Once a common sight devouring insects at every night game, the increasingly un-common nighthawk is now in steep decline. Despite being one of the fastest disappearing birds in North America, very little data exists on why and how to stop it. In 2021, Chicago Ornithological Society launched a volunteer monitoring program to fill the gap, one of the only such efforts in the country. This presentation will highlight what the deal is on these birds, what’s been learned so far, and how to ensure Chicago remains a haven for these mysterious creatures.

Edward Warden is a lifelong Chicago resident, birder, and urban naturalist.  Over the last 20 years he has worked with organizations across the Chicago region to foster community and appreciation for the urban environment through stewardship, conservation action, social media, and interpretive programs. He currently serves as President of the Chicago Ornithological Society and works as the Stewardship Program Manager at the Chicago Park District.  Nightjars are a particular passion of his and he is the founder of the Chicago Nighthawk Project, a community science project launched in 2022 to help track and observe them.

Location: This program is in person at the Ecology Center, 7:30pm.