I never thought I would have a Fox Sparrow as a yard bird so I was quite surprised when one showed up on March 31st. I was so excited but I wanted to prove that I saw it, so…though I knew the picture would be horrible taken through both and inner and outer storm window, I took a picture. It was a cloudy and stormy day and you can see the result below.
But then, they kept coming! Day after day more Fox sparrows arrived! On April 4th I counted 10 Fox Sparrows in my yard! TEN! I never even thought I would have one! But, I knew I wanted a better photo and shooting through these old windows just wasn’t going to cut it. So, on April 3rd I went outside and sat on the cold granite steps and waited for the birds to relax and go back to feeding. Eventually they did and I snapped away. These are just a few of the nearly 50 photos I took of this sparrow! There numbers have dropped off now to about 4 to 6 individual birds, but I hope at least a couple will hang around for the summer!
We are in classic spring weather mode here in Maine with warm temperatures and sunshine one day, then rain and wind the next. It’s up and down weather-wise right now but on a steady warming trend. There are so many birds in my yard that I find it hard to get anything done! I se birds out every window all day long. then, at dusk and dawn the Woodcocks take wing, peenting all the while. It is an amazing sight and you can often see me in my front yard standing with my arms by my sides and my head tilted upwards, jaw slack with awe as I stare in wonder at these birds! At the moment I feel like I don’t ever want to move away from here.
Come check out my Birding is Fun post: Flyaway Home!
That is a beautiful sparrow, I'm still new to birding so I guess I haven't heard of the Fox Sparrow. How wonderful to see that many.
ReplyDeletewovenspoke, there are many subspecies of fox sparrows and to new birders they can easily be mistaken for song sparrows, but after a bit of study you can usually work it out. we have the red variety here on the East Coast but out west there is a sooty form among others.
DeleteI know what the Fox Sparrow says, "Hi Kathie, got any food?"
ReplyDeleteChris, you are quite right!
DeleteGot 'im!
ReplyDeleteLaurence, you know it!
DeleteHi kathie Fantastic markings on the fox sparrows.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, yes, there are! It is a handsome bird!
DeleteThe Fox Sparrow is a gorgeous bird, great shots and post, Kathie!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen!
DeleteVery nice captures of the fox sparrow! Your pics make it much more clear what the fox's markings are, compared to the bird guide photos. :)
ReplyDeleteWhy Thank You, Jann, that is very nice to hear!
DeleteHi Katie... They are such a lovely rusty color, I have seen a few in my area too!! The sparrows are so hard to photograph,as they always seem to be in some bush, you got some good ones!!
ReplyDeleteGrace
grammie, I had to sit and wait but it was worth it!
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