Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Swainson's Thrush, White-crowned Sparrows and House Sparrows

Looking for sparrows in the community garden by the soccerfield on the SIT campus I was surprised to find this Swainson's Thrush on a low bush fattening up on wild purple berries, while passing through on its migration further south:







Most of the activity was behind the garden in the bushes and thickets bordering a little stream. The sparrows would dip in and out of the foliage, often announcing their presence only by the vigorous shaking of a branch.  I did however manage to get a couple of photos of immature white-crowned sparrows:









These dark purplish blue berries with white frosting appear to be very popular with the birds. I have no idea what they are called, have tried to search for the name on Google Images without success . So if anybody reading this knows it please put your answer in the comments box.

Of course a day of birding can't pass without running across a Yellow-rumbed Warbler, here enjoying the morning sun:




Lastly I could not resist including this photo of some House Sparrows taking it easy in an window of an old horse barn:


5 comments:

  1. Awesome images! I have yet to see a yellow rumped warbler - I must be the only one in New England!

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  2. Glad to know the WCSP is moving through - they haven't visited my yard yet, but I've almost been too busy to look.

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  3. Chris, I took some photos of lst winter WCSPs last fall, checked on the date: 10/16/08 - so right on time.

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  4. ...your photos of the White-crowned Sparrows are beautiful. I love White Crowns, and they are so photogenic. I love when the feathers on their head are puffed up (like those in the last photo). The berries look similar to those on one of my vibirnum bushes.

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  5. Kelly, viburnum it is. Thanks for letting me know. Immature WCSP have such a sweet expression; makes me feel happy looking at them.

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