Birds of prey at dusk

[hillybilly]

Have been watching numerous birds of prey out at the campo house over the last few nights. They appear only at dusk (i.e. sun completely disappeared over the horizon), swooping around as if they are catching insects (?) in the air then perching on high branches for a while then swooping off again. One landed about 6ft from me while I was up on the roof watching them...it is definitely a bird of prey (hooked beak, beady raptor eyes), about 18ins high. It was nearly dark so couldn't get an idea of its colouring really. Anyone any idea what these are? Falcons?
The owls I've previously encountered "nesting" on the ground during the day are also very active at the same time but the 2 species don't seem to be bothered by each other.

[hillybilly]

By rooting around I think I've answered my own question. They are nightjars. The description of the song fits as well as that of the bird itself.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdgui ... /index.asp

[Paula]

Talking to yerself again

[ken2]

Hillybilly, you lucky thing, sounds about right, i have only ever seen one,ant chance you can get some pictures??

[hillybilly]

Talking to yerself again

Yeah well nobody else wanted to...
Ken, I'll try but don't hold out much hope due to the poor light when they appear.

[Wicksey]

I would have answered if I'd seen your post sooner, Hilly, as we have these birds near us. I see them when I'm driving up our track at night in the summer and they sit right in the middle of the road, then flutter up and move on a few feet then settle down again right in front of the car. It sometimes takes me ages to get past them as they just sit there, but I do get a good view of them. When in flight they are a bit like a kestrel as there's one bird I see on a particular stretch of track that flies up and then hovers in mid air until I've driven past (more sensible than the others!).

[olive]

We have the same problem here. They seem to have a death wish! Never seen one till we came here.

olive