rawcomposition's Favorites

I don't normally report rarities without some documentation to back it up, or at least an absolutely unmistakeable view or hearing a clear call. This phalarope was about 1/2 mile distant, and my photos are not even identifiable as a phalarope. However, when viewed through my scope the bird clearly had a phalarope profile and general white-gray coloration, and fed in the characteristic phalarope manner by circling tightly. It was fairly large for a phalarope, sat fairly high in the water, and seemed to move about with its head and bill tilted downward. My impression is that there wasn't a great deal of contrast between the white underparts and gray back, although there seemed to be some fine darkish patches on the back too. I just couldn't make out much detail at that range with my budget scope, and I'm not sure how much of my perception of the bird's coloration / contrast was accurate or simply a product of my optical gear. Norm did notice that the bird had a bit of yellow at the base of the bill, which was one of the few really definite field mark any of us could make out. I personally never saw the bill. At the time of observation I really struggled to see anything to help me settle between Red and Red-necked, but after learning a bit more about the structure and the way the two phalarope species sit in the water I think it was more likely a Red. Time of year (early November) probably somewhat favors Red as well.

https://ebird.org/checklist/S153689747