Outdoor Ontario
Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Dinusaur on May 22, 2018, 09:10:16 PM
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I was at the park on Sunday, May 20. I went there to see the Least Bittern; no luck finding it. However, I managed to see and photograph what now appears to be a Western Meadowlark. This is something that I didn't expect to see. Actually I initially reported this on eBird as an Eastern Meadowlark. When I first saw it in the park I wondered about its pale complexion compared to what we usually see here; at that time I thought it might just be the usual variation. Then a day later eBird moderator for the park informed me that the experts concurred it to be a Western Meadowlark and advised me to update my checklist; pale coloration, and yellow extending to the cheek are two distinguishing features of a Western. However, the song is the definitive answer in distinguishing the two varieties; unfortunately I didn't record any of it. Apparently this is the first one for the park - so it was great to be part of this uncommon sighting. It was seen through out the day and thus I was not the only one seen and photographed it.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/943/41387706305_93c179233a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/264hPac)
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Great find Dinu. Nice shot of it. I haven't been to Sam Smith since the end of April. I plan on going to the Bird Festival on Saturday, hope the Least Bittern sticks around.
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It's all about being in the right place at the right time and knowing
about when that right time may be. Obviously you seem to have that
skill. Terrific low-level shot of a rare visitor. I have not seen even an
Eastern Meadowlark since about 2011 when all I had was a point-and-shoot
camera and wasn't sure what I was even seeing. I wish CSS wasn't so far away.
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Fantastic discovery. I remember seeing the photo when you first posted it on ebird and thinking, That's a pretty pallid Meadowlark. Now I know why.