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Photo of the Week - 1/27/14
‘Unique’ bird migration discovered
A tracking device which weighs less than a paperclip has helped scientists uncover what they say is one of the world’s great bird migrations. It was attached to a red-necked phalarope from Scotland that migrated thousands of miles west across the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. The journey has never before been recorded for a European breeding bird.
The red-necked phalarope is one of the UK’s rarest birds, and is only found in Shetland and the Western Isles. For more information on this ‘unique’ migration: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25661650
Red-necked Phalarope use many coastal areas, like the recent Coastal Grant recipient in Harpswell Maine (www.fws.gov/gomcp/) as stopover habitat during their migration. They are also a high priority species for the region and the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Conservation Business Strategy (www.manomet.org/sites/default/files/publications_and_tool...)
www.facebook.com/usfwsnortheast
Credit: Mike Baird
A dainty red-necked phalarope was the star bird at Covenham Reservoir at the weekend attracting a steady flow of admirers.
Two of 4 Red-necked Phalaropes at Doran Beach, Bodega Bay. Seen in a small pond along the entry road as we were leaving, east of the entry kiosk (see map). There were 2 adults and 2 juveniles present. Overcast skies dulled the colors.
Record shots of my first Red necked phalarope.Taken at RSPB Middleton Lakes in Staffordshire/Warwickshire.
Phalaropes are unusual amongst birds in being polyandrous, i.e. one female taking multiple male mates, while males mate with only one female. The females are larger and more brightly coloured than the males whom they pursue and fight over. They then defend them from other females until the male begins incubation of the clutch. Males perform all incubation and look after the chicks.
They are also unusual in spending most of the time outside the breeding season well out at sea. Their method of feeding is also unique, swimming in a small, rapid circle to form a small whirlpool from which they pick small insects or crustaceans.
Red-necked phalaropes are rare in Britain, only breeding in very small numbers in Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, and undertaking a huge migration to winter in South America.
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus). Moore Creek Lagoon. Natural Bridges State Beach. Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., Calif.
Another not-good photo but at least a bit amusing. Ms. Red-Necked Phalarope, Long-Billed Dowitcher and photobombing Barn Swallow.
Steig | South Iceland
What a fantastic fearless little bird.
The Red-necked Phalarope was on my Iceland ‘target list’. We were three days into our week’s trip when we had our first close sighting. There were nine birds all feeding close into the shore in a small pond. This is the first time I’d seen them and I couldn’t believe how tiny they were (only about 200mm long at most). I was so convinced that they would fly that I took a couple of quick longish-range ‘record shots’ before trying to creep closer. I took a couple of more shots and then moved closer still. To my surprise the birds ignored me, so I went right up to the water’s edge. It was incredible as they just kept feeding and swimming right past me. It then got silly as they were so close I couldn’t focus on them! Needless to say I got a number of good shots. Over the following days we had another three really good encounters and each time the birds behaved the same as the first group. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I could have tried to pick them up they were that close. So, I now have 80 great images of this species that started as a ‘target’ and has finished as a new favourite bird.
Phalaropes are unusual amongst birds in being polyandrous, i.e. one female taking multiple male mates, while males mate with only one female. The females are larger and more brightly coloured than the males whom they pursue and fight over. They then defend them from other females until the male begins incubation of the clutch. Males perform all incubation and look after the chicks.
They are also unusual in spending most of the time outside the breeding season well out at sea. Their method of feeding is also unique, swimming in a small, rapid circle to form a small whirlpool from which they pick small insects or crustaceans.
Red-necked phalaropes are rare in Britain, only breeding in very small numbers in Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, and undertaking a huge migration to winter in South America.