Have you ever seen a meadowlark? I am a birdwatcher and had never seen a meadowlark prior to this sighting. I had never even heard of a meadowlark! A few years ago (Christmas 2005) we had a very cold winter that must have been hard on all wildlife. Unusually cold. The snow pictured came the day before Christmas and stayed for several weeks. Everything and everyone was frozen! It was cold. Did I say it was cold? It was freezing, it almost reminded me of Maine and of our current weather:) I think we all can agree it is cold today. To help the birds I always throw sunflowers seeds out in the snow. Many ground feeders survive on this type of feeding. Can you see the black oil sunflower seeds all over the snow? The meadowlarks sure did. Several of these large distinctive birds showed up to eat the sunflower seeds. I looked through my bird book to find a picture of them with no luck. My bird book, while a good book simply did not consider meadowlarks all that important to picture them. I finally had to search on the Internet for 'a bird with a yellow breast and black necklace'. Then my mystery bird was identified. A meadowlark!
These birds are HIGHLY skittish. If I even moved the curtain to peek at them they would disperse. I did manage to get a few photos through much diligence. Since that winter I have seen a few meadowlarks in barren fields and at the dump. I have never seen a big group of them though. There were maybe a half a dozen visiting my front yard on this day in 2005. If you would like to hear their lovely call and learn more about them, click here.
I believe this bird is very likely an Eastern Meadowlark. In its southern range these birds do not migrate. If you see some around at this time of year, it is likely they are year round residents. But good luck finding one.....
in the garden....
How lovely to see a bird you havent seen before. We dont have Meadowlarks here in the UK
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've seen a meadowlark but that yellow and black look striking. Thanks for the link. I'm going to check that out.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
I have heard of a meadowlark, but never seen one. How lucky for you! I love my little bird friends-especially the yellow finches that come this time of year.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend Tina!
PG, It is a cool bird a new one to me for sure.
ReplyDeleteKanak, This bird is very striking. A neat call too. A bit plaintive.
Linda, Look in barren fields and listen to the song. You may have heard these. But I tell you they are elusive. Those finches are way fun! I keep feeding mine thistle but instead they prefer the sunflower seeds-silly birds!
Not a living sole outside up here! I feel sorry for the little critters right now, -24 this morning. My poor hubby and we are hearing bells in our sleep! Small kids, the elderly and many calling back for their heat! Frozen! Goodness, I hope this breaks soon, last temps like this were in 2004, made many a people smoke!
ReplyDeleteDawn, 7 degrees here. Most of Tennessee closed its schools due to the cold. Go figure! Not our county though-I am so proud of them!
ReplyDeleteMy eldest waited for the bus for 20 minutes, to no avail, wet hair and all. Girl down the street was waiting. Bus had a prob, I went to get the explorer, 20 minutes still and my suv not warming. Well, someone got a brain at elem. school and called. By now I'm taking Nikki to school. She is happily playing wii. Poor people my guys have to rush to w/o alot of heat in their vans, like mine! They needed to call school up here but missed so much again this year. Thank goodness price of oil is down.
ReplyDeleteDawn, Our heater at the other house just went out too. Maybe evaporator coils? What a crappie day for everyone. What with frozen pipes and no heat and who knows what else. I think I am going walking in the cold and we'll see how that makes it seem better:)
ReplyDeleteI've heard of meadowlarks before, but I've never seen one. How cool to have one visit you, Tina! I've noticed lots of bird activity around here the last few days; the poor things look so cold and so appreciative of the food I've put out. Yesterday I spied a different-looking woodpecker at the feeder, but before I could get the binoculars to positively identify him, he disappeared. I need a better camera to take bird photos--you got a great shot!
ReplyDeleteHi Tina --cute little birdie and oh I remember that ice and snow --the kids loved it:)
ReplyDeleteI am so happy they didn't close our school today --I would hate to make up a day just because it's cold outside, kwim? Now, if the roads were iced over it would be a different story but it's just COLD! And, we are keeping the fireplace going quite a bit --it is messy but does throw out some nice warmth:) Messy being dusty, heheh. I won't complain too much. Must get the two little ones off --see ya later! Ciao!
