Phalarope, etc. at Barr Lake (Adams County)

[David Dowell]

I stopped by Barr Lake late this afternoon and found a phalarope in the northeast part of the lake, viewed from both the dam and the boat ramp.  It was very likely a RED PHALAROPE, but I can't be 100% sure.  It had a large-headed, thick-necked appearance and had a long tail, cocked upward at a sharp angle.  The bill appeared short and thick, but I understand it's hard to tell the difference between Red and Red-Necked bills except at very close range.  (This bird was about 200 yards away when I viewed it through a scope, unfortunately too much in the direction of the sun.)  The bird appeared to be a nonbreeding adult, not showing any color and with a back appearing plain light gray when lit by direct sun.  I would be interested in hearing other observations from birders who see / have seen this bird.

There were a lot of waterbirds in general at Barr, and I only got a taste for what was there in my limited time, mostly spent watching the phalarope.  Other birds of note included:

* hundreds of gulls (California, Ring-Billed, a few Herring, and late-arriving Franklin's)

* thousands of ducks (Northern Shoveler and Gadwall seemingly the most abundant)

* a female Red-Breasted Merganser

* a couple of Cattle Egrets near the dam and the boat ramp.

David Dowell

Longmont, CO 

[David Dowell]

A Red-Necked Phalarope, not a Red Phalarope, made a quick visit to the dam area at Barr Lake this morning, so I'm guessing that is what was here yesterday evening, too.  It is paler than the others I have seen this fall but still doesn't quite fit the description of Red.  Tough ID.

There were about 1000 gulls here at sunrise, some of them still feeding actively when I left at 8:15 AM.  So this seems like a good location to check regularly for gulls and maybe jaegers.  And then there are all those ducks to look at....

David Dowell

Longmont, CO