Following the recent flood tides a Grey Phalarope has been spotted at Walberswick feeding on the pools and flooded marshes near to the car park. The bird has been very obliging providing photographers with some really close views but unfortunately today was a little more distant so consequently once again the pictures are not of the best quality.
The Grey Phalarope is an ocean going wader of fairly small dimensions that doesn't nest in the British Isles but instead breeds near the coast in the Arctic where all parental responsibilities are undertaken by the male from incubation, to feeding the young until they fledge. The female will often find another male with whom she will lay more eggs before departing for her wintering grounds. These birds usually spend the winter out at sea in the Atlantic far away from land and it is very uncommon to see an adult bird in this country, most of the ones that are observed including this bird are 1st winter youngsters that have taken a wrong turn or have been blown off course by autumn storms.
These birds can appear very tame probably as a result of the fact that most have never encountered humans because of their remote lifestyle. Certainly this bird ignored the assembled people both birdwatchers and interested locals alike.
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