Birds of Buxton Heath
As Buxton Heath has a wide range of habitat types (dry heathland, the very wet valley mire, a reed bed, oak-birch woodland, alder woodland, and also the pine forest beyond its northern boundary, the site attracts quite a range of bird species.
Despite this, it doesn't have a vast list of species, but many of those that have been recorded are rather special species, such as the secretive Nightjar, and the Woodlark (Lullula arborea).
A species list will appear here soon !
Despite this, it doesn't have a vast list of species, but many of those that have been recorded are rather special species, such as the secretive Nightjar, and the Woodlark (Lullula arborea).
A species list will appear here soon !
The Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) flies up from Africa each summer to breed on the heathland areas of Norfolk and Suffolk. It is usually only active after dark, when it hunts for insect food, mainly moths, and the males set-up territories by patrolling and uttering their unearthly churring sound.
Each summer, BHWG members visit the site just after sunset to listen for these mysterious birds, and to try to establish how many churring males are present. This gives an idea of population fluctuations. There is usually the bonus of hearing Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) drumming as they fly over, seeing Glow-worm beetles (Lampyris noctiluca) lighting-up the site, and ..... to 'enjoy' being bitten by the swarms of biting midges ! On occasion, in the course of our site work and studies, we have accidentally flushed Nightjars from cover during the daytime, and on one particular visit several years ago, I observed a male sitting on an electricity cable at the southern heath, churring in the afternoon sunshine !
Note: Nightjar illustration by Vanna Bartlett.
Each summer, BHWG members visit the site just after sunset to listen for these mysterious birds, and to try to establish how many churring males are present. This gives an idea of population fluctuations. There is usually the bonus of hearing Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) drumming as they fly over, seeing Glow-worm beetles (Lampyris noctiluca) lighting-up the site, and ..... to 'enjoy' being bitten by the swarms of biting midges ! On occasion, in the course of our site work and studies, we have accidentally flushed Nightjars from cover during the daytime, and on one particular visit several years ago, I observed a male sitting on an electricity cable at the southern heath, churring in the afternoon sunshine !
Note: Nightjar illustration by Vanna Bartlett.