Sparrows at Chatfield State Park - Douglas County

[Joey Kellner]

This morning among the Western & Mountain Bluebirds, juncos of various races was a single SAGEBRUSH SPARROW.  The sparrow was seen at the end of the Handicapped Fisherman's access peninsula (just NW of the marina).

A small (presumably) number migrate up along the front range in the spring (between about March 15th and April 15th). Chatfield State Park can be an excellent place to look for one of these sparrows after a spring snow storm.  If the snow is deep enough to cover the surrounding "prairie" the grassland birds end up coming to any bare ground they can find and this includes the roads and shorelines to look for seeds, grit, etc.

In addition, a single SAVANNAH SPARROW was also seen at the tip of the Marina "sandspit" (the other side of the marina from the Handicapped Fisherman's access).  This bird was first found by Chris Gilbert who tipped me off to its presence.

Joey Kellner
Littleton, Colorado