Le Conte's Sparrow 2011

I added a gorgeous Le Conte's Sparrow to my life list (#379) this month on a grassy trail at along the Platte River National Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska.  Initially, I had reported this bird as a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow, but an eBird reviewer suggested it was a LCSP, becasue of crown stripe, crisp streaking on the flanks, and purple streaking on the nape. 

I had just led a bird walk at Montrose Point in Chicago a couple of days eariler, and LCSP was one of the unseen targets.  It was thrilling to see this beautiful little golden bird in the shining sun.