Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Cassin's Sparrow
Scientific name:	Peucaea cassinii
Date:	December 27, 2020
Time:	3:18 pm
Length of time observed:	5 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	unknown
Sex:	unknown
Location:	2450 S 3430 E,Washington Fields area, Washington, Utah 84780
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:	2660'
Distance to bird:	10 feet
Optical equipment:	Brunton 10x42 Binoculars and Canon 7d with Sigma 150-600mm lens
Weather:
Light Conditions:
Description: Size of bird:	Sparrow size. Similar to Song sparrow but not as chunky as White-crowned nearby.
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Sparrow like
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	drab light gray with hints of small red brown color and streaking. Slightly dull yellow lore on face
(Description:) Bill Type:	Thicker than other sparrows around the area but not too thick to be a standout.
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I initially did not know what this bird was. I was seeing lots of Vesper sparrow and Savannah Sparrow. So it initially looked different which caught my eye. The eye ring was paler than the Vesper I was seeing. The chest and flanks had little to no streaking which was different than the Vesper nearby. The pale yellow lore on the face had me stumped. It was less than the Savannah nearby but distinct enough to view in binoculars. Back was streaked finely with red-brown and gray. Chest was plain gray with no central spot or streaking. The auriculars were a red brown color but not distinct. Leg color a light pink. Crown was streaked finely red-brown and gray-black. Bill light pink and noticeably bigger/longer than nearby Savannah sparrow. Marginal covert on the wing had a tinge of light yellow. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Did not vocalize
Behavior:	Feeding for seeds in the dirt. I cannot remember if it hopped or walked but it made its way around dirt area.
Habitat:	Agricultural field with human burnt grasses (made the area black) and sandy soil.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Vesper sparrow--Eyering was paler, less distinct and this bird had little straeking on the best and flanks. Vesper seemed like a likely candidate especially because several were in the area. Brewer's sparrow--the drabness of the bird made me consider Brewer's sparrow. The bill was wrong for Brewer's although I am sure there is some overlap on bill size for Brewer's. Slight yellow lore helped to eliminate Brewer's. Chipping Sparrow--Although the crown of the head had some red-brown streaking, it was not as full as expected for Chipping sparrow. Wing bars much less pronounced than what I would expect for Chipping sparrow.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have seen Cassin's twice in Arizona but I have very little experience with it.
References consulted:	Sibley guide to Birds. Google search for images of Cassin's sparrow. Photos of the birds seen earlier in 2020 in Emery county(?).
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Tony Jones
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	None
Date prepared:	12/28/2020
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments: