[obol] Blue-gray Gnatcatcher nesting in Benton County

[Joel Geier]

Hello folks,

Elsie Eltzroth and Marcia Cutler today (13 Jul) confirmed nesting by a 
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at a private residence south of Philomath in 
Benton County. The nest was in a fork of a nearly bare, lowest branch of 
a cherry tree just 3-4 ft. off the ground.

A Corvallis Audubon bluebird trail volunteer had found the bird nesting 
and reported it to Elsie. Apparently the bird was off the nest much of 
the day (so presumably still laying) until today when it began brooding. 
Elsie and Marcia did not get a look at the underside of the tail but the 
bluebirder who reported it has had a good look.

Marcia indicated that they took photos of the bird on the nest which may 
be forthcoming.

This is only the second record for the species in Benton County, and (I 
believe) the most northerly record of a nest with eggs to date for this 
species on the Pacific Slope.

Good birding,
Joel

P.S. That's Marcia F. for Eugene folks who may know Marcia J.

-- 
Joel Geier
jgeier at attglobal.net