[birding] RBA: Adult male INDIGO BUNTING in Eugene

[David Irons]

Greetings All,
This is not as timely as it should have been, I mistakenly thought that others had reported that there is an adult male Indigo Bunting at Stewart Pond in w. Eugene. The bird was discovered late yesterday (17 July) afternoon by Randy Sinnott and then seen again today by multiple parties. Shawneen Finnegan and I readily relocated the bird this morning about 10AM. To reach the area where the bird is, follow these directions:
Make your way to the intersection if Bertelsen Rd. and W. 11th St. in west Eugene. This intersection is at the 2nd light to the east of the intersection of Beltline Rd. and W. 11th. at the far west edge of Eugene. From this intersection (Bertelsen and 11th) go north on Bertelsen about 100 yards or so. You'll cross a small bridge over the Amazon Canal. Immediately after crossing this bridge turn right (east) on Stewart Rd. Go about a third of a mile and you will come to the entrance to a gravel parking area on the left (north) side of the road. There is a overlook deck and a porta-potty at this lot. From the parking area, walk north on the grass path that angles north-northeast towards a large stand of oaks. As you near the oaks (about 500 meters from the parking area) the grass path starts to curve to the right (east). There is rudimentary path through the grass (looks like a deer trail) that takes off to the north/northwest right at the curve in the main path. Veer off on the path to the north and follow it (about 150-200 meters) until you come to where the northwest corner of the oak grove ends and there is a small pond/canal that is matted with aquatic vegetation. Just to the left of the oak grove there will be two small Oregon Ash trees and you will have a reasonably clear view of a light-colored warehouse building on the opposite side of a fence to the north. 
We found the bird almost immediately once we reached this area. It moved about quite a bit singing from just inside the oaks, from the top of the two ash trees, and from a large lone oak tree to the north by the light-colored warehouse. There are several territorial male Lazuli Buntings in the area as well. Shawneen and I both found the Indigo's song to be lower-pitched, less buzzy, and more throaty and warbling in comparison to the song of the Lazulis. The territories of the individual male buntings seemed surprisingly small. We saw a few chases, but mostly these birds kept to themselves with territories that seemed to be no larger than about 200 meters in diameter relative to what we perceived to be the central point. We did not see any of the Lazulis go after the Indigo, they were only battling amongst themselves.
Sorry for the late word on this bird. It does seem highly territorial and may be paired with a female Lazuli (these species often hybridize), though we saw no indication that it had a mate. There is no reason to believe that this is a one or two-day wonder. It seems very settled.
Dave IronsEugene, OR  		 	   		  
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