THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE – Phalaropus lobatus
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Red-necked Phalarope is a rare and localised breeding species in the British Isles, which lie on the extreme edge of its world range. The most reliable place for them is the Shetland Islesand in particular Loch of Funzie on Fetlar, with a few birds breeding elsewhere in Scotland in the Outer Hebrides at Loch na Muilne, where a 'phalarope' watch point has been set up, and sometimes the Scottish Mainland in Ross-shire or Sutherland. 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. These are direct references to the lobate feet and white throat and was once referred to as Red Coot Footed Tringa.
There has been one Red-necked Phalarope reported from S. Gloucestershire, in;
2001: (1)
On October 8th a juvenile/ 1st winter was picked up in flight off Severn Beach below the second Severn Crossing. It was watched at a distance, but eventually came nearer and was seen close inshore. This report constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.