Wilson's Phalarope - Grote Franjepoot

Wilson's Phalarope - Grote Franjepoot

Wilson's Phalarope

Grote Franjepoot

Phalaropus tricolor

Pictures: Teus Luijendijk

20 July 2002, Scherpenisse, Tholen Ze

14 September 2002, Camperduin NH

13 October 2004, Starrevaart ZH

20 July 2002, Scherpenisse, Tholen Ze

In July, the wetlands in The Netherlands start to host good numbers of waders, but the ponds near the town of Scherpenisse, on the former isle of Tholen this year beat them all. It was here that both a Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos and a Wilson's Phalarope turned up. Although rather distant and with a huge thunderstorm approaching, I took the following video stills:





Wilson's Phalarope - Grote Franjepoot Phalaropus tricolor (sub?)adult female; videograbs (320x). Scherpenisse, Tholen Ze, The Netherlands, 20 July 2002.

The bird really proved to be a long-stayer, for during a visit in August it was quickly relocated, albeit now in an other pond in the area. It had shed its summer plumage almost completely now, with only some hints of chestnut present here and there.


Wilson's Phalarope - Grote Franjepoot Phalaropus tricolor (sub?)adult female; videograbs (320x). Scherpenisse, Tholen Ze, The Netherlands, 6 August 2002.


Wilson's Phalarope - Grote Franjepoot Phalaropus tricolor (sub?)adult female; videograbs (320x). Scherpenisse, Tholen Ze, The Netherlands, 16 August 2002.

14 September 2002, Camperduin NH

Against all odds, the summering adult was soon followed by a juvenile bird, this time in North-Holland. It was found in the famous "Putten near Petten", a little coastal marsh that has previously hosted Great Knot, Terek Sandpiper, Dougall's Tern, Marsh Sandpiper, Pacific Golden Plover, Cream-coloured Courser, an as yet unidentified orange-billed tern, etc., etc. The weather was not very favourable, with quite a gusty NE-wind and the bird wasn't very close either. Still, I managed to make these shots through my telescope:




Wilson's Phalarope - Grote Franjepoot Phalaropus tricolor juvenile; videograbs (320x). de Putten, Camperduin NH, The Netherlands, 14 September 2002.

13 October 2004, Starrevaart ZH

And then there was one quite close to where I live, in a bird reserve called Starrevaart. Again a juvenile!



Wilson's Phalarope - Grote Franjepoot Phalaropus tricolor juvenile; videograbs (320x). Starrevaart, Leidschendam ZH, The Netherlands, 13 October 2004.