Hi,
I'm new here, which is why this post comes two days after the fact.
On Saturday I was birding at Bruce's Mill near Stouffville, and was puzzled by a bird perched in a tall shrub/low tree. These are my notes: "White wing patch and white wing bar on dark wing; odd orangey body colour, front and back; dark face with white eyebrow and throat; possibly finchy bill; larger than a warbler."
After much page-flipping through several guides, I've managed to come up with only a Smith's Longspur. It doesn't have a white throat, but it does have a white moustache, and I saw the bird in question only in profile. The "warm, buffy" [ROM Field Guide] colouring, white shoulder patch, and eyebrow all work.
However, I did not notice any white ear patch. Apparently the ear patch is much less prominent in the bird's winter plumage, but the other field marks would have matched its summer garb; what stage of plumage would a Smithy be exhibiting in mid-September?
Furthermore, since Smith's Longspurs generally migrate down the west side of Lake Superior, I'm reluctant to claim this find for my lifelist. Has anyone else reported a stray Smithy? Otherwise, what else might the little fella be?
It's true that I was equally surprised at the three Great Egrets on the Humber this spring, and the Barnacle Goose near Gzowzki Park in early August (he's the reason, in fact, that I discovered this message board, when I went to check for sighting reports). But those are big, unmistakable birds, and we have photos of "Barnacle Bill". This little guy, though, has me intrigued, and any suggestions as to what I REALLY saw would be much appreciated. Thanks!