Good morning. Temp is -24 here too, bitter. Lots of birds won't survive this.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a meadowlark in years. They are considered by Cornell as seriously declining in population due to all the subdivisions and strip malls going up all over the country. They will possibly be almost extinct by our grandchildren's time. Tina, you are very lucky to have some in your area.
Marnie
We saw a Meadowlark a few months ago while walking here in our neighborhood (plenty of meadows and woods here). It was really beautiful. Rare sighting these days.
ReplyDeleteCameron
That solves a mystery bird I saw the other day. It had that same yellow belly!
ReplyDeleteI have heard of a meadowlark but have never seen one with my eyes other then in pictures! His song is pretty and I would really enjoy that while in the garden playing.What a wonderful visitor to have stop by Tina....
ReplyDeleteBurrrrr, 25 for us this morning so not so cold but I had to get out in it to feed the kitties next door. They survived the night in the hay bales. Sweet little OJ came up to me for some lovins' tee hee. I wanted to bring him home to keep warm but he seems just fine and my kitties would kill me! Sheba and Cheetah both gave me quit the Cat Scan’s when I got back...
Have a good day and all stay warm!
Dawn and Jean, Stay inside!!!
What a lovely bird. I've heard of them but haven't had the privilege of seeing one. I doubt they are this far South.
ReplyDeleteHave a good day all & stay warm.
Tina, I got mail from Paris & it was 4. That's cold.
I have never seen a Meadowlark in person before. Although I follow a guys flickr photostream from Brantford, he posts mainly bird photos and he gets shots of them all the time.
ReplyDeleteInteresting bird for sure and I will keep looking until I see one.
Tina --
ReplyDeleteI created a "Countdown to Spring" widget if you want to add it to your blog. Pick it up from the left sidebar of my blog. It's easy to install.
Cameron
I clicked on the link and I wish you all could have seen my cockatiels when they heard them. The song did not seem to faze them too much but the call put them into overdrive. They stretched their bodies to where they were 2 inches taller than normal and was looking all over the place to find the sweet other birdie. Great photo Tina.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Dawn, that is COLD!!
It got down to -5 here but right now it is a heat wave at 15. They say it is to snow on Sunday so that is good news cause it has to warm up to snow!
Tina I know that the ATC have to know a lot more than the piolts when it comes right down to it AND pass the same physicals and the news channels have been talking about it a lot today. However in the case yesterday it was all that one smart and brave piolt as there was no time to talk it out with ATC'S and I am just in total awe of that man. One of the ATC'S said all he could do was track it on the radar. The piolt had no time to talk. Just an amazing story.
I just got my first pair of binoculars...I can't wait to start learning my birds...she's a beauty:) Great photo!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a meadowlark--thanks so much for sharing the photo. And, my squirrels dump the seeds on the snow for me! :)
ReplyDeleteRose, It is always like that with the camera! And thanks on the compliment with my pic. I got lucky and worked real hard at even catching them at all. Very skittish birds that visited within 2 feet of my porch! You know they were hungry.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I do kwym! I am proud of our school district too. Yes! That snow and ice lasted so long. The plow took out like everyone's mailbox on my road:( Bad cold spell, kind of like now but with the snow.
Marnie, I am distressed to hear of any bird declining in population. I felt really blessed to have met these guys. What an ordeal to snap a photo-way pre blogging days.
Cameron, Lucky you! They are so cool and big too. It is rare to see them it would seem. So sad. I will see about the widget you created. You are so smart with this computer stuff. I can't even get my header photo to fit. Ha! One of these days.
Dave, Lucky you! They are elusive. Listen to the song as you may have more around your area, especially with all the fields. The song will tell you for sure.
Lola, When I woke up it was 7 degrees, then DROPPED to 6. Now we are at a balmy 13 degrees. Furnace at our other house is SHOT! Big money to repair it so we shall remember this cold snap. Hopefully no burst water pipes. What a mess.
Dan, That photographer must be pretty talented. These birds even if they saw the curtains flicker would scatter fast! Then come back as fast. You just know they were hungry.
Mom, I found the song to be so beautiful. Glad your birds liked it. I notice mine like the other birds outside too. They just know. You are right about this pilot being such a hero. No ATC involved at all. Not like they could help anyhow except to pull the crash phone and send help. That is important. But! It is and always will be a pilot's sole responsibility to care for his aircraft, no matter how many other folks are involved. This pilot was seasoned and a hero and obviously saved many, many lives. I like the title they are giving it, "Miracle on the Hudson". It really is when you think of it. Can't believe folks got on other aircraft and flew the same night. Not me.
CG, Thanks! These guys like barren fields and should surely be in Texas.
ReplyDeleteMonica, The meadowlarks probably migrate from your area-but summer time would be a good time to see them. Those pesky squirrels-they're just helping the birds:)
Tina,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you posted about this sweet bird...I then googled their song and it is a lovely sound. It is alarming to read about the decline of song birds (Marnie's comment) and the effects this arctic blast will also have on our critters. Keep warm! Gail
Hi Tina. He must have been desperate for sure as I think they are mainly insectivorous. I see the Western Meadowlark commonly in Colorado (even near my house since I live next to open country). They migrate in fall and return around the 1st of March. I always know its spring (or close to it) when I start hearing their beautiful song again. You're lucky to get the photo, I still don't have a good one!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading in the paper about the unusually cold weather in other parts of the country and am sending you a sympathetic shiver from California, where we would happily trade sunshine for a few days of much needed rain.
ReplyDeleteYour meadowlark looks fat and happy - those must be gourmet sunflower seeds he is enjoying at Chez Tina.
Meadowlarks used to abound in the fields and farms around where I grew up in Davis CA. I used the hear them everywhere when I went riding on my horse. I haven't heard nor seen one in years. Thank you so much for this beautiful photo, Tina. I'm glad your meadowlark has some good seeds to keep it fat and happy.
ReplyDeleteI really did have a good experiance with Jung Seeds. I bought both seeds and live plants from them, and both turned out great. I only had one plant die, and when I called they gave me full credit for it, without any questions.
ReplyDeleteI have been a long time customer of Garden Alive, 5 yrs maybe. They were the fist gardening company that I ordered from. This year they even added some new stuff, like plants and organic seeds. I have had great success with their products, and I am sure you will. Gosh, I should be a sales rep for them! lol
Hi Gail, Yes it is a sweet bird-colorful too! The worst of the cold is nearly over. PPS next Tuesday. See ya there!
ReplyDeleteKathleen, Coming from you on my photo, high praise indeed-thanks! It was a hard photo. They are sweet-and desperate too-lucky you to know these birds.
Susan, Thanks on the well wishes. We get spoiled where I live and when it gets cold, bunch of whining-even from me. I wish I could send you some rain, I would in a sec as I know the drought thing. Hopefully some will come soon.
Christine, They were ever so happy with the seeds. Aren't they great birds? Riding horses and watching birds sounds so fun!
Zach, I for sure got that $25 coupon. I have my order prepared-I want the corn gluten for the lawn. Can't wait to get it. Thanks for the good vote for both of these companies. Stay warm up there.
I know about meadowlarks but I don't believe I've ever seen one up here either. And it's seriously cold here too; like minus 8 fahrenheit now, and still dropping tonight. Brrrrr! I think bits of sky are breaking off and falling to the ground as sky-dandruff...
ReplyDeleteTina, I know your ear may be hurting from all the chit chat last night but you can still talk to me today.... :) You skipped right over me and my feelings are hurt sniff sniff... lol....
ReplyDeleteJean, I have a screen saver of birds on my computer and after a certain period of time with no computer use and still on, the screen will change to different birds and give their songs. When I leave the computer too long with the speakers on, I can hear the birds down stairs and it fools me all the time thinking a bird is on the front porch. I have actually looked for the singing dove more then once! It would drive the cats nuts but they are use to it now and ignore it. One time I was on the phone with the Saint and still sitting at the desk but had the speakers down low and window open. I kept hearing the pileated woodpecker and was looking out the window to see if I could spot it. Duh, the speakers got me again! Saint laughed at me. Too funny.
Our high today was 36 but with the sun out, it felt warmer. I picked up lots of gum balls for mailing...
Jodi, Do stay warm-that is so cold! All the birds would freeze:) I love the sky dandruff! You come up with the coolest things-do stay warm as minus 8 is soooo cold!
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, Now you know I can hardly keep up! It is not the first time I have have skipped someone-red faced here! I can be a bit everywhere you know. My ear is not so sore, it was fun talking with you! You will forgive me won't you? Those speakers really do have you going at times. I know the feeling. 25 degrees was not so cold down there. 19 here now.
