Maine's Avian Aerial Insectivores by Logan Parker

Logan Parker of the Maine Natural History Observatory (MNHO) will present a lecture on nightjar research currently underway in Maine conducted as part of the Maine Nightjar Monitoring Project. This statewide, multifaceted research project is gathering insights on the status of Maine's Eastern Whip-poor-wills and Common Nighthawks, two aerial insectivores undergoing widespread declines. Attendees will learn about the natural history of Maine’s nightjars, cryptic and nocturnal birds that are more likely to be heard than seen, and learn insights from the field about these fascinating birds gathered throughout the state, from the Kennebunk Plains to the North Maine Woods.

Logan Parker

is and ecologist with MNHO and the director of the Maine Nightjar Monitoring Project, a multifaceted research effort started in 2017 focused on Maine's whip-poor-will and nighthawks. In 2020, we co-founded the Global Nightjar Network to support international collaboration among nightjar researchers and enthusiasts. Previously, he served as the lead technician for Maine's second bird atlas (2018-2022), coordinating many and participating in each of the project’s “special species'' and priority habitat surveys including alpine, wetland, and nocturnal bird surveys. Logan resides with his family in Waldo county where he enjoys birding, photography, writing, woodworking, and gardening.