Bobolink

A male Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), a small blackbird in the Icterid family. The bobolink is relatively common; breeds only on grasslands. More on our very good outing shortly. relatively uncommon; breeding only on grasslands.

Captured on a morning tour of Westover Air Force Base, which encloses the biggest expanse of unbroken grassland in Massachusetts. We saw two other even more special birds: the grasshopper sparrow and the upland sandpiper. There were many grasshopper sparrows, but none close enough for a good blip. The upland sandpiper was the most special of all--at one point we saw several flying; then one on a very distant fence, and finally one landing in fairly long grass--again, nothing worth blipping. All these birds are threatened by the disappearance of their preferred grassland habitat.

This is one of our bird club's best tours--there are several per month, but this one takes place only once annually, and the participants have to have their ID information submitted in advance to the base. It was our first time; once there it was pretty free and easy, led by a knowledgeable person from the base, joining with our club leader.