<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;"><DIV>Hello,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I <SPAN class=e><SPAN class="">apologize</SPAN></SPAN> in advance for this massive and impersonal group email, I do not know many of you, but I believe we have some common interests. </DIV>
<DIV><BR>I am a grad student at U Penn and as the final project before the completion of my degree I have <SPAN class=e><SPAN class="">chosen</SPAN></SPAN> to write a management plan aimed at restoring and protecting Common Nighthawk and Chimney Swift populations in urban Philadelphia. Both of these species have shown declines (more dramatic for the nighthawk) particularly in the urban habitats that have helped to sustain these species in regions where the majority of their natural habitat has been degraded or destroyed.</DIV>
<DIV><BR>The plan that I am working on will most likely involve the construction of gravel nest patches for Nighthawks and chimney boxes for Swifts, as both gravel roofs and accessible chimneys have become more scarce and both species have less available habitat as a result.</DIV>
<DIV><BR>Among the questions that I have not yet answered about this project are where the best locations for nest patches or swift boxes would be. It seems logical to start in areas where these species are already living and expand from there. So where are they living?</DIV>
<DIV><BR>I have looked at the most recent BBC and there was only one confirmed nesting Common Nighthawk in all of Philadelphia. I am sure there are more than this (I myself am fairly sure that a pair was nesting in south <SPAN class=e><SPAN class=yui-none>philly</SPAN></SPAN> near 7th and reed st.) but confirming the nest locations of Nighthawks has some inherent difficulties.<BR><BR>So, I have sent this email to all of you in the hopes that this <SPAN class=e><SPAN class=yui-none>skattershot</SPAN></SPAN> approach can turn up some <SPAN class=e><SPAN class=yui-none>anecdotal</SPAN></SPAN> data about where Nighthawks are currently breeding or where they have nested in the past. If you have seen Nighthawks in Philadelphia or surrounding areas like M<SPAN class=e><SPAN class=yui-none>anayunk</SPAN></SPAN> please let me know where and when you have seen them.<BR><BR>Thanks for taking the time to help me, the Common Nighthawk is
always a bird that I enjoy seeing and hearing during the summer and perhaps we can help it to continue to <SPAN class=e><SPAN class=yui-none>cohabitate</SPAN></SPAN> with us in the urban landscape that we have created.<BR><BR>If anyone has other thoughts about this or knows someone who might, I would also be glad to hear those comments. There is very little being done with this bird outside of Project Nighthawk in New Hampshire and I would be grateful for any input.<BR><BR>Michael Coll<BR>University of Pennsylvania,<BR>Masters of Environmental Studies<BR>Land Steward<BR><SPAN class=e><SPAN class=yui-none>Pennypack</SPAN></SPAN> Ecological Restoration Trust<BR>267.625.1725<BR> </DIV></td></tr></table><br>