I've received a lot of e-mails asking if Stuart Sweetman might have heard an
American Woodcock. I did make one mistake. Stuart told me that he heard a
"rubber band" sound. I assumed that he meant the "peent" call, but, actually,
Stuart meant the "booming" sound of when the bird dives. I realized this after
talking to Stuart this evening.
Stuart told me that he heard the bird for about 5 to 10 minutes, after dark. He
said the sound was clearly coming from overhead, and it was the sound
nighthawks make when they dive. Stuart has been birding since the 70's and is
knowledgeable about birds. He said he hasn't yet heard woodcock displaying.
But, I feel pretty confident he heard a nighthawk. He said he will listen again
tomorrow night.
I hope he hears the bird again. If he does, I might take a trip up there and
listen myself.
Elisa Enders
Portsmouth, VA
From: elisaenders@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 21:49:13 -0500
Subject: [Va-bird] Common Nighthawk over Smithfield, VA
A bit of a late report, but I was told by Stuart Sweetman that he heard a
Common Nighthawk "peenting" many times over Smithfield, VA on this past
Monday evening. He was at the Smithfield Rescue Squad Station there. His
computer hasn't been working, so I asked if I could post the report for him.
The Goldbook states the extreme date for the coastal plain is 4/4, so this is
quite early.
Elisa Enders
Portsmouth, VA
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