The Vesper Sparrow sighting is a really good one. Does anyone know if Vesper Sparrows are regular in occurrence anywhere on
Whidbey Island? It's probably reasonable to assume that a Vesper Sparrow, in grassland habitat, at this time of year, is
likely breeding in the area. Detection of singing males would be good. Is anyone up for it?


Kelly McAllister
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Olympia, Washington
Reply to: mcallkrm at dfw.wa.gov

On Thu, 19 May 2005, Steve Ellis wrote:

> Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 12:42:09 -0700
> From: Steve Ellis <sellis at coup.wednet.edu>
> To: Tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
> Subject: [Tweeters] Whidbey Bluebird/ Vesper Sp.
>
> Last evening I received a report of a pair of Western Bluebirds at the
> Ausable property just outside of Coupeville. I found the male on the
> property near Morris Road and may have just glimpsed the female. Mt
> Bluebirds show up on occasion in spring & fall but Westerns have only been
> reported a couple of times.
> Almost immediately after viewing the bluebird I noticed a largish sparrow
> hopping down the path among the grass. It turned out to be a Vesper Sparrow.
> It failed to notice me until it was so close I couldn't focus by binocular
> on it. Once before I'd glimpsed a sparrow there that I felt was a Vesper.
> Other birds noted in the 1/2 hour I was there: Red-tailed Hawk, American
> Kestrel (with prey item), White-crowned Sparrow (many), Savannah Sparrow
> (ditto), Am. Crow, Rufous Hummingbird, Am. Goldfinch, Pine Siskin.
> The property lies along Parker Road at the junction with Hwy 20. Ausable
> is an environmental education institution and they welcome birders on their
> land. Many of the prairie flowers are still blooming including Death Camas.
> Steve Ellis
> sellis at coup.wednet.edu
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