Hello Scott and Everyone,
I am astounded that Lark Buntings are not seen more often in fall
migration in eastern WA, and was unaware that they were considered so
rare in WA. Having seen them in mobs of thousands in SE AZ in winter
covering corrals, fields, shrubbery, fences, etc., finding a small flock,
presumably migrating, in the high desert of SE WA did not seem so odd.

They remind me of small streaked grosbeaks. I could not confirm bluish
bills; the bills looked medium gray in the bright light at the top of
Umtanum Ridge. Every other feature about these birds: The
flocking behavior in the top of a shrub, twittering and whistling and
musical chattering, plumpish and a little bigger compared to nearby House
Finches, fairly dark and crisp streaking, and one bird having a
distinctive, large pale wing patch---all indicated Lark Bunting id from
past experience.

I'm hoping someone can get a confirmation on this species. If what I saw
is correct, then a flock of 4 or 5 may mean other flocks are also
migrating through, not jst a single stray off-courser.

Good Luck, me2
****************************************
Maureen Ellis, PhD, Research Scientist
Woods Lab, Toxicology Group at Roos 1, Box 354695
Lab/Office phone: 206-685-1938 Email: mj2ephd at u.washington.edu
DEOHS, SPHCM, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
****************************************

"To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities
as you do at conclusions." ____Ben Franklin

"Be the change you want to see in the world." ____Ghandi

On Mon, 13 Sep 2004, Scott Atkinson wrote:

> Maureen:
>
> Was that a typo, or did you really mean 4-5 Lark Buntings? Such a
> concentration would be a first for WA, the most we've ever had at any one
> time is a single bird, this being a very rare/casual species here, can't even
> remember the last one we had here but I recall June records on both sides of
> Cascades, as well as a couple fall-winter ones. I recall someone had one at
> the coast in late Oct. one year.
>
> Scott Atkinson
> Lake Stevens
> mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com
>
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