An Issaquah Vesper Sparrow is not an "East Side" Vesper Sparrow. It would
be a WEST SIDE Vesper if that is indeed what it was. I believe I saw a true
"East Side" Vesper (identified by my friend) yesterday near Vantage in
Kittitas County by Schnebly Coulee in Sagebrush, along with Sage and
Brewer's Sparrows, so I wasn't excited at first when I read you saw an "East
Side" Vesper. If the identification was correct it is a noteworthy
sighting, as the race of Vesper Sparrows that normally occurrs west of the
cascades - Oregon Vesper Sparrow - Pooecetes gramineus affinis is a
threatened (sub)species or ("species of concern") that survives in our
vanishing western Washington and Western B.C. prairie habitats. I suppose
it might also be the race from East of the Cascades migrating through to
Canada.

Stewart Wechsler
West Seattle
mailto:ecostewart at quidnunc.net

-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Larry Schwitters
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 4:04 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: East Side Vesper Sparrow


This AM behind (West of) Issaquah's new Microsoft campus was a single
"different", pale streaky Sparrow. It showed some white outer tail
feathers when it flew. I'm pretty weak on Sparrow I.D. but it must have
been a Vesper.

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah

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