ML646546330

Observation details

First observed small pale sparrow flushed by two House Finches. Immediately suspected Field Sparrow by size and paleness. Very secretive, heard calling, managed audio recording (I hope), several very brief bincoular views, minor non-audio response to FISP calls playback, more visible (agitated) non-vocal repsonse to ATSP calls & chatter. Best & final view fourteen seconds thru camera when the bird perched up nicely. Details: Small appearing pale Spizella, bright pink bill, white eye-ring, pale gray head, nape, paler gray pretty much whitish under-parts, pale rufous lateral crown stripes and spot above auriculars behind eyes, nape with rufous tinge, slight rufous tinge across breast and down the flanks, back gray streaked with rust/rufous and black, two white wing-bars on gray coverts, rest of wing also dark gray. Location: Seen & photographed from here: 35.6688655, -106.0718477, south of Marty Sanchez main/parking lot pond, along service road 110 meters north of Wildlife Way, accessed from Wildlife Way crossing gate.