I am wondering if any one has spent any time within the last week or so birding in grasslands and found any Bobolinks. I am especially interested in grasslands where Bobos are known Not to breed, but are now being seen.  Every year around the second week of July adult male and female, but mostly male at first, Bobos show up on the restored grasslands on Chino Farms and either are in the process or are starting their pre-basic molt into basic (winter) plumage.  More females and eventually young of the year begin to arrive in the following weeks. The adults are looking rather ratty with molting primaries and new tan feather tracts appearing among the older worn breeding plumage.  There are approximately between 50 and 75 individuals as of this am.

I haven't seen any posts mentioning any increases in Bobolink numbers. It would be interesting to know where else this happens and if it is reoccurring event from year to year. It appears that grasslands that don't support Bobolinks as breeders are important stopover molting areas.

Dan Small
Chestertown, MD