ML645525461

Observation details

Found earlier by Austin J and later refound by Eleanor R, leading to a group of us getting great looks at the bird. Tiny sparrow skulking through the short grass like a little mouse, and occasionally popping up to give fantastic looks. Absolute stunner. Bright orange face with gray cheeks and dark stripes around a light median crown stripe. Golden body with fine streaking. Purple-tones at the nape with distinctive pale streaks down the back. Super cute. The bird crept along under and over tufts of grass, at times completely invisible except for the movement of grass twitching. Slowly worked its way towards us to the point that it was easily within 6-8' of us and the gravel path.