Ponies, pigs and poo: four-legged helpers boost nightjar numbers to a record high

23 May 2023
By Alex James
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Nightjar, close up at by Grahame Madge (rspb-images.com)

The number of Nightjars at RSPB reserves across England and Wales has hit a record high following decades of conservation work to help turn around the fortunes of the threatened species.

​A total of 198 territorial male Nightjars were recorded during surveys last year, up from 178 in 2021.

Nightjars migrate to the UK each year from their wintering grounds in Central Africa. Typically found on lowland heathland in the UK, their numbers fell in part because of habitat loss and the resulting break-up of connected heathland areas. Work by the RSPB and other conservation organisations to halt the decline has seen the species move from the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List, to the Amber List.

Survey results from 2022 included a record 60 territorial males at RSPB Arne in Dorset - set to feature as the lead filming location for this year’s series of Springwatch. Thanks to a team of conservationists, aided by four-legged helpers including cattle, pigs, ponies and donkeys, Nightjar numbers at Arne have tripled from the 20 males recorded in 1990.

Conservation work at RSPB Arne has succeeded in encouraging Nightjars to breed successfully in increasing numbers, with the 630-hectare reserve restored to a mosaic of heathland, grassland and woodland. Creating a variety of habitats for the birds is key and a herd of native Red Devon cattle are doing exactly that, assisted by ponies, donkeys and pigs.

Peter Robertson, RSPB Arne senior site manager, said: “This type of wilder grazing system is all about using animals to help create a dynamic mosaic of habitats. They are constantly changing things on a small scale – breaking up vegetation, creating bare ground as they pass through, and moving plants around in their dung and hooves. It’s the dung that attracts insects such as dung beetles which are great Nightjar food.”

Nocturnal and exceptionally well camouflaged, Nightjars are notoriously difficult to see. They nest on the ground, creating a small depression in the ground for their eggs, and use their camouflage to stay hidden during the day. The birds feed on the wing, flying with their mouths open to catch insects in the air. Similar to bats using echo location, they make a small clicking noise to track prey including moths, cockchafers and other large insects.

Counting the number of Nightjars on site requires the conservation team to set out at dusk and listen to where the male birds are ‘churring’ from perches or on the ground. In flight, they make a call which sounds like a prop plane with its engine slowing down, spluttering and getting slower and slower with a final ‘splut’ at the end. Males in display flight also make a clapping noise as their wings hit each other on the upstroke.

Peter added: “On the heathland on a summer evening the sound of churring Nightjars is everywhere. Their calls carry quite a long way and now there is nowhere you can stand and not hear one, and in most cases half a dozen. It’s a repetitive reeling sound - incredibly distinctive and an amazing wildlife experience.

“Being able to hear those calls is the perfect reminder that the hard work is paying off. Helping to maintain then increase numbers, and reverse population declines of species like Nightjar is very rewarding.”

Along with many other species, Nightjars are sensitive to human disturbance. The camouflage that hides ground-nesting birds from natural predators can make it hard for people to spot nests, so to minimise the risk at RSPB Arne, visitors are asked to avoid areas closed to the public, stick to permitted paths and keep pets on leads in areas where people are allowed to walk dogs.
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Sunset over heathland, Arne RSPB reserve by Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
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