 We were surprised to see this bird as we were returning to the parking lot. I dropped a location pin
here. This is a rare, local winter visitor in coastal California
foothills. Up to three Vesper Sparrows wintered at this location 28 December 2017-23 April 2018 but I am not aware
of subsequent sightings here until now. This one is presumably a spring migrant. Note chestnut lesser coverts which
are often concealed. Two subspecies are possible as migrants in this area, paler interior P. g. confinis
and darker coastal P. g. affinis. However, differences are subtle and I am not confident of the subspecies
here, Canon PowerShot SX60 HS. |