Late this morning I was at Kenilworth Park hoping to confirm the
Meadowlark reported y'day by Paul Pisano. While combing the area closely
I came across another icterid instead - a singing male Bobolink and 3
females. Quite a surprise this late in the season but not unprecedented
(safe date is June 10). Curiously, the male persistently kept chasing
one of the females out of the area, while ignoring the others.
I eventually did hear a Meadowlark calling, but it seemed to come from
the Aquatic Gardens side of the channel separating the two parks.
Considering the large numbers of Chats and Starlings in the area, I had
to be careful to rule out these 2 excellent mimics of the sought-for
species; I believe the singer was genuine.
--
Fred Fallon
Bowie MD
|