A Whisper at Dusk Returns to the Downs

Nightjar populations in England’s South Downs National Park have doubled over the past five years, marking a rare and encouraging wildlife recovery for one of Britain’s most elusive birds.

“It’s wonderful to hear the nightjars churring away as dusk falls,” said Kirsty Murray, Heathlands Engagement Ranger at the South Downs National Park.

A recent ecological survey recorded 78 nightjars in 2025, alongside 109 territories—the highest ever documented in the park’s lowland heaths. These crepuscular birds, known for their haunting evening calls and near-invisible camouflage, had previously suffered steep declines, with numbers falling by 51% between 1972 and 1992 due to habitat loss. Their comeback is attributed to sustained conservation efforts, including the restoration of rare heathland habitats, which now cover just 1% of the park, and to community engagement that encourages responsible access to these sensitive areas. The birds migrate around 4,000 miles each year from Central Africa to breed in southern England, and their return signals broader ecosystem recovery, with species like woodlarks and Dartford warblers also rebounding.