[Bristol-Birds] Red Phalarope, etc. (Hawkins Co., TN) [correction]
- From: Alice Loftin / Don Miller <pandion@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: TN-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, butternuts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 22:41:19 -0400 (EDT)
[Corrected version of earlier post]
October 1, 2010
Hawkins County: John Sevier Lake
Mike Hubley, Susan Hubley, and I observed the phalarope extensively this
afternoon and evening. Susan's earlier post today offered more photos, and Mike
and I were able to view the bird with binos while kayaking near it at extremely
close range. There is no doubt that it is a Red Phalarope. Evident to Mike and
me were the pale gray back lacking the streaking typical of Red-necked
Phalarope, the very thick, heavy bill (observed from numerous angles), and the
obvious (at close range) dull yellowish area at the base of the lower mandible.
The bird was still feeding actively in a weedy section of the lake as of about
7:00. Since Red Phalaropes feed in lines of aquatic weeds during the winter, I
am led to think that this phalarope's choice of stopover habitat deliberately
reflects its winter habitat preference.
A magnificent find, Susan and Mike! Thanks for sharing it.
Other species present on and around the lake this evening were:
Pied-billed Grebe (3)
Double-crested Cormorant (6)
American Coot (a few)
Forster's Tern
Great Horned Owl
Tree Swallow (quite a few, probably a few dozen)
Don Miller
Greeneville, Greene Co., TN
Other related posts:
- » [Bristol-Birds] Red Phalarope, etc. (Hawkins Co., TN) [correction] - Alice Loftin / Don Miller
