117 Common Nighthawks

Yesterday we said to be on the lookout for nighthawks. We saw 117 Common Nighthawks total, last night over our property. For a while, about 60 of them were feeding a a swarming mass over our house. There was a big hatch of ants that day and there were flying ant swarms everywhere, providing food for the nighthawks. Got great close views and photos! The two above are so close, but no collision.

Here's a male Common Nighthawk, told by the white bar on the tail.

The female Common Nighthawk does not have a tail band.

We're lucky because our deck is a great nighthawk watching spot. The birds are attracted to the pond in front of us, which is a damned up part of the river. Ahh birding while sipping single malt scotch and watching nighthawks, our idea of fun.
Have a great holiday weekend.