24 August 2002
Much to my surprise I had my first good flight of Common Nighthawks
of the season at Van Dyck Park, Fairfax City, VA this evening. Counted 43,
mostly in one large group early in the watch. I had expected them tomorrow
evening when the winds shift to the north. This season is later than the
past 2 years when migration was well underway by now with at least one good
flight (i.e., more than a 100 birds ) already. It is more like 1999,
another drought year, when I had counted 45 by now compared to 49 this year.
The rain we had today will also help because there will be insects,
especially dragonflies (a nighthawk food), about. I am also hoping that the
Bermuda High's stranglehold of our weather patterns is finally broken.
Went to the nocturnal feeding area at Tyson's Corner at 2100, but there
weren't any nighthawks. This follows a pattern that I have noticed
previously- on days when I have movement at my watch site, there are no or
few nighthawks at Tyson's(If anybody has counts for Tysons on Thursday(8-22)
or Friday (8-23) could you contact me off list. Thank you.)
Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA 22032
grackling@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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