Tony F, Pete T, Sam H, Mary F, Helena and myself went to Heyshott Common last night.  A272 was shut in Petworth, so had to double back and go via Fittleworth, which took me some thinking about, so arrived late at destination. Hence most of the daytime birds were quiet apart from a rattling Dartford Warbler and a cheesy Yellowhammer.  Temperature still about 30C as the sun disappeared over the pines to the west.  There was an early short churr about 9.20 but then at least three got going about 9.40.  One dropped down from a tree fairly nearby, wing clapped and flew off. Then we all had lovely views of two flying around a clearing almost in front of us. As we walked back there was one churring nearby which continued without a break for at least five minutes!

A first Nightjar encounter for Sam, Mary and Helena and the first time Pete has actually seen one after three previous attempts.

Apart from one chap standing near the car park watching, we were the only people there – just the way it should be!

(The photo is from a previous visit as I didn’t take any last night – the moon was somewhere different yesterday!)

Val