Haldon Forest Park calls on visitors to help protect rare Nightjars

Haldon Forest Park is urging visitors to help protect one of its rarest and most elusive residents this summer - the European Nightjar. These ground-nesting birds, known for their nocturnal habits, haunting calls, and remarkable camouflage, arrive at the forest each year after a 3,500-mile journey from Africa to breed in the heathland and young forests of Haldon.

Home to around 1% of the UK’s breeding nightjar population, the Haldon Forest area is a vital refuge for the species, which suffered severe declines in the 20th century due to the widespread loss of heathland habitats. Forestry England has played a key role in reversing this trend by managing the forest to include ideal nightjar habitats such as recently clearfelled areas, young conifer plantations, and heathland.

To raise awareness and promote conservation, Haldon Forest Park is inviting the public to learn more about these captivating birds through a short online film and a series of free guided nightjar walks.

Walks take place on 11th and 26th June, and 9th July – booking is essential: https://forestryuk.link/nightjarwalks2025

Forestry England is also reminding visitors of the critical role they play in protecting Nightjars during the breeding season. With nests hidden on the ground, nightjars are vulnerable to disturbance from dogs and people who stray off official trails.

Aaron Boughtflower, an ecologist with Forestry England, explained: “Like many ground-nesting birds, Nightjar have incredible camouflage that helps to hide them from predators. But that makes them vulnerable to human disturbance because we can’t see where they are as we pass through their habitat. While it’s tempting to stray off official trails or let dogs run through heather and scrub in search of smells, this can disrupt breeding behaviour and put bird populations at risk.

“It doesn’t take a direct attack to harm a nesting bird; even close proximity of a dog can be enough to frighten a bird away from its offspring. Breeding adults need all their energy to hatch and raise their chicks. Fleeing the nest uses up their precious energy reserves and stresses the birds. Without their mother, young chicks are exposed to predators and temperamental weather conditions.

“The good news is that we can all do our bit to help ground-nesting birds simply by keeping to official paths and trails when we’re out in the forest or countryside. Keep dogs in sight and close by, and use a lead if their recall isn’t reliable. It’s super simple, and it can make all the difference to our valuable wildlife.”

Haldon Forest Park and much of the wider Haldon Forest area are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for their lowland heath, raptor populations, and butterfly species. Protecting nightjars and restoring heathland habitats are central to Forestry England’s long-term management of the forest.

Watch the film here: https://forestryuk.link/MeetNightjar

Learn more about nightjars here: https://forestryuk.link/AboutNightjar
Read the Haldon Forest management plan: https://forestryuk.link/HaldonForestPlan

Forestry England manages more than 1,500 woods and forests across the country, with over 285 million visits in 2023/24. As England’s largest land manager, it works to create resilient landscapes, promote wildlife, and offer places for people to connect with nature. By 2026, Forestry England aims to integrate wilding into 6,000 hectares of productive forest, engage more diverse visitors, and plant 2,000 hectares of new woodland.