First Record of Common Nighthawk Nestling Rearing in Yong'an, Fujian

The scene of Common Nighthawk nesting was recently recorded for the first time in Yong'an, Fujian. While conducting a routine patrol at Tuanshi Reservoir in Hongtian Town, river patrol officer A Wei discovered that the two nighthawk eggs he had previously seen had hatched, and the two chicks were growing healthily under the protection of their parents. The incident can be traced back to June 22. That day, while patrolling the same location, A Wei found a bird apparently trying to divert attention by feigning injury, and then located two wellcamouflaged bird eggs among dead leaves and gravel. After identification, they were confirmed to be the nest of a pair of Common Nighthawks. Reports say that the Common Nighthawk is a nocturnal bird that often moves about or rests on the ground during the day and hunts insects at night, playing a certain role in controlling forest pests. They usually breed from May to August, and their eggs are often laid directly on the forest floor, relying on camouflage to avoid natural enemies. The incubation period is about 15 to 20 days. The local area has continued to advance ecological protection and restoration, providing a more suitable habitat for wildlife. This successful chickrearing is also seen as an example of Yong'an's ecological improvement.