Hello, Had what I'm almost certain was a CLAY-COLORED SPARROW in the narrow strip of lawn and reedy vegetation between Orchard Beach Lagoon and the parking lot. I don't have a lot of experience with this species (If it is CCSP, only my 2nd.), so wanted to bounce photos off others on the list before I call it. Sorry, the following photos are crummy, but I think they show field marks good for this species. While observing in the field, I noted the overall pale straw-colored upperparts, prominent gray nape, prominent buff supercilium, eyeline stopping at rear of eye, pale unmarked lores and contrasting whitish malar set off by dark mustache and throat stripes. The breast and flanks looked brownish-gray to me and not terribly buffy. I was unable to get the rump color. The map in the following links show exactly where the bird was seen.
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/richsoutbirding/8295951284/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/richsoutbirding/8295961854/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/richsoutbirding/8295967312/in/photostream/ Yesterday, the Turtle Cove Section of the Park was also quite productive. Highlights there included a flyover pair of Common Raven, 2 Woodcocks inadvertently flushed, at least 6 Rusty Blackbirds and a Brown Thrasher. All birds were seen in the brushy open woodland between the cove and the driving range. Good Birding, Rich -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
