Date: 12/30/25 5:30 am From: Dominik Mosur via groups.io <dominikmosur...> Subject: [SFBirds] Rufous-Crowned Sparrow some additional information. PLEASE READ if you are thinking about "chasing"
Waking up this morning after the excitement has passed a bit I realize that
I should put out some more information regarding the location of the
Rufous-crowned Sparrow found on the SF CBC yesterday beyond just “park at
LaSalle and Earl and walk west.”
This is not what most would consider a birding venue. The hillside here
has been graded and prepped for construction and although it hasn't been
active for a while (looks the same as it did when I checked it last year on
the CBC) and isn't securely fenced off it may not be actually "abandoned"
as I mentioned to some people inquiring about it yesterday.
In addition to being strewn with construction waste the spot where
the sparrow was first seen is very steep with loose soil softened by recent
rain. As I was walking in the direction where I found the bird I thought to
myself as I hobbled on an injured ankle, "I need to be careful, I could
fall and hurt myself" and moments later I caught my foot in a strip of
plastic and almost did just that.
As for the bird itself, it wasn't right past the fence. I actually slogged
about 100 meters on uneven and unstable ground before it suddenly appeared
into view, and while I watched and photographed it, it was slowly but
steadily moving west away from LaSalle@ Earl so no guarantees it will even
be there today.
Although I am currently slightly injured (if I was a MLB player coach would
list me day-to-day) I will make an attempt to show up there this morning to
help guide folks who do make the attempt but obviously, if you enter this
area YOU ARE DOING SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.
