Jim,

I had the same thoughts viewing a single low flying Black Swift just
SE of Mt St. Helens in the very early morning of July 10, 2005.

Not every bird breeds and they travel long distances. It still makes
one think that there should be a waterfall for at least roosting
within 50 miles or so, especially if you saw yours in the evening.

The closest maybe but probably not site is Panther Falls in the
Gifford Pinchot. Another maybe, but probably not, is Starvation Creek
Falls on the Oregon side of the Columbia. For all the waterfalls that
there are along the Columbia, none of them seem to have a swift nest
friendly rock structure. Basalt usually doesn't cut it.

Someone needs to hike up Oregon's Eagle Creek trail and check out all
the waterfalls up there, especially Tunnel Falls.

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah
On Jul 2, 2008, at 8:43 PM, Jim Danzenbaker wrote:

> HI Tweeters,
>
> At 7:30 tonight, I was surprised to see a single low flying unmistable
> BLACK SWIFT cruise by the yard in Battle Ground, Clark County. I have
> only seen this species once before from the yard and that was during
> their spring migration last year. Tonight's sighting makes no sense
> to me though - they shouldn't be around here now. However, tonight
> there are some large cumulus clouds around (especially one to the East
> which looks like it may be enveloping the closest foothills and
> mountains) and generally cloudy overall. That leads me to ask the
> following questions:
>
> Where is the closest known Black Swift breeding colony to central
> Clark County?
> Do subadult birds hang out at the breeding colonies or could they
> "wander"?
> Has anyone else seen any Black Swifts away from breeding clonies
> lately?
>
> A single Vaux's Swift just flew by which is only the second one I've
> seen from the yard this year.
>
> Thanks for any information.
>
> Jim
> --
> Jim Danzenbaker
> Battle Ground, WA
> 360-723-0345
> jdanzenbaker at gmail.com
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