Red Phalarope in breeding plumage!
A poor photograph of a mega bird! Apparently seen around 11am but only reported after 1pm and then as a Red-necked Phalarope, it spent time feeding on Vinson's Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide. Extr [...]
A poor photograph of a mega bird! Apparently seen around 11am but only reported after 1pm and then as a Red-necked Phalarope, it spent time feeding on Vinson's Marsh from the Ron Barker Hide. Extremely rare in breeding plummage in the UK, this bird flew off 13:40 towards the Ribble Estuary after being flushed by a distant gun shot. If it returns we will up date asap.
Phalaropes exhibit sexual dimorphism were the roles of male and female are reversed with females being bigger and brighter plummaged than the males. Once the female lays the eggs they generally start the southerly migration leaving the males to incubate and rear the young.
As a result of being far more common out of breeding plummage on autumn passage, the old name for this species is Grey Phalarope.
No further reports up to 5.30pm.
AB
