This Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis is a small grassland sparrow that arrives back from its wintering grounds in mid April every year. Often they are first seen on rocky shorelines where they seem to stop-over prior to establishing their breeding territory in fields with long grass.
They are a crisply marked sparrow, with a yellowish patch in front of the eye. This photo on a barbed wire fence is a typical way to see this species.
Overall these are a light tan-brown colored bird, and they are smaller than many of the other sparrows seen around here.
Although Savannah Sparrows are occasionally seen overwintering, they all seem to show up in the second half of April and newly on territory are singing their hearts out, looking for a mate and declaring their territories.
It's time to get out looking for other arriving species.
Good birding.
