Nightjars

Birds and mammals in the forests of Uppsala wolves

Siggefora wolf territory

Nightjar

All through July nightjars continue to sing when all other birds have gone quiet. In the background a cuckoo can be heard though. This recording was made close to Arlanda so it was a bit of a challenge to find short periods of quiet. At least four males were singing and several females made their froglike croaks. Wingclaps can be heard quite often. Several males checked me out and circled me just a few metres away. The first part, upt to 1 min 40 sec, is a droprig (Clippy EM272 + Zoom F3) and the other part is with a parabole (Wildtronics stereo + Mixpre 3 ii). 8 July 2022. Johannedal, Uppland, Sweden

Nightjars at midnight in July

I wonder if the nightjars have two clutches in Sweden nowadays. At least they sing until early August, and this is one of the species that has been increasing during the last one or two decades. Uppsala. July 24, 2023.

Nightjars active all through summer

I have not heard this call documented anywhere before but two years back I was lucky to verify by sight that this call belonged to young nightjar being fed by the parents. Since this is a drop rig recording I cannot be absolutely certain that this is a nightjar but I do not know what else it could be.

Nåsten, Uppland. July 21, 2024
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272

Unknown call of a nightjar

Highlights from a Capercaillie lek with closeup recording of all parts of the male display including infrasound parts as the flutterjumps and the "buzz" (28 Hz).

Uppland. April 17, 2025.
Zoom F3 + AudioTechnica BP4025

Clicks, Trill, Cork, Whetting, Flutterjumps and Infrasound

Wood Sandpiper is a common species in Uppland during migration but as a breeding bird it is very rare. This morning I found a new breeding area for this species in a lovely setting. Tree Pipits, Cranes, Mistle Thrushes, Black Grouse and others can be heard in the background.

Svinasjön, Uppland. May 3, 2025.
Mixpre 3ii + Wildtronics stereoparabolic dish

Wood Sandpiper - A rare breeding bird in Uppland

One after another of the tropical migrants arrive to Uppland. This Whinchat was actively singing on a clearcut and in the background you can hear a pair of Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Black Grouse, Wood Lark and others.

Uppland. May 3, 2025.
Mixpre 3ii + Wildtronics stereoparabolic dish

Whinchat singing from a clearcut

In 2025 I have visited four breeding sites where males were calling early in the year but there had been no signs of breeding later in the Spring. This was until yesterday when I stumbled upon a breeding pair. In this recording you can first hear begging calls of the female and later on what I gather is the female song (more the tone of a Wood Pigeon than in the male). 

Uppland. May 4, 2025.
Mixpre 3ii + Wildtronics stereoparabolic dish

Lapland Owl breeding in Uppland also this year!

While recording a Whinchat I was lucky to stumble upon two Grey-headed Woodpeckers close to an aspen. I found a hole made this year and decided to put out a droprig the coming night. I was lucky to make a close-up recording of the calling male and at least two instances when they mated early morning.

Uppland. May 5, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 as tree ears

Grey-headed Woodpeckers at home

Nightjars have been very successful in Uppland the last 10-20 years. Nowadays it is quite a common bird in the forest-clearcut landscape. I had scouted this clearcut last year so I knew exactly where they would display. One of the best recordings I have made with nightjars where you can even hear them landing on the pine branches. Contact calls and lots of wing clapping. At dawn Blackbirds and Song Thrushes take over the scene.

Siggefora, Uppland. June 27, 2025.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 as tree ears

Break of dawn with nightjars

Field sound recordist and archivist of vanishing sounds in natural Iandscapes. Highly commended in the Sound of the Year Awards 2024 - Best Natural Sound.

Break of dawn with nightjars

Bo Söderström