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Post by Gord on Sept 28, 2016 11:51:13 GMT -8
I had lunch with a Red Phalarope off the Harrison Breakwater. You'll need a scope but it is moving around and may come in closer again. A very cool bird. Photos to come but wanted to get the word out.
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Post by Gord on Sept 28, 2016 18:46:54 GMT -8
Below are the photos I feel especially fortunate to have captured. I first saw it far out. It was just a white speck that could have been a floating beer can or something. But then it started moving erratically around in typical phalarope fashion. It flew a bit closer but was way too far to identify. I did have a inkling it was not right for a red-necked even though the usual suspect for our area. I figured the right thing to do would be to say Phalarope species on my field notebook. Then a boat angled towards me and it flew. First away from me then it started to fly in my general direction. And it kept coming. And coming. And coming. I may have been murmuring under my breath, "oh please oh please oh please" and sure enough it landed just up the rock jetty a bit. I stuffed the last bit of sandwich in my mouth and scampered out to try for some pictures. It stayed for a couple minutes then took off further out from the tip heading southwest.   It was picking up the smallest bugs off the water.   Very thrilling! |
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Post by ed on Sept 28, 2016 21:01:46 GMT -8
Thrilling is correct!!
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Post by Dave on Sept 29, 2016 6:14:06 GMT -8
Wow! Another lifer?
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Post by oldfulica on Sept 29, 2016 6:21:12 GMT -8
Very nice Gord. And beautiful pictures to document it. I drove by there yesterday. I should have dropped in.
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Post by birder1942 on Sept 29, 2016 7:58:30 GMT -8
Way to go, Gord.
I think it is time for you to organize a Harrison Lake pelagic trip, what with the Sabine's Gull and Red Phalarope and others! Great photos and congratulations on another lifer. Harrison Hot Springs has certainly brought a lot of good, and some rare, birds the last few years. John Vooys
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Post by Gord on Sept 30, 2016 15:59:28 GMT -8
John, I think a boat trip out there will be worthwhile. I'll poke around to get an idea of watercraft that can take 10-12 people out and the cost. At the very least we'll get a nice boat ride to see some very nice scenery from a slightly different angle. Dave, yes this one has not been written in any of my field notebooks before.  |
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Post by ed on Oct 1, 2016 8:11:05 GMT -8
The morning after Gord saw the Red Phalarope I went for a kayak paddle on Harrison Lake. I did about an 8K loop getting out about half way to Echo Island. I tanked on the Phalarope but nevertheless enjoyed the warm temps and mild winds. Always hopeful at Harrison!
Ed
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