| Common Name | Grasshopper Sparrow |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ammodramus savannarum |
| Type of Report | Rare Nesting Species |
| Date of Observation | 08/19/2023 |
| Media | |
| Number Observed | 2 |
| Reporting Observer's Name | Cat Abbott |
| Mailing Address | 407 Purple Mountain Road Dummerston, VT 05346 United States Map It |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Date Completed | 08/23/2023 |
| Names & Emails of Other Contributing Observers | Coleen Lawlor |
| Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | 42.77703 |
| Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide) | -72.52763 |
| Place Name | Vernon |
| County | Windham |
| Time of Day | 09:00 AM |
| Length of Time Observed | 60 minutes |
| Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 100 |
| Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet) | 25 |
| Noteworthy Weather Conditions | Cloudy |
| Optical Equipment Used for Observation | Leica Ultravid 10 x 42 |
| Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species | Both observers have seen this species on multiple occasions at the Franklin County Airport |
| I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event. | |
| Description of Habitat | Grassy area surrounding an airstrip and overgrown hillside dotted with autumn olive, multiflora rose and lots of ragweed. Other bird species in immediate vicinity include savannah sparrows, eastern bluebirds, and American kestrels. |
| Behaviors Observed | Two singing male GRSPs were first detected on 6/18/23. We first observed food carrying behavior on 7/7/23. Fledgling observed on 8/19/23. |
| Description of Vocalizations | In the early summer, both males frequently sang the buzzy song, and occasionally the long tinkling song. Vocalizations tapered off over the course of the summer. A “seet” note was often heard from the grass. |
| Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation | The GRSPs were quite wary on 8/19 and difficult to photograph. Associating with a savannah sparrow and a song sparrow. |
| Relative Size & Shape | Small sparrow |
| Head | Large, flat head. Thick neck. Pale face, eye ring. Dark spot on back of auriculars. Pale throat, no malar stripe. Streaking on the breast indicates a fledgling from this year. |
| Feet & Bill | Large bill. |
| IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different? | We considered savannah sparrow. A nearby SAVS had more extensive/bolder streaking and a finer bill. The GRSPs had flat heads, thick neck, eye ring, clean belly. |
| Other Notes & Comments | https://ebird.org/checklist/S141949963 |
| This report was written from notes taken: | Written from Memory |
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