Dateline: 17 Oct 2021
With another rainy weekend, finally had time to go through snapshots from the other weekend, from an hour+ along the Pine Tree Trail at Presque Isle State Park. Conditions were challenging, with wind and heavy, transient cloud, i.e., spotty sunlight. Still, plenty of bird activity towards the SE trailhead, and the results, frankly, were rather nice – as Hannibal from the A-Team says, “I love it when a plan comes together!” (Mostly Nikon D7500 + Nikkor 200-500mm f5.6, plus whatever other dodgy gear the rest of the team was using.)
What is this bird? Inquiring minds want to know. Initial thoughts revolved around a juvenile White-crowned Sparrow. Subsequent research suggests a juvenile Chipping Sparrow. Think on it, but whatever it is, it’s lovely!
The Chipping Sparrow above is no mystery, but as luck would have it there was a bit of quality Thrush activity flirting about the Pine Tree Trail. We’re thinking the above could be a Swainson’s Thrush (russet-backed) – note the buffy eyering and overall coloring. In any event, happy to see it.
