ML278883311

Age and sex

Unknown age, Unknown sex - 1

Media notes

Solid gray nape and dark brown back rule against LeConte's Sparrow. Short tail is also visible.

Observation details

**Rare migrant through the state, but a first county record for Lehigh! See also note about late date below. The bird was seen right around these coordinates (40.538374, -75.381365), best observed from the mowed path that bisects the two weedy patches. Free visitor parking is at the DeSales University Center (DUC) on Station Ave. The weedy patches are down the hill from the parking lot, past the sports field, and down closer to Landis Rd. ***IMPORTANT***: See checklist comments for visitor restrictions due to the pandemic. While walking the paths, I heard a rustle a couple feet away in the grass, and a sparrow popped out. In flight under direct sun, it appeared an odd ochre-brown color, almost dirty yellowish overall. Its body and tail sagged downwards a bit, and its flight was fluttering and low. When it settled, I had a brief but excellent view of its orange face and knew it was a Nelson's. Over the next several minutes, I walked around the two patches and got a few great looks as it perched in the grasses and wildflowers to stare at me. Photos show a large-billed, short-tailed sparrow with a fairly flat head. A rich orange coloration on the face, chest, and flanks sharply contrasted with an extensive white belly. Its face showed gray auriculars within the orange, as well as a dark crown stripe. A gray nape and dark brown back set off several white stripes going down the back. The wings were a mostly solid cinnamon color. LeConte's Sparrow is ruled out due to dark back, darker markings overall, solid gray nape with no purplish streaks, and solid dark crown with no white median stripe. Bright overall color and crisp, contrasting markings (including on flanks) make this a member of the Interior subspecies group. This is late for Nelson's inland. At least two November records after 11/10 pertain to accidental Atlantic subspecies occurrences. Apparently, "Interior" birds this late are quite rare in the northeastern states. Also, the habitat patch it was in is quite small (200x110ft, just more than 22,000 sq. ft.) and very dry. There is, however, a cattail patch and a tiny stream/drainage nearby that often holds a bit of water. Overall, a strange and very surprising record!

Technical information

Original file size

1.15 MB