Woods

HEARD BUT RARELY SEEN: The nightjar. Picture: Jacob Wijpkema

Mechanical ‘churring' noise the first sign bird is near
July 2010: Record numbers of male nightjars have been recorded ‘churring' in one of England's largest protected woodlands this season. Surveys carried out at RSPB Blean Woods in Kent have shown that there are seven males, the highest number ever.

Michael Walter, RSPB warden said: ‘During the last national nightjar survey in 2004 only 45 churring birds were found in the whole of Kent, so it is very gratifying now to have seven birds on the Blean Woods reserve.'

The mysterious bird arrives from its African wintering grounds in May and stays until September. They have an almost supernatural reputation with their silent flight and the first indication that a nightjar is near is usually the male's churring song.

‘Nightjars are nocturnal birds and can be seen hawking for food at dusk and dawn. As the light begins to fade, the mechanical ‘churring' sound can be heard drifting across the heather. Those with keen eyes may see the nightjars as they dart around catching moths and pairs perform their wing-clapping displays.'

Blean Woods is one of the largest protected woodlands in southern England and consists of a mix of coppice, heathland, open glades and mature oak woodland. The heathland, where three of the birds have been displaying, has been expanded for the benefit of breeding nightjars. Management of the heath is carried out by a combination of grazing and mowing to prevent its reversion to birch woodland which the nightjars would not use.

The other four birds are in extensive areas of coppice that are cut on a short rotation to ensure that there is always a plentiful supply of the more open habitat that these birds prefer. A scattering of more mature trees is retained as song perches.