THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
GREY PHALAROPE – Phalaropus fulicarius
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Grey Phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is migratory and unusually for a wader migrating mainly on oceanic routes and wintering at sea on tropical oceans. When feeding a Grey Phalarope will often swim in a small rapid circle forming a small whirlpool. This behaviour is thought to aid feeding by raising food from the bottom of shallow water. The bird will reach into the outskirts of the vortex with its bill plucking small insects or crustaceans. The name Phalarope is a combination of words from New Latin 'phalarops': Greek 'phalaris' meaning coot and 'phalaros' having a white spot plus the Greek word 'pous' meaning foot and are direct references to the lobate feet.
There have been eighteen Grey Phalarope's reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1949: (c.2)
On October 21st one (possibly two birds) were identified at Stoke Gifford, on flooded pastures and were present until October 28th.
1951: (1)
An individual was noted on September 16th at Severn Beach.
1983: (3)
Three were seen at New Passage on October 17th with two on October 18th and one on October 19th.
Grey Phalarope off New Passage. October 1983. © Brian Lancastle.
1988: (1)
One was found on January 4th at New Passage.
1989: (2)
On September 18th one was seen at Oldbury Power Station; On September 27th another was noted at Severn Beach.
1993: (1)
A juvenile was found on September 11th at Oldbury Power Station and would remain until September 15th.
1994: (1)
A juvenile was located on September 16th at Oldbury Power Station.
1995: (1)
On October 8th a juvenile was found at Oldbury Power Station.
1997: (1)
One on August 29th at Severn Beach was observed approximately 500 metres offshore.
1998: (1)
One was seen on January 4th on Severnside.
2000: (2)
On October 31st one was watched off Severn Beach; On December 14th one was seen also off Severn Beach.
2006: (1)
On October 7th a juvenile/ 1st winter was reported at Severn Beach three hundred metres south of the second Severn Crossing off the seawall at 18:30.
2007: (1)
The remains of a predated bird, giblets, feathers and part of a wing were found at Severn Beach on December 31st. They were compared to specimens at Bristol Museum and confirmed as a 1st winter.