Shawangunk Grasslands NWR [NY] (Bird ID help please) (1 Viewer)

[FreddyBee]

Hi All -

My wife and I visited the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR in NY yesterday and we both saw a bird we’re having trouble identifying. Unfortunately, I do not have a photograph but based on my description, I’d appreciate some “possibilities” of what species this could have been…

Date: 2023-08-26
Temp: 80°F (but blazing hot sunshine)
Size: Larger than a warbler but smaller than a robin. To me it looked be the size of a sparrow or house finch (maybe “the same or slightly” larger).
Colors: Light/pale yellow breast with brown flecking on upper part of the chest. My wife saw white on the head (wasn’t sure how much) but was sure it had a yellow “eyebrow” as she called it.
Location: It was in tall grass just off the Red Trail (we were on the Red Trail walking toward the observation platform).

Thank for any ideas you care to share!
All the best - Freddy

 

[Bewick]

Eastern meadowlark possibly?

 

[FreddyBee]

Eastern meadowlark possibly?

While possible, there was not black under the throat so I'll need to look at more images online but thank you!

 

[Bewick]

While possible, there was not black under the throat so I'll need to look at more images online but thank you!

Look up juvenile eastern meadowlark, it shows brown flecking on the upper breast.

 

[FreddyBee]

Ah ha... Thank you... Your suggestion helped lead me to look at images of the "female / non-breeding male "Bobolink" and quite sure this is the bird. Another birder visited the site yesterday and reported seeing 60, so quite likely. Thanks so much!