Black-tailed Gnatcatcher Verde Valley

[Chuck LaRue]

On Saturday 30 January 2010 at ca 1000h MST a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher was seen in the Verde Valley at the trail head parking lot for the Wet Beaver Creek/Bell Trail. It was well seen for about 15 minutes while it foraged and occasionally vocalized in saltbush and mesquite.

Perhaps the Keeper of All Things Avian in the Verde Valley (Roger?) can address any previous records....

[erh36]

I would also like to know if this species is around in the Verde Valley. A few times I had heard gnatcatchers in the creosote/mesquite habitat around the loop trail to Montezuma Well, but never got a look at them (I always forget what the differences in the vocalizations are between Black-tailed and Blue-Gray).

Eric

[Roger]

My records for BTGN are few, far between and in line with the above.
[file]3903[/file]

I know there is at least one winter record from Dead Horse Ranch SP too from a few years ago.