I have found the recent thread on Owlet Nightjars very interesting. Steve
Clarke wrote: I've seen three individuals in 20 years birding. Steve has
done better than me. I have seen three individuals in 30 years birding and
not for the lack of trying (my Ozie list is over 600). I have had two Owlet
Nightjar nesting/roosting boxes (BOCA design) on my place for the last 6
years. I regularly give the boxes a tap in the hope of finding an
inhabitant but so far no luck. I live on some bush acres outside Adelaide
and have not heard any calling at night either. I have also resorted to
tapping any tree hollow I come across but not much luck either. The first
bird I looked up when I received my New Atlas of Australian Birds was 'Owlet
Nightjar' and noted they are still listed as 'common' being recorded in
64% of 1degree grids... so obviously there is a trick to finding them that I
have yet to discover. I have had much more success in finding the likes of
various crakes, rails, grasswrens, redthroats etc than Owlet Nightjars.
Any further advice from those who regularly find Owlet Nightjars welcome.
Bob Sothman
Adelaide
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