Rare bird returns to New Forest

One of our most mystical native birds, the rare nightjar, appears to be thriving in the New Forest following historic declines in the rest of the UK.

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Rare nightjar returns to the skies of New Forest

The mystical nightjar makes a welcome return to the New Forest Credit: New Forest National Park Authority

The survey shows the management of the Forest is providing a good habitat for them.

Over the summer, experts from international environmental consulting company RPS tracked the ground-nesting, nocturnal birds, which can best be seen and heard in heathland at dusk, or just before sunrise.

The last nightjar survey in the Forest was carried out in 2004/2005 as part of wider national surveys and these latest results will provide a better understanding of the birds’ nesting behaviour and the factors affecting their distribution and habitats.

Rare mystical bird returns to habitat in New Forest

One of our most mystical native birds, the rare nightjar, appears to be thriving in the New Forest following historic declines in the rest of the UK.

Early results of a survey jointly funded by the New Forest National Park Authority, the Forestry Commission and the New Forest Verderers as part of the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, show the nightjar population appears to be returning to the New Forest.

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