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Song Sparrows are streaky brown birds that vary extensively across North America, with 24 subspecies recognized; coastal and northern birds are darker and streakier whereas southern and desert birds wear paler plumages (like the bird pictured here). Song Sparrows are found in a wide variety of habitats, from marshes and rain forests to deserts and residential areas. Song Sparrows are partially migratory; birds that breed in Alaska and northern Canada winter in the southern U.S. and northern Mexico. Whereas birds that breed in the northern and central U.S. migrate a shorter distance or stay put (as in our area), a pattern called "leapfrog migration." Song Sparrows eat insects and other invertebrates in the summer and eat seeds and fruits all year. The female builds the 4-8 inch nest of grasses, weeds, bark, and animal hair. The song for which this sparrow is named typically starts with abrupt, well-spaced notes followed by a trill, often transcribed as maids-maids-get-your-tea-kettle-kettle! The Song Sparrow is one of the common birds of Four Seasons, easily found and even more easily heard in yards and landscaping as well in our riparian woodlands. I see or hear Song Sparrows every day in my backyard and this bird is one of only four species that the Birding Club has observed during every bird walk. ~ Steve Edelman Birding CLUB Bird of the Month FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | JULY 2018 59 We welcome beginning and experienced birders to start or hone bird identification skills. Our main activity is a monthly bird walk along Four Seasons' beautiful nature trails, which follow native riparian woodlands. We also take field trips to local birding spots, discuss backyard bird feeding and share information on unusual species and behaviors. Our June 9 bird walk was our first walk of the summer, the Bird Summer, when all the wintering birds have left, the migrants have passed through, and we are left with the local breeding birds. Even so, we identified 18 species, including several singing Song Sparrows (our current Bird of the Month). Also, the new bridge at Crooked Creek was open for pedestrian traffic, which allowed us, for the first time, to make a loop, leaving the Lodge and walking Trail A, then crossing the bridge and returning on Trail B. Big improvement! We meet the first Saturday of each month at 8 am in the Lodge RCN Lobby, talk about birding, and then go on our bird walk. Bring your binoculars or just come to a meeting and ask about birding gear. Sometimes our schedule changes, so before coming to a meeting and to receive club communications, email Steve Edelman at steve.h.edelman@gmail.com. ~ Steve Edelman Four Seasons Birding Club on Trail B Photo by Jenny Cole, Birding Club member Bird of the Month: Song Sparrow, San Jacinto Wildlife Area Photo by Larry Colby, Birding Club member and wildlife photographer A birding message and goodies at Helene Leonard's Birding Breakfast on May 5. Photo: Lyle Cameron, Birding Club Member and Camera Club Co-chair

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