Subject: Whatcom/Skagit Co. Nighthawk
Date: Jun 18 15:13:06 2004
From: Dale B Fountain - dale.fountain at gte.net


Speaking of Common Nighthawks in Skagit County, I had them calling last
night at 11:00 p.m. over Anacortes. I have lived here for three summers and
have records for all three summers.

Louise Fountain
Anacortes, WA
dale.fountain at gte.net

-----Original Message-----
From: Kurt Ranta <kckar at earthlink.net>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 10:26 PM
Subject: Whatcom/Skagit Co. Nighthawk


>Hello,
>Since it seems to me that the Common Nighthawk is becoming less "common" in
>NW Wa., I figured I would report one individual I saw around the Whatcom /
>Skagit Co. line near Baker Lake below Mt. Baker on 6/15. I have only seen
>nighthawks here a few times in probably 8 years. I talked to a longtime
>Bellingham resident the other day, and he said that a few decades ago, they
>were common around Lake Whatcom. And now he very rarely sees them. I
>think we can all figure out why that is.
>
>Its interesting how birder's like myself tend to get excited about an
>unusual sighting when its not necessarily good for the bird. For me, the
>most rewarding rare bird sightings are of birds that are genuinely scarce
>in their habitat and, presumably, my skills as a birder (or sheer luck)
>attributed to the sighting. But if its not that, it probably means: A) the
>bird is offtrack; B) the species is actually increasing (but still
>uncommon); or C) the species population is declining (as I would think the
>case is with the nighthawk in W. Wa.) I would argue that the saddest rare
>bird is the one that wasn't so rare that long ago (option C). I strongly
>believe this because I have birded a fair amount in the diminishing Latin
>American rainforest, and been excited over seeing "once common, now rare"
>birds. I value those sightings so much, in part, because it might be the
>last time I see that species.
>
>I realize that, whether here or abroad, there are many complicated
>considerations when it comes to "saving what we have" vs. "developing
>further". Regardless, I do know that a local newspaper article today
>announcing the addition of 800 new homes going into a large tract of green
>space in east Mt. Vernon discourages me. Why more, when so much is for
>sale already. I imagine I am preaching to the converted.
>
>Just to end on a positive note, I also had a probable Goshawk at the same
>location (...the most rewarding option)
>
>Kurt
>
>
>
>Kurt Ranta
>Mt. Vernon, WA
>kckar at earthlink.net
>
>
>