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The Nightjar
The scientific name (Caprimulgus europaeus) for the nightjar means ‘goatsucker’.
This is because some people used to believe these birds would feed on goat’s milk. The grey-brown mottled plumage of the nightjar is perfect camouflage against the bark of a tree. It has a pointed tail and a flat head with a small, yet wide bill - it opens fully as it flies through the air, catching insects.
The males have white on the tips of their pointed wings and tails, which are used for displaying or flashing. The birds have very short legs, making walking tricky for them.
The nightjar, as its name suggests, is nocturnal hunting for moths and insects at night. Its flight is silent and agile. Often, the nightjar can be heard “churring” and clapping its wings, even when it is hard to spot.
The nightjar arrives in the UK in April - early May, having migrated 3,000 miles from sub-Saharan Africa. Similar to the Dartford Warbler, it is a ground-nesting bird, favouring a sheltered spot amongst heather and gorse.
They will usually lay two eggs, raising two broods before leaving the Common at the end of summer. Sadly, nightjars often fail to raise their young because they are easily disturbed by dogs, potentially destroying their nests.
Learn more about this bird on Horsell Common Preservation Society's website.
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