Nightjars - Guisborough Forest

[Neil Lay]

Here are some photographs from last night - and yes, it was very dark and this was the best I could do... (2 second exposure time for the last photo)  All taken from the Cleveland Way.

There was no sign of them until 22:15, then it was too dark by 23:30. In between, brilliant.

Up to 5 males churring at one time and three different pairs flying in tandem at another.

One tip: go up on a push bike (I add a health and safety disclaimer). As soon as i had finished, i.e. it's just light enough to see the path!, and I decided to freewheel CAREFULLY downhill, the ticking of the rear sprocket sent the males into a frenzy. The sound was all around and then two flew beside me, no more than ten feet away - obviously my camera was in the rucksack by then.

Please be careful if you go and don't forget a torch.

Neil