Date: 6/29/26 7:17 pm From: Steve Loitz via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Nisqually cliff swallows sad state
Sad to hear it. We have also seen a decline in Cliff Swallow populations
this year east of the Cascades in Kittitas and Yakima Counties. It has been
a topic of concern amongst the local birding community. We are aware of a
longer term population decline due to nest invasions by House Sparrow and
lack of food resulting from pesticide use, but I have not heard nor read a
theory re the abrupt decline from last summer. Maybe something occurred
during the spring migration?
--
Steve Loitz
Ellensburg, WA
<steveloitz...>
On Mon, Jun 29, 2026 at 6:55 PM Kym Foley via Tweeters <
<tweeters...> wrote:
> Long time lurker, regular Nisqually Wildlife Refuge evening birder -
> several dead and sick fledgling cliff swallows under and around the
> boardwalk shelter where they roost. Took a peak back through Tweeters and
> didn’t anything… anyone know what’s up? Seems beyond a typical sibling
> rivalry getting bumped from the nest.. very sad to see and hopefully not
> indicative of something more serious.
>
> Thanks tweets,
>
> Kym
> Olympia, WA
>
