The descriptive text, below the map, is from the Cornish Red Data Book (2009). The map on this web page depicts the organisms distribution and shows the records made pre-2000 and those made since.
Status
Palearctic; in Britain and Ireland range has contracted through this century, to a low of
2500 males on territory in 1981; 2002 census of 3,400 males indicates slight increase or
stabilisation of possibly previously underestimated numbers since.
Regional Distribution
Cornwall: formerly widespread on heathland throughout Cornwall, but long decline had brought population down to 13 males by 1981; numbers now more stable with 17 males at five scattered sites in 1993, the largest of which (near St. Ives) held seven territories. There had been a marginal drop by 2004 when 14 territories were held at nine sites. Isles of Scilly: scarce migrant.
Habitat & Ecology
Favours cleared areas in forestry plantations and wooded heathland. Summer visitor May to August.
Threats
Loss of heathland habitats has been compensated for by creation of upland forestry plantations. Main cause of the range contraction considered to be climatic, with tendency towards wetter springs in recent decades.
Conservation
Provision of open areas within upland plantations every five or so years would provide optimum habitats for Nightjars. Protected under Annexe 1 of the European Union Conservation of Wild Birds Directive. Listed (middle list) as a globally threatened/declining species (BSGR, 1995).
I.J. Bennallick, S. Board, C.N. French, P.A. Gainey, C. Neil, R. Parslow, A. Spalding and P.E. Tompsett. eds. 2009. Red Data Book for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 2nd Edition.Croceago Press.
The Cornish Red Data Book Project was led by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation for Biological Recorders (CISFBR). The full text and species accounts (minus the maps) are available on the CISFBR website.