TWILIGHT treks will seek out an elusive nocturnal bird.

Walks in Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham have been organised to spot the nightjar, which vanished from the region in the 1970s.

The bird now uses the clear fell sites in the wood, which offer a perfect replacement for its traditional heathland haunts.

Expert Gordon Simpson will lead nature lovers on a safari to find the ground-nesting bird - renowned for its courtship aerobatics and churring love song. "Hearing the nightjar on a balmy County Durham night is a heart-warming sound," said Mr Simpson.

"I've been studying nature all my life but it still gives me goosebumps."

Recent wet summer have put a dampener on the bird's fortunes, depressing the moth population which is the nightjar's staple diet. But conservationists hope that a drier summer will get its fortunes back on track. The last census recorded 14 breeding pairs in Hamsterley, making it the bird's chief stronghold in north east England.

Walks take place on June 26 and July 3 at 8pm and booking is required on 01388-488312. The walks cost 5 for adults, 3 for concessions and 12 for family ticket, including a glass of wine or fruit juice.