On Mon, 21 Oct 1996, Kelly McAllister wrote:
> I am hoping for some enlightenment on the what, when, and where of Lincoln's
> Sparrows in western Washington. The field guide write-ups tell me a little
> but I would like a little more detail. What habitat are they most often
> found in? What locations are good for seeing the species? What months find
> them in Washington?
>
> I know I have seen mention of Lincoln's Sparrows in a number of late
> summer/early fall (?)bird lists but I have forgotten the details. I seem to
> remember seeing mention of their being abundant in the tall grass on the
> Nisqually delta, perhaps in October. Does this make sense?

Lincoln's Sparrows may be found breeding in high montane bogs or moist
shrubby meadows in the Cascades, probably seldom below 4000'. They nest
in similar habitats in northeastern Washington and less commonly in the
Blue Mts. They apparently are not breeders in the Olympics. In the
winter they move downhill into shrubby wetlands (in my experience), such
as those at Nisqually, Montlake Fill, Magnuson Park, etc. I have often
seen them at the Fill throughout the winter. I don't know what they do in
eastern Washington in the winter, it might get too cold over there for
them? They look only superficially like a Song Sparrow, that is, same
genus, and same general gray-and-brown patterns. But the Lincoln's is
smaller, and has a very distinct buffy breast. And Lincoln's Sparrow is
noted for raising its crest when alarmed. They're pretty easy to
differentiate.

-------------
Michael R. Smith
Univ. of Washington, Seattle
whimbrel at u.washington.edu
http://salmo.cqs.washington.edu/~wagap/mike/mike.html