Swamp Sparrow
Melospiza georgiana
The Swamp Sparrow may be one of the most appropriately named of any species. Their chosen breeding grounds are freshwater or brackish marshes, damp meadows and bogs, and sedge swamps. They breed in most of Canada east of the Rocky Mountains and in the northeastern USA. In the region bordering the southern Great Lakes and southern New England, they are found year-round. During the non-breeding season, they range throughout southeastern USA and northern Mexico.
Taxonomists recognize three subspecies of Swamp Sparrow.
- M. g. georgiana breeds eastern South Dakota through Minnesota and the eastern Canadian provinces to Nova Scotia and Nebraska east through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
- M. g. ericrypta breeds from Mackenzie through the Northwest Territories, east to Newfoundland, and south to British Columbia and east through central Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, Manitoba, northern Minnesota, and central Ontario.
- M. g. nigrescens along the mid-Atlantic Coast from Maryland north to the Hudson River.
The first Swamp Sparrow I met was a wayward bird in San Diego near Mission Bay in early April 2014. I did not meet them again until my 2022 tour of Canada when I stopped to explore a wetland reserve in Hinton Alberta. It was late May, and I enjoyed their territorial behaviors and displays. I returned to Canada in 2023 and explored the Great Lakes region. I enjoyed meeting more of these birds at Ontario’s Wye Marsh Nature Reserve.
23 Photos
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
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Description: I first met a wintering Swamp Sparrow out of its native range in San Diego. I was pleased to meet it on its breeding grounds during my hike around the Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton Alberta. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:26 12:34 |
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Location:
Beaver Boardwalk |
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Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_8503565-Hinton.AB-BeaverBoardwalk |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: I first met a wintering Swamp Sparrow out of its native range in San Diego. I was pleased to meet it on its breeding grounds during my hike around the Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton Alberta. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:26 12:34 |
|
Location:
Beaver Boardwalk |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_8503539-Hinton.AB-BeaverBoardwalk |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: I first met a wintering Swamp Sparrow out of its native range in San Diego. I was pleased to meet it on its breeding grounds during my hike around the Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton Alberta. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:26 12:34 |
|
Location:
Beaver Boardwalk |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_8503503-Hinton.AB-BeaverBoardwalk |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: I first met a wintering Swamp Sparrow out of its native range in San Diego. I was pleased to meet it on its breeding grounds during my hike around the Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton Alberta. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:26 12:33 |
|
Location:
Beaver Boardwalk |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_8503497-Hinton.AB-BeaverBoardwalk |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: I first met a wintering Swamp Sparrow out of its native range in San Diego. I was pleased to meet it on its breeding grounds during my hike around the Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton Alberta. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:26 12:33 |
|
Location:
Beaver Boardwalk |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_8503496-Hinton.AB-BeaverBoardwalk |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: I first met a wintering Swamp Sparrow out of its native range in San Diego. I was pleased to meet it on its breeding grounds during my hike around the Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton Alberta. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:26 12:30 |
|
Location:
Beaver Boardwalk |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_8503417-Hinton.AB-BeaverBoardwalk |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: I first met a wintering Swamp Sparrow out of its native range in San Diego. I was pleased to meet it on its breeding grounds during my hike around the Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton Alberta. |
Date Taken: 2022:05:26 12:26 |
|
Location:
Beaver Boardwalk |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D850, 800 mm, f/9.0, 1/6400 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_8503402-Hinton.AB-BeaverBoardwalk |
| © 2022 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
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Description: Tecolote Canyon Reserve east of Mission Bay. San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:04:04 7:36 |
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Location:
Tecolote Canyon |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/125 |
File Name: D3X4863-SwampSparrow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: Tecolote Canyon Reserve east of Mission Bay. San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:04:03 11:19 |
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Location:
Tecolote Canyon |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X4715-SwampSparrow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: Tecolote Canyon Reserve east of Mission Bay. San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:04:03 11:21 |
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Location:
Tecolote Canyon |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/250 |
File Name: D3X4724-SwampSparrow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: Tecolote Canyon Reserve east of Mission Bay. San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:04:04 7:23 |
