Whatbird.com

I have a friend who is starting to get interested in bird watching. He has a wonderful memory, and is really good at describing what he has seen.  Last night, we were out to dinner, and he started asking us about a bird he had seen the previous evening.    My wife and I were scratching our heads, because he was describing something we had never seen  (among other field marks, a white stripe on the underside of the wing, front to back.   Other birders are probably saying "Oh that is a ******, but we had never seen one).

Anyway, my wife said we'll need to hit the books when we get home, but I pulled out my WM device and started entering what we knew (location, wing shape, size) and it quickly narrowed down to a handful of birds, and one was obvious from the picture, a Common Nighthawk!

Alan

Funny you mention the Common Nighthawk.  In the past few weeks, I've noticed many of them flying and swooping around near dusk.  I had not seen any yet this year until a few weeks ago - and all of a sudden they came in huge flocks.  I wonder if they are migrating or if they are here because of the hurricane's down south?   It seemed that all of a sudden they appeared when the south was getting that nasty weather.  Any ideas?

By the way - I'm in southwestern Ohio - where are you located?

I am in Maryland (DC area).  I haven't seen any Nighthawks here yet, but honestly, I don't think I have been out near dusk in a week or more.  My friend was in Gettysburg, PA when he saw his.  I'll have to go out tomorrow evening and see what is flying.

Alan

That is interesting.  My brother called me yesterday, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and also said he was seeing Night Hawks near dusk.  I hope you get to see some.  They are fun to watch.