new C-c Longspur & Bobolink, old Buff-breast & Lucy's, offshore Song Sparrow

Dear SanDiegoRegionBirding (where plenty of people regularly get important bird information they use, but relatively few contribute in return):

There's clearly been a mini-run of Chestnut-collared Longspurs the past few days, as in addition to the 1 at Fiesta Island and the 2 at Robb Field, another one turned up today (Friday) in the Tijuana River Valley. It has also been a good fall compared to recent years for Bobolinks, with 4 individuals before today, and now a 5th today, also in the Tijuana River Valley. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the sod farm has now been present for two weeks, seen today with the Killdeer in the dirt to the west of the northern sod patch–the northern patch which has now been mostly trucked away, with only a small percent hanging on. Also marking a long two weeks' presence today is the Lucy's Warbler in Lincoln Park–although it is still a few days behind the long-staying Harry Griffen bird!

An additional comment on the Song Sparrow we had offshore at the 9-Mile Bank on the 14th: This is a very rare species to be seen offshore. I've had a couple land on cruise ships off the Pacific Northwest and extreme Northern California, but I think this was my first for off Southern California. Unfortunately the bird did not actually land on the boat–although it tried–and we were not able to determine what subspecies it was, and thus it likely origins.

–Paul Lehman, San Diego
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports