Yesterday while I was chasing the Prothonotary Warbler around, Rob Denholz was reporting not one but 2 Swamp Sparrows at the Carpinteria Salt Marsh. This is a bird I have yet to see this year, and in fact I have yet to catch up with in Santa Barbara County.
So this morning I pedaled down to the Salt Marsh in Carpinteria. I headed to the spot where the birds were seen, but did not find them. So I took a stroll around the area. On the way back I saw Rob at that spot looking around with this binoculars. I stopped along the way to get some photos of the local Savannah Sparrows.
When I arrived where Rob was I asked if he had seen any Swamp Sparrows. "Yes, they were here." "Just now?" I asked. "Yes, they just flew away." Now, it is one thing to go looking for a bird and not find it. It is an entirely different level of disappointment to miss a bird that was JUST there. I was definitely regretting those Savannah Sparrow photos.
However, I did have some time and was hoping the Swamp Sparrows had not gone far and I might come across them yet. After entertaining myself with the antics of a Kingfisher and Green Heron I noticed some nearby sparrow activity and went to investigate. Bingo - Swamp Sparrows! I managed a couple distant photos before the birds flew off.
UPDATE: At least I was convinced they were Swamp Sparrows. Upon review of the photos by an expert with a more critical eye, it was pointed out that these are in fact Lincoln's Sparrows. You can see in the lower photo the most common ID feature of a Lincoln's Sparrow, the finely streaked breast with a buffy band across the upper breast. This is why it is always good to have photo evidence. Embarrassed to make a bad ID call, but my education continues ...
A few photos from today:
After today the year's total still stands at 256.
So this morning I pedaled down to the Salt Marsh in Carpinteria. I headed to the spot where the birds were seen, but did not find them. So I took a stroll around the area. On the way back I saw Rob at that spot looking around with this binoculars. I stopped along the way to get some photos of the local Savannah Sparrows.
When I arrived where Rob was I asked if he had seen any Swamp Sparrows. "Yes, they were here." "Just now?" I asked. "Yes, they just flew away." Now, it is one thing to go looking for a bird and not find it. It is an entirely different level of disappointment to miss a bird that was JUST there. I was definitely regretting those Savannah Sparrow photos.
However, I did have some time and was hoping the Swamp Sparrows had not gone far and I might come across them yet. After entertaining myself with the antics of a Kingfisher and Green Heron I noticed some nearby sparrow activity and went to investigate. Bingo - Swamp Sparrows! I managed a couple distant photos before the birds flew off.
UPDATE: At least I was convinced they were Swamp Sparrows. Upon review of the photos by an expert with a more critical eye, it was pointed out that these are in fact Lincoln's Sparrows. You can see in the lower photo the most common ID feature of a Lincoln's Sparrow, the finely streaked breast with a buffy band across the upper breast. This is why it is always good to have photo evidence. Embarrassed to make a bad ID call, but my education continues ...
A few photos from today:
Lincoln's Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow - Belding's
Belted Kingfisher - Juvenile Female
Belted Kingfisher - Juvenile Female
Green Heron
Today I rode a total of 31.3 miles
More later,
Glenn
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