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Location:
Tecolote Canyon |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/100 |
File Name: D3X4849-SwampSparrow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: Tecolote Canyon Reserve east of Mission Bay. San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2014:04:04 7:25 |
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Location:
Tecolote Canyon |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/160 |
File Name: D3X4854-SwampSparrow |
| © 2014 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
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Description: I drove 20 minutes from Tiny Shores to Midland Ontario, to spend the day at the Wye Marsh Nature Reserve, a place known for its key role in the recovery of Trumpeter Swans. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:19 9:36 |
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Location:
Wye Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X6782_WyeMarsh-Midland-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: I drove 20 minutes from Tiny Shores to Midland Ontario, to spend the day at the Wye Marsh Nature Reserve, a place known for its key role in the recovery of Trumpeter Swans. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:19 10:03 |
|
Location:
Wye Marsh |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X7027_WyeMarsh-Midland-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: I drove 20 minutes from Tiny Shores to Midland Ontario, to spend the day at the Wye Marsh Nature Reserve, a place known for its key role in the recovery of Trumpeter Swans. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:19 10:10 |
|
Location:
Wye Marsh |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X7109_WyeMarsh-Midland-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: I drove 20 minutes from Tiny Shores to Midland Ontario, to spend the day at the Wye Marsh Nature Reserve, a place known for its key role in the recovery of Trumpeter Swans. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:19 10:11 |
|
Location:
Wye Marsh |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X7116_WyeMarsh-Midland-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: When I reached Presqu'ile Provincial Park on the northern shore of Lake Ontario on the last days of May 2023, the spring migration was nearly complete. I believe all the birds I met during my visit were there to raise babies on these grounds. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:01 9:12 |
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Location:
Presqu'ile Provincial Park |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X2849_PresquilePark-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: When I reached Presqu'ile Provincial Park on the northern shore of Lake Ontario on the last days of May 2023, the spring migration was nearly complete. I believe all the birds I met during my visit were there to raise babies on these grounds. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:01 9:09 |
|
Location:
Presqu'ile Provincial Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X2784_PresquilePark-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: When I reached Presqu'ile Provincial Park on the northern shore of Lake Ontario on the last days of May 2023, the spring migration was nearly complete. I believe all the birds I met during my visit were there to raise babies on these grounds. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:01 9:07 |
|
Location:
Presqu'ile Provincial Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X2736_PresquilePark-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: When I reached Presqu'ile Provincial Park on the northern shore of Lake Ontario on the last days of May 2023, the spring migration was nearly complete. I believe all the birds I met during my visit were there to raise babies on these grounds. |
Date Taken: 2023:06:01 9:03 |
|
Location:
Presqu'ile Provincial Park |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X2675_PresquilePark-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: Driving north a week earlier to Tiny Beaches on Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, on the recommendation of a friend, I stopped for a half-hour visit to McKinnon Road. Eager to reach my destination, I left knowing there was more to see than I had time for. On my return to southern Ontario, I spent a whole day, and still I knew there was more to see. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:25 10:53 |
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Location:
Minesing Wetlands |
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Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X1287_MinesingWetlands-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: Driving north a week earlier to Tiny Beaches on Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, on the recommendation of a friend, I stopped for a half-hour visit to McKinnon Road. Eager to reach my destination, I left knowing there was more to see than I had time for. On my return to southern Ontario, I spent a whole day, and still I knew there was more to see. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:25 10:40 |
|
Location:
Minesing Wetlands |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X1208_MinesingWetlands-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana) |
|
Description: After my first visit to Wye Marsh in Midland Ontario four days earlier, I felt there were more species I wanted to meet. I returned Monday morning, and I tried to collect images of the birds I missed before. |
Date Taken: 2023:05:22 13:24 |
|
Location:
Wye Marsh |
|
Camera Information: NIKON Z 9, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: SwampSparrow_Z9X9758_WyeMarsh-Midland-Ont-CA |
| © 2023 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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