[Birdtalk] AI mystery sparrows and more

[Jessica S.]

My husband and I birded along the Sentry Trail on Antelope Island for the
first time yesterday (approx. noon - 4 p.m.). Although the bugs made the
lower elevations a little unpleasant even with insect shield hats and DEET,
we were thrilled with our life bird, the Horned Lark.

Along the way, we saw:

Horned Lark
Western Meadowlark
Lark Sparrow
Raven
Red-winged Blackbird
Northern Harrier
Chipping Sparrow
Mystery Sparrow!
*Coyote
Buffalo
Antelope*
*Snake (TBD)
Lizards (TBD)*

We are confused by sparrows we saw (see
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29192275@N06/3523520446/sizes/l/). Bird #2
looks to me like a classic Chipping Sparrow, and #3 does as well. No. 1, 4,
and 5 confused us because they have the center spot on their chests and
additional face markings. They don't follow classic American Tree Sparrow
patterns, though.

Any ideas? (I apologize if this is a dumb question!)

After our hike, we briefly checked out Garr Ranch, where we saw:

Wilson's Warbler
Northern Waterthrush - life bird!
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Great Horned Owl with chick -- see www.stokesnature.com for pic
Lazuli Bunting
*Mule Deer*

Overall a great -- but exhausting -- excursion.
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