Wildlife

Wild Bird: Nightjar Heathland Welfare

Nightjars are specialist heathland birds whose summer breeding season welfare depends on open, well-structured heathland with abundant moth prey.

Key Facts

Nightjars are nocturnal aerial hunters feeding almost exclusively on moths and other night-flying insects
UK nightjar populations are confined to heathland and open woodland edge habitats
Population declines are linked to heathland loss through development, agriculture, and fire suppression
Churring territorial calls are given by males from dusk - a key survey method
Nightjars arrive from Africa in May and depart in September-October

Welfare Considerations

Nightjar welfare during the breeding season depends on high-quality heathland supporting abundant moth populations and suitable open areas for ground nesting. Disturbance of incubating birds on the ground can cause nest abandonment and egg chilling. Management that maintains heathland structure through controlled burning and grazing improves both habitat quality and individual welfare.

What You Can Do

Visit nightjar heathland sites in June-July to hear churring but keep to paths
Support heathland conservation organisations including the RSPB and local wildlife trusts
Advocate for heathland restoration and management funding
Submit nightjar survey data to BTO monitoring programmes
Reduce light pollution near heathland as artificial light disrupts nightjar and moth activity