• Question from:Alan Rowe

I hope that this is not seen as a silly question but last night whilst walking the dog just before midnight I was startled by a very loud noise which I can only describe as 'violent'. The sound was akin to a water tap turned on full but with air in the pipes! Sorry but that's the best I can do it was a whooshing call.

The bird appeared to me above my head. I only saw the underside which was pure white. The wings were not broad but quite narrow.
The bird dived just above my head at great speed. It came towards me then leveled off and flew away. The dog was stunned into silence as was I. The size of this bird was bigger than a crow but not as big as a seagull.

I leave very near fields and have done for many years but this is the first sighting of this sort. I just want to know what it might have been.

Photo
  • The Science Museum, London.
  • Posts: 66

Hi Alan,

What you describe sounds very much like it might be a nightjar. Nightjars (nighthawks, whipoorwills) have long narrow wings and fly at night (more late evening and early morning) chasing after moths. They were thought to drink milk from goats. This mistaken belief gave them their other name of goatsuckers.

Hope this helps,

Carlos.