Sky Larks in Vancouver

BirdNote^®

Sky Larks Sing near Victoria, British Columbia

Written by Bob Sundstrom
 
This is BirdNote!
Today come with us, as we cruise north, crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca for Victoria, British Columbia. [Ferry sounds] Catching a ride in Victoria, we drive through the splendid city [Car, city sounds], heading north into the pastoral countryside. [Sheep]
This expanse of tulip fields looks like a good place to stop. [Car doors open and slam shut] Why here? Let’s listen.
[Sky Lark song – run for 10 seconds or so]
It’s the song of the Sky Lark, the bird whose songful brilliance inspired English poets, and gave its name to the phrase “an exaltation of larks.”
[Sky Lark song]
To glimpse the singing Sky Lark, look high up, where the male flutters and circles perhaps 100 feet off the ground, broadcasting its complex song. [Sky Lark song] Gliding back to earth, the Sky Lark hunkers close to the ground, its streaked brown body – the size of a large sparrow – nearly undetectable against the soil.
Around 1902, Sky Larks were brought to Vancouver Island from England to satisfy the desire of English immigrants there to hear their exalted song. [Sky Lark song] And this remains the only place in North America where the Sky Lark can still be heard.
[Sky Lark song]
BirdNote is produced by John Kessler. Our executive producer is Chris Peterson. I’m Frank Corrado.
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Sky Lark song provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Recorded by A.B. Van de Berg.
Ambient recording by Kessler Productions and Chris Peterson.
Producer: John Kessler
Executive Producer: Chris Peterson
© Seattle Audubon 08/10/06        © 2008 Tune In to Nature.org Revised for August 2008

ID# 081006SKYLKPLU