Monthly Archives: October 2020

Sparrow Time

White-throated Sparrows

White-throated Sparrows (click to see the larger version)

October means sparrows at Montrose and Montrose is a great location to see a large variety of them. You’ll have fun sorting through the flocks of White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, and uncommon species like Nelson’s, Le Conte’s, and Harris’s are regular. Nelson’s are best in the marshes in the Dunes known as pannes. Le Conte’s can be found almost anywhere where there’s grass but I’ve had good luck with them in the meadow southeast of the Magic Hedge. Look for Harris’s while you’re sifting through the White-throated and White-crowned Sparrow flocks.

Clay-colored Sparrow, October 1, 2020

Clay-colored Sparrow

Clay-colored Sparrow (click to see the larger version)

This cooperative Clay-colored Sparrow was feeding on the path northwest of the Marovitz Golf Course on October 1. Clay-colored Sparrows are uncommon but regular early to mid-fall migrants at Montrose. The word underbirded and Montrose usually don’t go together but the area at the north end of the Golf Course is just that. I check it on my walk home when I’m finished birding the main part of Montrose and it’s usually birdy, especially for sparrows. I’ve included a link to my eBird checklist for October 1 below.

eBird Checklist
October 1, 2020