[cobirds] Re: Field Sparrow at Park County at about 11,000 ft

CoBirders,

In Missouri, Field Sparrows are the classic old field species. Habitat wise- this means large numbers of the classic woody encroachment expert- Easter Red Cedar. When we did our first BBA project, I recall that Field Sparrows were most abundant in SW MO where rocky glades are also a predominant niche. This micro habitat has characteristic poor rocky soils with lots of Red Cedar.

I see nothing wrong or shocking about the habitat. Altitude is only a matter of whether it can breathe there. But it is WAY OUT of place!!

Congratulations on an outstanding record !!!

Tim Barksdale

Mokane, MO

On Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 4:58:36 PM UTC-6 David Suddjian wrote:

Today a Denver Audubon field trip went after mountain finches in Park County, and we were very surprised to find a Field Sparrow at a private residence with feeders above Fairplay -- amid spruce-fir forest at about 11,050' elevation.  eBird's species map indicates that truly montane occurrences have very small precedent in Colorado (I see just four pins in montane areas, these records spanning April to October.  I think this could be a first county record for Park, and what the heck it was doing up at 11:000 in a largely forested area is a head scratcher. A back of the camera photo by Melody Serra is attached here.

David Suddjian

Littleton, CO

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