by Tom Tinsley
Albeit the 2025 Summer Solstice actually occurred on Friday June 20 th at 7:42 pm. On Tuesday June 24 th the Vancouver Audubon Society (VAS) held its 3rd annual Summer Solstice gathering.
For those who don’t know, the summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Many types of summer solstice rituals exist. For many people these rituals often include connecting with nature and the sun’s energy. For us at the Vancouver Audubon Society it means venturing out at dusk to view common nighthawks and well as other bird species. But clearly nighthawks are the stars of the evening show. They swoop and are constantly changing direction in the evening sky in pursuit of flying insects. Common nighthawks are found across North America for approximately 6 months each year. They migrate south to South America for the winter.
This year 13 VAS members gathered on the road leading to the Cold Creek campground east of Hockinson to view these amazing birds. Maybe next year we will see you out there?
Vancouver Audubon 