Hi,
Although Sawwhets like to nest a bit higher up in elevation, perhaps that is
what you are hearing. If it is higher pitched, say like high C or below a
bit on a piano, and then cascades down several notes, three to 6 notes,
always going down, and rather soft, that is likely what it is. If there are
fir trees amongst decidious trees, and wetlands nearby, this increases your
odds. Unfortuneately the only recording i have ever heard that sounded like
our Pacific Sawwhets, was an old recording of Nature Sounds of the Pacific
Northwest, of which there were three,cassettes; recorded mostly in Canada
and some I believe in Washington. This of course was years ago. They even
had one out on CD, but i have never been able to track down these
recordings, my tapes wore out long ago; and the CD was of the Dry interior,
which is also missing in action.
Try imitating the call, and do it softly, perhaps you can get a bird in
the flashlight. However please do use a low light flashlight, as they can go
blind.
Northern Pygmy Owls tend to do one to two notes soft but of the same
pitch. Then a pause and one to two more.
Good luck on your find


Vicki Biltz
Bonney Lake Wa.
vickibiltz at msn.com