Didn't Meadowlark Lemon play for the Harlem Globetrotters? ;~P
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks very similar to one in my yard. I wonder if it is. I will try and get photos. Soon as I get near the glass, they're gone though!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
TC, Yes he did and I saw him and the Trotters perform at (APSU)Austin Peay State University as a child! Lets go Peay!
ReplyDeleteYou got a great photo of the Meadow Lark, I used to see these birds years ago, they would sit on fence posts and sing their hearts out but I have not seen one here in Iowa in years............
ReplyDeleteBrenda, Sounds like the same bird-what a flighty thing too.
ReplyDeleteIGW, Hello! You stay warmest up there in that terrible cold! I myself am shivering now. Maybe the meadowlarks will come back to Iowa. Hope so!
Gotta go to where it is warm.....Brrrrr
I will have to keep my eyes peeled for these little ones. During the winter I always make sure my feeders are full and I also will throw stale bread out in the yard for the birds too. It is a cold one here today too. Staying inside! :)
ReplyDeleteTina, unfortunately, I haven't seen a meadowlark around here. They are lovely little birds and their song is beautiful. Hopefully, their decline will stop if more people start feeding he birds. Great shot!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty bird with a pretty song Tina, and how lucky you were to get a photo of it! Very nice shot.
ReplyDeleteyes i agree it is sooooo cold.
ReplyDeletemy dh has just recently seen a meadowlark around our farm, i have yet to see it but he has spotted it twice now. very cool.
Speaking of the Globetrotters,you will get a kick out of this one Tina and Dawn. You might have already heard it but anyway...When I was in high school the Harlem Globe Trotters came to Calais. We went to see them and Aunt Marion and Uncle Chuck went with us. As we were leaving after the show, Nana was laughing so hard and had been all evening that her skirt came unzipped and fell to the floor!! As prim and propper as Nana was, oh my, I thought she would just die. She live thru it and years later was even able to laugh about it!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun screensaver Skeeter.
Raquel, be careful about bread under the feeders. They can attract starlings and they are difficult to get rid of once they arrive. I would put out bread as my dad does then read about bread attracting the starlings and other black birds so I stopped doing it. My dad has an awful time with them due to his many years of bread feeding. He stopped but they still keep coming to his feeders. I was lucky to find this out before they showed up in my yard.
ReplyDeleteJean, yet another funny story from you! I can feel Nana's inner pains :-) but glad she found the humor in it later on...
Racquel, Yes, do look for them.
ReplyDeleteBeckie, Thanks! These are such pretty birds.
Linda, Thanks! It took a lot of time to get this shot.
Marmee, Lucky you guys to see a meadowlark. They are definitely around. Brrrr...stay warm!
Mom, How come I never heard this story before now? It is too funny, yes Nana sure was very modest and such a lady. I bet she was mortified. Good she was able to laugh about it all!
That must have been such a fun moment when you spotted the lark! See, your generosity is being rewarded. Hope they continue to visit you and that you get many more delightful bird surprises.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne, Delightful is a good word for it.
ReplyDeleteTina I don't know why you had never heard it before as Nana had told it many, many times and so have I. In fact I was afraid I was repeating myself. Sometimes I can be as bad as Papa with repeating stories. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks Skeeter and I know my mother thanks you from heaven for sharing with the pain.
Tina ~ Great bird! Had one, up here in New England, about 10 or 12 years ago... only one and never again, since then.
ReplyDeleteMy latest obsession in the Ruby Crowned Kinglet... first sighting last February - a female, who was later joined by a male. This year, she showed up early, about two weeks ago... around 3 1/2" from the tip of her beak, to the end of her tail. Suet seems to be the main attraction, although she dines at the feeder and on the ground, occasionally. /Deb
I'm pretty sure Medowlarks are common where I grew up in Canada. But, maybe the ones we have are Western Medowlarks. I will have to ask my Grandma about them. She knows so much about all the area birds...
ReplyDeleteMom, I may have forgotten, I do that sometimes:)
ReplyDeleteDeb, Maybe spring is earlier this year since the kinglet showed up early? A good thing for the snow weary?
Thanks Lindsey, They are super pretty birds, that's for sure.