Clay-coloured Sparrow Manning Park

[Janne]

We did a birding trip loop through Manning Park today and found what I believe to be a Clay-coloured Sparrow in an open area near the old horse barns. Here's a photo:

We also found, in the same field, a dead Yellow Warbler male in full breeding plumage. It had no fat reserves in the wing pits and the breast bone was like a keel. I assume it starved to death. It was still warm.

At Hick's Lake in Sasquatch Provincial Park on Friday, a friend and I found a dead male Wilson's Warbler which she had seen a day or so earlier acting in a strange manner (approachable, walking on the ground).

Here is a wing view for those who like to age birds:

It is disturbing to find two dead adult warblers in the space of 48 hours.
Janne Perrin
Harrison Hot Springs

[Janne]

The second set of photos are of the deceased Yellow Warbler in Manning Park. I should have posted them before the story of the dead Wilson's Warbler at Hick's Lake.
Janne Perrin
Harrison Hot Springs

[Gord]

Janne, nice Clay-coloured Sparrow. Good eyes to find that one. I wonder if they are annual there as John Vooys saw one last year or the summer before.

Sad to hear about the warblers. Wonder what happened. The Yellow Warbler looks by the photo to be at least two years old with full adult wing feathers.

[Chris]

Janne great sighting! Where abouts are the old horse barns? Is it along the road into Lightning Lake?

It's a shame to hear about the warblers. When I was up there it was on the cool side so maybe that might be a cause.

Chris

[Dave]

Thanks for sharing, Janne!

Dave