Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Lincoln's Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow and American Pipit

Yes! Luck was with me this morning! I finally got my Lincoln's Sparrow! I had been hunting for this species for a couple of years. It's a breeder of subarctic and subalpine regions. During fall migration it's fairly common in the West, but more elusive, and secretive, in the Northeast. It usually feeds on the ground, not far from cover. And this one was not hiding at all, but perched right on top of the brush pile, sitting very patiently for a portrait.






This sparrow was named after Thomas Lincoln (1812 - 1883)  a well-to-do Maine farmer who as a young man accompnied Audubon on his Labrador expedition. Audubon wrote "Chance placed my young companion, Thomas Lincoln, in a situation where he saw it alight within shot and with his usual unerring aim, he cut short its career. On seizing it, I found it to be a species I had not seen; and supposing it to be new, I named it Tom's Finch in honor of our friend Lincoln, who was a great favorite among us." Christopher W. Leahy, The Birdwatcher's Companion to North American Birdlife.

There were also several Swamp Sparrows in the same brush pile. It's easy to confuse them with the Lincoln's Sparrow unless seen side-by-side. They both have a mostly gray face and a buffy malar stripe. The best way to tell them apart is to look at the chest:  fine, discrete streaks on the Lincoln's chest and blurry ones on the Swamp Sparrow's.






Just as I was about to leave I saw a  slender, head-bobbing bird striding over the sandy ground, dipping in and out of the grass along the edge. As I got closer I realized it was an American Pipit.








American Pipits breed in the arctic tundra and alpine grasslands. We see them in the NE only during its fall migration to areas south of the winter snow line. They are common but easy to miss because of their earthy colors and ground-feeding habits.



It's an ancient species. Fossils have been found in Nebraska dating back to the late Pleistocene about 0.6 million years ago. It makes me realize that many species common to us are just transitory visitors with roots dating far back in time and with lives lived mostly elsewhere.


Thanks for visiting. I would very much appreciate your comments.


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25 comments:

  1. Hi Hilke

    Congratulations on seeing the Lincoln Sparrow.
    You sparrow photographs are great, you can really see the markings. It looks like migration is in full swing out your way so hopefully it will be a great time for birds.

    Regards
    Guy

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  2. Really nice shots, Hilke! I have only seen one Lincoln's Sparrow myself and the American Pipit would be a lifer for me also. You got some great looks at these birds!

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  3. ...such gorgeous photos of the Lincoln's Sparrow!! I've never seen one, but am on the hunt for one. You really were in the right place for those photos!!

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  4. A beautiful little sparrow Hilke and wonderful images of it. The Pipit is another newbie for me...thanks for sharing.

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  5. A fantastic day of birding for you -- and for us. Your pictures always amazing and you are a good teacher. Thanks!

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  6. Congrats on the Lincoln's!! Awesome that you got such great photos of him!

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  7. Great series Hilke!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  8. It's always nice when a bird sits out in the open and waits to have its photo taken! Great series.

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  9. Congrats on the Lincolns Sparrow. It would be a new bird for me too. Hilke, wonderful post and photos. Have a great day, happy birding!

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  10. Hi there - what a great little bird. A lifer is always a good day!

    Cheers - Stewart M

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  11. wonderful post and photos. super you captured one. I have never seen the lincoln sparrow, still looking :)

    dan

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  12. I love when they pose like that. And you got a lifer.

    Interesting info of these birds. :)

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  13. Very good food for thought here Hilke.
    First off congrat's on the brilliant captures of Tom Lincolns sparrow. Isn't it crazy, after all that searching, to find the object of your desire perched so beautifully and plainly? I wonder how Audubon would have approached Ornithology had he lived today. Photograph or draw? Shoot or observe?
    .6 million years is a good run for the pipit. Very successful, but when compared to the pelicans 35 million year span such a number seems reasonable. Poor Homo Sapiens though, barley worth mentioning at a meager 250,000 years!

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  14. Beautiful photos, Hilke!
    Greetings:)

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  15. Congrats on the Lincoln Sparrow! Nice shots of all the birds. A great read as well!

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  16. Congratulations on the Lincoln Sparrow - and what a marvelous shot!

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  17. Great shots and love their posing. Great series.

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  18. Hi HIlke,
    Well done on the Lincoln sparrow and thanks for the story of it... You got a beautiful post. I did not even know that there was an American pipit ;-)

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  19. What a great bag of shots! Isn't it great when you nail the elusive species? I find little birds hard to photograph and think you did really well.

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  20. Congratulations! I always seem to have unexpected sightings as I am getting ready to leave too.

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  21. What a cutie the Lincoln's Sparrow is! Wonderful shots.

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