Canoe tours on Mono Lake are really coming to life, thanks to thousands of winged visitors on the southern shore. Whirling flocks of Wilson’s Phalaropes have arrived at Navy Beach, lighting up both lake and sky with their synchronized dancing.

The tiny visitors, weighing only 1–2 ounces, use Mono Lake every summer as a refueling station on their impressive migratory journey. Once they have had their fill of brine shrimp and alkali flies, the phalaropes will use the much needed energy boost to fly to South America where they spend the winter. These amazing little birds serve as an important (and beautiful) reminder that the impacts of a healthy Mono Lake stretch far beyond the Mono Basin.

Wilson's Phalaropes flocking along Mono Lake's north shore. Photo by Bartshe Miller.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 26th, 2012 at 6:38 pm and is filed under News, Staff Musings. You can view No Responses on this post or leave your own response if you log in.