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Need help with sparrow ID



Carolinabirders,
        
        At the Pitt St. causeway I saw a sparrow fly from the north and land
on the wooden stakes lining the pavement.  From habitat and previous
observation at that location I passed it off as a Savannah Sparrow, but when
I looked at it I wasn't so sure.  The eye stripe and moustachial stripe were
white with no tinge of yellow.  Overall the breast was clear with some very
faint stripes on the upper sides.  Another distinct feature was a darkening
of the bill at the tip.  When it flew (back over the marsh and out of site)
there was no white in the tail.  I've seen a lot of variation in Savannahs,
but this one was a little too different.  My question is: What was it? 1)
maybe an Ipswitch sparrow but the bird wasn't larger than a Savannah,
actually it looked smaller.  Also it was not in the dunes where that would
be expected.  2) a Clay-colored sparrow: the face pattern, clear breast,
dark bill tip fit the description but the habitat I'm not sure about.  3)
Just another Savannah: possible except for the lack of yellow and clear
breast. Any suggestions?

Also seen near Patriots Point:
BC Night Heron
Painted Bunting
Prairie Warbler (a little late?)
Sedge Wren

Mike Bernard
Charleston, SC