Whip-Poor-Wills and Fireflies

Summer rural nights are not quiet.

At least not on our property. We have a small farm nearby with lots of lovely animals – goats, sheep, pigs, turkey, geese, horses, kittens, dogs, and chickens – many who enjoy nighttime chatter.

And then there is our Eastern Whip-poor-will.

Have you heard of the whip-poor-will? I’m sure if you’ve ever slept near it, you would remember it. Think a car alarm on repeat – All – Night – Long.

That said, I am still thrilled that we have a resident of the Nightjar family on our land. It is a good sign that we have a healthy forest.

Nightjars (the family of the whip-poor-will) are one of the many bird species experiencing a rapid decline in recent years. Researchers are investigating to discover what is causing it, with suspicions that industrial agriculture and pesticides are at the root, causing both loss of habitat for the Nightjars as well as their favorite food – moths.

So, though my whip-poor-will neighbor is very loud, I’m happy he’s here.

And we have fireflies too!

How about you? Have you heard a whip-poor-will before? See any fireflies lately? Both are gifts of the summer night– and a reminder to get out under the nighttime sky while the temperatures are warm. You never know what you might see.

If you’d like to read more about the whip-poor-will and how to create habitat for them, here is a great article from the Audubon Society: Revealing the Mysteries of Whip-poor-wills—and What It Might Take to Save Them | Audubon

And speaking of fireflies - for those looking for a fun middle grade summer read, I loved The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson. It took me back to my childhood summers at the lake with my cousins. The quote on the front says, “This is the kind of book you wish you could live in,” Julie Murphy - and I so agree!

An Eastern Whip-Poor-Will (not ours since we haven’t seen him/her yet)