WOODCOCKS AND GOATSUCKERS

Last monday evening provided ideal conditions for the annual nightjar hunt in Blean Woods,six of us met up at the entrance track and made our way to the usual spot,serenaded all the way by willow warblers blackbirds and song thrushes.

SAMPHIRE HOE NIGHTJARS FIVE A SIDE TEAM(photo by Pete Wells)

It was not long before the first of many woodcock fly bys occurred

A WOODCOCK RODING BY

AND ANOTHER

A VERY FAST WOODCOCK???

It grew dark then a bit darker and a half hearted churring was heard and a little later a reply and then a brief glimpse of our quarry as it flew across the ride.
Was that going to be it?now nearing ten o`clock we made tracks ,as we reached the cross paths the space station flew across the heavens and we followed its path agog, luckily for us we did for a full churring started up nearby really loud.Pete drifted away up the path and had a good view of it in flight.The bird now started calling from a different position and was eventually seen by all silhouetted against the last of the light in a tree
across the open heath,a near perfect result.Now well after ten glow worms guide us back as well as Tonys trusty torch,just had time for a quick pint of DOOM BAR in the Dog at Upper Harbledown,highly recommended.Now the evening was perfect.