Andy Stepniewski wrote

>{Mike, My idea of Black Swift nesting habitat in the Cascades is that
>portion of the range north of the "Wallowa Linement," ie. Snoqualmie Pass.

>>From there north an abrupt change in physiography of the North Cascades is

>apparent. Local relief becomes more pronounced, the valleys overdeepened

>by glaciation and its wet! I've noted a morning exodus of Black Swifts
>from the following valleys in June and July in addition to the ones you
>mentioned:
> 1-at Alpental north of Snoqualmie Pass
> 2-at Gold Creek north of Hyak
> 3-at Stehekin at the west end of Lake Chelan
>
>I would guess all these valleys support breeding Black Swifts.
>
>Andy Stepniewski
>Wapato, WA

Thanks Andy, I've oftem wondered where our Black Swifts nest. They tend to
be
the most frequently seen swift during summer in the greater Wenatchee area,
but
we have no idea where they are coming from. I've come close to getting hit
by
their poop while working out in the yard (a better class of poop than you
might
get elsewhere).

On several occasions we've seen them skimming the cliffs along Hwy 97 just
south
of Pateros, and wondered if they nest in the rocks (a slightly
metamorphosed
granite) or are just feeding there.

Jerry Tangren
Washington State University
Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center
1100 N. Western Ave.
Wenatchee WA 98801

E-mail: Jerry_Tangren at tfrec.ncw.net
Phone: 509-663-8181 ext 231