Lark Sparrow

We went to gate 104 about 10 am this morning, hoping but doubting, in quest of the Lark Sparrow. We arrived at the same time as Daphne, and immediately upon getting out of the car, located a Clay-colored Sparrow in the shrubs adjacent to the mowed area on the north side of the 104 pull-out.

We then walked to the weir and about half way there, had an adult Peregrine Falcon fly in from the south and continue until out of sight to the north. When we got back to Lighthouse Road, a medium sized passerine with white tail flashes flew into the shrubs on the west side of Lighthouse Road about 50 yds to the north.  It soon popped out, and turned out to be a Lark Sparrow. It then perched, and cooperatively provided great photo opportunities (at least for someone with a decent camera). The bird then flew onto Lighthouse Road and ran around like a little Roadrunner. This is a refuge, county, and Florida bird for me.

The tide was out, so the recently productive flats behind the lighthouse were empty, but a walk along the shoreline east from the lighthouse produced good numbers of shorebirds, Skimmers, and some terns; nothing unusual among them, but there is always the pleasure of anticipating something good when lots of birds are present.  Barn, Tree, and Cliff Swallows were hunting over the exposed mudflats and salt marsh.