Swamp Sparrow in south end of E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area

[Joel Geier]

Today I relocated a SWAMP SPARROW in the south end of E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area (about 9 miles north of Corvallis in Benton County).

On Nov 4th I heard a single call that sounded like this species, coming from a wetland that's become almost completely choked with reed canary-grass, with some islands of brush, teasel/blackberry, willows and old cement foundations sticking up here and there. On my walk today I went past the same spot and this time heard it multiple times, with one brief view (not enough to tell if it was an adult or hatch-year bird). There are also lots of LINCOLN'S SPARROWS in the same patch of "kack." A HERMIT THRUSH (first one I've seen locally this fall) was in a nearby wooded edge.

The location is pretty easy to find. If you start from the Adair Frontage Road access (off Hwy 99W just north of Adair Village), just walk straight down the road from the gate (heading east) until you come to the very bottom of the hill, to a spot where water sometimes flows over the road in winter. The wetland will be on your right.

I heard a second Swamp Sparrow in a similar patch of "kack" about half a mile away on private land (belonging to a farming family we've known for just about 30 years). There's a lot of similar "habitat" all around the wildlife area, so I wouldn't be surprised if there are more to be found.

Also about a quarter mile earlier on my walk, a hatch-year WHITE-THROATED SPARROW was singing in the sunshine, though having some trouble getting the whole song out. It came out as, "Oh sweet Canada" with some mumbled syllables at the end, maybe a reference to Newfoundland.

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Joel Geier

Tampico Ridge north of Corvallis