Date: 8/16/26 6:09 pm From: 'Rob Woodward' via NHBirds <nhbirds...> Subject: [NHBirds] 144 Common Nighthawks - Franklin Falls
Welcome to the 2026 Common Nighthawk Migration Studies here at Franklin Falls, perched high above the mighty Pemigewasset River, turning into the Merrimack just a mile downstream. The Franklin Falls Recreation Area now has a popular disc golf course and the players frequently stop by to see what I'm doing. Today one fellow gushed about a new app he knows of. "Crazy," he raved, "it tells you the names of the birds singing all around you." "Oh yes," I acknowledged, "the Merlin app. Everyone has one now (except me)."
Tonight's count went well for opening night. Favorable warm SW winds blew all evening. The first bird of the season arrived just as I took my seat at 4:45 but then almost nothing until 6:00 when about 90% of the day's catch was counted in that hour. Birds were moving both north and south. By way of comparison, 143 were counted this date last year.
Tomorrow's forecast calls for rain so no count for the next day or two.
