BIRDWATCHERS LISTEN OUT FOR ONE OF BRITAIN'S LEAST SEEN BIRDS

The British Trust for Ornithology is co-ordinating a UK-wide survey, in partnership with English Nature, Forestry Commission and the RSPB, to estimate the numbers of this dove-sized bird nesting in Britain.

The surveyors are asked to listen at dusk or dawn for the unmistakable 'churring' call of the male nightjar to estimate the number of occupied nesting sites.

A summer visitor to Britain, the nightjar has been declining in range and numbers for at least 70 years. A similar census in 1992 revealed 3,400 pairs of nightjar across the UK, a 62 per cent increase in the population from 1982, but even this welcome rise only represents a partial recovery. Sadly, the bird was found in fewer than half the sites it occupied only two decades before. Its historic decline has been largely attributed to the loss of large areas of England's heathland since the 1950s, and the poor
management of many remaining areas. The recent increase is due partly to conifer plantations being felled and becoming suitable for nightjars.

Greg Conway, the British Trust for Ornithology co-ordinator of the 2004 nightjar survey, said: "The modest upturn in the Nightjar's recent fortunes has been assisted by targeted habitat conservation measures by our partner organizations, the RSPB, Forestry Commission and English Nature. We hope these efforts will lead to a further increase in the national population and
help to meet the government's current conservation target of reaching at least 4,000 churring nightjar males."

The nightjar is one of 26 priority bird species included in the Government-approved Biodiversity Action Plan. It is also one of 39 species
to appear on the 'red list' of birds of conservation concern.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. For further information and to arrange an interview, please contact: Grahame Madge, RSPB press officer, on 01767 681577. Out of hours, please telephone: 07702 196902 (mobile); Graham Appleton, of the British Trust for Ornithology, on: 01842 750050; English Nature press office on: 01733 455190; Willie Cairns, Forestry Commission, on: 0131 314 6443.

2. Photographs: The following photographs are available free of charge from RSPB Images in digital format. To place an order please email RSPB Images on: rspb@thatsgood.biz Please remember to include the reference numbers of the image required.
2205045-00016-005 Nightjar among heather. Photo: Mike W Richards, RSPB Images. Please note these pictures are only to be used in conjunction with nightjar story

3. Sound clips and broadcast-quality radio interviews: To arrange an ISDN interview with an RSPB spokesman please contact Grahame Madge at the RSPB press office. A sound clip of 'churring' nightjar (39 seconds), is also available, via the RSPB's ISDN line, from Grahame Madge at the RSPB press office. Broadcast-quality footage: Broadcast-quality Beta footage of nightjar is available on request from Grahame Madge at the RSPB press office. Please ask for the Heathlands Beta tape Please note this footage is only to be used in conjunction with the nightjar story.