Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2002-11

Common name:

Hudsonian Godwit
Scientific name: Limosa haemastica
Date:

May 6, 2001
Time:

~10:00 a.m.
Length of time observed:

 ~30 minutes
Number: 1
Age: Adult
Sex: M
Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.  East side of auto tour loop (1-1/2 miles south of restroom at entrance).
County: Box Elder County
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: 50 yards
Optical equipment:  
Weather: Partly cloudy. Some whispy high clouds.
Light Conditions: Good. Sunny to hazy sun filtering through high clouds.
Detailed description of bird: Long upturned bill--pinkish orange with dark tip
Gray face and neck
Dark gray cap on top of head
Blackish back with slight mottling
White tail at base, dark tail at tip
Gray wings with dark underwing
Dark rufous breast with some barring evident
Song or call & method of delivery: Not heard
Behavior: Feeding, preening, and resting in shallow water with 11 Marbled Godwits nearby. Some wing flapping allowed us to view the underwings.
Habitat: Shallow water near several small mudflats.
Similar species and
how were they eliminated:		 We first noticed this bird because it was smaller and darker looking than the nearby Marbled Godwits. When we looked through our scope we were able to see the coloration and features described above. It's bill also appeared slightly shorter than those of the Marbled Godwits. Wing linings dark an not cinnamon.

Not Black-tailed Godwit because it did not have white wing linings. Also, neck was gray and not orange-rufous.

Not Bar-tailed Godwit because the bird had obvious gray wings as opposed to having mottled dark wings. Also, rufous on breast did not extend all the way back to the undertail of the bird. Tail not barred.

Previous experience with this & similar species: We've seen several Hudsonian Godwits in Texas.
References consulted: The Sibley Guide to Birds
Description from: Notes Made Later
Observer: Kathy and Joel Beyer
Observer's address: 1719 Hillcrest Avenue, Salt Lake City,  UT   84106 
Observer's e-mail address: twobirders@juno.com
Other observers who independently identified
this bird:		 None
Date prepared: May 26, 2001
Additional material: