Environmental factors influencing road use in a nocturnal insectivorous bird

This data set includes 9 years (2009-2017) of data on the number of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) encountered along a 24-km road network crossing a protected area of the Doñana Natural Park (Spain). Nightjar counts were carried out on a weekly basis from the time of arrival from spring migration (early April) until autumn departure to their wintering quarters (late October). These counts began 1–2 h after sunset from fixed starting points by driving a vehicle at a constant speed of 30 km/h until the full 24-km was completed. Meteorological information from the two nearest meteorological stations, located 17 km and 6 km from the study site, is also included in this data set.