Hey Tweets, Check out the sedge brush and tree in the north end of Shoveler
Pond at the Fill. (Note: not the main pond) I was there this morning and
yesterday around 2 p.m. and saw what I am pretty sure was a CLAY-COLORED
SPARROW. It's in the company of a couple of Lincolns and pops out
infrequently to forage near the ground. I got several good looks and saw:
wide gray coloration below cheek and swinging over onto nape; distinct
whitish stripe on top of head, flanked by fine streaking; no stripes on
sides or breast; broad whitish eyebrow stripe; white belly; pink bill;
overall brown/white/buff appearance rather than the grayish cast common in
Chipping Sparrows; skulking, rather shy habits; small size. I got a quick
glimpse of the rump and it looked more brownish than grayish, but the bird
was so quick I couldn't tell for sure.

Is there a better expert out there who can verify? - Connie Sidles, Seattle

csidles at mail.isomedia.com