Singing Swamp Sparrow - Ken Caryl Valley JeffCo 4/20

[David Suddjian]

This morning the wintering Swamp Sparrow was singing in my front yard at 6:36 am. I'm not sure, but I expect it is a rare event to hear a singing Swamp Sparrow in Colorado!

When I first heard the song - in this case a simple junco-like trill - the bird was out of view and I did not immediately recognize who was singing. After a few renditions I suspected it was the Swamp, which was soon confirmed when he flew into the open to forage. he only sang about 7 times. Hopefully next time I'll be faster on the draw to get a recording. I tried playing a recording of a song while the bird was in view, but it showed no apparent interest, which has been the standard response over the months it has been here on the few occasions I played a recording.

He has gotten brighter now, with lovely red on the crown and contrasting black at the edge of the crown.

This morning he spent some time foraging under a parked car, and hoping about in the open on the asphalt of my cul-de-sac. Crazy.

David Suddjian

Ken Caryl Valley

Littleton, CO

[David Suddjian]

The Swamp Sparrow sang in my yard again yesterday morning for a short time, and this morning amid drizzle it sang for a period of about 10 min., and was well seen. And it was not until today that I finally heard it give call notes, as I had heard no calls at all over its whole stay. Recordings of songs and call notes, more photos and additional notes are on this eBird checklist:

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S55256531 

I regret that it was cloudy and dim, since he is very showy in the sunlight. Still, he's a handsome fellow, yes? In these images he is on one of his juniper song perches (note the pavement behind him).

David Suddjian

Ken Caryl Valley

Littleton, CO

 

[David Suddjian]

By the way, one tip related to photos on the new eBird checklist viewing format that I picked up... the new format shows photos as too-small images in the initial checklist view, but click on the camera icon at the top of the species list to get to a larger view. 

David Suddjian

Ken Caryl Valley

Littleton, CO