Nightjars

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

While waiting for the wolves to howl I stumbled upon two young and one parent nightjar on a clearcut. All three were flying around me and from time to time, the young ones got fed by at least one parent. Interesting repertoire of calls quite unlike the call and song of the summer. They should head south any day now. Siggefora, Uppland. August 25, 2022.

Nightjars still around

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

A song battle between a nightjar and a song thrush. When the nightjar didn't call it a day, the song thrush became immediately quiet. Eventually, the nightjar went to bed as the sun rose. A short special performance of a woodcock as well.

Svinasjön, Uppland. July 10, 2024.
Zoom F3 + Clippy EM272 as tree-ears

When Night Meets Day

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.

Nightjars

Bo Söderström