I know it's a couple of weeks late - I haven't logged on for a while, but thanks to Ian and Paul for arranging the release. Having tried to see Nightjar at Astley in the 80's it was good to eventually see one there, even if it was under 'artificial' circumstances. Hopefully it will make it to Africa and back and tell its mates about the place!

There are some very nice photos of the bird on the galleries of the website if you haven't seen them Ian, but none of it's eventual release.

Paul

Great to hear the release was a success - eventually. Did you get any photo's? If yes, any chance of posting them.

yes sorry about the delayed news but yes it was a successful release and hopefully it may return next year,

Does anyone know if the Nightjar managed to get off second time round or not last night?

It was excellent to see the nightjar so close up. A really beautiful bird.

It was also good to meet up with other members of this forum including Geoff ,Jimmy ,Lee , Judith and the rest.

It wasnt Paul who picked it up, a member of the public just handed it in, presumably at an RSPCA office in Trafford.

Where abouts in Trafford was the bird originally discovered ?

The bird is still with us

It apparently looks quite perky again and has fed on glucose and moths Paul has found in his wallet...sorry, shed last night, it is very slightly under weight but not so it's cause for any real concern. There will be no public release when the time comes, this will quite rightly be an intimate affair between it and Paul

It appears to be an adult female, aged by the pale greyish tips to the primaries (especially the inners) and secondaries and a female due to the lack of the white spots to the inner webs of the three outermost primaries.

Dean, the bird was released onto a stump but fell off onto the ground where it never moved for half an hour so it was taken back into care, any news on the birds condition?

Would love to have seen this. Just got back from a day out in Chesire and i drove past the moss on the East Lancs about 1 1/2 hours ago

can't see this thread.

Hmm. Can see it now. Not sure why this sometimes happens - only happens ocassionally.

-- Edited by rezMole at 20:17, 2007-08-08

Oh dear sorry i suggested it now, I know how much you rugby players can drink

That's a resounding YES, why the hell not! Remember to bring yer wallet

Thats where i seen Nightjar before Ian Do you fancy a alchohol beverage afterwards?

The NIghtjar will be released at 9pm. Birders need to be around Rindle Cottages at the top of Rindle Road, Astley (turn off the A580 East Lancs Road onto Higher Green Lane towards the canal, go over the canal, across the small roundabout and carry on until you go past the wood yards then follow the road round to the left, follow this until you come to the last buildings on the left before the railway. Parking will be very limited, so please park carefully on the road around the cottages, up by the railway and I may well have some extra parking sorted by then.

The bird will be being released on the moss so we will be leaving the cars and heading off at 9pm prompt. DON'T BE LATE

RSPCA inspector and county birder Paul Heaton picked a Nightjar up from Trafford today ' in the line of duty'. The bird is in apparently perfect condition and will be released tonight on or around Astley Moss SSSI, I do not currently have a time for the release but those interested should give me a ring after 7pm ish and I'll let them know the time and exact location, I will also update this page the moment I have that information.

My number is : 07958 687481

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar at 12:58, 2007-08-09