Male Bobolink, Technology Park, Dubuque, Iowa
Bobolinks have one of the longest migration routes. They spend the winter in Bolivia, Paraguay, western Brazil, and northern Argentina. They breed in grassland habitats and it is important that the grass is not mowed during the breeding time. This happened unfortunately here in the Dubuque, Iowa area in one of the habitats in 2023, due to human ignorance. The Bobolink is one of the few songbirds that undergo two complete molts each year. After breeding the male changes to a more drab and camouflaged plumage.
I found at least 4 male Bobolinks today and saw briefly even a female in the grass of the Dubuque Technology Park. The Dubuque Audubon Society has worked with the city so that mowing in the undeveloped lots takes place only outside of the nesting season. Signs around these areas inform the public about this natural treasure. Other bird species can be present as well and toady I saw American Robins, an Eastern Meadowlark, Barn Swallows, Red-winged Blackbirds, and an Eastern Kingbird.
I made a number of shots while standing or kneeling at the edge of the grassland lots but the distance to the birds was a little bit too far for a pleasing photo. Later I parked the car with the driver side against the curb and shot both photos from my ”mobile blind”.