Utah Bird Records Committee

Summaries of Year 2003 Records

Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-1
Gyrfalcon
Falco rusticolus
7 Apr 2001
Jerry Liguori
Rosebud field station road about 18 miles southwest of Rosette, UT 		Photo
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
2nd round vote:
Summary of Comments*:		 27 Mar 2004
6 acc, 1 not
6 acc, 1 not
The record has a good description by an experienced birder, but there is some question about the  photo taken under poor lighting conditions and the date of observations. [goes to the 2nd round]
 
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-2
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
Early October 2002
Jerry Liguori
Bountiful Peak, Salt Lake Co.		 Photo
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments*:		 24 Mar 2003
7 acc
An excellent photo left no doubt.
 
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-3
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
May 2002
Jerry Liguori
Salt Lake City		 Photo
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments*:
 		 27 Aug 2003
5 acc, 2 not
Since there was little description because the record was submitted quite a while after the observation, a dark photo left some doubt.  [passed to 2nd round]
2nd: 7 acc
With a lightened photo, all committee members were convinced of the ID.
 
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-4
Broad-winged Hawk
Buteo platypterus
Late April 2002
Jerry Liguori
In foothills of Wasatch Mts, above University Hospital in Salt Lake City		 Photo
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 24 Mar 2003
7 acc
Good photos were convincing.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-5
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicaria
24 Oct 2002
Rick Fridell
Gunlock Reservoir, Santa Clara River		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 24 Mar 2003
7 acc
Excellent photos made for an easy decission.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-6
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Streptopelia decaocto
4 Jan 2003
Dona Hilkey
Jensen, UT on north side of Highway 40 at intersection with 9300 East		 Photo
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 24 Mar 2003
7 acc
The photo was convincing -- it showed that is was not an escaped Ringed Turtle-Dove.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-7
Glaucous-winged Gull
Larus glaucescens
2 Feb 2003
Michael Monson
Utah Lake State Park/Provo Boat Harbor		 Photos
Sight Record (PDF)
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 24 Mar 2003
7 acc
The photos clearly show a Glaucous-winged Gull with no signs of being a hybrid.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-8
Yellow-throated Warbler 
Dendroica dominica
28 Dec 2002
John Spence
Zion Nat. Park - near Grotto Picnic Area		 Notes and drawings
Sight Record (PDF)
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 4 Aug 2003
7 acc
The good description and sketches eliminate the similar Grace's Warbler as well as other possibilities.  Because it is know to winter in California and extensively in the southern US, the unusual date isn't a problem.
    
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-9
Ruddy Ground Dove
Columbina talpocoti
2 Nov 1991
Merrill Webb
Lytle's Ranch, Beaver Dam Wash in Washington County, S.S. Utah.		 Video clips and photos
Sight Record (PDF)
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 4 Aug 2003
7 acc
Although the photos and clips extracted from the video are not very clear, the essential field marks are observable  and indicate a Ruddy Ground Dove.
    
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-10
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegena
20 Apr 2003
Ron and Larry Ryel
Hyrum Reservoir, 200 m from swimming beach on north side		 Drawing (PDF)
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 27 Aug 2003
7 acc
Excellent description and field sketch are definitive.
    
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-11
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellata
22 Apr 2003
Milton Moody
Hyrum Reservoir beach area		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 27 Aug 2003
7 acc
Photo and description are convincing.
    
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-12
Eastern Phoebe
Sayornis phoebe
7 May 2003
Ed Conrad
Jordan River Parkway at 840 South (Genese Ave.)		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 22 Sep 2003
7 acc
The description adequately defines this species.
    
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-13
Northern Bobwhite
Colinus virginianus
8 May 2003
Susan and Jeffrey Saffle
Backyard bird feeder, Emigration Oaks, Emigration Canyon		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 22 Sep 2003
5 not, nat.; 2 not, int.
Although there was little  question that this was indeed a Northern Bobwhite, because the species is not known to have established a natural breeding population, it is most probable that this is an introduced bird.
    
