Nightjars are mysterious nocturnal birds of heathland and forestry clearings. Their welfare and conservation are linked to traditional land management practices.
Nightjar welfare is primarily threatened by habitat loss and human disturbance of nesting sites. As ground-nesting birds, nightjars are highly vulnerable to egg and chick predation - events that cause acute welfare harms to adults witnessing nest failure and to chicks killed by predators. Disturbance from evening walkers and dogs on heathland causes nest abandonment, exposing eggs and chicks to weather and predators. The welfare case for maintaining clear-fell forestry habitat, protecting heathland from recreational pressure during breeding season, and managing predators on key sites is strong. Evening heathland visits during June and July, while offering a chance to hear the nightjar's remarkable churring song, should be managed responsibly to avoid nesting disturbance.