Savannah Sparrow on fence railing, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Centennial Valley, Beaverhead County, MontanaSavannah Sparrow on fence railing – Nikon D200, tripod mounted, f6.3, 1/320, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 321mm, natural light

A Savannah Sparrow singing can be listened to here.
(Other birds heard in this recording are Western Meadowlarks and Wilson’s Snipes)

The American Robins are singing again which in some parts of the country even the sight of a robin means spring. Utah has robins all year long. Some people think seeing bluebirds is a sign of spring, here in Utah we have Mountain Bluebirds all year long too so the sight of them doesn’t say “Spring” to me.

More often than not what does say “Spring” to me are the songs of the birds including Savannah Sparrows. Savannah Sparrows have been recorded all year long in Utah and I have seen them during the winter here myself but in the spring they start to sing and I delight in that.

On my last two trips up to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I have heard Savannah Sparrows singing “sit sit sit sit suh-EEEEE say” from somewhere in the marshes. As the days grow longer and get warmer I know I will hear them more often here in Utah and in Montana when I am able to get up there to photograph the birds and wildlife. The photo I have included in this post was taken in 2011 at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge‘s lower lake campground.

I’m hoping that soon I will see a Savannah Sparrow singing while perched on top of a fence, a cattail or some rushes to photograph.

Happy first day of Spring!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Savannah Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.