Sparrow Central

I was out birding a bit of semi-desert scrub land by the train tracks above Tequisquiapan this evening. There were plenty of birds typical of this habitat: Loggerhead Shrikes, Cassin's Kingbirds and Inca Doves for example.

What caught the eye, though, were the large flocks of Sparrows. Lark Sparrows and Clay-coloured Sparrows are common as muck at the moment, but I got my bins on an unfamiliar Sparrow as well. Fortunately I was able to get a record shot, and identify it as a Vesper Sparrow at home.

The prominent white eye-ring was the most useful feature.

The colours on this Lark Sparrow were nice in the fading evening light.