Alauda arvensis
April 29, 2001: Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve, East Lothian, Scotland
My first view of one of these birds was not much more than a speck fluttering about in the sky above us. Throughout the day we saw several more, though, some flying at closer range, and finally one on the ground foraging on the golf course. They have a distinctive, lovely song which the sing while fluttering higher and higher – they get really high eventually. Drab to look at, but their interesting behavior and pretty song make them rather more appealing.
May 5, 2001: Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve, East Lothian, Scotland
There are lots of these throughout the reserve. Although they aren’t much to look at, their songflight is pretty and interesting to watch. They are quite noisy, though, and sometimes drown out the other bird song. (Not that I’d be able to recognize any of it anyway)
May 14, 2001: Sandwich & Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, Kent, England
Spotted a few skylarks (not too many, though – not nearly as many as I’ve seen at Aberlady) in songflight. These were a first for Kevin.
May 21, 2001: Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve, East Lothian, Scotland
Several skylarks in the park, many of them in song flight high over our heads. I did get a nice look at a few on the ground, though.
April 6, 2002: Aberlady Bay Local Nature Reserve, East Lothian, Scotland
Let me know what you think!