I swung by Soldier's Delight NEA this evening (5/31/2008) in hopes for some of 
Common Nighthawks that Frode Jacobsen saw last weekend. I struck out on 
those, but did hear at least 5 WHIP-POOR-WILLS, and surpisingly, 2 CHUCK-
WILL'S-WIDOWS. They were on the Serpentine Trail at around 8:30pm, in the 
area of the big grasslands. At one point, one of the Chuck-wills-widows was in 
a small group of trees close to the trail. I never saw them, however. I have 
never heard Chuck-Will's-Widows at Soldier's Delight (nor have I ever seen 
them posted), so, I thought it unusual. 

Of course, now I'm left with a bit of a dilemna. I have never counted a life bird 
I haven't at least seen once on my life list-- this is my first Chuck-will's-widow 
(mainly for lack of trying), but my question is, how likely am I to actually ever 
see one? I've been fortunate so far as to not be faced with this dilemna 
(despite having seen plenty of species of owls and other nightjars)- I only 
have three other birds I have heard but not counted - all of which I feel fairly 
confident that I'll see at some point. Is this a bird I should give a pass to for 
my life list and count w/o actually seeing the bird? How many of you out there 
have actually seen the Chuck-wills-widow?

Oh, please be aware that the park closes at dark. Police were in the parking 
lot when I got back to my car-- I'm fortunate enough to know someone who 
works at Soldier's Delight and have volunteered there before (meant no ticket 
for me tonight!)

Happy birding!
David C. Smith
Owings Mills, Md
dcs_wamphyri AT yahoo.com