Tweets - Matt sent me a private message before posting to tweeters, and I
"rushed" down as fast as someone with a cold can rush. I walked all around
the East Meadow and found only Savannah Sparrows, with a Lincoln's Sparrow
in the blackberries at the north end.

Three times, however, I watched 2 Lapland Longspurs and a third bird that
may or may not have been a longspur fly in large circles overhead. Their
distinctive Prrrrrit Prrrrrit Tew Tew calls are very distinctive.

Having given up on finding the Vesper Sparrow, I went over to the northeast
corner of the Dog Meadow to see if I could get a look at the longspurs.

Rather quickly, though, I found the VESPER SPARROW, which gave me great
looks. Not too long afterwards, I managed a brief look at a longspur before
it flew yet again.

There are scads of Savannah Sparrows about. The Vesper Sparrow acts
differently, preferring the trails to the grass, and tending to scoot away
rather than flying.

The LAPLAND LONGSPURS seem unable to fly even twenty yards without emitting
a Prrrrrit call. They are also even more skittish than the Savannahs. If
you want to find these birds, I'd suggest simply walking through the taller
grass in the northeast portion of the Dog Meadow. Watch for dog poop. I
guarantee you'll see a Savannah...

This is the first time I've seen Vesper Sparrow for certain at Marymoor.
Bruce Jones had one in Snag Row in May, 2003. In May, 1999, we had 4
sparrows with white outer tail feathers in the northeast corner of the Dog
Meadow - presumably either VESP or LALO.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland, WA
== http://www.scn.org/fomp/birding.htm
== birdmarymoor at verizon.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Matt Bartels" <mattxyz at earthlink.net>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 4:14 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Lapland Longspurs continue at Marymoor, King Co


> Hi Tweets -
> Just a quick note to report that the Lapland Longspurs were still at
> Marymoor Park in Redmond today [Saturday, Sep 17].
>
> I made a brief visit this morning and saw 3 at least, maybe more, in the
> same spot as Wednesday, in the main Dog Meadow.
>
> Over in the east meadow, amongst the Savannah Sparrows, I had brief looks
> at what was probably a Vesper Sparrow too. Unfortunately, my looks weren't
> long enough to be sure - but keep your eyes out and mind open if you are
> in the area.
>
> Matt Bartels
> Seattle, WA
> --
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