(by Rebecca Suomala)
Project Nighthawk staff and volunteers typically track nesting nighthawks in Concord, Ossipee, and throughout the state. In the summer of 2024, we changed focus and concentrated our nighthawk monitoring at one location, the Steeplegate Mall in Concord, NH. The Mall has a large stone roof which is a reliable nesting location for Common Nighthawks. There are usually at least two male nighthawks displaying over different sections of the Mall trying to attract a female to nest on their part of the roof. We have typically had one or two nests on the roof every year. With only about 15 breeding territories in the state, that makes the Mall a significant site for New Hampshire.
Common Nighthawks are endangered in New Hampshire so when developers began planning the demolition and renovation of the Mall in the winter of 2024, they met with NH Fish and Game and NH Audubon as part of the permitting process to discuss the nesting nighthawks. The time frame for demolition was uncertain but it was clearly important that we track nighthawk activity from the start of the nesting season. Project Nighthawk staff and volunteers began watching at the Mall in late May. We focused all our efforts on this site, conducting standard evening surveys at least twice a week. Our information turned out to be very important.
By July 5, it was clear we had three active males at the Mall and likely two nests. I met with the consultant for the developers to share observations – his from the rooftop and ours from the ground. Thanks to this information, NH Fish and Game was able to negotiate with the developers to delay the removal of the stone roof until the nighthawks were finished nesting. Eventually, we were able to document two fledged young feeding above the Mall lights. It took many visits and sharp eyes to see the birds in the darkness above the lights. Even more interesting was that when the Mall lights were turned off in preparation for demolition in mid-August, we discovered the nighthawks had moved next door and were feeding above the lights at the Shaw’s parking lot. This is the first time we have been able to document feeding locations used after dark and it shows what you can learn by concentrating on just one location with lots of evening watches.
We will be watching the progress of the demolition as spring approaches and the nighthawks return. If you would like to receive Project Nighthawk’s annual summary, including more on the 2024 season, contact me or view it online. More information on nighthawks is available on the Project Nighthawk website.
I am grateful to all the volunteers and supporters of Project Nighthawk who have made this work possible. Project Nighthawk is funded entirely by private donations.