ML219853831

Media notes

A small part of a flock of murmurating LALO and HOLA

Observation details

Conservative count. I recounted the birds from photos. From the photos, I estimated there were 4000 to 5000 birds in each of the 3 flocks murmurating that seemed to be all the same size. I used the lower 4000 count per flock for this observation. The flocks were well separated and the fields were relatively flat so i am confident i did not count any flocks twice. At the time, based on birds i saw on the ground and in the air, i estimated 5% of the birds were HOLA and 95% were LALO. I had seen SNBU earlier in the afternoon, but did not see the white wing patches on the birds in these flocks. I also asked a veteran birder for his opinion on the number of birds in the photos. He estimated there were 3300 to 3700 birds in the one photo of 3/4 of the flock. I do have other photos but none that are clearer.

Additional species

• Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris