NIGHTJAR (CUPRINULGUS EUROPEUS)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

OBJECTIVES

To provide and maintain suitable breeding habitat.

LOCAL TARGETS

Targets awaited.

CURRENT STATUS

The nightjar is a red list species on the list of Birds of Conservation Concern (RSPB 1998), its range having declined in the UK by over 50% during the last 25 years. It is a species concentrated in Europe and is listed as a SPEC 2 species as it is undergoing a modest decline in Europe. The nightjar is listed under Annex I of the EC Birds Directive and Appendix II of the Berne Convention.

Historically in the Cheshire region the nightjar was 'local but widely distributed' but by the late 1930's it appeared to be following the national trend of decline. Although the national BTO nightjar census carried out in 1981 and 1992 failed to find any churring (vocalising) males, in the Cheshire Region nightjars breed in 2 areas close to the county border, and some potentially suitable habitat appears to exist in the Cheshire region.

THREATS

Loss and degradation of heathland.
Loss of clearfell and young forestry plantation.
Loss of low intensity farmed foraging habitat.
Excessive use of agricultural pesticides.
Disturbance during nesting.

CURRENT ACTION

RSPB National Action Plan has been produced.
Detailed research into the ecology of nightjars continues to be carried out by the RSPB and a study is currently being undertaken by Nottingham University.
Appropriate habitat management carried out on suitable RSPB reserves has resulted in an increase of breeding nightjars on those sites.

ACTION REQUIRED IN 2006+

Form a Local BAP Action Group for the nightjar and liase closely with parties carrying out existing conservation work.
Work closely with the lowland heathland BAP Action group.
Protect and maintain existing lowland heath sites in the Cheshire region.
Increase the range and population of nightjars by the restoration and recreation of heathland and associated forestry habitats.
Promote the adoption of sympathetic forestry management policies to benefit nightjars.
Promote the adoption of sympathetic farming methods.
Survey key sites for breeding males before and after habitat management.

ACTION COMPLETED PREVIOUSLY

None

ACTUAL LBAP IMPLEMENTERS

None

OTHER POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTERS

BTO	Forestry Commission	rECOrd
CAWOS	Landowners and managers	RSPB
CWT	Local groups and individuals
FWAG	Nottingham University

CONTACT

Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Phone: 01270 610180
Fax: 01270 610430

REFERENCES

Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society: Cheshire and Wirral Bird Reports.
Guest et al (1992): The breeding Bird Atals of Cheshire and Wirral. Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society.
RSPB (1995): Species Action Plan 0778 Nightjar Cuprinulgus europeus.
Shorrock (1976): The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland. T & D Byser.

Date compiled - 1998
Date reviewed - 1999