I arrived home last Thursday evening, to our farm on Flint Ridge, Hopewell Township, Muskingum County. I haven't had much time for "serious" birding since, with all the projects needing to be completed before the onset of winter (It's coming, folks!). However, adjunct bird observations have been entertaining, and interesting.

Last night Jane and I were enjoying a campfire at dusk, out on the site overlooking the back forty. A single common nighthawk swooped around overhead, the first I have seen here since 2006. I don't expect many of these (the most I ever saw together here was five) but they are always a treat. Nighthawks evoke a special, specific childhood memory, and they always make me smile.

We also heard a strange squawk from the forest shortly after dark; I reckon a turkey. We saw quite a few on one of our daily hikes through the ravines a couple weeks ago.

There are few singers in the woods these days: a couple of red-eyed vireos, some wood-pewees, and a Carolina wren and cardinal or two; pretty typical for late August.

Swallows are beginning to stage on the utility wires along Flint Ridge Road. I haven't taken a serious count yet, but barn swallows were following my pasture-mowing activities yesterday with great interest and acrobatics. I think one actually flew UNDER my old 1961 Massey while I was towing the brush-hog.

Wild stuff!

Bob Evans
Geologist, etc.
Hopewell Township, Muskingum County
DeLorme 70 A1, Classic Editions

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