If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

2/23/03 Selby Road, Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obispo County, CA 
2/24/02 San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Riverside County, CA
10/23/04 Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Los Angeles County, CA
Roadside off Via Volcano near the Vernal Pool Trailhead, Santa Rosa Plateau 
Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, SW Riverside County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Western Meadowlark

SPECIES: Sturnella neglecta

FAMILY: Icteridae (Blackbirds & Allies)

LIFE LIST DATE: 3/7/1998

LOCATION: One mail observed, singing on fence post. Trans Preserve Trail, Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, Murrieta, Riverside County, CA

From Kaufman Focus Guide-Birds of North America:

HABITAT/BEHAVIOR: Common in grassland, singing from fences, walking on open ground. A chunky short-tailed bird that flies with quick flaps and stiff glide. Gathers in small flocks in winter.

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 9 1/2"; Black V on yellow great (partly veiled in fall). White outer tail feathers, most obvious on takeoff and landing. 

VOICE: Short rich whistles, speeding up to rapid bubbling jumble. Call note low chook; dry rattle. 
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