It was hard to imagine that, on 15 June, we were only five days away from the Summer Solstice as we walked across the Common, clad in several layers, including gloves. It was certainly very cool. Dark clouds threatened rain but fortunately we stayed dry.
Possibly because of the uncertain and chilly weather, only two of us joined leader David Rolfe in our search for nightjars but we were well rewarded.
We set off at 8pm, walking across the flat and rabbit-nibbled common. Several song thrushes accompanied us with their evening melodies, as did Robins. Further on, several arguably less melodious greenfinches announced their presence loudly.
As darkness fell, we left the main path, walking beside quite dense deciduous woodland at the end of which we turned into an equally dense scrubby area. And we waited.
While bats appeared with the dusk, flitting and diving around us, we got our first glimpse of roding woodcock, always flying with a purpose, but close enough to get good sightings with binoculars. Indeed, one pair flew just over our heads calling as they flew.
Then the churring of the nightjars began, becoming louder and longer as darkness fell. It’s an amazing and unmistakable sound, a mechanical whirring, something like a distant engine. The churring stopped as suddenly as it began, leaving only the silence of the darkness.
Did we see the nightjars? Well, a glimpse, flying low between the shrubs, but that was enough.
What a privilege to see woodcock and to hear nightjars, both of which are so comparatively scarce. It was well worth the journey and the chill.
Many thanks to David Rolfe for such a wonderful experience.
Julia Reid 16 June 2024
Birds seen/heard: Song thrush, Blackbird, Carrion crows, Jackdaw, Robin, Linnet?, Greenfinch, Nightjar, roding Woodcock
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