Date: 8/24/25 5:48 am From: Naomi Lloyd via groups.io <naomi_kestrel...> Subject: [hmbirds] Upcoming field trips: 8/26, 8/27/ 8/28
Our annual Nighthawk count at the Pine Bush is back! Join us on any of three nights and hope for a good show!
Counting Common Nighthawks
When
26, 27, 28 Aug 2025
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location
Albany Pine Bush Preserve
Coordinators: Scott Stoner and Denise Hackert-Stoner <scottjstoner...>
The Common Nighthawk is perhaps best referred to as the "Uncommon Nighthawk" as this dusk- and dawn-feeding aerial insectivore sadly is in decline. Although it breeds throughout much of North America, it is no longer observed during the summer in many urban and suburban areas. A long-distance migrant, Common Nighthawks travel in large flocks, on one of the longest migration routes of any North American bird. Most travel over land through Mexico and Central America to reach their wintering grounds in southern South America. Although numbers on individual nights are unpredictable, the bulk of southbound migration occurs from mid-August until early September. Once again, HMBC will be viewing and counting any nighthawks that pass overhead.
Meet at the parking lot at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, located at 195 New Karner Rd. (Rt. 155) in Albany. Bring a chair and binoculars. We will begin each night at 6:00 p.m. and count until 7:30 PM.
