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Any day of birding in New York State that includes a sighting of a Vesper Sparrow is a better-then-average day. The precipitous plunge of Vesper Sparrow populations has been largely because of changing land use practices. The Vesper Sparrow is named for its tendency to sing in the evening, right before the end of the day.
I’m hardly the first person to observe that it’s all too easy to get overwhelmed by bad environmental news, and the title Endangered and Disappearing Birds of the Midwest sounds like a pretty major downer.
In addition to the Veery I saw or heard a pair of Yellow-billed Cuckoos , some cooperative Eastern Kingbirds , Swamp Sparrows , Warbling Vireos , Wood Thrush , Cedar Waxwings , a Worm-eating Warbler , and, well, you get the idea: it was awesome! Grasshopper Sparrows don’t seem to sing terribly loudly but their song carries a long way.
Nothing is quite as much of a downer to a birder than the summer doldrums. Sparrows are missing; wood-warblers vamoose. Migration hasn’t really kicked in, the breeders aren’t tied to breeding territories any more, and it is hot and sweaty outside. Uncomfortable weather and a lack of birds make birders grumpy.
In 1952, at least in the US, no one wanted to be a Debbie Downer. That was terrible for a lot of people, but especially for the Dusky Seaside Sparrow , a small streaked bird that had the dreadful temerity to dwindle and fade and finally become extinct despite the combined best efforts of the United States government and Walt Disney World.
No one, aside from your therapist, wants to spend time with a Debbie Downer. A Field Sparrow!&# , I am going to assume bad things about this person and that birding is not legit. The more you know about bird physiology, migration, hunting methods, longevity, etc. 5) Have a sense of humor. 9) Watch your language!
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