Yesterday evening I received this eBird report of a male Lark Bunting in Lac qui Parle County on August 2. Maybe it’s old news to some of you, but for those who were unaware read below (copy and pasted from the eBird report):
Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) (1) - Reported Aug 02, 2018 15:33 by Liz H - Hamlin WMA, Lac qui Parle, Minnesota - Map: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.913403,-96.16935http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&z=13&q=44.913403,-96.1693562&ll=44.913403,-96.169356262&ll=44.913403,-96.1693562 - Checklist: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S47721565 - Comments: "Will complete RQD. I flushed a male Lark Bunting while hiking out of Hamlin WMA (original distance less than 20 feet). I observed the bird as it flew SE for approx 200 feet where I lost sight of it when it landed on gravel road (grass too tall). In flight observations were primarily of the dorsal side and showed primarily black bird (some hints of brown within the black) with large white wing patches and white tips on the outter edges of the tail. Bird lacked white rump patch of a male Rose-breasted Grosbeak and male breeding-plumage Bobolink (as well as lacking straw colored back of head). White tail tips and wing patches would not be present in blackbirds. Size and shape (large sparrow size, relatively shortish tail, plump) in flight also distinguishes from these species. Brief ventral views showed all dark bird with white tail tips. Approached area where bird landed, observed bird before it flushed. Primarily black bird with white wing patches, heavy darkish beak. I never heard this bird vocalize. Lighting was good. I watched the bird from the north as it flew south/south east, sun was in the west. Viewed through Leica 10x42 binocs. Similar species: Male Bobolinks would show white rump and back and straw colored back of head Male Red-winged Blackbird no white-tiped tail - red wing patches Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak - white rump in flight, wing patches placed further towards tips of wings, undertail light; not in flight - bird would shot light beak, light chest, rose breast, etc. Previous Experience: I have seen breeding plumage males in Texas many times." Alyssa DeRubeis ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
