Nightjar walk

Step into the forest at dusk for a chance to see and hear one of Haldon Forest Park's most mysterious residents: the nightjar.

Join our rangers for a guided walk where we hope to see and hear these fascinating birds. We will explore the heathland of Haldon's Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to see the type of habitat the nightjar prefers, learn some of their distinctive calls, and perhaps even see them gliding above the treeline.

What is a nightjar?

The European nightjar is a nationally scarce bird that travels to Devon from Africa to breed each summer. They nest on the ground, taking to the sky at dawn and dusk to hunt moths and beetles on the wing.

Find out more about nightjar.

Accessibility and wellbeing

We will be walking at dusk for the best chance to see and hear nightjar. This means we will be returning to the car park in the dark so please bring a torch.

We will walk around 2 miles/3km over varied terrain. We will stop during the walk but there are no benches on our route.

Please wear sturdy shoes, dress warmly, and consider bringing extra layers. It can get cold in the forest as night draws in. You might like to bring a bottle of water. There is a free refill station in the visitor hub.

Check yourself carefully for ticks when you get home.

The event will be cancelled if weather conditions are unsuitable and booked attendees will be contacted via Eventbrite.