A rare nightjar, a bird once common in Ireland but now considered extremely rare in Northern Ireland, was discovered behind a bin on a Belfast street. Office workers spotted the bird and called wildlife rescuer Debbie Nelson, who identified it as a nightjar, a species she described as 'almost extinct' in the region. The bird may have become disoriented by street lights and collided with something. Nelson brought it to her rescue center in Antrim, where it rested until it was ready for release the next day. She called it her 'most special' rescue of 2025. Nightjars, known for their distinctive churring call, have seen numbers decline due to habitat loss and pesticide use, with a 2024 report suggesting they were effectively lost in Ireland. However, a recent survey found evidence of a small number in the southeast, with researchers recording hundreds of hours of birdsong. The bird found in Belfast is a 'stay-under-the-radar' species, and its presence in Northern Ireland is surprising. Nightjars are small, nocturnal birds with large dark eyes, pointed wings, and long tails. They have a short, narrow beak and a mottled mix of brown, grey, beige, and white feathers for camouflage. The RSPB describes them as slightly smaller than a kestrel but appearing 'falcon-like' in flight. They migrate to the UK and Ireland in late April and May, with southern England being their most popular summer destination. Conservation efforts, including lowland heath restoration, have helped recover their population, which decreased by 51% between 1972 and 1992 due to habitat loss.
