Allen and all, There is one component that is essential to good habitat for Sharp-tailed Sparrow -- WATER! Good habitat is difficult to survey since it often requires the use of rubber boots or even hip waders. Within large marshes, best areas are those with dense stands of sedges, grasses, bur-reed and beggar's ticks, etc., and generally limited areas of cattail. Such areas are almost always quite wet, and I would estimate that prime locations for Sharp-tailed Sparrows generally have from 2 to 10 inches of water. No doubt Sharp-tailed Sparrow is far more numerous than is generally realized, and that pertains to both Ontario and Michigan. Years ago I was determined to find a Yellow Rail in the Point Pelee Birding Area, so on October 8, 1995, I put on some hip waders and started sloshing around in the NW part of Hillman Marsh (all within the current diked pond area). Never did find a Yellow Rail, but my Sharp-tailed Sparrow tally for the day was 16 birds! I quickly realized that the best spots for the sparrows was always a certain distance out from the dry edges, again where the water was from 2 to 10 inches deep. Keeping the above observation of 16 birds in mind: 1) This very area of Hillman Marsh is visited regularly by birders every fall, yet the species is virtually never reported there. 2) The Point Pelee Birding Area did not record its first fall-migrant Sharp-tailed Sparrow until 1982! I have no doubt that if a Michigan birder were to use some hip waders and check some large marshes in the fashion described above, that they would find plenty of Sharp-tailed Sparrows. I would say that right now and for the next 10 days or so would be prime time. Alan Wormington, Leamington ****************** On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 08:31:08 -0400 "Allen Chartier" <amazilia1@comcast.net> writes: > Birders, > > I hope this is an appropriate topic for this list. > > In the past few years, there seems to have been an increase in > reports of > Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow in the fall in Ontario, Ohio, and > Indiana. > But, the species remains casual (Review List) in Michigan. In the > 1950s, > researchers in southern Michigan captured and banded a number of > (Nelson's) > Sharp-tailed Sparrows in spring (mainly April) while working in > sedge marsh. > It is my impression that this is not the habitat the bird is being > found in > during fall migration. Perhaps birders are not searching the right > habitat > here, and I was wondering if anyone could describe the habitat(s) > where the > sparrows are being found in Ontario, which might provide insights on > other > places to search for the species. > > Thanks! > > Allen Chartier > amazilia1@comcast.net > 1442 West River Park Drive > Inkster, MI 48141 > Website: http://www.amazilia.net > Michigan HummerNet: http://www.amazilia.net/MIHummerNet/index.htm > > _______________________________________________ > ONTBIRDS mailing list > ONTBIRDS@hwcn.org > To join or leave ONTBIRDS visit > http://mailman.hwcn.org/mailman/listinfo/ontbirds > ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at > http://www.ofo.ca/ontbirdsguide.htm > ________________________________________________________________ Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. Now includes pop-up blocker! Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today!