What a great day at Swan Harbor. I got there after a group of birders had already seen the Le Conte's at what I'm guessing was around 8:30. I saw nothing for about an hour then walked in the short "drier" grass between the dike and the road and between two areas of longer stuff. Around 10:30 I spooked the LeC which flew into the taller very green grasses (the young phragmites). It hung around there unseen for about 15 minutes or so and then flew from there across the dike to the edge of the marsh where 2 birders (Joe and, forgive me if I'm wrong, Bob) spotted it along with another person. I joined the 3 of them after slogging back from the muddy grass. From 10:45-11:30 the bird was constantly (more or less) visible along the edge, not more than 30 feet deep, often very easy to see at the very edge. It jumped/flew along a stretch of the marsh edge which, as measured from the other side, would be about from the young phragmites, across the shorter drier grass, to the edge of where the short stuff ends.  

By the end of the 45 minutes, maybe 16+ people were able to get good looks! Great fun tracking the colorful and cooperative little guy. Hats off to the birder(s) who first found it.

It seemed to like the dark shrub--a barberry (thanks to Paul who ID'd it for me) with red berries--that stands out noticeably on the marsh edge. The colors of this attractive little sparrow looked especially nice as the bird flitted inside and around the leaves and berries. With luck, perhaps it will stick around for the season.

Tim H.
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