October is Sparrow Season in Ithaca

          I've written on this blog before that I enjoy marking the passage of the seasons by paying attention to the birds that I observe in my local area.  Some species like Blue Jays, American Crows, and Black-capped Chickadees live here year-round.  Some bird species just pass through my area on migration, like those that breed in the arctic (e.g., Snow Geese and some shorebirds) or the Boreal Forest of Canada (e.g., some of the Neotropical warblers).  I've recently written about some species of Neotropical migrants that breed here in the Ithaca area in late spring and summer, and then migrate south to Central and South America for the winter.  A few species breed here or farther north, and then migrate short distances to the southern U.S. to winter.  A number of sparrow species fall into this latter category.

         Each year for the last several years, the Cayuga Bird Club has led field trips in early October specifically looking for some of these sparrow species.  Many sparrows like weedy or brushy, old field habitats with a diversity of flowering plants that provide abundant seed sources in the fall.  We are lucky to have one of the Cornell Community Garden areas nearby that provide an abundance of seed-bearing, flowering plants.  Many of the people who use these plots are not content to grow only vegetables as many also grow an amazing variety of flowers.  By October, most of the human food has been harvested, but the bounty for sparrows and other birds is at its height.  This bounty attracts a great diversity and abundance of sparrows.

Great sparrow habitat is provided in the

Cornell Community Garden plots near Ithaca, NY.

Photo credit: Jody Enck

           On Saturday 8 October, seven hardy humans braved rain, cool temperatures, and a surprisingly chilly southwest breeze to see what they could find in the garden plots.  The weather might have been soggy, but our spirits were bright as we logged 28 species of birds in a couple of hours of looking.  The species list included these sparrows: Song (dozens), Savannah (5), Chipping (4), White-throated (3), White-crowned (3), Lincoln's (3), and Swamp (1).  According to eBird records, other sparrows recorded here in late September or early October include Field, Grasshopper, Vesper, and Dark-eyed Junco.

          As I noted above, most of these sparrow species are either year-round residents or short-distance migrants which winter in the U.S.  When I head south in a few days to meet with members of bird clubs in Honduras to explore the idea of establishing sister birding clubs between North and Central America, I'll only have a small chance of seeing a couple of these sparrow species.  Some Chipping Sparrows are found in Honduras as year-round residents.  Lincoln's, Savannah, and Grasshopper Sparrows are uncommon winter visitors there.  The other species that we enjoyed seeing in Ithaca on that Saturday are not found as far south as Honduras.

Field trip participants discussing the finer points of 

distinguishing between Song and Lincoln's Sparrows

in the field.  Photo credit: Jody Enck

          What birds are passing through your local area at this time of year?  Are they the same species that breed there or spend the entire winter?  Or, do they just pass through a during migration?  If you want to connect with the ones that pass through on migration, explore areas of good habitat for those species. 

          When the calendar indicates that it's sparrow season, head to old fields filled with weeds and seed-producing, flowering plants.  Maybe you can find a convenient community garden area near you.  These areas often provide great fall habitat for sparrows and a variety of other birds too.

          Wherever you live, go out and see what bird species you can find.  You never know what's lurking in a patch of habitat that you might pass by almost everyday.