A Harris's Sparrow in the backyard (Denver Co)

[Patrick O'Driscoll]

Some snow days I guess it pays to bird at home, even when you live 2 doors down from busy Colfax Avenue in east-central Denver.

Besides visits from a couple of dozen juncos, a rare (for my yard) Spotted Towhee, Cedar Waxwings across the street, a Cooper's Hawk in the tree, about peanut-hungry 70 crows and 10 other species, I just discovered this first-winter Harris's Sparrow rooting around for its lunch in the snow beneath my lilac bush out back.

I tossed birdseed out there last night before the snow so the snowbirds would have something to scratch around for, but I never thought a new yardbird like this would show up.

Good birding,

Patrick O'Driscoll

Denver