The Nelson’s Sparrow holds one of the more unique breeding ranges in North America. Ranging from a few spots in northwestern Wisconsin and stretching in a band to the northwest, just north of Alberta, with more isolated populations in narrow stretches along the Hudson Bay and Atlantic coast, its transnational breeding population of about 1 million birds is spread across at least 17 states and provinces.
Nelson’s Sparrow range map. Courtesy of AllAboutBirds.org
Even in Wisconsin, where this bird is rarely reported and difficult to see, its range remains unique, with breeding populations in a few large tracts of sedge meadow in northwestern Wisconsin near the St. Croix River, and other birds sometimes found breeding at Powell Marsh in Vilas County, over 130 miles to the east.
The birds prefer sedge meadows in Wisconsin, but also enjoy areas where water has been drawn down that get populated with plants like smartweeds and Bidens. But this preference shifts to boggy expanses of sedges along the Hudson Bay, to saltmeadow cordgrass, saltgrass, and saltmarsh rush along the Atlantic Coast.
Nelson’s Sparrow, photo by Rick Bohn / USFWS
Late September and early October are good times to look for the Nelson’s Sparrow migrating through southern Wisconsin. Wetlands around the Madison area are good spots to look among flocks of sparrows for a Nelson’s, and a couple were spotted this year at Goose Pond Sanctuary.
You might be able to find a Nelson’s Sparrow among the smartweeds colonizing receding water levels at Faville Grove, but you’ll likely have to wait until next spring or fall. Look for a rather orange face with a gray nape and cheek. The birds tend to hide in dense vegetation, and their song is a unique sounding raspy little hiss. If spotted, you can appreciate this bird’s bold coloring (for a sparrow) and distinctive range and breeding ecology.
Written by Drew Harry, Faville Grove Sanctuary land steward
Cover photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren
