Haldon Forest Park and the broader Haldon Forest space are home to round 1% of the UK’s breeding inhabitants of the European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus). Up to 50 pairs arrive from Africa every summer season, flying an eye-watering 3,500 miles to succeed in their most popular habitats: heathland, young conifer plantation, and just lately clearfelled forest. Forestry England ensures that each one of those habitats are available throughout Haldon Forest, serving to nightjar numbers to get better after they tumbled dramatically throughout the twentieth century when heathland habitat was misplaced from throughout England.
But even in its favorite habitats, the nightjar is in danger from predators, corresponding to foxes, stoats, and hedgehogs, and to hurt from individuals and dogs. Forestry England is asking forest guests to do their bit for uncommon nightjars this summer season by maintaining themselves and their dogs on official paths.
Ecologist, Aaron Boughtflower, defined: “Like many ground-nesting birds, nightjar have unbelievable camouflage that helps to cover them from predators. But that makes them vulnerable to human disturbance as a result of we will’t see the place they’re as we move by their habitat. While it’s tempting to stray off official trails or let dogs run by heather and scrub seeking smells, this may disrupt breeding behaviour and put chicken populations in danger.
“It doesn’t take a direct attack to hurt a nesting chicken, even shut proximity of a canine will be sufficient to frighten a chicken away from its offspring. Breeding adults want all their vitality to hatch and lift their chicks. Fleeing the nest makes use of up their valuable vitality reserves and stresses the birds. Without their mom, young chicks are uncovered to predators and temperamental climate circumstances.
“The good news is that we can all do our bit to help ground-nesting birds simply by keeping to official paths and trails when we’re out in the forest or countryside. Keep dogs in sight and close by, and use a lead if their recall isn’t reliable. It’s super simple, and it can make all the difference to our valuable wildlife.”
Read extra about nightjar on the Forestry England web site at
Most of Haldon Forest Park and Haldon Forest itself are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for lowland heath habitat, raptors together with nightjar, and butterflies. Restoring Haldon’s lowland heath and offering different areas of nightjar habitat are integral to Forestry England’s administration of Haldon Forest. The full administration plan for the forest and SSSI is available at
Watch the brand new video to be taught in regards to the mysterious and exquisite nightjar 
You can be a part of us on our social media pages, observe us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Threads the place you possibly can hold updated with whats occurring in South Devon.
Got a information story, weblog or press launch that you simply’d wish to share or wish to promote with us? Get in contact by way of electronic mail [email protected]
