>
>Tweets -

> I was amazed at the number of Red-necked Phalaropes I saw flying northward
>in flocks of 10 - 50. There were quite a few feeding in the shallow waters
>nearshore. I would estimate the total number of individuals (from 8 stops)
>at 1000.

This is the peak time of year for migration of this species, I have been
seeing them passing by the nearshore from mid-Vancouver Island for nearly a
week now. I have not seen numbers like you describe, however generally if I
see a few from shore I expect that there are hundreds or even thousands
going by off shore (since their spring passage is mainly pelagic)

Is this unusual or have I simply missed this in the
>past?

You may have not noticed them in the past as they went by because most would
migrate over open ocean. They will however be seen from shore in greater
than usual numbers if winds and weather force them toward shore or if the
surface micro-organisms upon which they feed are closer to shore or
concentrated in certain areas.
Cheers,

Don Cecile
Port Alberni, BC, CANADA V9Y 6Z5
eMAIL: dcecile at cln.etc.bc.ca