Following up on Dan Best's comments about Nighthawks ...
Phenology ("the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomenon, especially in relation to climate, plant and animal life") is a very interesting area of science. I was taking a gardening course over the winter and was introduced to the "phenology gardens" that exist throughout Ohio and in other states. Master Gardeners (volunteers within the state Extension Services) monitor about 40 species of plants from 'first bloom' to blossom drop, recording these dates AND the various pollinators that are observed on the flowers throughout the season. This information is a huge help to those trying to either take advantage of pollinators or control for insects in crops.
Birders are being taken more seriously today as Citizen Scientists, especially when we begin to notice and report on how changes in habitat, pollution, encroachment (even birders encroaching upon prime habitat) are affecting bird populations. Knowing this information is good - sharing it is better, maybe critical, to the overall expansion of knowledge for all mankind.
If knowledge is power, then Birders have the potential to be a powerful force for good in the world.
And you thought you were just enjoying a "walk in the woods"! You were actually making a difference in the world. Take a kid birding and insure this continues.
Matt Valencic
“It is in giving that we receive.”
-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Dan Best
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 9:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Nighthawks in Geauga County
Last evening (Tuesday, May 23) I had 3 common nighthawks calling in flight over the Upper Cuyahoga River south of Burton in Geauga County at 8:30 pm. For years, their appearance heralds the annual mayfly hatch in late May-early June on the river which provides a brief plentitude of food.
Not only nighthawks, but swallows, robins, waxwings, prothonotary warblers and various flycatchers all converge to hawk these relatively large slow-flying insects out of the air as they rise from the river. At the peak of the hatch, it looks like snow flurries in reverse.
I always wondered how the nighthawks knew where and when appear for the feast as they disappear after the brief hatch (1-2 days) until their late summer migration brings them through in, unfortunately, smaller numbers. Today’s rash of nighthawk sightings throughout the NE Ohio region has me thinking that the nighthawk spring migration is nicely timed with the mayfly hatch.
Other thoughts are welcome.
Dan Best, Naturalist - Geauga Park District ______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________
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