I visited Montauk Point today which was un-characteristically quiet likely due to the light Northerly winds. All the usual and expected denizens stopped by: All three Scoter sp., Long-tailed Ducks, Loons galore, Mergs, etc. Extremely light RAZO flight (about a dozen). After an hour of not observing a single Northern Gannet nor any "Top-shelf MTK Specials", ie no Red-necked Grebes, no Dovekies/Murres, not even a KIEI and no Kittiwakes as far as the scope and untrained eye could see...I tried to be creative. I tried to turn every Loon, whatever the species COLO/RTLO into a PALO. Exercise in futility. Finally, I had a candidate. Instead of doing the smart thing and studying field marks while on lockdown, I foolishly walked down to shore to get closer to photograph the bird. Gone. Probably just a Common Loon. While on the shoreline a Phalarope flew in from the East for about 10 minutes, spun around, gave a few short flights before heading West. Having very limited experience with RNPH and zero experience with REPH, I studied the bird as long as I could without reaching for the camera. At first the bill seemed thin, it didn't seem very stout or thick per se, but the bill was heavier than RNPH. The back of the bird/mantle was pale gray with no stripes and no streaking. Since it decided to stick around for a few more minutes, I managed a couple of photos. Decided to consult my field guides after driving home to better study what I recalled seeing and reconcile vs. a printed guide, especially since an Adult Non-breeding Phalarope of the aforementioned species are superficially similar especially from an untrained eye. When I got home, a close review of one of the photos showed a yellowish/pale base to the bill. This along with the other field marks observed clinched Red Phalarope. I'll file a report on the electronicBird interwebs shortly. For your consideration, Keith J Klein
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