ML372223051

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - 1

Observation details

*Very rare. Second record for the Champlain Valley region and first record for Clinton County. Brilliant adult, posing for a prolonged period of time before retreating back into the depths of the cattail marsh. Found while targeting Nelson’s Sparrow. Immediately struck by small bill, dark post-ocular spot and black, defined streaking; crisp across breast but thickening down along flanks and overlayed on top of bright yellowish-buff underparts. Similar toned face but brighter and outlining pale gray auriculars. The bird also appeared to have a thin white eye ring. A real stand out feature was the bird’s nape, which was broad and grayish with purple stippling intertwined throughout. At times appearing almost puffed out. Broad, pale median crown stripe, more ochre toward the upper mandible but becoming pale/white toward crown and nape. Distinctive back pattern with neatly arranged dark scapular streaks with notched centers. Copiously photographed.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D500

Lens

300.0 mm f/4.0

ISO

800

Focal length

420 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/800 sec

Dimensions

2710 pixels x 1807 pixels

Original file size

3.42 MB