Voting Comments

Species
Swamp Sparrow
Record #2-B-92

1st Round: 7-0

1st Round

3/16/09
Weisse – Accept

I’m troubled by several aspects of this report.  The tail is described as long and round-tipped but relative to what?  The tail in the sketch appears too long for Swamp Sparrow and more rounded than I remember and Swamp Sparrows look distinctly shorter tailed than Song Sparrow to me.  In his report for 11-B-94 the same observer describes the tail as moderate length and it looks right in the sketch.  The report also states that the tail was pumped in flight.  My experience is that Swamp Sparrow flies direct and does not pump its tail in fight like a Song Sparrow does and they’re easily separated from Song Sparrow when flushed by the shorter tail and lack of tail pumping behavior.  Song Sparrow was not considered in the elimination section where this bird was competed only against Lincoln’s Sparrow.  The written description of the perched bird is excellent and leaves little if any possibility for confusion with other species.  With the above reservations I’m going to vote to accept this record.

03-17-2009
Sturts--Accept

Very complete description by and an observer familiar with this species.

03-19-2009
Darren Clark--Accept

Well-written report, habitat is good, description is good, call note is described well, and similar species eliminated.

03-21-2009
Dave Trochlell--Accept

I'm totally convinced. It's interesting that years ago the field guides never showed the central breast "smudge" spot that Swamp Sparrows can have in basic plumage; in fact, Rising and Beadle failed to mention or show this feature in their tome, "The Sparrows of the United States and Canada". Dan called me on the phone to report seeing this feature on vagrant Swamp Sparrows in north Idaho, and I told him that I'd also observed it on the Swamp Sparrows I was seeing at Ted Trueblood WMA and C.J. Strike Reservoir.

3-24-09
Carlisle--Accept

Good description of voice & plumage (but I wonder if Song Sparrow - can be pretty rufous - should be on the list of species against which SWSP should be competed??)

29 March 2009
Hardy--Accept

Diagnostic fieldmarks noted, appropriate habitat.

03-31-2009
chuck trost--Accept

Good notes and drawing.