[birding] Red Phalarope (not red-necked) at Philomath SPs

[Jamie S.]

Thanks to Dave Irons, Alan Contreras, and Tim Rodenkirk, (and Lisa Millbank, who posted a photo) we now know that the "very late" red-necked phalarope at the Philomath SPs yesterday was actually a more expected "blown over the Coast Range" red phalarope in transitional plumage.
 
Jamie Simmons
Corvallis

--- On Mon, 11/23/09, David Irons <llsdirons at msn.com> wrote:


From: David Irons <llsdirons at msn.com>
Subject: RE: [birding] Philomath sewage treatment ponds
To: "Lisa Millbank" <lisaaves at peak.org>, "Mid-Valley Birders" <list at midvalleybirding.org>
Date: Monday, November 23, 2009, 12:51 AM




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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