Monday, November 12, 2007

Sparrow Season

Over the past few weeks large numbers of migrant sparrows have moved into the neighborhood. Some will continue south while others will spend the winter. White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Junco's are particularly abundant. Note the distinctive "tseet" call of the White-throat and the white tail flashes of the Junco. Each fall, our insectivorous song-birds migrate first (these tend to be long-distance migrants headed to the tropics), followed by the sparrows and waterfowl (generally, shorter distance migrants). Be on the lookout for less common migrant sparrows such as the Fox Sparrow & White-crowned Sparrow. Tree sparrows and Savannah Sparrows can be seen regularly this time of year at old fields and brushlands (e.g. Nahanton Park).