Hi Tweets,

Sorry for the blank message earlier, I hit enter by
mistake (I should know by now that it won't take me to
the next field!)

Anyway, yesterday morning I saw a Cassin's vireo at
Shoreview Park. It was near the bench on the hillside
above the tennis courts. It strikes me as being a bit
early. Anyone know for sure when their first records
are?

There was also an Orange-crowned warbler in the brushy
area below the soccer field. I don't know if this is
the same bird that I had been seeing on the hillside a
month and a half ago.

Finally, the strange sparrow...
I agree with Jason Starfire that this is not just a
more easterly form of song or fox sparrow. I grew up
in St. Louis, and have seen Song and Fox sparrows in
Florida, Virginia, and several states inbetween. The
white auricular patch is part of the kicker. I saw it
again yesterday, and the bill is two-tone, with the
lower mandible being noticably lighter in color than
the upper. Perhaps this is further evidence of my
speculation that it is a Fox sparrow hybrid of some
sort. I will try again for photos tommorrow.


===
Michael Dossett 17
Bothell, Washington
phainopepla at yahoo.com
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