Last evening I watched a continuing string of night hawks at dusk, flying across a crimson sky toward the east. I bet there were several hundred in all, traveling in groups of two and three, with the parade continuing for at least 20 minutes.
It caused me to think about how little we know about other bird species. I could blow smoke that speculate that these birds were leaving a roost and moving toward the Missouri river to feed at night -- but I really have no idea. I looked up a blurb about nighthawks on enature.com, but they just provide a sketch.
How wonderful it is to be able to turn to the Forum and archives here and read indepth articles on purple martins, mostly written by amateurs who have spend hours observing and studying thes birds. Still, as one long time landlord said to me earlier this year, "We're all still learning."
As the season ends, I for one will continue to read everything I can on these wonderful birds, and want to say thanks to folks like Laverne, Emil, Steve Kroenke and many others who take time to share their knowledge here.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
Purple Martin Forum
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