ML579328021

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Rare (first record for Prince Edward County). At 9:10am noted two unfamiliar birds picking at seed on the ground below the one remaining backyard feeder (others taken down earlier in week and now in storage). Initially thought they might be House Sparrows, a species that occasionally wanders out Long Point. Looked through binoculars, noted black auricular spot, was shocked, and identified them as Eurasian Tree Sparrows. Obtained photographs and double-checked field guides to confirm identification. Description - Smallish songbird with rich, even chestnut cap with no grey areas or grey streaking, thin white collar around back of neck, white cheek, dark spot below/behind eye, black chin (no black on upper breast), black conical bill, small black mask, unstreaked breast, slightly buffy flanks, brown tail. Appeared smaller and more rounded (cuter) than House Sparrow. They remained below feeder for approximately 20 minutes and then flew off with other birds in panicked flush (a Merlin patrols the area). It was not possible to determine the sex of the birds as female and male plumage are identical in this species. Left house for business in Belleville shortly thereafter. Lloyd Paul and Cecile Yarrow monitored the location until noon. Birds did not reappear. Will continue to watch for their return and will report if they do. Was thinking I had left feeders up too long into May, but apparently not. Addendum May 31 - No sign of them, will keep looking but they appear to have moved on.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 90D

Lens

EF600mm f/4L IS III USM

ISO

800

Focal length

600 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/1600 sec

Dimensions

4000 pixels x 2667 pixels

Original file size

8.01 MB