While scoping one of my favorite stops along Lake Erie, I saw a small bird swimming erratically near the shore - but very far down the beach. I quickly surmised it must be a phalarope by its behavior and size but I wasn't sure which of our 3 phalaropes it was. We occasionally see Wilson's Phalaropes, Red-necked Phalaropes, and Red Phalaropes. The time of year favored Red Phalarope - but, to be sure, I had to get closer.
When I reached the phalarope, I watched with fascination as the small sea bird was very busy trying to churn up invertebrates to eat. At times, it came in quite close to shore, never giving me but a glance. Studying it closely, I was able to see its dark mask and cap, the plain pale gray back (no streaking), broad wing stripes, and its mostly white underwings when it flew short distances to escape a Bonaparte's Gull's harassment. At this proximity, it was easy to pin down the ID to Red Phalarope. Up until just a couple of years ago, I had never seen one in the county, so finding one was a real treat for me!