[cobirds] Re: Singing Swamp Sparrow - Ken Caryl Valley JeffCo 4/20

The Swamp Sparrow sang in my yard again yesterday morning for a short time, and this morning amid drizzle it sang for a period of about 10 min., and was well seen. And it was not until today that I finally heard it give call notes, as I had heard no calls at all over its whole stay. Recordings of songs and call notes, more photos and additional notes are on this eBird checklist:

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55256531 

I regret that it was cloudy and dim, since he is very showy in the sunlight. Still, he's a handsome fellow, yes? In these images he is on one of his juniper song perches (note the pavement behind him).

David Suddjian

Ken Caryl Valley

Littleton, CO

 

On Sat, Apr 20, 2019 at 7:01 AM David Suddjian <dsuddjian@gmail.com> wrote:

This morning the wintering Swamp Sparrow was singing in my front yard at 6:36 am. I'm not sure, but I expect it is a rare event to hear a singing Swamp Sparrow in Colorado!

When I first heard the song - in this case a simple junco-like trill - the bird was out of view and I did not immediately recognize who was singing. After a few renditions I suspected it was the Swamp, which was soon confirmed when he flew into the open to forage. he only sang about 7 times. Hopefully next time I'll be faster on the draw to get a recording. I tried playing a recording of a song while the bird was in view, but it showed no apparent interest, which has been the standard response over the months it has been here on the few occasions I played a recording.

He has gotten brighter now, with lovely red on the crown and contrasting black at the edge of the crown.

This morning he spent some time foraging under a parked car, and hoping about in the open on the asphalt of my cul-de-sac. Crazy.

David Suddjian

Ken Caryl Valley

Littleton, CO

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