LeConte's Sparrow in St. Louis County
2013-04-30

Uncommon in St. Louis County in the Spring season

Le Conte's Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) near Duluth Rowing Club, Park Point, Duluth, 30 April 2013. Discovered by Larry & Jan Kraemer and Peder Svingen amongst a large flock of sparrows foraging along the bay side of Park Point. Primarily comprised of American Tree Sparrows (Spizella arborea), the flock also contained a few Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia), Swamp Sparrows (M. georgiana), and Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis); there was also a Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) at nearby Southworth Marsh! It seems doubtful that tree sparrows, Le Conte's, and redpolls are found together very often, and I can't recall previously finding an obvious spring migrant Le Conte's at Duluth.

Peder H. Svingen