[Maine-birds] Weskeag Marsh - Red-necked Phalarope and Northern Shoveler

Hi folks,

I swung in to Weskeag this evening on my way back from a few days on Monhegan.  I was surprised to see 2 pair of Northern Shoveler still lingering in the pans.  Also of note was a phalarope associating closely with a Greater Yellowlegs.  Based on habitat, I initially thought Wilson's but the very small body size, shorter bill, and obvious black cap/mask/legs support a Red-necked Phalarope (still in basic plumage).  Full list below.

Best,

Jonathan

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Weskeag Marsh, Knox, US-ME
May 26, 2012 6:15 PM - 7:45 PM
Protocol: Traveling
1.0 mile(s)
33 species

American Black Duck  11     including 7 young ducklings
Mallard  2
Northern Shoveler  4     two pair feeding in near pans with a pair of Mallard; photographed
Green-winged Teal (American)  1
Ruffed Grouse  1     drumming
Great Blue Heron  1
Great Egret  1
Cooper's Hawk  1
Virginia Rail  1
Semipalmated Plover  7
Greater Yellowlegs  5
Willet (Eastern)  1
Lesser Yellowlegs  1
Semipalmated Sandpiper  5
Least Sandpiper  2
Red-necked Phalarope  1     observed mirroring Greater Yellowlegs; quick jerky behavior darting around GRYE and following in both feeding and flight.  Plumage still mostly basic (pale gray); considered Wilson's Phalarope but dark mask & cap, shorter bill, and very small size supports Red-necked; attempted digiscoped photographs but quality minimal due to distance and constant movement
Herring Gull (American)  3
Mourning Dove  2
Alder Flycatcher  1
Blue Jay  2
American Crow  4
Cliff Swallow  4
Veery  1
American Robin  1
Gray Catbird  1
Common Yellowthroat  3
American Redstart  1
Yellow Warbler  2
Nelson's Sparrow  5
Saltmarsh Sparrow  1     only heard Nelson's signing but 1 heavily streaked, long pale pink billed Saltmarsh Sparrow popped up for views in the scope
Song Sparrow  2
Swamp Sparrow  1
Red-winged Blackbird  9

This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)

--

Jonathan Mays
Veazie, ME
USA

 

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