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-14
Ovenbird
Seiurus aurocapillus
8 May 2003
Ed Conrad
Jordan River Parkway at 840 South		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 24 Sep 2003
7 acc
A good description eliminated other species. The described behavior and time of year were both consistent with an Ovenbird.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
  
Location: 		2003-15
Common Black-Hawk
Buteogallus anthracinus
9 May 2003
Brian Maxfield, Amy Seglund, Bill James, Barbara (USFS, Wildlife Biologist).)
Verdure Creek, Abajo Mountains, San Juan Co.   2nd Rd: 6 Y - 1 N 		Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
2nd round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 27 Mar 2004
6 acc, 1 not
6 acc, 1 not
Although the description of the tail could have better eliminated the possibility of a Zone-tailed Hawk, the rest of the record fit the species well. Although this species was taken of the "review species list" in February of 2002, this record is of particular interest because it is only the second record of a Common Black-Hawk outside of Washington County. The other being in Capitol Reef NP, Wayne County in 1971.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-16
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Colinus virginianus
19 Jan 2003
Larry Tripp
Lytle Ranch		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 12 Sep 2003
5 acc, 2 not
Because of the variable and overlapping characteristic of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker with a Red-naped Sapsucker there was some question about a correct I.D.
     2nd: 7
After much discussion, it was found that the combination of field markings strongly point to a YB Sapsucker as opposed to a Red-naped Sapsucker.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-17
Least Tern
Sterna antillarum
15 May 2003
Bruce Robinson
Lee Kay Ponds, 6000 West California Ave., SLC, UT		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 22 Sep 2003
7 acc
Good description and photos made for an easy decision.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-18
Yellow-throated Warbler
Dendroica dominica
1 Jun 2003
Joel and Kathy Beyer
Fielding-Garr Ranch on Antelope Island		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 24 Sep 2003
7 acc
A good description clearly distinguished this species from the similar Grace's Warbler. The described behavior also fit Yellow-throated Warbler well.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-19
Painted Redstart
Myioborus pictus
4 May 2003
Alan Wight and Shelly Hernandez
Zion National Park, ~0.5 mile north of Temple of Sinawava 		Photo
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 27 Aug 2003
7 acc
Good description and photo were convincing, plus it was seen by many observers.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-20
Northern Parula
Parula americana
16 May - 5 Jun 2003
Bob Showler
Zion National Park; Watchman Housing Area		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 24 Sep 2003
7 acc
The description of bird and song were convincing.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-21
Zone-tailed Hawk
Buteo albonotatus
30 Apr 2003
Rick Fridell
Silver Reef Along sandstone cliffs just after crossing (west of) Leeds Creek		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 27 Aug 2003
7 acc
Good  photos and description.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-22
Braod-billed Hummingbird
Cynanthus latirostris
11 Aug 2002
Rick Fridell, Steve Summers and Kristen Comella
Washington Fields, along the north branch on Middle Drain in Washington Co		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
2nd round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 27 Mar 2004
6 acc, 1 not
7 acc
Although there was a very detailed description of this bird, there were some questions about some of the field marks, which were discussed and clarified in the2nd round of voting. This is the fifth confirmed sighting of this species about 34 years. All have been in Washington county in the late summer or early fall.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-23
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Streptopelia decaocto
21, 31 May and 4 Jun 2003
Milton Moody
Salem Lake -- Salem, Utah 		Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 27 Aug 2003
7 acc
Nice photos make this one easy.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-24   (first state record)
Louisiana Waterthrush
Seiurs Motacilla
4 May 2003
Larry Tripp
Beaver Dam Wash 1/2 mile upstream from the Lytle Ranch boundary		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 18 Aug 2003
7 acc
This was a very detailed description that included all the important field marks that would distinguish this bird from N. Waterthrush.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-25  (first state record)
Curve-billed Thrasher
Toxostoma curvirostre
21 Jun 2003
Edson Leite
Red Hills Golf Course, St. George		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 19 Oct 2003
1st: 3 acc, 4 not
2nd 6 acc, 1 not
     1st round: Because of the lack of spotting on the breast and the unusual coloration, there was a question as to whether this might be a juvenile Crissal Thrasher, but the bill shape seemed to fit the Curve-billed.  These questions sent the record to a second round for open discussion.
     2nd round: After considering the first-round comments and consulting with the top experts in the country on this record, the Crissal Thrasher was eliminated because of the light colored undertail coverts.  The lack of spotting on the breast was explained by the picture quality, the fact the western Curve-billed Thrashers have less distinct spots than eastern Curve-billed's and because of possible worn plumage.  After the record was accepted, the committee member with the one dissenting vote in the second round obtained an opinion from anther national expert who was convinced that this bird was a Curve-billed Thrasher.  This is the first documented sighting of this species in Utah.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-26
