Charles E. Vaughan <cev at ROCKET.COM> wrote, for the current Washinton State
Rare Bird Alert on BIRDWEST:

> A BLACK-THROATED SPARROW invasion continues. Andy
> Stepniewski has located more than 20 individuals in rocky
> hopsage/winterfat habitats in Yakima, Kittitas, and Benton
> counties. Several have been found regularly at White Bluffs
> in Grant Co. West of Othello drive south from SR 24 at mile
> 63 into the Wahluke Slope WRA 7.5 mi. to a gate at the end
> of the road. Look for them on the bluff overlooking the
> Columbia River. Several were singing along SR 22 between
> the west gate of Hanford and the San Michelle winery at Cold
> Creek in Benton Co. and five were on the hill above the
> south side of Priest Rapids dam. Two have been seen through
> July 3 in Klickitat Co. up Rock Creek 3.0 and 3.1 mi from SR
> 14 on the Columbia. This phenomenon may reflect drought
> conditions in their normal breeding areas.

I had wondered about the regional or global effects of the "drought" on
this species. Here in Las Cruces NM (always dry, but especially dry these
past 8-9 months), the Black-throated Sparrow scenario has been rather
sorry. There are fewer birds than usual, to begin with. Moreover, the
few that are around have clutches of only 2 eggs (I believe 4 is normal --
at least, that what I've seen in 1991, 1992, and 1993). And lastly, I've
seen several abandoned nests and dead fledlings. So, things aren't too
propitious-looking on the local BTSP scene. Observations from elsewhere?

Ted Floyd <GUEST4 at NMSU.EDU>