Lark Bunting Out of Range in Northern Illinois

Over the weekend I heard about a Lark Bunting reported from a preserve in a nearby county in northern Illinois called Nippersink. I hadn’t even heard of this place and oddly enough, had never seen a Lark Bunting before either.

This bird of the Great Plains somehow ended up at this beautifully restored prairie grassland and was one of the easiest lifers to find!

Lark Bunting

Lark Bunting

I was fascinated by the bird’s song; it reminded me of the beginning of a Bobolink and upon hearing it for the first time, that is precisely what I thought I had heard.

Lark Bunting in Flight

Lark Bunting in Flight

Lark Bunting in Flight

What a beautiful bird and a fun rare find.

Lark Bunting

Many thanks to several kind birders who posted detailed directions to the preserve as well as the trail the bird was found on.

2 thoughts on “Lark Bunting Out of Range in Northern Illinois

  1. The Bobolink ‘s song is my favorite by far. So rapid and metallic! I will have to go and check out the Lark Bunting song to hear how similar it is. I hope to see one in the near future…

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