While some bird species may be struggling elsewhere, the nocturnal nightjar has found the night life of North Yorkshire very much to its liking!

The bird – once on the brink of extinction in many areas until a few years ago – has made an astonishing comeback locally and now nature fans are being invited on a twilight safari to celebrate.

A walk to track down the elusive creature – famed for its churring love-call and aerobatic dance – is being staged in 8,600 acre Dalby Forest on Saturday 3 July at 9pm.

Brian Walker, Forestry Commission Wildlife Officer, explained:

“The news from our forests is that nightjars are back from their winter migration to Africa in really good numbers. The last survey we did found over 200 males in Forestry Commission woods in the North York Moors, making it a vital area for the bird. If the warm and dry weather keeps up over the nesting season it could be a vintage year.”

Woods like Dalby, Langdale and Cropton Forests, all near Pickering, and Broxa, near Scarborough, are good areas to hear and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the bird.

Conservationists will be busy through the summer keeping tabs on numbers by listening for churring males and even trying to ring some of the birds. But that is a very tough job, adds Brian Walker.

“Nightjars are superbly camouflage and active at night so catching one is difficult. But it’s the only way we can find out more about the bird. We use a tape recording of a nightjar to stir up aggressive males who promptly try to drive it off, but instead fly into a net. It’s all harmless, but nightjars have got fantastic memoires and the same bird won’t fall for that trick twice without us changing the recording.”

The cost is £5 per person and booking is required on 01751 472771. Wear warm clothing and suitable footwear. The event is not suitable for dogs. Rendezvous details will be given at time of booking.