Those are good photos of Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, Robin. Seaside is a good bird that far up the coast. The marsh around Popham holds a special place in the history of studies working out the ranges and interactions between Saltmarsh and Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrows. William Montagna published a classic study based on his work at Popham. You can read it here:
http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/wilson/v054n02/p0107-p0120.pdf
The differences between Seaside Sparrow and the two groups of sharp-tailed sparrows is covered well in field guides. The following article in the journal North American Birds is a good reference on differentiating Saltmarsh and Sharp-tailed Sparrows (Saltmarsh goes by the name caudacuta in Montagna, and Nelson's goes by subvirgata):
http://aba.org/nab/v65n2sparrows.pdf
We have a less imperfect knowledge of these birds thanks to those studying birds in Maine's few, but very important, marshes . We have much to learn yet. In any case, not a meadowlark, for sure!
Louis Bevier
Fairfield
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