Following numerous reports from all over the region of migrating 
Common Nighthawks, I went onto the deck of our house in West Bethesda 
last evening (8/23) at about 7:30 p.m.and looked up:

Lots of American Robins and a few Chimney Swifts.  Then at 7:55 p.m., 
when it was already distinctly dark because of considerable cloud 
cover, and I was ready to quit, came 5 Nighthawks beating slowly in 
from the northwest.  Maybe on their way to one of the well lit 
shopping centers in Virginia where Paul Woodward and others are 
checking on them.

We used to have a great Nighthawk show in early fall when there was 
still a farm along Democracy Boulevard in North Bethesda just where 
the Marriott headquarters and many other buildings are today.  But 
that was back in the "good old days."

Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD

D. H. Michael Bowen (Mike)
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda MD 20817-3845
Tel/Fax: (301) 530-5764
e-mail: