Hey Mauser, I thought you stated on one of my threads that you considered yourself a veteran[8D]

You're right, it was a rookie mistake. You've got to get a few more under your belt to calm that anxiousness...

As for your question, they'll be back. If that's a relatively un-pressured area, and a normal roosting site, they should be back very fast. From the description of the surroundings, though, in my mind I'm thinking that they actually walk away from you in the morning, and probably walk through the logged area right before fly-up in the evening, eating the bugs before going to bed...

You may have a difficult time pulling them up the hill during the morning if it is that open...

Good luck!

S&R