Thursday 6th June 2024: A Nightjar spectacular!

 Another Sdos outing, this time an evening visit to Heyshott and Amersham Commons in search of Nighjars.

Tim and I began with some late afternoon birding at Lavington Common, where with patience, we managed several decent views of Dartford Warbler, looking splendid with its rich, wine red breast and red eye as it perched up on the bush. 

Dartford Warbler

After a pub meal, we joined other members at the car park, and walked across to Ambersham Common, for a short stroll while we waited for the light to fade. Plenty of young Coal Tits and Great Tits were active in the trees, and several Stonechats showed well as they moved around the common. A Yellowhammer was found amongst the gorse, and a couple of Mistle Thrush flew over. Then a Tree Pipit flew in and paused awhile atop a birch tree.  A pair of Chiffchaff were disturbed from the scrub next to the path, and could be seen foraging in the bushes. As we crossed the road, a singing Woodlark hovered overhead before dropping down out of sight.

Crossing the road to Heyshott Common, and following a sandy track, we found a beautiful Roe Deer protecting a tiny fawn. Another damp section of the Heath was full of white Cottongrass, looking like cotton wool balls floating above the ground. We fought our way through a thicket of gorse that had grown across the path, and soon heard a Dartford Warbler, which eventually sat up on a song post, giving good views for most of the group. 

Before long we heard the mystical, familiar churring of a Nightjar, singing from a tree just around thirty feet in front of us. As we drank this in, two birds suddenly appeared and flew around the tree several times chasing each other, the male showing conspicuous white wing-flashes and tail corners, which really stood out in the gloomy light. It was magical, by far the best views I’ve ever had. Other birds churred from a distance and their incredible song accompanied us as we walked back towards the car park. The grand finale came with a single Woodcock which passed directly over our heads, giving great flight views, its long bill clearly visible against the fading light. A very satisfying outing for everyone.

Nightjar