Tufted Lark

[yucatan]

Having been living her for almost 8 years we are very fortunate to have a garden that attracts several species of bird life one in particular is the tufted Lark he is probably one of the most common birds with the exception of the common sparrow to been seen regularly perched on tall grass singing also in the middle of the road not moving until you are within a few feet
drinking from our pool every day.

Well so far I have not seen any at all this year, maybe if there are twittchers ( bird Watchers )on the Island they could explain the absence of this charming bird ???

[dippersgirl]

In Dipkarpaz, we have seen them earlier this year, but not so many recently. It's an odd year, not so many of certain insects, hardly seen any of the brown and yellow hornets(?), Only two swallowtail butterflies so far. We had loads of painted ladies when our lantanas first flowered, literally hundreds, never seen so many.
Not sure what larks eat, insects?? Maybe something is lacking?? did the lack of rain cause it??
got lots of swallows!!

[frontalman]

I thought they were called crested larks, they seem plentiful around Akdeniz region, never saw them as garden birds, though. Nature does have its fluctuations. I feel particularly sorry for the old chicadas. Our garden is a haven for birds as we have the pool overflowing all year and we have a donum and a quarter planted out. The chicadas spend between 11 and 17 years under ground, the grubs emerge after a great struggle burrowing themselves out. When the winged adult finally emerges the sparrows grab them remove their wings then feast on the body. Strange thing is that if one does survive beyond that initial danger the the birds seem to lose interest. We think it's because chicadas lose their juiciness and become toughened (and therefore unappetizing) to the birds quite quickly.

[harita]

frontalman .. Your mentioning of cicadas reminded me of a presentation our daughter did for a bi-polar group in Southport ..
Her brother was diagnosed as bi-polar .. She related Andrew to a cicada .. Interesting read if it works ..

[woodspeckie]

Tufted/Crested Lark we saw lots of them in February along the Lapta walk and also round Algadi beach and in the Karpas area.

[Groucho]

Yep not absent at all seen shed loads of Crested Larks every month

[frontalman]

Thank you, Harita, Andrew's story is really touching.

[dippersgirl]

Our cats also like to eat them!!!

Needed to edit this, our cats don't eat crested larks, amazingly enough, they don't go for birds that much, they do like insects including cicadas and lizards

[Groucho]

Our cats also like to eat them!!!

or as we call it 'pussy-pulya'

[woodspeckie]

This was taken on the 28th February on the Lapta walk