American Tree Sparrow
February 14th, 2011
This boreal sparrow is marked by a chestnut cap and a single, diffuse black spot on an otherwise unmarked breast. It has a less than accurate name: it breeds in tundra and nests on the ground. Even on its wintering grounds (which include Ottawa), it prefers open areas to woods. I see them at marshes in Stony Swamp and at the edges of farmer's fields in the west end.
But the number one place to find Tree Sparrows in Ottawa is the Shirley's Bay feeders. There's always a flock of them there in winter. They forage in the snow and on the rocks, where people leave piles of birdseed for them. Next time I go back I think I'll give them a proper photo shoot. I snapped just a few pictures of this guy between photographing redpolls.
1680x1050 wallpaper
February 14th, 2011
This boreal sparrow is marked by a chestnut cap and a single, diffuse black spot on an otherwise unmarked breast. It has a less than accurate name: it breeds in tundra and nests on the ground. Even on its wintering grounds (which include Ottawa), it prefers open areas to woods. I see them at marshes in Stony Swamp and at the edges of farmer's fields in the west end.
But the number one place to find Tree Sparrows in Ottawa is the Shirley's Bay feeders. There's always a flock of them there in winter. They forage in the snow and on the rocks, where people leave piles of birdseed for them. Next time I go back I think I'll give them a proper photo shoot. I snapped just a few pictures of this guy between photographing redpolls.
1680x1050 wallpaper
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gabriel_le
February 15th, 2011 at 12:08 am
that second picture is absolutely fantastic!! It needs to be set to flamenco music.
Suzanne
February 15th, 2011 at 12:55 am
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Mike
February 15th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
Olé!
Mustang Sallie
February 15th, 2011 at 1:31 am
Quite colorful against the snowy background. At first glance it looks like he is sitting on a cloud.