Nature Essays
Red necked phalarope
The most remarkable spring event in the refuge is the arrival of millions of birds from all over the world that fly unfathomable distances to this rich ancestral breeding and nesting ground. Many fly all the way from the other hemisphere to take advantage of the ideal conditions. The Northern Wheatear flies all the way from Africa to the Arctic, and many species of Sandpipers will migrate from South America. The Arctic Tern makes the most amazing trip of all, flying all the way by sea from Antarctica.
This Red necked Phalarope just arrived from the coastline of the Pacific coast of North America to nest in the refuge's lush and marshy tundra ponds. It will spend the summer, feasting on the abundant insect life, and feeding its hatchlings endless amounts of minute little creatures caught on the surface of the water.
Flying such incredible distances to nest just doesn’t make sense unless of course you're a bird. This arctic wonderland offers twenty four hours of sunlight to breed, nest and fledge their young and the terrain is perfect for abundant insect and plant life nessesary for feeding and nesting. This Phalarope will take advantage of these abundant resources during the few months of summer. Then along with millions of other birds as the days begin to shorten, the cool arctic air will remind them to head south to warmer terrain.
This Red necked Phalarope just arrived from the coastline of the Pacific coast of North America to nest in the refuge's lush and marshy tundra ponds. It will spend the summer, feasting on the abundant insect life, and feeding its hatchlings endless amounts of minute little creatures caught on the surface of the water.
Flying such incredible distances to nest just doesn’t make sense unless of course you're a bird. This arctic wonderland offers twenty four hours of sunlight to breed, nest and fledge their young and the terrain is perfect for abundant insect and plant life nessesary for feeding and nesting. This Phalarope will take advantage of these abundant resources during the few months of summer. Then along with millions of other birds as the days begin to shorten, the cool arctic air will remind them to head south to warmer terrain.