Eastern Meadowlark in Nobles County
2016-05-27

Occasional in Nobles County in the Spring season

Although listed as "Regular" in Nobles County, this species is probably better described as "Casual" in this and most other counties in western MN. This individual was first heard by Brian Smith of the Minn Birding Weekends group in Adrian south of the I-90 exit just east of the truck stop. Besides the typical Eastern song which we heard several times (no call notes heard), note the white malar area and the blackish-brown appearance of the back and scapular feathers – both features of Eastern rather than Western meadowlarks. The MBW group also heard and saw another Eastern Meadowlark on 29 May in Pipestone near the entrance to the National Monument (again, this one was first heard by Brian Smith), but no photos or views of the finer points of its plumage were possible. While observing out-of-range Eastern Meadowlarks in western MN, it is worth keeping in mind that hybrid meadowlarks have been reported, that some individuals have been heard to sing both Eastern and Western songs, and that apparently meadowlarks can learn to sing the "wrong" song. It may also be worth speculating that Eastern Meadowlarks could be appearing more in western MN as they occupy territories formerly held by Westerns, as this latter species has noticeably declined in numbers in recent decades.

Kim R. Eckert; "digibin" image taken with 8x30 Swarovski binoculars.