Date: 4/20/26 1:50 pm From: Michael Price via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Beware the Chipping Sparrow
Hey Tweets
Bob Boekelheide writes: <<Even though CHSPs often have a faster, more mechanical trill than juncos>>
Up near the Manson Lakes in north-central BC, the territorial male juncos' more musical trill was initially easily distinguishable from the Chipping Sparrow's dry, mechanical trill at the beginning of nesting, but the closer to the young fledging, the drier the junco's trills became. By the time the young fledged and everyone moved down off the clear-cut mountainsides into the valley preparatory to southward migration, the juncos' trills became not only as dry as the Chippies' but started breaking up into two or three segments suggesting Clay-colored Sparrow, presumably as hormone levels dropped. This process was repeated on all three of our designated study clearcuts and adjacent old growth. The period covered was mid-May to mid-July
So if Merlin is having a tough time now with juncos and chippies, just wait until mid-summer.
best wishes, m
Michael Price Vancouver BC Canada <loblollyboy...>
