[obol] Reason for WB Nuthatch decline?

[Brandon Green]

OBOL,

While reading through "Birds of Lane County," I came across the part that discusses the decline of the White-breasted Nuthatch over the past 15 or so years in the Eugene area.  Indeed, the only place that I've seen them (outside of a few rare visitors to my yard) even semi-regularly is the Perkins Peninsula section of Fern Ridge.  I was wondering if anybody knows what has caused this decline.  It seems to me that the traditional "loss of habitat" reason wouldn't come into play here, as there should be more than enough Oak growth in the area.  Despite massive suburban sprawl/loss of habitat in the Northeast and Midwest, they're still MUCH more common there than here.  Is there a lack of a particular food source out here, or something else that I'm not considering?

Thanks,

Brandon
Eugene


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