John James Audubon listened to the Seaside Finch and its “monotonous chirpings” in the saltmarsh areas of the Texas Coast during the spring of 1837 and everywhere else he was near a saltmarsh in the eastern United States during the spring. The bird is commonly known today as the Seaside sparrow. Since the Seaside sparrow appeared in Birds of America, at least one subspecies of the Seaside sparrow, the Dusky, has been declared extinct. The most of the rest that have been seen and heard are the 562 that Patrick Leary counted near Nassau, Florida, on January 20, 2015 (see eBird Checklist S122826406).
total count from (11) roost or survey sites along marsh route. Number represents ca half total count of 1124 sparrows. Estimate of total sparrows observed at each site and species detected. Densely-integrated species would initially respond upon arrival at all survey sites, but gradually slink back into grass preventing accurate count of all species present. This survey represents first of its type for local marshes in winter and is not comprehensive. Absolute totals certain to be much higher for entire marsh.