Date: 10/2/26 3:30 am From: <lehman.paul...> via groups.io <lehman.paul...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Laguna Mtns. ID issues and eBird
With all the many folks visiting the Laguna Mountains recently to enjoy the irruptive montane species show, several repeated ID problems have arisen. The chief two involve Cassin's Finch and Brewer's Sparrow. Cassin's Finches are clearly present currently--in fact, record early--in small to perhaps locally moderate numbers. BUT, a fair number of folks are reporting some on the basis of hearing only and MERLIN tells them they are Cassin's Finches. The problem is that MERLIN regularly struggles to ID Cassin's vs. Purple (including going back and forth on the same bird) and incorrectly identifies some Purples as Cassin's. Thus, please do not ID and submit ANY Cassin's Finches based only on a MERLIN ID that you did not independently verify.
The second species causing problems lately is Brewer's Sparrow. There have been lots of Chipping Sparrows present in the Mile 19/Water of the Woods area, and with them one or two Brewer's. But quite a few eBird reports of Brewer's with photos show young Chippings. So, please be careful.
Lastly, another plea for folks reporting record or near-record numbers of some of these irruptive species to report these largest numbers ONLY if carefully counted as best as can be done, and not if only a gross estimate, often made after the fact.
--Paul Lehman, San Diego
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