We had a Slate-colored Fox Sparrow in our yard yesterday (March 20),
evidently considered rare east of the Cascades this time of year, as judged
by eBird. (see photo at this link: https://flic.kr/p/FzyadF and
https://flic.kr/p/FraBGn ;) The day before that, I observed a Sooty Fox
Sparrow at Glaze Meadow west of Sisters, also considered rare this early in
the spring. Supposedly, the Thick-billed Fox Sparrow is thought to be the
most likely one to show up this time of year. I would encourage anyone
who encounters a Fox Sparrow over the next few days in Central Oregon to
pay attention to the subspecies, because we have a lot to learn about their
status in this area, and they might one day be split into separate species.
Cheers,
Craig Miller
Bend, Oregon
