English and Scientific names:	Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)
Number of individuals:	1 adult bird in basic plumage.
Locality: LOUISIANA:	Jefferson Davis Parish
Specific Locality:	In northern most of two wet fallow fields on the west side of LA hwy 101 about 4 miles north of its intersection with LA hwy 14.
Date(s) when observed:	25 April 2008
Time(s) of day when observed:	2:00 - 2:20 pm.
Reporting observer and address:	David J. L'Hoste
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):
Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	Partly cloudy. The sun was about 55 degrees above the horizon. The bird was near the northeast corner of the northern most field. I was positioned on east border of, and between, the two fields. Assuming the sun was at 270 degrees relative to due north, the bird was at about 340 degrees.
Optical equipment:	Bausch & Lomb Elite 10 x 42 (good condition) Kowa TSN-2 77mm scope with 30x wide angle eyepiece (good condition)
Distance to bird(s):	50 - 55 yards
Duration of observation:	20 minutes
Habitat:	Wet, fallow, agricultural field.
Behavior of bird:	The bird was walking and foraging in wet field with hundreds of other shorebirds. It was the only phalarope present.
Description:	Medium-sized shorebird with white underparts and medium to dark gray upperparts. Back and scapulars showed light feather edges contrasting with dark centers. The bird had a white forehead with dark gray crown . It had a black eyepatch extending behind the eyes into the auriculars. The sides of the neck were unmarked white. The bird did not fly or stretch its wings.
Voice:	The bird was silent.
Similar species:	Wilson's Phalarope in basic plumage shows solid light gray upperparts and lacks the eye/auricular patch. Red Phalarope in basic plumage shows solid light gray upperparts and heavier bill. Several Wilson's Phalaropes in basic, alternate and transitional plumage were seen over the weekend. All observed Wilson's in transitional plumage lacked eye/auricular patch or showed some color/marking on side of neck.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	Unfortunately, no. Although for the remainder of the weekend, whenever I saw a decent bird my wife would scream something like, "Take a photo, stupid."
Previous experience with this species:	None.
Identification aids:	After studying the bird I returned to my car and instead of a camera I retrieved both Nat. Geo. and Shorebirds by Hayman, et al. I continued to study the bird with these two references.
This description is written from:	Notes taken after the observation and memory.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	If not, explain:= I am as positive as I can be without previous experience and without having seen its wing/rump.
Reporter:	David J. L'Hoste
Date and time:	29 April 2008, 9:10 am