Timely to this discussion, there is an article in the recent edition
of the Condor discussing Conspecific Attraction. Social attraction
in "colonial" species, such as martins, is well known, and easily
exploited in efforts to establish new colonies, such as using song
and call broadcasts, decoys, etc. However, Conspecific
Attraction seems also to be involved in determining absence or
presence of so called "territorial" species in otherwise suitable
habitat. So, in line with this perception, the nighthawk
reintroduction/enhancement project proposed by Stewart makes perfect
sense. The question of crow and gull predation of nighthawk
nests could be answered with some remote cameras.

Based on the recent dramatic growth of the martin population in
Seattle, and elsewhere in the Puget Sound and Georgia basins, the
abundance of flying insects does not seem to be a limiting factor,
as long as the weather is favorable.

On a related note, this year in north Snohomish county, at least
four pairs of Western bluebirds have bred, or are breeding, in
recent tree plantation harvest units , following the introduction of
nestboxes. At least one of the pairs in now feeding it's second
clutch, after losing the first to a cold wet spell in June. With
favorable weather during future breeding seasons, seems a relatively
large local population of bluebirds could be established and
maintained in this area, with minimal effort.

Stan Kostka
lynnandstan at earthlink.net
Arlington WA N48 15.37 W122 06.50