Seldom seen in the East,  a LeConte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) was discovered and reported  at the Darlington Tract in Delaware County, PA by Al Guarente of Media. The LeConte's is a small, orange-faced sparrow of wet grasslands and grassy meadows. It is difficult to see because of its secretive nature. On the breeding grounds it usually sings from concealed perches and in the winter it rarely remains in the open for more than a second. Eight birders and this old picture taker were able to observe it this morning moving on the ground from grass clump to grass clump for more than a half hour. Also, it was in the fine company of a group of Swamp, Savannah and Field Sparrows.

© Howard B. Eskin 2009                    Please click here to email suggestions or comments to hbeskin@voicenet.com