LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Lark Bunting, Calamospiza melanocorys

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

1 individual in winter (basic) plumage

3. Locality: Parish: ___Jefferson Davis___________________________________

Specific Locality: ___Constance Rd. - 20 m W Verret Road,_______________

4. Date(s) when observed:

Sat Mar 10, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

11:20 AM

6. Reporting observer and address:

Glenn Seeholzer, 119 Foster Hall, Baton Rouge, LA

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

John Mittermeier, Maggie MacPherson

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

overcast

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

Leica 8x32

11. Distance to bird(s):

20m

12. Duration of observation:

10 minutes

13. Habitat:

cattle trodden pasture

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Associated with large flock of Savannah Sparrows which were feeding in the cow-trampled meadow around a feed station. Initially flushed off road.

15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species):

first seen on fence while slowing driving along road. Pale, streaked plumage noticed first, broad white wing 'bar', large pale bill, black malar coloration and black primaries confirmed identification. Stronger dark malar coloration, lack of body molt and more obvious dark primaries strongly suggest that this is not the stake-out bird seen by us a few hours before on Miller Oilfield Rd.

16. Voice:

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):

see ebird checklist http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S10137848

19. Previous experience with this species:

all three observers saw previously reported bird on Miller Oilfied Road that day which was a lifer for at least Maggie and Glenn

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation:

b. after observation:

21. This description is written from: eBird report submitted after observation

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: positive

23. Date:__Jan 10, 2013________Time:___10:00am____