Red-necked Phalarope at Radnor Lake State Natural Area (September 16th, 2019)

Picture above courtesy of Bob Belser
Not documented at Radnor Lake since 1986 by then Ranger John Froeschauer, birders and park visitors enjoyed viewing this unusual event at Radnor Lake on September 16th, 2019. A member of the Sandpiper family, the Red-necked Phalarope is a bird that is one of another enjoyable unique sightings at the State of Tennessee’s First Natural Area and illustrates the value of our mission of providing unique wildlife viewing opportunities for park visitors under the blanket of protection and foresight of the Natural Areas Preservation Act of 1971.
While it might be another 33 years for another sighting of this unique species at Radnor Lake, park visitors should look for the state park ranger with a spotting scope on the closed to vehicle portions of Otter Creek Road and on the lake trail or a group of birder friends looking on the lake to catch a view if this guy hangs out for a few more days hopefully.
Fortunately, Radnor will be here under the same blanket of protection from the State Natural Areas Act of 1971 in 33 years thanks to the efforts of many to keep it like it was intended. Yes, this is why we discontinue our interpretive canoe floats after Labor Day each year, another reason we are “drone free” and another reason behind the wisdom of closing Otter Creek Road to an abandoned roadway thru the natural area in 2002 so little guys like this one today have somewhere to stop over during migration and hang out as long as they want!