Trip reports

Staple Plain - 8 July 2008

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

There were very few birds to be seen, but several yellowhammers were heard begging for their 'little bit of bread and no cheese' across the dense bracken cover and, eventually, there were some great views of these spectacular buntings as they perched on the few prominent thorn bushes.
The gloomy light seemed to enhance the brilliant yellow head set atop the chestnut plumage of the bird and made them very visible from several hundred yards.
Another species given away by its distinctive call that is said to resemble two pebbles being banged together, and from which it gets its name, is the stonechat. Several parties of stonechats were seen, including some very handsome male birds with their black heads and white neck patches. The stonechat is usually easily seen as it tends to perch on the highest vantage point.
A kestrel seemed to be pasted in a permanent position in the sky with quivering wings, until it suddenly dropped on some hidden prey and was gone.
Back at the car park, the party gathered together and walked through the deepening gloom of the woods towards the picnic site where the best views of nightjars have always been obtained.
After a not-to-lengthy wait, a nightjar began its eerie churring song from the valley below. This was followed by several simple single 'cooic' call notes and a nightjar appeared overhead. Attempts were made to attract the bird with the old trick of waving a white handkerchief which is thought to resemble the white wing and tail spots of the male nightjar making it think that a rival is in the area.
Nightjars flew over at fairly regular intervals, often right overhead, and if quick enough to pick them up with binoculars, it was possible to see that there was indeed a male showing off his white spot-marks.
What a strange but wonderful bird. During the day they lie motionless on the ground, relying on their cryptically camouflaged plumage to make them invisible or even to make them resemble a bunch of dead leaves. Then, afterdusk, they take to the air to feed on flying insects.