Nightjar tour on the Kalmthoutse Heide

The nightjar depends on open heathlands, pine forests, and sand drifts. They breed on the ground, on bare soil, and in the evening and night they catch large insects (moths, dragonflies, and beetles) during flight. They rest on a branch during the day and are almost invisible due to their camouflage colors. The nightjar flies silently and agilely, hovering and then gliding. It is a long-distance migrant that winters in tropical Africa. Its sound is a very characteristic rattle. This rattling sound can be heard from afar. Heard almost only in the dark (or deep twilight) and during the breeding season: “Tjurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....urrrrrrrrrrrrrr” Also flaps wings against each other during courtship. And who knows what else we will hear or see.