IGIF Tweeters,

In 1903 what seems to have been one of North America's least harmful
exotic wildlife introductions took place on Vancouver Island with the
release of 100 Sky Larks. They never expanded far from their release
location, and became most numerous in 1965 with an estimated 1000
individuals.

Kenn Kaufman uses eight pages of his "Kingbird Highway" (two thumbs up)
to describe the connection he made with this songbird. "There! So high
above the earth that it was almost beyond vision, the Sky Lark hovered
in the wind. Binoculars resolved this speck into the silhouette of a
bird suspended in the sky, its wings barely quivering to hold it aloft.
It seemed incredible that any bird should have the strength to fly at
the same time that it delivered this song: this amazing torrent of song,
which came down so clearly and so continuously." The stage was American
Camp in the San Juan Islands. Leora and I would make that trip in
February of 2000 only to discover that the Sky Lark song no longer came
down on America. Foxes had wiped them out a year earlier.

A 1999 estimate was of only 201 individuals left on Vancouver Island.
Opperman's "A Birders Guide to Washington" gives clear directions to the
last three locations for finding Sky Lark. Wednesday Leora and I
checked them out. We first birded Martindale Flats, drew a total blank,
and came away with a "this is not a fun place to look for Sky Larks"
recommendation. Busy, noisy, highway 17 is always close at hand. The
second site, the daffodil fields, was a big improvement, and there we
even thought we heard one sing. It was raining when we got to the last
and noted best site, the Victoria airport. That proved to be strike
three, and it was time to set up camp at Motel 8.

As we still had some daylight, and the Vantreight Bulb complex was only
1.5 miles away, we went back to the spot where we thought we had heard
one and immediately flushed two likely suspects from the edge of the
road. We were able to get one in the scope and watched it shuffle up
and down the plowed rows. As the sun touched the horizon, the larks
took to the clouded sky, and like musicians in a jazz combo, each took
their turn in delivering a magnificent solo performance.

This was a very pleasant and memorable two day birding adventure. I
would be pleased to pass on additional details to anyone who may be
interested.

Good Larking,

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah