Jay, awesome find on the Pygmy Nuthatch!!
I agree that the nuthatch probably has something to do with the Mountain
Chickadee invasion. While winter 2012 - 2013 saw a major invasion of
Mountain Chickadees to the Portland area, it definitely wasn't as
impressive as this years' is shaping out to be. There were never more than
2 or 3 in one place that year, and if I recall correctly they didn't make
it to the coast.
Also, I can't help but wonder if the interior subspecies of White-breasted
Nuthatch that my mom and I had at Mt. Tabor on September 23rd had something
to do with this as well.
Definitely Pygmy Nuthatch and interior White-breasted Nuthatch should be on
people's radar screens.
As for other irruption species, I've seen/heard almost no siskins or
crossbills lately.
Exciting!
Adrian
