We were kidding around the other day about being alert for a Cassin's
sparrow while we were atlasing over the weekend. This grassland species,
for whatever reason, has made numerous unprecedented visits, with more
than one bird at once at times, in the east ( North Carolina,
Massachusetts) this season. Under normal circumstances, it doesn't come
any closer than mid-Texas to us, and it isn't a bird that stands out,
but its song is distinctive (many examples at
http://blb.biosci.ohio-state.edu/ShortData.asp ). Doug, who knows the
song, apparently recognized one that didn't make it all the way out to
the coast before being stopped by the Atlantic Ocean. If you're looking
for rarities, it's well worth learning this song for birding this summer.
Bill Whan
Columbus

On 6/12/2011 1:42 PM, Doug Overacker wrote:
> I was atlasing in Shelby County this morning and was just heading home from
> Lockington Preserve when I heard what sounded like a Cassin's Sparrow. It
> was in the field east of the intersection of Kaser and Lindsey Roads about a
> mile east of Lockington Preserve. I heard it sing very clearly and close
> once. After getting out of the car to listen I heard the bird again 3 or 4
> times but it was more distant. I am familiar with the song from trips out
> west. I also heard Grasshopper, Savannah, and Vesper Sparrows in the field.
> I never got to see the bird.
>
> Doug Overacker
> Springfield, Ohio

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