Reunited with an old friend - Nightjar B90538!

Great news!! This week our ringing team has dicovered that the male nightjar B90538 is back in its territory in Erreño. First ringed as a juvenile in 2023, it appeared in the nets again on 19th August 2024.

From the data gathered we can see that the bird has grown a lot since our team ringed it as a juvenile. (eg. 2024 Wing 180mm, 2023 wing 175mm)

 The nightjar is a very elusive migratory bird as it is nocturnal and well camouflaged. Usually its presence is revealed only by its churring call as night falls. This is when it becomes active and leaves its perch to feed on moths and insects.

As the bird is nocturnal it is quite difficult to catch and ring but our team got really lucky on 19th August. Not only did they recapture the now adult male B90538, but they also ringed a new juvenile (sex unknown).

It is interesting to observe the differences between an adult male and a juvenile.. for example the white wing and tail spots

adulto  /  joven

Every year the date gathered by the ringing team provides information about bird populations  in Urdaibai and the health of individuals. Scientific bird ringing is essential for conservation as it is a way of monitoring populations and protecting natural spaces.

Thanks to our team for all their efforts!