On Monday I was up checking out the status of the Snoqualmie Falls
peregrines. Spotted the female at the site of the scrape that they used lst
year. She was scratching around in the dirt and seemingly getting ready for
some egg laying - no eggs seen by me. At about 11:30 one of the yellow
Seattle Helitours choppers came roaring in so low that the cockpit was level
with where I was standing on the walkway. The pilot then flew in close to
the Falls itself, and right in front of the female. Needless to say she was
out of there in a flash.



The chopper stayed only a few minutes, but the female did not return while I
was there - at least another hour. This is a terrible situation. I don't
know how frequently these guys fly in, but even once is too much at that
level, in that location and at this time of year.



I post this so that others may take note of any further inappropriate
activity when they are in the area. I have contacted both Seattle Helitours
(Todd Simonson, 206.767.0515) and Dept of Fish and Wildlife (Chris Anderson,
425.775.1311) Both assured me they would see what they could do about the
pilots' routes. However, I think it's up to observers to make sure this
doesn't continue to happen.



Jan



*****************************

Janet P. Ray

Preston, WA

janetlaura at earthlink.net