Grey Phalarope 600km inland in South Africa

[doug_newman]

Hi all.

Just to let you know that a Grey Phalarope was seen 600km inland at Marievale in South Africa.
Here is a link to the thread on my forum together with pics if you want to keep up to date with this sighting.

http://sahotspots.myfreeforum.org/ftopic117.php

[London Birder]

very nice record

[doug_newman]

very nice record
I am thrilled. It was a lifer for me. :D

[London Birder]

good on you Doug, only manage to see a couple a year myself..even up here

[Edward]

Excellent record, Doug, Grey Phalarope is one of my top 2-3 favourite birds in the world. Funnily enough phalaropes are inextricably linked to South Africa for me ever since I read "Too Late the Phalarope" by the great South African novelist Alan Paton many years ago (although I can't quite remember how phalaropes are connected with the novel, probably not at all). Seeing them on their breeding grounds is the absolute highlight of every birding year for me, but we call them Red Phalaropes here as when we see them they look like this. Photo taken by my friend Yann Kolbeinsson whilst doing a phalarope study last summer.

E

[doug_newman]

Yes, sorry, am a bit stuck with name changes. We used to call it Grey Phalarope. Only recently have the field guides changed to the world standard. We do now also call it Red Phalarope. Ummm... Nice pic.. *blush* comparing to mine. :t: