Western Meadowlarks are seen most of the year on the fenced off mound area at Sutter Landing Park. With the warm spring-like weather we’ve been enjoying, we think these ground nesters will soon be sitting on eggs. This mound is the only place I see these birds in such large numbers near our Midtown home. Their bright yellow breast and melodious calls have been the reason some have taken up the adventure of becoming birders.
Though they spend much time on the ground, they are strong flyers. A week ago as I walked along the upper levee road, I paused to take in the sounds of a flock of them calling / communicating in a river bank tree. A couple of others also stopped to listen in.
Being ground nesters that have to be good in the use of camouflage. As a person approached this bird, it simply positioned itself between two dry plants, crouched down and froze in place. When he passed it resumed feeding.
Like this one, look and listen for their call next you walk along the bike trail on your way to the river.
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The length of their strong beaks is well suited to dig and probe for insect larvae and for catching grasshoppers. Normally your best chance to see these birds is when they are in flight, moving from one area of the mound to another. Good luck. Robert
NOTE: A good source of California information comes from California Partners in Flight Grasslands Conservation Plan by Bob Allen. Meadowlark info: http://www.prbo.org/calpif/htmldocs/species/grassland/wemeacct.html
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