[birding] Philomath sewage treatment ponds

[David Irons]

Hi Lisa,

Your image labeled "Red-necked Phalarope" is actually a hatch-year Red Phalarope that is transitioning from juvenile to its first basic (winter) plumage. Note the overall thickness of the bill and the rather thick neck of this bird. Also, it does not show any light (whitish) streaking on the back, which would be shown by a similarly plumaged Red-necked. A Red-necked Phalarope has a thinner neck, a very tiny head, and bill that is often described as 'needle-like" because it is so thin. 

A Red-necked Phalarope in Oregon at this time of year would be quite unusual, whereas Red Phalarope is the "expected"phalarope in Oregon after Nov 1st. Under normal circumstances I would send this reply to you only, but I noticed that Jamie Simmons' summary of Sunday's rarities at the Philomath STP included a Red-necked Phalarope, which I found very surprising. Separation of Red and Red-necked Phalaropes in transitional hatch-year plumages is an under-appreciated ID challenge and one that is not covered well in some of the popular field guides. Aside from pelagic trips, opportunities to see these two species side-by-side in Oregon are few and far between.

I recently published a photo essay about plumage variation in Red Phalaropes at this time of year. It can be viewed at BirdFellow.com. It includes a photo of a bird that is near identical to the one in your image.

Dave Irons
Eugene, OR 

From: lisaaves at peak.org
To: list at midvalleybirding.org
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:45:27 -0800
Subject: [birding] Philomath sewage treatment ponds











We took a ride out to the Philomath sewage 
treatment ponds after hearing all the reports about the unusual birds showing up 
there.
Along with the HEERMANN'S GULLS (who were departing 
to the west around 4PM), COMMON GOLDENEYE, and RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, we saw an 
EARED GREBE.  The phalarope sure was a cute, perky little guy, 
spinning around and picking up delicious nibbles out of the poo lagoon.  He 
didn't care at all as we slowly walked by. (Picture of phalarope at http://groups.google.com/group/mid-valley-nature/browse_thread/thread/45bd91d03f3b33b5)
A congregation of NORTHERN 
SHOVELERS, LESSER SCAUPS, RING-NECKED DUCKS, and AMERICAN WIGEONS 
seemed to have found a rich food source in the middle of the south 
pond.  There were lots of RUDDY DUCKS, BUFFLEHEADS, AMERICAN 
COOTS, and a few HOODED MERGANSERS.   
We missed out on Barrow's Goldeneye, Red-breasted 
Merganser, Leach's Storm-Petrel, and Bonaparte's Gull reported by others 
today.  I always worry about birds who get blown in by storms or otherwise 
go off-course.  I'd much rather they got on their way and back to where 
they want to be, even if that means we don't get to see 
them.
Lisa
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