Dave Larkin and I were among a few dozen birders looking for the LeConte's
Sparrow at Swan Harbor mid-morning today.  The bird was seen at 7:25, but
had not been seen again through about 10:45.

 

Dave and I decided to walk the path around the marsh at 9:30 or so and had
an assortment of Song, Swamp and Savannah Sparrows.  Where the marsh path
approaches a patch of woods and borders a corn field (chopped low for the
winter), we saw a small and small-billed sparrow with dull white
supercilium, white throat, black lines on back, buffy or even chestnut
breast with dark streaks.  We got a good look at the bird but did not
immediately know what it was.  After consulting a few books we are confident
this was a first-winter Clay-Colored Sparrow.

 

On the drive to Swan Harbor I joked that unusual birds would be found there
this weekend just because so many people were looking for the LeConte's.  I
did not expect to be reporting one.

 

Peter Lev

Baltimore, MD


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