>In 30 years, the subdivisions/streets/shopping malls built - and *lit up
at
>night* - decrease of habitat - in combination with the increase of
>predators *and* the competition for food seems to me to account for not
>only the drop in numbers west of the Cascades - althought there is no lack
>of construction/pavement/lighting east of the Cascades either, just more
>space *as of now* -

I used to live in the Dallas area where common nighthawks are indeed common.
They are especially common where their two favorite habitat features: flat,
graveled roofs of large buildings and street lights-are abundant. While I'm
happy to blame Puget Trough urbanization for just about anything else bad, I
think you have to look elsewhere for the causes of nighthawk decline.

and the push into previously unknown or marginally
>acceptable territory (Willamette area),

Why is the Willamette area marginal? Since it's warmer, and has several
major rivers, I would think it better than the Puget Trough.

Kelly Cassidy