Red-necked Phalaropes, Spring Park Resr, Eagle Cty 5/16

[Dick Filby]

Hi all

 

Flushed with the success of finding a Northern Waterthrush yesterday (Silt), it was impossible to resist the opportunity to get out again this evening. A short trip to Spring Park reservoir between showers was dry, if a little chilly, but I was rewarded with as many Tree Swallows as I have ever seen there.. thousands and thousands and thousands, almost certainly way in excess of 10,000. And, as usual, in these large flocks there, it seemed to be all Tree Swallows. I expect there were other species involved, but I couldn’t find them, giving up scanning through the flock when I became slightly dizzy from following all the fast moving hordes.

 

Highlight however was a tight-knit flock of mobile, pirouetting Red-necked Phalaropes, many of them females in gorgeous plumage. There were so mobile that it was impossible to count them accurately, but I settled on 65-70 as my best attempt.  They spent much of their time on the water, but constantly flew short distances. As they fed I was reminded of the local dialect name for them on the Shetland Isles, UK, where they are known as “Pirrie Dukes”  (literally “little ducks”).

 

The continuing Common Loon  was sleeping this evening.  Shorebirds have little feeding area now as the reservoir is almost completely full, with almost no exposed mud anywhere, but at the north end, close to the road, there were three Willets and a Long-billed Dowitcher

 

Very few ducks left now, but notable were three Barrow’s Goldeneyes and a few Buffleheads. Several Western Grebes and several Eared Grebes  too, the latter in gorgeous plumage.

 

Yellow-rumped Warblers seemed on the move, heading west. The Brewer’s Blackbirds are back in force, as are the Savannah Sparrows .

 

Back home the influx of White-crowned Sparrows continues, with at least 10 in the yard today, along with 2 Lincoln’s Sparrows, and a noticeable arrival of Cassin’s Finches today. Several Black-headed Grosbeaks  new in today, including females. The Pine Siskin flock continues to eat  more than their allocated budget of Nijer seed, getting thru a few pounds a day! There’s a few Lesser Goldfinches that manage to get a go on the feeders  occasionally!

 

Heading off “north” tomorrow, in search of Polar Bears, so not back anytime soon!  Enjoy the rest of Spring folks.. wherever you find yourself birding

 

Good birding all

 

Best wishes

 

Dick Filby

Carbondale, Garfield Cty

 

“Every day that you head out in search of nature is a good day – do it often!”

RAF

 

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