Harris's Sparrow - Sumas River Dyke Trail

[paulos]

On my way to Abbotsford this morning I stopped to bird at the Sumas River Dyke Trail near McDermott Road and No. 4 Road, across from the shooting range and the Abby grind trailhead. I had seen some interesting sparrow records for this area from years past in ebird and on the forum. There was a lot of sparrow activity today. On my walk back I saw a first year Harris's sparrow with the White-crowned and Song Sparrows--a life bird! I couldn't manage to snap a picture fast enough as it flitted around.

It was on the south side of the trail heading east, past two yards: the first yard has a row of greenhouses, and the second has some old cars. It was just past that second yard between a shed and a berry field. Here are is a map to the location.

I also saw several Wilson's Snipes, a Cooper's Hawk and a huge flock of Pipits.

I went back later in the afternoon but was unable to relocate the bird. There was still a lot of sparrow activity around the weedy yards and the blackberries, so it is probably still around.

Peace!

[ed]

Nice!

[nickinthegarden]

Thanks for sharing this location, it was a new spot for me and could be quite interesting at times. I checked it out this morning and did not find either the Harris or White-crowned Sparrow. Lots of Green-winged Teals, Mallards and Canada Geese until a lot moved to the farmers field south of the dike. A flock of Killdeer were up and down frequently. A Belted Kingfisher was hunting near the bridge. Bald Eagles and Northern Harriers were overhead.

[birder1942]

This morning (Monday) I found the Harris's Sparrow a bit further along the dyke from where Paulos first found it. It popped out of the brambles along the south side of the dyke and into a tree where it proceeded to sing!
What a neat bird. John Vooys, Abbotsford

[paulos]

The Harris’s sparrow continues today at about the place it sounds like John saw it.