Red-necked Phalarope  Phalaropus lobatus

Calvert Lake - 26th-27th October 2005

Photo copyright Tim Watts

This juvenile bird was initially seen in flight by Rob Freckleton at 16:30 and within the hour several local birders had seen it.  It remained into the following day (at least).  There have been only five county records prior to this. 

College Lake - 23rd May 2002

Photo copyright Tristan Folland

This summer plumaged female was found by four visitors and identified by Joan Thompson.  It stayed on the area of the flooded meadow long enough for the wardens at College Lake to see it and for Tristan to take this picture.  Joan contacted a few local birders but none were quick enough to see the bird in Bucks.  It flew off in the direction of Tring Reservoirs at 12:35 and relocated at Wilstone Reservoir (Herts) at about 3:30pm by Roy Hargreaves.    A good number of birders managed to see the bird at Wilstone before it apparently departed overnight.

This is the fifth record of the species in the county, all others being seen at Willen Lake, Milton Keynes, the last being in June 1995.

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