Tweets,
Can't comment directly on Jim's sighting as to the close nesting areas near Battle Ground, however the following may be helpful. I have on the rare occassion seen Black Swifts far away from suppossed nesting habitat; I have seen them at least 3 times over the Quilomene in eastern Kittitas Co. near Vantage, have seen a bird southeast of bickleton in eastern Klickitat Co and I have seen the near the Yakima/Klickitat Co line on US 97 in the lowlands away from the Simcoes. I also know they are seen at Marymoor in the Lake Washington area with some pattern of occurence. None of these areas are within areas probably that close to breeding areas, the Vantage location is at least 50 miles from any location, the Bickleton at least 30 plus and probably similar distance for the others. I dont know if these are non-breeders or long-distance breeders foraging away from nests, but know there is a pattern of Black Swifts away from breeding habitat.
I'll have to differ to experts on Black Swifts on the exact details of their life history, but know that far ranging birds aren't unheard of.

Scott Downes
downess at charter.net
Yakima WA