All participants who attended the Madison Audubon field trip at Pheasant Branch Conservancy Saturday morning got great views of one of the Le Conte's Sparrows. Though I really like the results of my first round with them last weekend, the images I got yesterday are, in Ryan Brady's words, “Completely ridiculous on every level.” I'm inclined to agree!
While this species can be somewhat secretive, this particular bird perches out in the open quite often to see what's going on whenever people are nearby. I'm sure the photographers on my field trip were also able to get terrific images of this neat little sparrow.
Given the colder temperatures and north winds, I was a little surprised that both Le Conte's Sparrows were still present. I wonder how long they'll stay. The habitat at the prairie is excellent. There is plenty of food and cover for them, but I suppose it all depends how November's weather plays out. So, I wonder what kind of winter we're going to have. I've read that it's likely to be warmer than average, but will it be snowless like last year?
It's been an excellent October with great weather, birding, and photographic opportunities at the conservancy. It will be a month fondly remembered, especially for the two little orange and white sparrows that graced us with their stunning beauty!
Pheasant Branch, Dane, US-WI
Oct 27, 2012 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM
37 species
Canada Goose
Wood Duck
Mallard
Ring-necked Pheasant
Northern Harrier
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Ring-billed Gull
Rock Pigeon
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Blue Jay
American Crow
Horned Lark
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Eastern Bluebird
American Robin
European Starling
American Pipit
Lapland Longspur
Eastern Towhee
American Tree Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Le Conte's Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
House Finch
American Goldfinch
All images © 2012 Mike McDowell