FINALLY! Lapland Longspur in Breeding Plumage, 04/23/23

When I first started birding, I remember looking in my bird guide book at Lapland Longspurs and Snow Buntings in breeding plumage. I didn’t realize at the time that it’s extremely unlikely to see either of those birds in breeding plumage unless you travel to their breeding grounds. But then, a few years back, Rob Stone put it in my head that it was possible to get Lapland Longspurs in the early spring in beautiful plumage. I can remember this beautiful bird that I found in early April of 2018 – it was nearly there. But it wasn’t until today that I was finally able to see and capture a LALO in breeding plumage. I was so excited!

~What a bird! Lapland Longspur in the black dirt, 04/23/23.~

I hit the black dirt this morning, hoping mostly for shorebirds, but also hoping for American Pipits, since I’d seen that they were reported on Saturday. Shorebirds were a bust for me, but I did find a flock of approximately 30 pipits; I enjoyed watching and photographing them in the morning rain. Then I located a decent sized flock of Horned Larks in flight. I tracked them with my bins and saw where they put down; I got my scope on them and one of the first birds I saw was a beautiful LALO in breeding plumage. The birds were distant, and I was unable to get photos. I knew I wasn’t going anywhere, so I waited them out and finally got my opportunity. There were at least (3) longspurs in the flock; I have photos of 3 distinct plumages.

~Another favorite, American Pipit sitting on onions in the black dirt, 04/23/23.~
~LALO in the black dirt, 04/23/23.~

On Saturday I took a 6 mile hike at Black Rock Forest. I was just in the mood to take a hike and get my legs moving, but it ended up being surprisingly birdy. I added 10 birds to my OC year list; highlights included Brown Creeper and Red-breasted Nuthatch. Afterwards, I ran for the WILSON’S PHALAROPE that Jeanne Cimorelli reported at the Camel Farm on Friday evening. That’s a really great find and an excellent bird for the county, however I didn’t get too excited about it because between the great distance and the heat shimmer, my looks were pretty terrible.

~Black-crowned Night-Heron at Quassaic Creek in Newburgh, 04/22/23.~
~I love these rainy shots. Red-winged Blackbird in the black dirt o4/23/23.~
~Backyard bee on our crabapple tree, 04/21/23.~
~Another Lapland Longspur in the black dirt, 04/23/23.~

10 thoughts on “FINALLY! Lapland Longspur in Breeding Plumage, 04/23/23”

  2. Congratulations, Matt, on getting your bird!! Patience pays off! It’s a beauty for sure!!

  4. EXCELLENT, Matt. That LALO shot is fantastic and well worth the years of wait that it took. Congrats!

    1. Thanks Ken! I was really hoping you would see this post – I knew you would appreciate it. Mat

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