Lapland Longspur (Calcarius lapponicus), Avra Valley WWTP, Pima County

This Lapland Longspur was discovered and photographed by Andrew Core on 24 November 2011. Also photographed by Mark Stevenson on 25 November 2011.

Lapland Longspur is a casual migrant and winter visitor in Arizona with fewer than 20 accepted records.

Several recent records from Maricopa County; unsure if there are previous Pima County records.

This bird had a large obvious reddish patch in wings (greater coverts) and rufous tinged tertials; strong facial pattern with black frame to auriculars, white malar, buffy supercilium, and reddish nape. Long wings with long primary projection; pink bill. Dark streaked back with white braces. White in tail restricted to outer feather. Streaked sides and flanks.

24 November 2011, photo by Andrew Core

25 November 2011, photo by Mark Stevenson

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