American Goldfinch
The Clay-colored Sparrow was seen again yesterday near the Old Trail golf course, so I once again went looking for it. When I arrived around 9:30, there were other birders there who were also looking for it, but as far as I know, no one could find it. It was good to see some birders I knew, and a couple of them I knew only from e-mails and list-servers, so I enjoyed meeting them in person.
There were American Goldfinches everywhere, and I explored some of the areas at Old Trail for the first time. I saw six sparrow species, and a couple of them were really interesting birds. There were the usual ducks on the ponds, and some other water birds as well.
American Goldfinch
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
Pied-billed Grebe
Palm Warbler - western subspecies
Palm Warbler - yellow subspecies
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-thoated Sparrow
Lincoln's Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
I saw one sparrow that in the field, it looked like an immature White-crowned Sparrow because of its shape and length. But its strong malar stripes seem to rule out its being a White-crowned Sparrow. I also got another photo of possibly the same bird, and it looks like a Chipping Sparrow to me - one that has bold malar stripes. So I must conclude that the first one is probably the same bird. Notice that the brown crown stripes extend down through the gray nape. Other opinions are welcomed.
Chipping Sparrow?
Chipping Sparrow
Another sparrow I saw there looks like a Savannah Sparrow to me, but its bold markings, especially the white stripes on its back, makes it an interesting bird for me. Notice its large bill and boldly spotted rump.
Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow