Brewer’s Sparrow Apr 26

[Gord]

The fallout of White-crowned Sparrows continues. Most appear to be the Puget Sound subspecies. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.

On Parr Road in Chilliwack this morning I pulled over to let a large truck pass and was rewarded by seeing a smaller sparrow fly up with a bunch of White-crowns and go into a willow. Turned out to be a Brewer’s Sparrow which fed for a bit in the willow. I don’t think I’ve seen one in the Spring before. I’ll have to check my photos as it might be the Timberline Brewer’s Sparrow.

We had a look recently and it’s still there feeding in dandelion seeds at the side of the road where I saw it earlier. It’s 2/3 the way down about 50 meters east of where the pavement turns to gravel.

[Gord]

Here are some photos

Eating something in the willow leaves. Chickadees, kinglets, warblers as well as some White-crowns were also busy doing this. I thought it odd to be eating leaves, even fresh ones but I think there might be insects inside. Worth a closer check. I suspect learning something new is about to happen.

_0221436 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr

_0221443 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr

_0221451 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr

Eating dandelion seeds like a proper sparrow

_0221514 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr

With all the White-crowned Sparrows about, it's hard not to find a photogenic one.

_0221487 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr


Townsend's Solitaires are still passing through as well

_0221512 by Geordie LaForge, on Flickr

[Gord]

No luck on the Brewer’s or plover this morning. Sumas Central’s plover flock moved on early this morning or sometime overnight by the looks of it.

[Gord]

I saw the Brewer’s today with a Chipping Sparrow and 80 odd White-crowns. This time about 75 meters east of original location. A Nashville Warbler was a first for the site too.

[paulos]

Sounds like a great sparrow spot! I don't think I ever birded there, only drove in to the green waste place.

[Gord]

Paul, it is not a bad little site. Worth a check if one doesn't have much time but wants to get a bit of birding in.