Does anyone know what kind of a creature makes "chattering" noises in the trees at night in the Ozarks?

Question

They sound a little like very loud, large crickets but they are high in the trees around our campground. I overheard someone refer to them as nightbirds but I don't know if she really knew that they were birds.

Answer 1

Sounds like flying squirrels to me.  Look for fast moving creatutres, you won't see them long enough for a positive ID, but the movement is a sure sign.

Answer 2

Probably echolocation from a bat of some variety

Answer 3

I think cicadas. They are really loud and live in the trees.

Answer 4

I could very well be tree frogs.  They can get quite loud and have a chatter much like a cricket (only expanded).