Anyone know about nighthawks or are dealing with them?
 

I've been dealing with nighthawks trying to nest in my yard for 3 years & can't take another year of it. They are the loudest birds I've ever dealt with. Tired contacting the audobon society & several other people but no luck. Finally heard from Cornell that stated it's endangered. Big Whoop. They don't nest just lay eggs right on the rocks (which is my eniter back yard). I have river rock & their eggs look like the rocks. They come out around 8pm & squawk all night until around 5-6 am. This leaves me with no sleep from April to Sept. Ugh! Has anyone else had this problem?

Have you tried ear plugs and a sound machine?

Probably too late for this year, but you might want to put something in your yard that birds don't like. Something that moves or makes a noise. Windchimes or those shiny aluminum wind catchers that they sell at Market Night on the squares.

Try putting in a motion activated sprinkler:
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what about changing the rock color
 

I don't think they are afraid of anything. I've gone out with a flash light & directed right at their eyes & it didn't make a difference. I've waved a broom at them as they flew by & was almost attacked by 3 of them.They fly pretty low & can be intimidating. I'm thinking of putting a layer of a different color rock over the ones I have already.

You may want to put something out there that they will not wake up.

Rubber aligator?

Hmmmm.....interesting thought.

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Nighthawks are very determined birds. Fake predators seldom seem effective. By the way there is a jazz duo named Nighthawks. I would call the state natural resoruces dept and see if they can give you some advice

funny.
 

They are so loud, plugs won't work especially if they are right under my bedroom window.

tried every intistute I can think of without any responses. i.e. audobon society. Even went on a nighthawk website & asked the experts. The only reply I got was from Cornell. they told me I'd have to change my ground cover. Too expensive. currently talking to a landscaper to see if I can mix some of the river rock with darker red one. Ugh! There goes another landscape fortune!

Is this only during mating season or all year long? If it is for a short period of time perhaps a temporary cover over the rocks would work i.e. a tarp. Just a thought. Good luck.