Re: Nightjar? - Ingledene

Thanks Philip. I was starting to lean
towards a Nightjar as well. But as I have never seen an Owlet-Nightjar
in flight and the only Nightjar I have seen in flight was a Spotted Nightjar
at Broulee, which had a more bobbing flight (very similar to a Dollarbird)
as it chased aerial insects above a recently burnt forest area, I cant
be sure on the id myself. 

Cheers
Marnix

"Philip Veerman" <>

25/07/2005 03:52 PM

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Subject	Nightjar? - Ingledene
Classification

Hi Marnix,
 
There appears to be a lot of Diamond
Firetails about this year (nothing to  complain about there) and you
would certainly expect them there (well I  would). As for a Owlet-Nightjar
or a White-throated Nightjar. There is big  size difference,
though in a short view, that can be hard to tell. Nightjars roost on the
ground whereas Owlet-Nightjars roost in tree  hollows. Their
flight is quite different too. A Nightjar flies rather  hawk-like,
whereas an Owlet-Nightjar flies more like a Willie Wagtail (these are  loose
comparisons). You wouldn't see wing spots on a White-throated  Nightjar unless
it was a quite good look. I  doubt that we know anywhere near enough
to be sure of whether Nightjars migrate  away from here, although
I think most records are in summer time. 
 
Philip