Red-necked Phalarope

 

July 20th

          Once again, we were compelled to return to Huron Harbor which seems to be our favorite birding site even though it is an hour and fifteen minutes away.  The last time we were there four days ago, we could not find a Red-necked Phalarope.  It was seen again yesterday afternoon, so we decided to take another look.

          When we arrived, we walked out to the viewing deck but could not identify the birds from that distance.  We walked the familiar path to get closer views of the mudflat and were able to locate a Red-necked Phalarope swimming in circles in a pool of water.   This is a very special bird, and we were excited to see it at close range.

          A Red-necked Phalarope is a small shorebird known for spinning in the water to stir up small invertebrates.  Phalaropes reverse the usual sexual roles in birds.  The females are larger and more colorful than the males.  The female takes the lead in courtship, and the males are left to incubate the eggs and care for the young.

          Red-necked Phalaropes nest in the arctic and winter at sea off the coast of South America.  Southbound migration begins in late June with the departure of the females almost immediately after laying their eggs.  Males and juveniles depart in July and August.  They are rarely found in our area and tend to migrate through the west coast or over open water. 

(1 new species, total for the year 283)

          Red-necked Phalarope (Rare)

                                       Red-necked Phalarope (male)

                                       Forster's Tern

                                      Bonaparte's Gull





Comments

  1. AnnJuly 21, 2022 at 6:35 AM

    I would never have expected that Huron Harbor would be such a good birding spot.

    ReplyDelete

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