Thursday, June 9, 2011

Bubbling Bobolinks Up on the Pasture


Bobolinks, whose numbers are in rapid decline due to earlier mowing of fields (Bobolinks build ground nests), are a delight to hear. A common modifier for their singing is "bubbling," which works great for my title but doesn't do justice to this pasture bird's song. In book 2 of my trilogy Of the Wing, I include a scene with Bobolinks and describe their singing thus:

" . . . a meadow bird whose song was a contraption of whistles, brassy slides, jangles, bells, and chatter—cheerful music that seemed to percolate up through the grass itself."

(Please excuse my laziness in reusing a prior description but it's not easy trying to describe this bird's surprising sounds. You can hear at least one rendition (below) at the web site hosted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology): While there, you'll want to read all about this amazing bird. And if you happen to be a farmer, consider postponing the mowing of your hayfield until well into July. It may make the difference between this bird's continued existence or eventual extinction.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Bobolink/id

Until next time . . . Keep birds in your heart.

Georgia Anne

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