Man in glasses and ball cap in front of photo, about 60 people sitting on blankets or in chairs on green lawn well behind him, many giving a thumbs up.

words by Jen Mach

On a cool, late August night, a big group of Chicago birders gathered at Horner Park in the hopes of seeing Common Nighthawks. The crowd of birders increased from about 20 at the official start time at 6 pm to around 75 as the night got darker. Passers-by asked “Whatcha lookin’ for?” and many lively dogs ran back and forth as a group played baseball in the far corner of the field.

We were looking for nighthawks––never a sure thing. Nevertheless, leader and self-professed “Ultimate nighthawk nerd” Edward Warden set a jolly tone, regaling us with nighthawk information and fielding questions from the crowd.

Moreover, being cooler than the late-August night, Edward sported a T-shirt with a certain famous Edward Hopper painting––you know the one, right?* He discussed the difficulties in predicting when kettles of nighthawks would be migrating, as they prefer a north or north-west wind for their migration from Canada, Minnesota and Wisconsin to various locations in South America. To spot nighthawks, Edward instructed us to look above the trees, but below the clouds, for birds that were larger than swifts or swallows.

About 20 people seen from behind, eyes and binoculars focused on the sunset sky above a baseball diamond. — Nighthawk watchers. *Photo by Paul Waite, Horner Park, Aug. 25, 2025.*

And indeed, while we were waiting, copious numbers of Barn and Cliff Swallows flew above the trees, sometimes swooping low over the field to catch insects stirred up by running dogs or soccer players. As the night progressed, absolutely ridiculous numbers of Chimney Swifts joined the swallows in the sky, lingering after the swallows had gone to roost.

Various other birds flew by, including a European Starling, a Rock Pigeon or two and, in a highlight of the evening, a Great Blue Heron. Edward mingled with the crowd, handing out postcards for the Urban Birding Festival. Nearby birders discussed upcoming trips to Belize, traded suggestions for bird-related books, or fidgeted with their lawn chairs.

At 6:30, the field lights went on, a good sign as the nighthawks might be drawn to the insects attracted by the lights. At 7:15, Edward spotted the first nighthawk, very far away and high in the sky. He was able to guide us to get eyes on the bird using the beautiful, sunlit clouds as landmarks.

Four thick-bodied dark birds flying, two blurry. White bars cross the underside of the wings of the closest bird. — Common Nighthawks. *Photo by Paul Waite, Horner Park, Aug. 25, 2025.*

Additional distant nighthawks were spotted, with massive swarms of swifts on the horizon, as well as aesthetic clouds that served as landmarks. The nighthawks got closer and closer as the night got darker, although they didn’t appear to be feeding near the lights. We were treated to several close flyovers, close enough that we could see their characteristic white wing markings and even hear some “peent” calls.

Medium-sized thick bodied dark bird with white streaks across its outstretched wings against a dusky sky. — Common Nighthawk. *Photo by Paul Waite, Horner Park, Aug. 25, 2025.*

Eventually the bats came out, the nighthawks moved along, and we called it a night. A small flock of 6–8 Canada Geese gave us a flyby to send us on our way. We departed, happy to have seen so many nighthawks and grateful to Edward for picking such a good night for birding, through some combination of skill, good fortune, and his lucky “Nighthawks” shirt.

*Nighthawks, by Edward Hopper, 1942

Field Trip Recap: Horner Park Nighthawk Watch