DOES VEGETATION STRUCTURE LIMIT THE DISTRIBUTION OF NORTHERN GOSHAWKSIN THE OREGON COAST RANGES

Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) breed in a variety of forested areas throughout the Pacific Northwest. Nevertheless, they were only f irst found breeding in the Coast Ranges of Oregon in 1995, despite app arently suitable habitat and abundant prey. We document the rarity of goshawks in the Coast Ranges by reviewing previous and current survey results for nests of goshawks and other forest birds since the 1960s, examining sightings of goshawks since 1980 and reporting on a survey w e conducted in 1994. We suggest that nesting goshawks are rare in the Coast Ranges because of the vegetative structure of the area and its i nfluence on prey availability.