Absolutely Fabulous
The Longest Day and a fine evening to set out a little later than usual from the forest. Up the forestry track nice and gently where a huge red deer quietly grazed. Popping out to the open and the wide, wide way up to Bellever. The sun certainly was high in the far north west. To the top with fabulous views and the hint of a breeze. Timing is crucial; so it seemed we could just make it to Laughter for the sunset. And so we did; a super place for a cuppa. A wonderful sunset, bang on time. Down by the wall and back to the forest. Along, along and slowly up to a beautiful clearing. Would they, were they, was that them ...? Then right in front of us a nightjar swooped and wheeled and settled on the track. As we slowly advanced it just kept a few yards in front of us. Now that was great, but more, much more to come. Churring and a clear sighting on top of a tree. Then just lots of nightjars, so near, flitting about, hovering, jinking and diving. Fabulous, but what could that be? A new sound, a bird fling along by the edge of the trees - "chek,chek chek", it was the female nightjar - never heard that before! Slowly, very very slowly we advanced enjoying every sight and sound.
A truly fabulous evening, the very best ever, so far ...