I was quite surprised to find a Vesper Sparrow outside my window yesterday after the prolonged spring snowstorm finally left the Salt Lake Valley and Utah.
Singing Vesper Sparrow adult – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’ve seen Vesper Sparrows in the high Wasatch Mountains, desert ranchland habitats, alpine meadows, and desert grasslands. However, until yesterday, I had never seen one in a yard or an urban area. As I watched it foraging from my living room window, I decided to write about my sighting from living room window at home.
The Vesper Sparrow photo above was taken in the high Wasatch Mountains last year. Although I couldn’t get a photo of the one in front of my window yesterday, I decided to share a few I had taken in the past.
I wish the Vesper Sparrow in front of my window had sung for me yesterday; I absolutely love their songs.
Spring Vesper Sparrow on a rock – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There were also Dark-eyed Juncos, American Robins, Mourning Doves, House Finches, and Northern Flickers outside my window, but the Vesper Sparrow was my first sighting of this species for the season. The photo above was taken in desert ranchland habitat last spring.
I can barely wait to find my first singing Vesper Sparrow of the season.
I am trying to be patient. My ears will most likely pick up the song even before I see the bird. I’ve learned to identify birds by both sight and sound, and knowing the habitat intimately and paying attention are also helpful.
Yesterday, I was very pleased to find a Vesper Sparrow in a habitat that I didn’t think they visited much. I am always learning, and the birds? They are always teaching me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Vesper Sparrow photos plus facts and information about this species.
It is a long, long time since I have seen our sparrows. Their numbers are diminishing fast. How lovely to see yours. Thank you.
I think the deep snow and these late spring storms are pushing birds in strange places. I had a blue bird in my backyard yesterday. Never seen one here before, usually higher in the foothills. The Stellar’s jays are still in my yard also.
Their song is enchanting. Not much hope of seeing them here in Connecticut, though they bred close by our condo in Illinois until the land was “developed.”