Some of the earliest references to the national status of
Nightjar come from as far back as 1790 when they were said to be
'nowhere common or numerous, widely but locally distributed'
(Lewin, W. 1789 - 1794. Birds of Great Britain). Some twenty
years later they were described as 'dispersed throughout the
Kingdom', being 'locally very abundant' (Montague, G. 1805.
Ornithological Dictionary). What seems clear is that they were
subjected to appreciable short term fluctuations in numbers and
have been in much decline since those heady days as the more
recent records would suggest. Nightjars are sometimes referred
to as goatsucker from the mistaken belief that they suck milk
from goats, the Latin for goatsucker is Caprimulgus. Some
historical names include; Eve Churr, Razor Grinder, Night Crow,
Fern Owl, Dor Hawk and Puck Bird.
There have been twelve Nightjar recorded in S. Gloucestershire;
2006: (1)
A female was found at Northwick Warth where it was flushed from
a hedgerow on Green Lane at dusk on September 9th. It represents
the first report of this species from the Severnside area.
2002: (1)
On September 8th one was photographed roosting on a garden fence
post in Downend.
