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Subject:

Nighthawks over Sykesville PVSP

From:

F Lovelett

Reply-To:

F Lovelett

Date:

Sun, 17 Sep 2006 09:41:20 -0400

Yesterday evening, Saturday 9/16, for over an hour (~5:15-6:45 PM), I
watched a kettle of Common Nighthawks (total of 8 birds counted) swoop
around my farm and the surrounding Patapsco Valley State Park
(managed-hunting area of the Sykesville/Western section PVSP).

They appeared from the SE fairly high (perhaps 50-75 ft up).  For 30-45
minutes, 4-6 birds hunted low (4-8 feet) over my back horse pasture. After
gobbling up all the flies (I guess that is why they stayed low), the
Nighthawks rose again to perhaps 30-50 ft and headed NW. They circled back
around to the SE and remained over the farm (I left around 6:45 PM). 

Also observed flying with (and generally above) the Nighthawks were two
Chimney Swifts and two Swallows (species unknown, probably Tree Swallows:
light bodies, darker wings, with squarish mildly notched tails...definitely
not Barn Swallows).

I think that there is a good possibility that the Nighthawks might return to
the area this evening. Drop me an email and you would be welcome to come
watch for possible Nighthawks here this evening. I hope that today's sunny
weather doesn't scare them off!

Felicia Lovelett

Swallows' (unknown species) Nest Farm
Sykesville, MD