Book this Tour
About the Tour
Join us at Croft Pascoe on the Lizard for an evening trip to see and hear the mystical European Nightjar. Whilst we wait for these amazing birds to begin their crepuscular activities we will explore the nearby woods and pool in search of other species like Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Siskin and possibly Dartford Warbler. On previous trips we have also encountered Barn Owl, Marsh Harrier and Hobby.
We will depart our Hayle HQ (plenty of free parking) at 1900hrs to arrive at Croft Pascoe before 8pm. We aim to be back at Hayle before 2230hrs.
Hopefully it will be a warm summers evening, but it can get colder as it gets dark, so bring warm suitable clothing. A flask/cold drink and snacks are advisable. Pick ups can be arranged for the Camborne or Helston area.
About the Nightjar
In bygone times the Nightjar was known as the ‘Goatsucker’ as people believed they came out at night to feed on the blood of livestock, in particular Goats! This myth couldn’t be further from the truth of course.
This crepuscular species is active at dusk and dawn, from late spring to late summer in woodland clearings near to bracken and heathland habitat. It catches moths on the wing, acrobatically flying round with its huge mouth open.
The males’ churring song is the best way to locate one and usually this is a silhouetted view on a branch. When they stop singing they are generally in flight and the males ‘wing clap’ to attract the females and calling a metallic ‘guick, guick‘. At dusk the male’s white wing and tail patches can be clearly seen as they fly buoyantly around you.
Our Nightjar evenings will offer you an amazing experience. We have previously had up to 6 males displaying around us and they often come in very close. It’s a very exciting moment when we hear our first churring birds!
FAQ
- Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear, the weather can be unpredictable at any time of year
- Sunscreen – on our spring, summer and sometimes autumn tours, it can be very hot and sunny in Cornwall. This is the item most people forget!!
- Drink – Hot or cold depending on the weather. We can be out walking for long periods so best to be prepared.
- Binoculars – we recommend you bring binoculars. We currently don’t have any spares.
- Packed Lunch – if the tour package does not include a pub lunch, then a packed lunch and refreshments are advised.
You can hire a pair of binoculars at the time of booking. We have a limited supply so please choose this option when you book. If you find yourself in need of a pair last minute just contact us in advance.
Our hire pairs are the superb quality Opticron Oregon 4, 8×42. They give fantastic clarity and are suitable for all our tours. We also have these in stock to buy if you’re impressed by them!
Our leaders have their own telescopes that they are happy to share if needed, but please feel free to bring your own, especially if the tour involves visits to estuaries or sea-watching. We hope to have telescopes and binoculars for hire in the future.
Not necessarily, if you have one then please bring it along. All our tours provide photo opportunities, so it is handy to have a camera with you.
For our Somerset and Devon Tours there are on site toilet facilities. Other bespoke and West Cornwall tours will have planned toilet breaks at public facilities.
Yes, within reason. We can pick up along the A30 corridor for our tours outside of Cornwall. For other pick-ups, we may be able to arrange if given enough notice.
