They’re very strange little birds - but that description is rude indeed. There was a spotting off the Belgian coast earlier last year that made a small sensation among local birders, I was a bit disappointed to not have been in the country at that time.
How exciting to see a Red Necked Phalarope in Cornwall. We've been to Shetland twice and twice made the pilgrimage to Fetlar to see them. The first time no luck, the second time we started at the loch where they hang out, nothing there, so we walked all round the island and back to the loch. We'd just about given up hope and had a ferry to catch so gave a last look round the loch and a female Red Necked Phalarope appeared from the rushes and we spent a couple of lovely minutes with her.
What a beautiful bird. Certainly worth a better write up than the Wildlife Trust’s description! Bird migration will never cease to amaze me - I hope this little one adapts to its detour.
They’re very strange little birds - but that description is rude indeed. There was a spotting off the Belgian coast earlier last year that made a small sensation among local birders, I was a bit disappointed to not have been in the country at that time.
Always a pleasure to read about your walks, Andrew.
Thank you!
How exciting to see a Red Necked Phalarope in Cornwall. We've been to Shetland twice and twice made the pilgrimage to Fetlar to see them. The first time no luck, the second time we started at the loch where they hang out, nothing there, so we walked all round the island and back to the loch. We'd just about given up hope and had a ferry to catch so gave a last look round the loch and a female Red Necked Phalarope appeared from the rushes and we spent a couple of lovely minutes with her.
Enjoyed the read. The last one I saw was on Fetlar a few years ago. We did have a grey phalarope on the Norfolk coast this year though.
I think there was a grey phalarope at the nature reserve at the same time but that seems to be a little less unusual in Cornwall.
What a beautiful bird. Certainly worth a better write up than the Wildlife Trust’s description! Bird migration will never cease to amaze me - I hope this little one adapts to its detour.
“a strange group of pot-bellied, long-necked, short-legged, needle-billed waders”
So, it seems I just need a needle-bill and I'll be a phalarope.
😆