Bird Ramblings - Sparrows

Last Friday, the 18th of September, Jeanette and I went to check the birds at the Salem Riverfront Park. We were pleased to find 29 different species. Here is our checklist. The bird that posed the best for us was this Golden-crowned Sparrow that popped up out the blackberry bushes. You can tell from the red stains on its bill that it has been eating berries. Golden-crowned Sparrows are basically winter sparrows, and we were reminded that it's the time of year they show up. Last year at Dallas Retirement Village they were first seen in the Fall on September 17th, and then last seen in the Spring on May 3rd. Keep an eye out for them this Winter, they are quite often mixed in with White-crowned Sparrows.