Lincoln's Sparrows are migrating!

Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana), note buffy cinnamon wash on breast. They can often have a breast dot, so do not confuse them with Song Sparrows. Lincoln's Sparrows are in the genus Melospiza, along with Song and Swamp Sparrows.

Lincoln's Sparrow

Sparrows are beginning to show up here in southern NH, with many White-throated Sparrows, as well as Lincoln's, Savannah, Field, Chipping and Song Sparrows being seen. Juncos have barely shown up yet.

Lincoln's Sparrows, an uncommon migrant here, are always a treat. I love their subtle colors (yeah, I know all sparrows, just about, have subtle colors, but humor me here), with that pale buffy cinnnamon wash on the breast. Ooooh. Saw some yesterday and today in our yard.

Lincoln's Sparrows breed north of us, in boglike areas and shrubby streamsides, across much of Canada, into Alaska, and down into mountains of the West. They winter on the West Coast and much of the lower quarter of the U.S. You can see them in many places in the U.S. during their migration. Get those binos out and start looking!