Western Meadowlark at Colonel Sam Smith Park

[Dinusaur]

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.

[winz]

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.

[Shortsighted]

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.

[Ed O'Connor]

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.