Subject: [Tweeters] Common Nighhawk - Nest site north of Moses Lake
Date: Jul 12 18:20:28 2008
From: Bob Sundstrom - ixoreus at scattercreek.com


Ron,

I just saw the Common Nighthawk's injured bird display for the first time a couple of weeks ago, when I and a group flushed a nighthawk off a nest on the Sleeping Lady property near Leavenworth. The adult then took up a very visible perch atop a fence for several minutes, then flew back to the nest area after we walked by.

Bob

----- Original Message -----
From: rfriesz
To: Tweeters
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 4:08 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Common Nighhawk - Nest site north of Moses Lake


Hi All,

My sightings of Common Nighthawks have been greatly reduced this summer as compared to previous years. Up until today, I have had only four sightings in Grant County.

However, today while walking some prairie habitat east of the Grant County Airport, I flushed an adult that immediately displayed rather convincing "broken-wing" behavior attempting to lead me in its direction. I wasn't aware nighthawks displayed this type of behavior (feigned broken wings, drooped tail and gaping mouth), and it worked as I attempted to photograph the bird, but then it flew away just fine.

I returned and carefully approached the site, and with the aid of my binoculars found two very cryptic, downy young with slits for eyes; some pin-feathers were forming in the wing area. Interestingly, the nest site was within the fallout area of someone's golf practice with several scattered golf balls in the vicinity of the nest; they would seem an attractant for predators.

It was good to see some nesting effort underway.

Ron Friesz
Ephrata, WA
rfriesz AT televar.com


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