October 27, 2010, Steve Pink and I visited the Westport area, hoping to see Red Phalaropes, and other birds that the recent storm may have blown in.

We found about 40 phalaropes in a pond adjacent to Westhaven State Park. I looked carefully to see if the group included any Red-necked Phalaropes. Didn't see any. But while cropping, enlarging, etc, the digital images I took that day, I noticed that at least 2 of the birds were red-necked.

I put some photos on pbase. One photo includes both species. The Red Phalarope has a much heavier and shorter bill. The underwing of the red is much whiter than that of the red-necked. Plumage differences are subtle.

Link is below.

http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/phalaropes


Marv Breece
Seattle, WA
mbreece at earthlink.net