Sunday, 15 May 2011

Short-toed Lark

Another stroll across the airfield today resulted in rather distant views of a single Short-toed Lark. It proved to be rather timid and generally favoured the quieter eastern runway. A Quail was seen briefly in long grass by the wind sock.

Short-toed Larks often prefer feeding along the dividing line between the runway tarmac and
the grassy outer margins, as here

Note how the wings are completely folded between spurts of wing beats 

Adult & young Short-toed Larks have a complete 'summer' moult rendering them
impossible to age under field conditions