Red Phalarope

[William H Kaempfer]

This afternoon, I went over to try for the Tower Rd. and 96^th Red Phalarope.  Once I got to the right spot (about ¼ mile north of 96) it was easy to find in a large playa (well, actually it was in the small playa on the west side of the road with lots of Long-billed Dowitchers across from the large playa on the east side).  Total of 5 shorebird species (including Pectoral), 6 dabbling ducks and a White-faced Ibis (right at 96^th and Tower, though.  Note that Glenn Walbek reported this as an ibis sp., but I am slightly confident that it is White-faced given its slightly red but uniformly colored legs).  Since the White-faced Ibis was a new county bird, Adams is no longer my only county in CO with White Ibis, but not White-faced.  Now it is my only county with Red Phalarope, but not Wilson’s!  Go figure.

 

Bill Kaempfer

Boulder

 

[Ira Sanders]

Birders,

The Red Phalarope found by John was still present at 8 a.m. today.  Also present were 4 LB Dowitchers and 1 Ibis.   The ibis was on the east side of the road.

It amazed me that the birds weren't bothered by the tremendous amount of traffic on Tower Road. 

 

Ira Sanders

Golden, CO

[markc...@comcast.net]

This morning,  Daren Obrien did not see the Red Phalarope.  After Joe Roller's report, I decided to enjoy the beautiful  afternoon and join him for a second attempt.  We got great views of the Red Phalarope on the east and west side.  We also enjoyed the stunning White-faced Ibis.  While watching the phalarope a Prairie Falcon made a swoop toward the west pond.  The phalarope froze and hunkered close to the water for a few minutes until danger passed.  I'm not sure how long this lone phalarope can escape this falcon:-(  Photos of the Red Phalarope and White-faced Ibis can be seen in the gallery below:


http://jaeger29.smugmug.com/BIRDS/RARE-AND-UNCOMMON-2013/i-J6QG7CH




   Mark Chavez
Lakewood-Green Mtn
http://jaeger29.smugmug.com/