Amen to that.  I've sure saved the post for future reference.

Jane
(Shoreham)

On 9/20/2013 3:11 PM, Richard Enser wrote:
> Eric,
> Thanks very much for these tips, especially the notes on behavior - they are indeed worthwhile and an example of how VTBIRD subscribers can truly benefit from the experience of others.
> Rick Enser, Braintree
>
>
> ________________________________
>   From: Eric Hynes <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Friday, September 20, 2013 1:48 PM
> Subject: [VTBIRD] Photo illustrating Lincoln's Sparrow with ID tips
>
>
> Hello Vermont Birders:
>
> Since Lincoln's Sparrow has been a reoccurring theme on the listserv
> lately, I thought some folks might be interested in an image I captured
> this morning and a few ID tips.
>
> There is a little brushy area off Dorset Street in South Burlington that I
> have been meaning to check out. This morning I visited it briefly. It
> turned out to not be a park unfortunately but still a birdie little patch
> during my quick turnaround.
>
> Shortly after getting out of the car, I had this Lincoln's Sparrow (LISP)
> pop up.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/emhimages/9837806086/in/photostream/
>
> My first impression when I get a LISP in my bins is of a clean, crisp,
> somewhat delicate, gray-faced sparrow.
>
> The bill is noticeably smaller than the bill of a Song Sparrow. Here is a
> comparison image from this morning:
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/emhimages/9839110684/in/photostream/
>
> The finer streaking on the breast and flanks of a LISP is thin and
> well-defined. In contrast, the streaking on a SOSP is usually blurry and
> broad. This molting juvenile SOSP in the above linked image is particularly
> messy in that regard.
>
> The streaking on a LISP is also limited to the breast and flanks over a
> warm buffy-brown background sharply contrasting with the clean white belly.
> SOSPs don't show this bibbed look nearly so well-defined.
>
> The face of a SOSP is busy with buff, dark brown and some white whereas a
> LISP has a clean gray face for the most part with buff restricted to the
> submoustachial area.
>
> Behaviorally, LISP typically pop up with a subtly raised crest. It is
> nothing like a Northern Cardinal or Tufted Titmouse but it does give the
> LISP a look of being agitated. The raised crown feathers make for a steep
> forehead look which is reminiscent of a White-crowned Sparrow.
>
> Another behaviorally note, in my experience, LISP seem to regularly rise
> to the top. If you are working a good sparrow patch and a bunch of sparrows
> flush to a brush pile or shrub, LISP usually end up near the top.
>
> I'm not sure what inspired this but if you are still reading, I hope you
> found it worthwhile.
>
> Best,
>
> Eric Hynes
> Hinesburg
>