Re: Ferruginous Hawk disturbance,
Fortunately the Lewandowski nesting cliffs are a good distance away from
the road, separated by a barbed wire fence. I suspect its 500 meters, and
birder would have to trespass to get closer. In the early morning light,
however, its a grand sight from the road! I wonder if a far greater threat
to these birds isn't habitat destruction. At the Lewandowski site, an
observer can note several parcels of land that have been subject to
overgrazing, others in better condition (with copious bluebunch
wheatgrass). It would make a great study to determine what has caused this
species range to contract in WA. For example, the pair which nested on the
Yakima Training Center near Selah Canyon up to about 1989 no longer occurs
there, as well as a pair on the "Babcock Ranch" north of Zillah, both in
Yakima County. Another pair active in Benton County up to about 1992
(south of Yakitat Rd on I-82) is gone. These pairs represent a serious
loss. Why? Drought? Disturbance? Grazing? Poisoning of Spermophilous
squirrels?

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato, WA