European nightjars are declining on UK heathlands due to habitat degradation, human disturbance of ground nests, and reductions in large flying insect prey.
Ground nesting makes nightjars acutely vulnerable to disturbance: flushed adults may abandon eggs or chicks to predation, and chicks that wander from cover face exposure and predation. Dogs off leads during the breeding season are a significant and largely preventable welfare threat. The chronic decline in large flying insects due to light pollution, pesticide use, and habitat loss reduces food availability for adults and chicks. Individual nightjars experiencing food shortages during the breeding season face energy stress. Habitat management including heathland restoration and appropriate visitor management can directly improve individual bird welfare alongside population recovery.