Nightjar sighting

Chelon

This is going back a bit, around 10 years ago, but I've always wondered. I was fishing on a lough in Leitrim and just as dusk was turning to full dark a kestrel sized bird came skimming over the reed tops.

Curiously its' head was turning from side to side as it flew, I'm assuming it was catching insects. Could anyone confirm if this was likely to be a nightjar or some other species? It looked very much like this:-

https://www.arkive.org/nightjar/caprimulgus-europaeus/video-06.html

OpenYourEyes

Nightjar are so rare (i dare say absent) in Ireland, so it's very highly unlikely. It's hard to know really. I've seen Sparrowhawks catching dragonflies after sunset, and Kestrels could well do it too, so I'd say it was more than likely one of those two species.

gzoladz

I ticked them last summer in Galicia, great to hear them call at dusk and observe their somewhat erratic flying. I couldn't figure out how to take a picture of them though.

Tiercel Dave

Could it have been a Cuckoo?.....

jmkennedyie

Tiercel Dave wrote: »

Could it have been a Cuckoo?.....

Or Hobby?

gzoladz

. DELETED

Chelon

Hobby is a great shout. Thing I remember most is the head swivelling side to side as it flew in a straight line. Ah well there goes my nightjar dream :-)