Fall Sparrows and Warblers
September 30, 2007 · Print This Article
A quick post this weekend on what was a spectacular bird watching adventure on Granite Point. The trees, bushes and shrubs were full of Sparrows and Warblers, thanks to a cold front sliding through the state Friday night.
One incident of note…. I has hit head on by a Merlin! As I sat on a small bank among the bushes photographing birds just off Granite Point Road, a Merlin came from out of nowhere and flew into my face knocking off my hat and nearly causing me to drop my camera rig. The Merlin was fine. I received some lacerations to my face and a pair of bent spectacles. I am sure the hawk was as freaked out as I was.
Enjoy the photographs I took over the weekend, and as always, comments and criticisms are greatly appreciated.
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Yet again, I need some help identifying the sparrows in the photos below. Please respond by commenting on this article.
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Happy birding!
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At least know one can say that you wouldn’t know a Merlin if it hit you in the head!
John, We think the bottom ones are Savannah Sparrows; the top left appears to be a young White-Throated Sparrow and the top left a young Chipping Sparrow. The middle top one is a mystery, possibly a Song Sparrow? We were also at Bidd. Pool today and found some of the sparrows rather baffling. Let us know what you find out. Thanks for your great photos.
John, Please leave my Merlin alone! That is probably the one that tried to land on my lens. Great weekend you had. That figures I would be in VT trying to photograph Loon in the fog! Bob
That merlin needs to watch where it’s flying!
I largely agree with the IDs offered so far, though I don’t really like white-throated sparrow for the one on the top left. Do young white-throats have pink bills? I’m thinking something more like Vesper, though without seeing a frontal shot I would be hesitant to claim it.
Hi John,
The first of your mystery sparrow set is a Clay-colored- very good find!
-Luke
I love that flying mocking bird! I have a picture of a Steller’s jay in flight that I sort of like, but there is not detail to it. Just a blue blur which is pretty much what I see when a bird is flying! I still need most of them to hold still while I try to figure out what they are!
Thanks to all of you for your input on the mystery Sparrows!
Looks like we have White Throated Sparrow (juv); Clay Colored Sparrow and a Savannah Sparrow according to the feedback received here and via email.
The Clay Colored Sparrow is a life bird for us!
John
The mystery birds in order from left to right are:
Clay-colored Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow,
Savannah Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow.