Possible McCown's?

We stopped by Fiesta Island north of the tern nesting area this morning and picked slowly through a huge flock of Horned Larks.  There was a bird that appeared to be a Longspur but was not streaked and colored dark enough for a Lapland.  It was basically varying shades of tan coloring overall.  It had a distinct pink bill, larger bill than a Chestnut-collared it seemed.  And it had a light rusty red patch on its shoulder.  Very faint streaking on the upper chest and very white below that.  Thin streaks over the head.  Not like the dark lines on a Lapland.  When it flushed there was white on the tail but we didn't see the pattern well.  I'm not well versed in Longspurs so I am just throwing this out there so everyone can be on the lookout.  We got good looks through the scope but no pictures before it was flushed by dogs.

Alison Hiers
Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports