ML646996787

Observation details

Jolly visitor apparently from the neighbourhood of Santa’s Workshop. First detected along fence by visitor parking lot with HOLA (39.8664587, -75.5040590). Given behaviour, quickly concluded the two were in the ground-foraging, typically-rural, non-sparrow complex (Alaudidae/Calcariidae); SNBU first came to mind. Frantically recorded video of them flushing away from property headed NW, which shows white outer tail feathers and distinct colouration. Fortunately, with the generous knowledge and discussion from Discord, consensus seems to be good for LALO. Spectrogram analysis reveals rattling call consistent with this species, peaking at ~4.5 kHz (vs 4 kHz of SNBU), ~18 ms in duration (vs 26 ms for SNBU) (OldBird: http://oldbird.org/pubs/fcmb/species/longspur/rattles.htm). Have poor cell phone video on request. Possible that they return early in the morning to forage on sidewalk grit. Checked some of the surrounding fields (Bush Hill Farm/Clayton Park/Bethel Pipeline), but couldn't make it to Township Park today. Presumably displaced due to yesterday’s snowfall. Apparently the first county sighting outside of PHL/Hog Island Rd, and the first in the county since 2010 according to eBird.