The nightjar is a nocturnal insectivore with one of the most distinctive calls in British wildlife. Its welfare depends on open lowland heathland with abundant large moths and beetles, and freedom from disturbance during breeding.
Nightjar welfare during breeding is highly sensitive to ground-level disturbance. Nests on bare ground or in leaf litter are vulnerable to walkers, dogs and mountain bikes using heathland tracks. Adults disturbed from incubating eggs may not return immediately — egg chilling in cool evenings can cause embryo mortality. Dog disturbance is documented as a primary cause of nest failure at monitored sites. Night-time heathland management work (path maintenance, scrub clearance) should avoid the May-August breeding period. Heathland reserves that implement dog-on-lead requirements and night closure of sensitive areas during breeding season show better nightjar breeding success than open-access sites.