We have had a rare sighting at Pyles Mill – a Red-necked Phalarope.
Red-necked Phalarope are small waders only 6.5”-7” * and are often seen swimming and picking food off the surface of the water.
The females are unusual as they are larger and more brightly coloured than the males. They lay the eggs but the male incubates and raises the chicks, while she may find another partner and again the new male incubates and raises the chicks. Once it is too late to breed the females migrates, the males follow later once the rearing process is complete..
* the same size as a skylark or in comparison a sparrow is 5.5”-6”.
