Red Phalarope

When a strong southwest wind batters the Oregon coast in the winter it often blows RED PHALAROPE on shore, which is probably not to their liking since they usually stay offshore over deep water at this time. Right now, following several days of strong wind, there are thousands of these birds in flooded pastures and estuaries. This one was near the mouth of the Columbia River, searching for tidbits in watery, weedy areas among the dunes.