Forestry Commission rangers are organising the two-hour walks in Cropton Forest, near Pickering, on Friday June 13 and Harwood Dale the following night.

It is hoped the treks will uncover the elusive nightjar, a nocturnal bird which came close to extinction in the 1970s.

Commission wildlife officer Brian Walker said: “Weather goes in cycles and some years are good for breeding and others poor. As a ground-nesting bird, heavy rain is always a problem for the nightjar, not least because it kills the moths and insects it feeds on. Even so, we’re pretty confident the upward trend in nightjar numbers will get back on course. The dry weather of recent weeks has been a good start.”

Both walks start at 9.30pm and meeting points are:

l Cropton Forest – the layby at the start of the road leading to Spiers House Camp site, off the Rosedale road (Grid ref: SE752909)

l Harwood Dale – the layby opposite the Falcon Inn on the A171, three miles north of Cloughton (Grid ref: SE970980).

People are advised to pre-book on (01751) 472771 at the cost of £5 per person and should wear warm clothes, suitable footwear and take midge repellent.

The event is unsuitable for dogs and may involve driving into the forest with people’s own vehicles.