Yesterday I had the rare opportunity to catch up with what is, if I have to pick, my favourite bird, Grey (Red) Phalarope, as a passage bird was seen near a public footpath in Reykjavík. Grey Phalaropes are one of the rarest and most threatened breeders in Iceland, which is also easily its most southerly breeding ground in the world, with only around 50-100 pairs in the country. They are exceedingly rare on spring passage and generally seem to turn up on their breeding grounds overnight. Getting this bird on the year list usually entails a long trip.
I didn't really expect to see it as it hadn't been seen for almost 36 hours so I assumed that it would have continued north. But as I was walking along the footpath I suddenly heard a peep peep next to me and there just five metres away was a summer plumaged Grey Phalarope busy feeding in the grass. Phalaropes are incredibly tame and this bird seemed quite unperturbed by the joggers and cyclist moving by only a few metres away, and there was so much undisturbed habitat in the immediate vicinity. I gradually moved away but the bird moved with me, taking off, flying incredibly slowly, circling me and then landed on exactly the same spot and continued to feed.
I'm no photographer but here's what these birds look like in Iceland (why Icelandic birders always call them Red Phalaropes in English) in a brilliant series by Daníel Bergmann. Easy to see why it's my favourite.
http://www.danielbergmann.com/html/..._phalarope.html
Later that evening I returned to the spot with BF member Jens (Jebir) from Sweden who had just landed at the airport for a weekend's birding in Iceland. The Grey Phalarope was still in the same spot, not a bad bird to begin the trip with, but Jens was even more thrilled to see the numerous Red-necked Phalaropes in the area, a lifer for him, and one he had expected to see out in the middle of a lake, not running round in the grass five metres away from him. R-N Phalaropes are common breeders here and Jens is sure to see plenty more over the weekend.
I call this thead bird of the gods because phalaropes are named after various Norse gods in Icelandic
Red-necked Phalarope - Óðinshani - Odin's Cock (ahem)
Grey Phalarope - Þórshani - Thor's Cock
Wilson's Phalarope - Freyshani - Freyr's Cock
Truly divine birds.
E
I see what you mean Edward. A truly exquisite bird. Well done on relocating it.
I have only seen the red-necked phalarope in breeding plumage (on Fetlar) but they are cracking birds. I would love to see the grey - just have to book that holiday to Iceland!
That's a great picture btw.