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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Grey Phalarope - phalaropus fulicaria

 

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 twenty-two Grey Phalarope's reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2011: (1)

One was seen at around 08:45 off Shaft Beach at Severn Beach and in flight on the estuary on September 17th;

 

 

Grey Phalarope off Severn Beach. September 2011. Paul Bowerman.

 

2009: (3)

One was found off New Passage on the mornings low tide on August 31st where it lingered throughout the day and was still present in the evening; One was noted off Severn Beach at 12:45 on November 25th; One was seen on Shaft Beach at Severn Beach at 10:40 before flying south on December 6th.

 

 

Grey Phalarope off New Passage. August 2009. John Martin.

 

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.

 

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.

 

2000: (2)

On October 31st one was watched off Severn Beach; On December 14th one was seen also off Severn Beach.

 

1998: (1)

One was seen on January 4th on Severnside.

 

1997: (1)

One on August 29th off Severn Beach was observed approximately 500 metres offshore.

 

1995: (1)

On October 8th a juvenile was found at Oldbury Power Station.

 

1994: (1)

A juvenile was located on September 16th at Oldbury Power Station.

 

1993: (1)

A juvenile was found on September 11th at Oldbury Power Station and would remain until September 15th.

 

1989: (2)

On September 18th one was seen at Oldbury Power Station; On September 27th another was noted at Severn Beach.

 

1988: (1)

One was found on January 4th off New Passage.

 

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.

 

1951: (1)

An individual was noted on September 16th at Severn Beach.

 

1949: (c.2)

On October 21st one (possibly two birds) was identified at Stoke Gifford, on flooded pastures and were present until October 28th. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire.

 

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