ML643393965

Observation details

We first spotted this bird foraging in the mowed, dry grass of Mt. Trashmore. It was solo, though meadowlarks and Savannah Sparrows were in the general vicinity. Gave rattle and “tew” calls several times in the course of our observation, as it moved around, confirming that it was a longspur. We were eventually able to get scope views and photos of it in profile, with face, breast, and belly unobstructed. Notable field marks to differentiate from other longspur species: warm tawny face and nape, bold supercilium, duller buffy/beige breast and pale belly with moderate dark streaking only on sides of upper breast, pink bill, auriculars tawny and bordered by dark brown, making an open rectangle frame. Also noted pale malar with thin, dark border above and below. See attached photos. We lost track of the bird when it flew away from Mt. Trashmore to the north east. We circled the area again in case it came back but did not relocate it. This is early in the fall to see a longspur on the coast, though the species has been reported this year, even earlier, in Contra Costa County. Thanks to Ed Yong (whom i had the pleasure of meeting for the first time) for suggesting a longspur foray.