I had an interesting and challenging hour of birding at the Freese Road gardens
at midday on Thursday.
Among the usual abundance of Song Sparrows in various plumages, I saw one
LINCOLN'S SPARROW (north-central section), two SWAMP SPARROWS (I freed one from
a narrow weedy gap between fences), several bright SAVANNAH SPARROWS, a few
FIELD SPARROWS, and a CHIPPING SPARROW, plus a western PALM WARBLER and a
COOPER'S HAWK. The Palm Warbler had a short forecrown stripe, a mark I hadn't
ever noticed on Palm Warblers before.
South of the parking area, I had a long look at another Spizella, which had
striking bright orange-buff underparts (like a rufous Field Sparrow), very bold
lateral throat stripes, and somewhat less bold and incomplete lower frame of
the auriculars. Alas, I forgot to take note of the lores, and failed to get a
look at the bird's rump. Nevertheless, as I've observed many fall Chipping
Sparrows but none as buffy and boldly marked as this one, I think it's quite
possible that this was a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW.
I also saw another sparrow that seemed to have white outer tail feathers, but
didn't get enough of a look to confirm ID.
Mark Chao
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