Nightjar showing well in Creech Wood.

Tuesday 16th May 2023.

The setting sun lit up this gorgeous singing Song Thrush near the 'Nightjar' clearing within Creech Wood tonight.

It looked as though tonight would be a good night for our visit over to Creech Wood to see the Nightjars and thankfully, it was a clear, still evening and just right for seeing our first Nightjars of the year. Though I wore my thick winter coat, I should have taken my Baseball Cap because the Mosquitoes and other midge-like creatures were treating my head like an open Diner! The good news was there were a lot of Bats flying around tonight and so reducing the little buggers in large numbers, hopefully. Andy Fisher joined me tonight as we waited patiently for the Nightjars and Woodcock to show.

Above, the walk through Creech Wood to the main clearing. Below, Hedge Mustard growing along the edge of the footpath. 

We parked up on the opposite side of the entrance on Bunkers Hill and took the footpath through the woodland heading east. There were ‘over-the-top’ warning signs dotted around due to tree felling going on in the area and the Council even closed off the car park for at least two weeks! What on earth are they felling trees bang in the middle of the birds breeding season anyway? Walking about a third of a mile through the woods to the large viewing area, there were sightings of both Blackbird and Song Thrush and the latter species was really belting its song high up in the trees. A Goldcrest was heard singing as was a Chiffchaff which we eventually saw in the clearing perched high up in one of the trees. It or a different bird was then seen flitting in a small bush right in front of us and burst into a bit of song and then flew off.

Above, the 'Nightjar' clearing where we were successful to see a male bird eventually show a few times. Below, Silverweed growing along the footpath.

We arrived a little earlier than expected and so had to wait around 50 minutes or so before the main attraction arrived. Overhead, a lone Swift drifted over in that time as did a pair of Swallows. Gulls were going off to roost in the harbours, in ones or twos and occasional large ‘V’s’ heading south. A tall dead bough of a tree stood on its own within the ‘Nightjar’ clearing that enticed a Great Spotted Woodpecker to fly onto and call for a while until flying off into the woodland.

Above, Creeping Buttercup was also growing by the edge of the footpaths. Below, another Song Thrush serenading us as dusk fell. What a beautiful song.

As it neared dusk, the Bats came out to hunt for insects and showed well at times, flitting about around the edge of the woodland. A few unidentified moths were also on the wing as were a few Beetles, but the light was now fading and they were all virtually silhouettes. It was around 8.50pm when we heard a brief ‘churr’ from a Nightjar then all went quiet till around 9.05pm until one was seen flying over the clearing and then landing in trees on the opposite side of the clearing, though out of view. It eventually flew out and gave us a much closer view before flying off to perch up again and begin ‘churring’. Sadly, no sign of any Woodcocks tonight and so we made our way back through the woodland and home. A Tawny Owl called a few times, but distantly.  

Above, Black-headed Gulls heading back to roost in the harbours.

Above and below, this male Great Spotted Woodpecker stopped briefly on this dead tree in the clearing.