Daniel,
I have three thoughts in response to your post:
I am very glad that others are striving to obtain more documentation
for the Lilian's Eastern Meadowlark that I first reported with Nick Komar
this weekend! However, the presumed Lilian's individiual has been behaving
quite territorial near the north-east corner of Bud Mielke, and since you
saw this bird *west* of Bud Mielke, I would say it is likely not the same
individual. That does not necessarily mean this bird can't be another
Eastern M. (Nick and I thought we heard a possible Eastern subspecies sing
once or twice from an area further north-west of Bud Mielke). I am actually
not positive whether the bird in your photo has its head turned broadside
enough for us to see the malar and attempt to ID it. Maybe others could
speak to that point though, if your photo is ID'able as either Western or
Eastern. The main thing is that both subspecies of Eastern Meadowlarks sing
a song that is uniquely different from that of Western. If you the bird
sang a song that sounds unusual, that would be a clue that you should
examine it more closely. I am guessing it is liely that someone more
experience than I will be able to ID your photo as a Western, if you saw
the bird in a different place.
If you had a tough time finding the EAME, maybe I should clarify its
location more precisely. There is a dirt road/trail that begins at S CR 19
and runs east past the north end of Bud Mielke. If follow that trail to the
east end, where it turns sharply to the south east, you will find yourself
at the north-east corner of the reservoir. At that point, you should be
able to turn and look north, and find the bird sitting on one of the
fenceposts in the field to the north of the trail. The meadowlark singing
the Lilian's song also occasionally flies in closer to a large cottonwood
that is right near that same point of the trail, which can allow for
clearer recording and possibly better observation.
I also want to point out that when Joshua Smith observed the bird
this evening, he reported that he was able to discern extensive white in
the tail. That is *wonderful news* because I don't think anyone has had the
opportunity to observe that affirming field mark on this bird up until this
evening!! I am definitely learning from my experience with this bird and I
want others to be able to do that as well! My media has finally been
processed and can be viewed here https://ebird.org/checklist/S69200228
Happy Birding everyone - please stay healthy!!
Joe Kipper,
Fort Collins
joe.kippe...@gmail.com
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