[Maine-birds] Re: Clay-colored Sparrow in Bangor

OK. Now that the cat is out of the bag, I have a confession to make. I
found the Clay-colored Sparrow on May 22nd and, for the first time in my
life, decided not to report it. I was disappointed that right after I
found the Prairie Warbler on the Orono Bog Boardwalk a few weeks ago, I
heard reports of local photographers going in and taping the bird nearly
to death in trying to get great photos. I sadly expected the same thing to
happen to the sparrow if I reported it, and it has bothered me that I
would now feel that kind of concern about reporting birds.

At some point, I am likely to write another newspaper column about how
digital photography is changing birder ethics. For some, there is almost
an amateur competition to see who can get the most awesome photo, and
sometimes the bird suffers the consequences. I do use audio sporadically
when leading a walk, but only long enough to give beginning birders a
chance at a view without a dozen pair of feet having to leave a trail or
roadway, at the risk stepping on ground nests. I don't tape sensitive
birds in sensitive areas and I always make sure the bird promptly wins any
singing contest.

Recently, someone observed to me that there is a difference between
birders and photographers. For birders, the bird matters. For
photographers, it's the photo that matters. Obviously, that's painting
(photoshopping) with too broad a brush and most photographers have
retained their traditional sense of ethics. But, as I say, this is the
first time I've felt reluctant to report a cool bird.

That said, I don't remember any report of a Clay-colored Sparrow as far
north of Bangor before. Are there any other recollections of a report this
far north?

Bob Duchesne
www.mainebirdingtrail.com


> There is a Clay-colored Sparrow singing near the Penjajawoc Marsh,
> right next to Home Depot in Bangor. Admittedly it isn't much of a
> song (2 to 3 buzzes at a time), and being in breeding plumage, he
> isn't clay-colored. If you stand next to the rear of Home Depot
> looking toward the marsh, he usually sings from the scrubby trees
> close to the pavement. He has been singing the last two mornings. I
> don't recall him being reported earlier, but maybe he was. If so,
> sorry for the repeat.
>
> Also, Willow Flycatchers have returned to this site, but not in the
> numbers of last year. I heard only one this morning.
>
> -Bill Glanz
>
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