Nighthawks are among the birds I also have some of the fondest memories of
from my youth on Long Island, in Vermont and beyond. Last night at the
Montlake Fill in Seattle I thought I might have heard one, but listening
again for a while I didn't hear the sound again, so I'm not at all sure that
is what it was. I remember hearing them relatively frequently them at Green
Lake in Seattle in the summer over 20 years ago, but one seems lucky to hear
an occasional migrant at best here now. If there was one bird I would love
to see re-established in the Seattle area, the Nighthawk would be near the
top of my list. Kevin Li has been doing such a good job facilitating the
re-establishment of the Purple Martin. Can't someone do something to help
bring our Nighthawks back? Other than humans, there is one animal I suspect
has been important to its demise , but I seem to remember that we can't
mention that animal on this list. It isn't a dog. It may also be that this
particular animal is not among the largest factors in our loss of
Nighthawks. If we really knew just what have been the most important
factors in the demise of Seattle's Nighthawks we might know if and how we
might help them get re-established. I know they are ground nesters and I
heard they used to use the flat tops of buildings with relative safety. Has
there been a change in roofing materials or roof design?

Stewart Wechsler
Ecological Consulting
West Seattle
206 932-7225
ecostewart at quidnunc.net

-Advice on the most site-appropriate native plants
and how to enhance habitat for the maximum diversity
of plants and animals
-Educational programs, nature walks and field trips
-Botanical Surveys




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