American Tree Sparrow,Spizella arborea.
October 18 to April 3. Fairly common winter resident in brushy open areas.
It arrives in the region along with the first blasts of snow and severe cold,
usually by the middle of December. Small numbers are usually reported on the
Fayetteville Christmas Bird Count, with one peak count of 25 (1974). Flocks of
40 or more have been found on several occasions in brushy-weedy fields like
those at the University Agricultural Experiment Farm north of the Fayetteville
campus, in the area around the state fish hatchery at Centerton, and elsewhere.
Bachman's Sparrow,Aimophila aestivalis.
One was reported on the Fulton County Breeding Bird Survey in 1969.
Chipping Sparrow,Spizella passerina.
March 1 to November 19+. Common migrant and summer resident where there are
wellspaced tall trees and the ground is open and grassy — parks, campgounds,
open pasture where trees have been left, mature pine woods. There are several
winter reports, but unfortunately this species is sometimes confused with American
Tree Sparrow, which occurs regularly in the region during winter.