[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Vincent Lucas on 10:44:46 02/28/11
Every year I am amazed at reports of Song Sparrows (SOSAs) from south of Lake Okeechobee in various "citizen science" projects like CBCs, GBBCs, NAMCs, etc. etc. Further, I see that reports of this species, some with four or more birds seen, have even found their way into a few peer-reviewed/adjudicated publications. I can provide specifics of the latter for anyone who is curious. The latest report that has five SOSAs is from the Corkscrew [Sanctuary] CBC. Apparently, this report made it past the state compiler Bill Pranty as it's not even flagged in any way. There is also a report from Cape Coral on the latest GBBC for two. I am here to tell you that in nearly 14 years of full time birding all year round in SW FL, I've seen a total one SOSA here and of course that was in winter. I've asked many of the other birders who bird here on a regular basis and they, too, have rarely encountered this species. Here's what Stevenson & Anderson have to say about this species in south Florida:
"Florida Status: A winter resident throughout the mainland; common in the interior of nw Florida, fairly common near the Gulf Coast from Escambia to Wakulla cos. and in winter east to Hamilton Co.; uncommon on the upper east coast and south inland to about Lake Co.; rare from the latitude of Tampa and Merrit I. southward, and VERY RARE OR CASUAL IN EXTREME S FLORIDA" (EMPHASIS MINE).
My suspicion is that these birds are mistaken for Savannah Sparrows which sometime show a "closed" breast spot similar to SOSAs. Many of the citizen science participants are "snowbirds" in their own right and tend to "project" what they are familiar with "Up North" onto the species they see while they are wintering down here. In the case of one of the adjudicated publications where 4 SOSAs were reported, that seemed to be the case as well.
So I ask all of you who have ever birded anywhere in Florida in recent years, south of Lake Okeechobee, especially in Charlotte, Lee, Collier and Hendry counties, have you ever encountered SOSAs and was the total more than one. I would be VERY surprised to learn the results.
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]