It’s not news that migrating sparrows are back in town but it’s always news to see a fox sparrow in any setting.

Steve Gosser photographed this one (top) with another migrant, a white-throated sparrow, at Harrison Hills Park last week.

Some sparrows come to western Pennsylvania in the fall and stay all winter, including dark-eyed juncoes, American tree sparrows, and the white-throated sparrow shown above.

But fox sparrows are few and far between and right now they’re just passing through, headed for the southern U.S.

If you don’t see one before Thanksgiving you’ll probably have to wait until March to catch them on their return trip back north.

I’ve been looking, but so far no luck.

(photo by Steve Gosser)