Could have mentioned this sooner but here goes:
The “fall” get-together of the North Dakota Birding Society will take place this weekend in Oakes, ND
Plans are to meet at 0630, Saturday morning, at the Travel Inn…I think it’s called that. There can’t be that many motels in Oakes however. In any case, all are welcome. From there we will branch out and look for birds in an area of the state which has received much moisture lately. Some great finds have been reported just across the border in South Dakota and hopes are high for similar results on the North Dakota side. Join us if you’d like.
August 9th, 2010 - 11:21 AM
ok just been trying to find out if there are any meadowlarks left in North Dakota, have not seen one in years
August 9th, 2010 - 6:29 PM
I get this suggestion many times a year and I have a theory.
First, I saw plenty of western meadowlarks this past weekend so they are not gone. I will grant you the overall population numbers have likely dropped due to loss of grassland habitat.
I contend the people who “used to see them” are quite often rural folks who now live in town and have less opportunity to view meadowlarks.
A subpoint to that is: Folks who would occasionally see a meadowlark on the edge of town are now surrounded by expanding subdivisions so appropriate habitat has disappeared.
Are you in either of these categories?
Keith
August 9th, 2010 - 6:31 PM
I get this suggestion many times a year and I have a theory.
First, I saw plenty of western meadowlarks this past weekend so they are not gone. I will grant you the overall population numbers have likely dropped due to loss of grassland habitat.
I contend the people who “used to see them” are quite often rural folks who now live in town and have less opportunity to view meadowlarks.
A subpoint to that is: Folks who would occasionally see a meadowlark on the edge of town are now surrounded by expanding subdivisions so appropriate habitat has disappeared.
Yet another possibility is change in lifestyle where someone used to hunt or fish a lot and now doesn’t.
There’s a few more ideas in my “don’t-travel-in-the-same areas” theory. But I’m running out of space.
Are you in either of these categories?
Keith