Date: 4/20/26 9:27 am From: David Sibley <sibleyguides...> Subject: Re: [BIRDWG01] Lark/goose
It's difficult to find anything definitive to separate American and Eurasian Horned Larks, but this one shows several things suggestive of Eurasian (Shore Lark, flava), My list of weak features from stronger to very weak: short and stout bill with lower profile of lower mandible curving up to tip, rufous on nape and flanks not contrasting much with back, yellow suffusion throughout the head, weak dark line behind eye, not as much black below eye, dusky border on lower rear auriculars curving forward to meet dark mask.
I see no reason to suspect that it's a Nearctic vagrant, but interested to hear other opinions on any of this.
David Sibley
Deerfield, MA
> On Apr 20, 2026, at 1:07 AM, <gusvanvliet...> <gusvanvliet...> wrote:
>
> https://austinmorley.blogspot.com/2026/03/15022026-mow-cop-cheshire-staffordshire.html >
> https://saturdaycatbird.blogspot.com/2026/03/shorelark-on-gritstone-trail-mow-cop.html >
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/britishbirdwatching/posts/1918325572889139/ >
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "phil barnett" <000006b92a0d9855-dmarc-request...>
> To: <BIRDWG01...>
> Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2026 8:13:01 PM
> Subject: Re: [BIRDWG01] Lark/goose
>
> The shorelark photos can be found on rare bird alert or birdguides websites (mow cop, staffordshire this year) and the goose on the oxfordshire birds and wildlife facebook group.
> On a separate point female cinnamon teal and garganey look very similar!
> On Monday, April 20, 2026 at 04:44:50 AM GMT+1, Robert O'Brien <00001bb3f9cc1f1f-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
> Just a general FYI. ID Frontiers does not accept attached images. The
> message will go through, but no message is attached. This makes it very
> difficult to determine what the subject bird is. For instance, a
> yellow-faced Shore Lark can be very hard to decipher or to find on the net,
> other than a dedicated search.. If there are images of same on eBird, just
> give the eBird url.
>
> Free web pages such as Flickr will accept images, requiring a free account,
> and that url can then be cited. I've had such an account for several
> decades with no problems whatsoever. I rarely even use it, except in this
> situation.
>
> Bob OBrien Portland OR
>
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 19, 2026 at 7:15 PM phil barnett <
> <000006b92a0d9855-dmarc-request...> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>> nice to see the group is still going. Firstly this 'shorelark'
>> photographed in the uk looks yellow around the face (other photos on the
>> net). Secondly is it me or is this goose a greater blue morph snow goose,
>> still on otmoor uk the other day (along with an american golden plover
>> which turned up on saturday).
>> Phil
>>
>> Shorelark by David Talbot
>>
>> Facebook
>>
>> Archives: https://listserv.ksu.edu/birdwg01.html >>
>
> Archives: https://listserv.ksu.edu/birdwg01.html >
>
> Archives: https://listserv.ksu.edu/birdwg01.html >
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