Thursday afternoon, the 27th, I happened to see 40 Common Nighthawks in a tight flock flying south, fast, straight and level, at treetop height. I’ve never seen them fly that way before and I suspect that they were tired of being cold, wet and hungry and were moving South as fast a they could. Last night, the 28th, I went outside as the rain let up and the sun broke through and saw the sky explode with birds. Dozens of Common Nighthawks, Chimney swifts and Barn Swallows filled the air over our trees and the neighbors’ pastures in a frenzy of feeding. Tough time to be an insect!

Barbara Williams