At the Cochran Shoals sparrow field today, Johnnie Green, Kathy Miller and I set our binos on a lovely CLAY COLORED SPARROW. We spent some time observing the bird and noting the field marks, and afterwards poured through several field guides and I'm now certain it was a CCSP. Some of the distinguishing characteristics included the brown cheek outlined by darker postocular and moustachial stripes, distinct lateral throat stripes with a white throat and white between the lateral and moustachial stripes; gray nape; buffy breastband with very pale steaking in the most interesting pattern. When I got home, I found a note I'd written in my 'inside' National Geographic that I had a 'probable' CCSP last year at Cochran Shoals on 10/20/2007. Bingo. Now I will officially count the bird as a LIFER. It was seen at the back of the sparrow field near the Willows.

Patty McLean Tucker GA

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