Sue Erickson wrote:

Hi Tweeters,

>I have a Harris Sparrow at my feeder. The "book" says he's not suppose to
>be here. He arrived October 31 and has been seen daily ever since. Even
>thought I'd seen a second one one day.

>I did get a couple of partial pictures. What caught my attention the
first
>time I spotted him was the white patches on his upper breast. There is a
>black spotted "necktie, speckled/striped crown, and a pinkish bill. He is
a
>lighter color than the other sparrows, more of a yellowish tan or light
>brown.

Sue
Zillah, WA

Harris's Sparrows nest in stunted taiga near the treeline in arctic Canada
from about the mouth of the Mackenzie east and south to southwestern
Hudsons Bay. Most of these sparrows winter along the eastern Great Plains,
with the greatest number in eastern Kansas, but lesser numbers from South
Dakota south to south-central Texas. Elsewhere, they are uncommon to rare.
In Washington, this species is a rare, but regular winter visitor, usually
to brushy habitats. More reports come from western Washington, perhaps a
function of more observers there. There may be more of these pretty
sparrows east of the crest, but there aren't as many birders here to spot
these striking birds.

Good work!

Andy