1990/10/01 by Ian J. Alexander, Brian Cresswell · 3 citations
Environmental Science · #Avian ecology and behavior #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Remote Sensing and LiDAR Applications #Woodland #Habitat #Foraging #Geography #Nesting (process) #Deciduous #Ecology #Grassland #Arable land #Predation #Biology
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.1990.tb00280.x
openalex publication_date 1990/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/11
Radio‐tagged Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus nesting in conifer plantation clearings and on lowland heath in Dorset travelled an average of 3.1 km away from their nesting areas at night to atypical habitats, presumably to feed. Comparison of habitat availability with use showed that Nightjars preferred deciduous or mixed woodland habitats, while they avoided conifer plantations and arable or improved grassland. Absence from the nesting area was recorded on 72 % of bird‐nights and birds were least likely to be away during the middle third of the night. The use of atypical habitats may have implications for Nightjar conservation.