A week with temperatures reaching 34c - perfect Summer weather (although London commuting is a challenge), getting dark around 10pm and much easier to stay up a little rather than try to sleep
Wednesday this week there was an organised Nightjar count on Blackdown with the local National Trust rangers. There were 9 of us so plenty to position ourselves across the heath, with individual maps to mark sightings and times which would eliminate double-counts. Where I was standing the first Nightjar started churring around 9.45 and I had another about 10 minutes later, this one I saw leave it's perch and fly low across the heath. Awaiting the official totals but would think there were 5 territories counted. I was disappointed I didn't see or hear Woodcock as others did as I haven't yet seen one this year.
At home on Saturday evening I had just dealt with the sheep and was taken aback as a Woodcock flew over calling, I'm guessing it was at the edge of its Roding flight. I diligently tried the same time on Sunday and Monday at similar times but no further sign, this is the first sighting in 5 years, I had seen one before in December which I flushed from the bottom of the fields but nothing since. Flying Stag Beatles a couple of bats (not id'd) and two Tawny Owls in close proximity next to the house, were other night-time offerings.
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