DSP03342 - Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)
This small super bird (20-22cm) known as Grey Phalarope in Britain, where we see it in its non-breeding plumages, it changes from this mild-looking secret identity to become the bright Red Phalarope of the north, on account of its stunning breeding colours. A true pelagic species, it spends up to 11 months of the year at sea, only coming to land to nest.
They breed in the high Arctic, Northern Siberia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard and Bear Island, with Iceland being the most southerly breeding location. The species winters out at sea, spending time around cold current upwellings, where there will be plenty of food. Most birds are found off the west coast of South Africa and off western South America, with some off the southern United States.
Taken at Lound, Idle Valley
DSP03342 - Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)
This small super bird (20-22cm) known as Grey Phalarope in Britain, where we see it in its non-breeding plumages, it changes from this mild-looking secret identity to become the bright Red Phalarope of the north, on account of its stunning breeding colours. A true pelagic species, it spends up to 11 months of the year at sea, only coming to land to nest.
They breed in the high Arctic, Northern Siberia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard and Bear Island, with Iceland being the most southerly breeding location. The species winters out at sea, spending time around cold current upwellings, where there will be plenty of food. Most birds are found off the west coast of South Africa and off western South America, with some off the southern United States.
Taken at Lound, Idle Valley