Wilson's phalaropes at Brydon - May 14/12

[Randy]

Hi everyone,

I popped out for a quick stroll after work today, since I didn't have a chance to check out the area on the weekend. I was pleasantly surprised to find 3 Wilson's phalaropes on the marsh poking around in the mud. There were also 2 spotted sandpipers, 7 dowitchers, and 1 killdeer.

I haven't seen any sightings of these phalaropes posted - they're common in Sask, but uncommon around ehre from what I can gather?

I'm sorry it's a terrible picture - had to crop a lot to get it ID'able for everyone. Fortunately I could run back to my house and grab my scope to confirm my suspicions.



Randy - Langley

[Dave]

Wow, Randy! Great sighting. Nice birds in breeding plumage too! Great record for the area. Thanks for sharing.

[Chris]

Randy that is a very good sighting. Going by memory, during Spring migration a few turnup at Iona and during Fall migration a few turn up at Reifel but outside of those areas they can be hard to come by on/near the coast.

[Gord]

Randy, must be a good day for them as we had two out our way this evening as well. Nice birds.

Looks like two males and a female (she's on the right). Phalaropes break the rules of birds when it comes to colouration and who takes care of the eggs and young. There's a small article on the website about the species.

www.fraservalleybirding.com/Articles/Species%20Spotlight/wilsons%20phalarope.htm

[10aciousfaith]

Hi gang:

I believe I spotted a non-breeding Wilson's Phalarope in the early part of 2011 at a slough area at White Rock Beach. I was, however, a new birder at the time, and have no photos to confirm one-way or-the-other. Bye for now!

Damion
Wild Birds Unlimited