Hi Tweeters!

While home in Michigan this month for a wedding, I took several opportunities
to bird familiar spots including Pt. Peele Nat'l Park in Canada. The most
interesting spot, however, proved to be the field behind my old elementary
school which is just down the street from my parents' house.

To my surprise one evening while tossing a frisbee, my wife noticed an
"unusual bird" flying overhead. It turned out to be a Nighthawk which was
quickly followed by several more Nighthawks. During the hour that we watched
(as long as we could tolerate the mosquitoes), we observed 50+ Nighthawks,
750+ Robins, 8 Flickers, 75+ Brewers Blackbirds all moving North to South.
Needless to say I was surprised to find that my elementary school in
suburban Troy, Michigan would be a point along a migratory route for these
birds. I was unable to spend additional time to record any more migration
events, however my dad just e-mailed me and said he observed a similar
phenomenon last night. Does anyone have any info on migratory patterns of
nighthawks/robins that they'd like to share? I'm curious whether these
events over my elementary school are unique or do nighthawks and robins
migrate in such broad bands and in such great numbers that anybody anywhere
could expect to see such spectacles? My dad and I would appreciate any info!

Dale Jensen
DaleJensen at AOL.COM