A Year of the Nighthawk Program

Virtual Program

Join us for a program featuring research efforts by our colleagues in New Hampshire to conserve the now listed Common Nighthawk.

Project Nighthawk is a statewide research initiative coordinated by New Hampshire Audubon to conserve a state-threatened bird species, the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor). Data from New Hampshire and the region show that nighthawks are declining throughout their range. Founded in 2007, Project Nighthawk monitors the breeding behavior and distribution of the Common Nighthawk state-wide, including an investigation of the potential for restoring nesting nighthawks in urban areas by placing simple gravel “nest patches” on flat rooftops in Keene and Concord. If the absence of nesting sites is a factor in nighthawk declines, biologists hope the gravel patches will lure the birds back. If not, then other factors such as pesticide use, accidental poisoning on their wintering grounds in South America, or migration hazards, may be contributing to their decline.

All are welcome to attend this free event but RSVP is required.

About our Speaker:

Lindsay Herlihy is a biologist and naturalist-educator in New Hampshire. She has been contributing to various bird banding operations for over 20 years, including Appledore Island Migration Station, Kingston Wildlife Research Station, and Project Owlnet. Lindsay is a biologist at NH Audubon studying Common Nighthawks and Monarch Butterflies. She also runs her own avian research station called Black Mountain Banding Station.