The one possibility that comes to mind is Baird's Sparrow. You may have 
spotted one on its way over to Soapstone where they are known to breed. If 
that is indeed it, you saved yourself a hellish walk in unsheltered 
conditions come summertime. 

One thing I like to keep in mind when mulling birds over is that uncommon 
presentations of common birds are more common that common presentations of 
uncommon birds. To that end, a Savannah that doesn't meet the criteria of 
colorful wings is more probable, but Baird's is not outside the realm of 
possibility for Larimer county. However, I would consider a prominent 
yellow brow to be an uncommon presentation of that bird... Just my two 
cents. 

Hope that helps! Congrats on the Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, which is never a 
consolation bird here in CO, haha. 

Happy birding, 

Steve Rash
Denver Co. 

On Friday, May 8, 2020 at 11:25:28 AM UTC-6, ronbco wrote:
>
> can't quite find a match...
>
> group of 4 in trees between 1st pond and coral
> plump sparrow with buff breast, uniform brown wings and striking head 
> pattern
> the most striking feature was the black mustache/throat stripes like a 
> lark sparrow, also had small central dark spot on breast
> however i believe there was a yellow wash on the stripe above the eye and 
> the center head stripe I think was rufous.
>
> I've also considered Clay-colored but ... black stripes coming down the 
> throat?
> Savannah are too colorful on wings
> Lincolns are too yellow
> Vesper pattern not striking enough
>
> My consolation prize for this hard one was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak right 
> at the sign for the Learning Center where a memorial bridge is, high in a 
> cottonwood
>
> Ron Bolton
> Larimer County
>
>

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