I stopped by Tysons Corner last night to check on the nighthawk activity. I
was surprised to find the lights on when I arrived a few minutes before 9.
There was a patchy, but thick, band of fast-moving clouds over the
buildings. In and out of the clouds, and the lights, there were a bunch of
nighthawks. The clouds kept me from getting a good count. However, it was
all quite eerie and surreal as they birds appeared and disappeared in the
clouds and lights. When I stopped across Gallows rd. for a distance view on
the way home, the clouds almost totally obscured the birds. Glad I went
over. It was neat. NOTE: The lights usually go on at precisely 9 p.m. I
was surprised to find them on at 8:55 last evening. If anyone lives near
the buildings and can check and offer any info about when the lights
actually go on these days, please post to Va-bird or send me a message
offline. The birds are usually lower and afford better views just after the
lights come on.
I have still not had a really great night with the nighthawks yet. I hope
tonight ( Sat.), or soon after, will get us some really good shows. There
were lots of nighthawks reported flying through Delaware last night. Maybe
they will get to us tonight.
--
Donald Sweig
Falls Church, Va.
