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Search is on for Nightjars in Tipperary
Nightjar is an extremely rare bird in Ireland – to the point that there have been no breeding records for a few years now. There may still be some pairs clinging on though, so if you have suitable habitat near you please do check it out at dawn or dusk and let us know how you get on! Suitable breeding habitat includes clearfell areas, usually in conifers (often Scots pine), where there is a good litter on the ground
The BirdWatch Ireland Tipperary Branch will be carrying out coordinated surveying for Nightjar this year – see below from BirdWatch Ireland’s John Lusby:
“The wide-mouthed, insect-eating Nightjar was once widespread throughout Ireland, but are now close to extinct as a breeding bird and are Red-listed on the Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland. Small numbers of Nightjar arrive from Africa in late May, and nest in young forests at the edge of upland areas in the south of the country. Over the past 15 years, the forested foothills of the Galtees and Knockmealdowns in County Tipperary and Waterford have held more breeding records of Nightjar than any other part of the country. It is hoped that Nightjar still remain in these areas and this summer BirdWatch Ireland and the BirdWatch Ireland Tipperary Branch are undertaking a survey for Nightjars which aims to establish breeding. A team of survey volunteers are conducting dusk and dawn visits to areas of suitable breeding habitat for Nightjar to detect their distinctive ‘churring’. We are also looking for records of Nightjar elsewhere in the country to try and build up a picture of their occurrence and to confirm breeding.”
Even if you don’t find Nightjar during your survey, you may come across some other under-recorded breeding species such as Woodcock and Long-eared Owl. If you have suitable habitat near you, please do give it a few hours in the next week or two and let us know how you get on!
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