Lark Sparrow

Status Rare vagrant. It was first recorded from Sable Island (Dwight 1903), the specimen labelled 4 September 1902. Several were reported to have occurred on the island later that year, on 10 October (McLaren 1981a). It was not reported again until 1956 when one was seen on 9 August and another on 7 September by Evelyn Richardson on Bon Portage Island. Since then it has been virtually annual, with about 80 records of some 100 individuals, some photographically documented. Only four of these have been in spring: on Brier Island on 1 June 1963; at Wilmot, Annapolis County, on 13 June 1966; on Sable Island on 18 May 1970; and on Brier Island on 5 May 1973. Almost all fall birds have been reported from our regularly visited islands or from the southern counties, although there is one record from Inverness County. Two in mid July 1963 near Yarmouth (the W. Lents) were exceptional, but it is an early fall migrant, normally first appearing in August (average 27 August, earliest 3 August) but not beyond October (average 24 September, latest 26 October); one very late bird was at Italy Cross, Lunenburg County, on 1 December 1984 (J. and S. Cohrs).

Remarks It is about the size of a House Sparrow, decorated with a long fan-shaped tail, handsomely trimmed with white corners that are conspicuous in flight. Its otherwise pure white breast is marked with a single black dot, and it has bright chestnut cheek patches. It should present no identification problem if observed under favourable conditions.

This western sparrow of open country formerly nested east to New York State and now seems to be extending its range eastward.