[obol] Brewer's Sparrows' song

[Paul T. Sullivan]

[obol] Linn county Brewer's SparrowsRandy,

The song of Brewer's Sparrows is a favorite of mine.  For quite a time I had it on my answering machine.  (Please wait for the beep -- lots of 'em.)

On our recent trip to Summer Lake, we heard them sing -- UP IN THE TIMBER ON THE BACK SIDE OF WINTER RIM,  not down on the flats next to Summer Lake wildlife area.  Could those be called Timberline Sparrows?  Does anyone know if the song of that form is different than the desert denizens.

Speaking of singing at timberline, Jan Knott's report from Alaska fits that life zone.

Paul


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Moore, Randy 
  To: Paul T. Sullivan ; obol 
  Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 2:27 PM
  Subject: RE: [obol] Linn county Brewer's Sparrows


  I think the reason they weren't young chipping sparrows originally (if memory is serving me correctly, which it often doesn't) is that Dave Irons (Bob Altman?  I can't remember who found them) heard one or more of them singing, as well as getting a visual.  A person could definitely be forgiven for mistaking a young chipping sparrow for a Brewer's sparrow, but that song is distinctive!

  cheers,
  randy
  Corvallis
    

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  From: Paul T. Sullivan [mailto:ptsulliv at spiritone.com]
  Sent: Mon 7/30/2007 9:59 PM
  To: obol
  Subject: [obol] Linn county Brewer's Sparrows


  OBOL:

  Carol Karlen and I visited Belts Rd. off Gap Rd., south of Brownsville on
  Sunday morning.  We found the BREWER'S SPARROWS reported earlier.  We saw at
  least 6 individuals.

  When I originally heard the report of this sighting, I wondered why the
  birds were not young Chipping Sparrows rather than Brewer's Sparrows.
  Vagrant young Chipping Sparrows would only have to travel downslope from
  nearby woods, rather than from more distant birthplaces.  However, having
  seen the birds, I do believe they are indeed Brewer's Sparrows.  I still
  wonder how far they traveled to get to Belts Rd.

  Good birding,

  Paul T. Sullivan




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