I reported a Lincoln's Sparrow at Montlake Fill this morning. This id troubles me as the bird I observed had no streaking or stripes on breast or sides. It did have buffy breast and white belly and a darker patch in the center of breast. The face pattern was not distinct - pale overall with fine striping, buffy eye ring, buffy throat stripes (no dark stripes), white throat, small, slim bill. The bird was smaller than nearby song sparrows and white-crowned sparrows. Any clues? Is a first winter clay-colored sparrow a possibility?

It kept to the grass under a trailside shrub but for a few trips to a low branch to keep an eye on me.

thanks,
Anna Kopitov
Seattle, WA