Second Swamp Sparrow - dike by GBHNR

[paulos]

There was a lot of sparrow activity near the dike outside the Great Blue Heron reserve this morning. Walking west from the nature reserve parking lot, I heard the distinct call of a swamp sparrow in the long grass across the slough from the path (about half way to the junction with the vedder rotary trail). It was not the best light and difficult to tell whether the sparrow I was watching was the one vocalizing. There were plenty of Lincoln’s. I believe I saw the swamp sparrow from it’s lighter, plainer breast, but it was difficult to tell from the distance. I am confident on the call (which I compared to a recording). The ID is mostly based on vocals (though the sparrows nearby were all melospiza type) but the clear call is very distinct.

A snow goose also made a flyby with some Canadas.

[paulos]

I revisited the site again today and saw TWO Swamp Sparrows. I was watching one on the far side of the slough when another called from nearby. I managed to get some blurry cell phone pictures.


Swamp Sparrow by Paul Foth, on Flickr


I also saw the stunning male Mandarin Duck that has been hanging around the area (it was in the slough off the same dike, a little closer to the Heron Reserve). I'm assuming this is an escapee, as there are others around Metro Vancouver, but it has all the field marks of a normal wild duck.

I walked the loop (or triangle) from the dike to the Vedder Rotary trail and back through the Heron reserve. On the rotary trail I was surprised by a late Orange-Crowned Warbler.

[Gord]

Paul, great finds. It seems to be a good year for Swamp Sparrows in the Fraser Valley. I had one at Cheam Lake Wetlands this morning and this afternoon there were two at Island 22. I think that might be the first time I've had more than one Swamp Sparrow at one location.

[Gord]

There were two Swamp Sparrows at Island 22 again yesterday late afternoon. Probably the same ones as the week before?

[Gord]

Photo of the latest one

Swamp Sparrow by Gord G, on Flickr

[Gord]

An excellent year for Swamp Sparrows continues with one at East Sector park in Harrison this afternoon. It was at the southern entrance to the park off McPherson Road. I think this is a first for the site. For sure a first for me there.

[Gord]

Keeping this Swamp Sparrow thread going there were two Swamp Sparrows at the south entrance to Cheam Lake Wetlands. They were in the cattails and bushes right at the small parking lot. I’ve never seen so many in a year before. I wonder what factors caused this (good breeding success this season or more than usual migrating this side of the Rockies?)

[Dave]

The Swamp Sparrow at Cheam Wetlands west access continues. It was right by the parking lot early this afternoon.

[paulos]

At least one also continues on Dyke Creat Road by Great Blue Heron reserve.

[paulos]

Two Swamp Sparrows were present in the same area again today.

[Ben]

Saw one of them this AM. (thanks to Bruce and Joanne for the directions)

[paulos]

I’ve found two more around this last week. One was at Sterling road and Lougheed highway east of Mission (by Nicomen slough). The other was this afternoon at Island 22 (in the “triangle” along the south end of the equestrian area).

It’s been quite the winter for these and other sparrows.

[Gord]

Yesterday there was a single Swamp Sparrow again at the southern entrance to Cheam Lake Wetlands right at the parking lot. I didn't notice if there was a second one still but the bird was not vocal rather focused on finding food so they're not as easy to find at the moment.

[Gord]

Yesterday there were two Swamp Sparrows at the main parking lot to Cheam Lake and a single bird again at the south entrance. Also in a small patch of open water was a pair of Virginia Rails.

[Harrier]

Thanks for the tips everyone. This species has been eluding me for a long time and I finally added it to my life list today.