This is a belated report from Roy Van Vleck of 5 Common Nighthawks observed in flight over downtown Hanover between 8-:30 pm on June 14, in the vicinity of the Nugget Theater. They were apparently foraging and vocalizing. As many know, this species has all but disappeared as a breeder from NH and VT over the past decade-plus, for reasons that aren't entirely clear but may have to do with loss of suitable rooftop substrate (switch from gravel to membranes and other materials) on many urban buildings. The 2003-2007 Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas failed to confirm breeding by nighthawks anywhere in the state and had only two instances of probable breeding (7 confirmations and 8 probables in the first Atlas 25 years earlier). Hanover had nesting nighthawks for many years, but I don't believe the species has been present in the past 15-20 years (does anyone know the last year of confirmed, or even suspected, breeding?) While the June 14 birds might have been late migrants headed to northern breeding grounds in Canada, Roy's exciting report bears follow-up. Spencer and Doug Hardy and I listened and watched from 9-9:10 pm on Friday night, but encountered no nighthawks. Anyone is urged to pay careful attention when in this area anytime during the hour or so after sunset in the weeks ahead. Two or three summers ago, rooftop nest patches were installed on several downtown roofs, as well as (I believe) on Baker Library, in the hope that nighthawks might reoccupy the area and attempt nesting again. For anyone not familiar with the "peenting" and "booming" sounds breeding nighthawks make, check out Cornell's All About Birds site http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Nighthawk/sounds. Please report any observations to Lou-Anne Conroy at <[log in to unmask]>, and let the rest of us know on this listserve. Thanks, Chris -- Chris Rimmer Vermont Center for Ecostudies P.O. Box 420 Norwich, VT 05055 802-649-1431 ext. 1 http://www.vtecostudies.org **************************************************************** To post messages, send e-mail to: [log in to unmask] Set your e-mail application to PLAIN TEXT ONLY to post messages. To contact the list owner: [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Web based archives and subscription management are available at: http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/Archives/uv-birders.html ****************************************************************