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollis
27 May 2003
Nathan Pieplow and Andrew Spencer
Southeasternmost sewage pond along US 191 south of Blanding, Utah		 Photo
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 27 Aug 2003
7 acc
Excellent photo and description.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-27
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
27 May 2003
Nathan Pieplow and Andrew Spencer
First (northwesternmost) sewage pond along US 191 south of Blanding, Utah		 Photo
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 22 Sep 2003
7 acc
Good photo and description.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-28
Least Tern
Sterna antillarum
31 May 2003
Rick Fridell
St. George Golf Course Middle Pond (along Fort Pearce Wash).		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 1 Sep 2003
7 acc
Good photos and writeup.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-29
Bronzed Cowbird
Molothrus aeneus
9 May 2003
Larry Tripp
Red Hills Golf Course in St. George		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 22 Sep 2003
7 acc
Good photos and writeup.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-30   (first state record)
Reddish Egret
Egretta rufescens
14, 16 Aug 2003
Larry Tripp
Gunlock Res. 		Photos
Sight Records
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 12 Sep 2003
7 acc
Good record. Photos leave no doubt.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-31
Reddish Egret
Egretta rufescens
2 Sep 2003
Milton Moody, Merrill Webb
James Walter Fitzgerald WMA		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 12 Sep 2003
7 acc
Great photos and good description.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-32
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus varius
3 Sep 2003
Merrill Webb,Milton Moody
Harker Canyon, Tooele Co.		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
2nd round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 28 Mar 2004
1st: 4 acc, 3 not
2nd: 2 acc 5 not
Because the date of this sighting, the third of September, is earlier than you would expect this species to show up in Utah and because it is very difficult to distinguish a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker from a Red-naped Sapsucker during this time of year, this record couldn’t be accepted.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-33
Dickcissel
Spiza americana
31 August 2003
Larry Tripp, Rick Fridell
Lytle Ranch, Washington Co.  7 Y - 0 N done		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 28 Mar 2004
7 acc
A good description eliminated the possibilities of other species and this record was easily accepted. Although there have been two other recent unconfirmed sightings, one in 1999 and the other in 2000, this is the first documented sighting since 1959.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-34
Zone-tailed Hawk
Buteo albonotatus
25 August 2003
Rick Fridell
Lava Point, Zion National Park 		Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 28 Mar 2004
7 acc
With a good description and a supporting photo, this record was accepted in the first round. This is one of four sighting in Washington County in 2003.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-35
Heermann's Gull
Larus heermanni
2 Oct 2003
Marilyn Davis, Matthew Curtis, Kevin Wheeler, Rick Fridel
Southgate Golf Course pond, in Washington Co.		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 28 Mar 2004
7 acc
This was an excellent record with a good description and excellent photographs. This is only the second record of this species in the state. The other was in Cache County in 1985.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-36
Hooded Warbler
Wilsonia citrina
12 October 2003
Sally Miller
Horseshoe Canyon Unit, Canyonlands NP, in Wayne Co.		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 31 Mar 2004
7 acc
A brief description for this unique bird was enough to pass easily. This is the fourth confirmed sighing in the state, although two other sighting were reported for the same year. one at Pineview Reservoir in Weber and the other in Moab, Grand County
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-37
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Sphyrapicus ruber daggetti
17 October 2003
Rick Fridell, Kevin Wheeler
In the orchard at Lytle Ranch, in Beaver Dam Wash, Washington Co.		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 28 Mar 2004
7 acc
With a good description and photographs, the committee concluded that this was a pure S. r. daggetti race and not a hybrid. This is the first documented sighting since a 1993 sighting at Fish Springs NWR in Juab County, however there have been four other unconfirmed sightings between 1999 and March of 2004. Two of these sightings were at Fish Springs, one in Cedar City, Iron County and the other at Snow Canyon State Park in Washington County.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-38
Hermit Warbler
Dendroica occidentalis
25 August 2003
Rick Fridell
Lava Point, Zion National Park, Washington Co		 Photos
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 28 Mar 2004
7 acc
Excellent documentation and photographs made the committee decision easy. Seems to be a regular but rare migrant through southwestern Utah since 1998.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-39
Brown Thrasher
Toxostoma rufum
17 Oct 2003
Rick Fridell, Kevin Wheeler
Beaver Dam Wash, Lytle Ranch, Washington Co.		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 28 Mar 2004
7 acc
A brief description of this distinct species was sufficient to convince the committee. Although this species is not on the review species list, this is only the second sighting since 1996.
  
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-40  (first state record)
Blue-headed Vireo
Vireo solitarius
2 October 2003
Larry Tripp. Rick Fridell, Steve Summers
Red Hills Golf Course in St. George, Washington Co. 		Photos and notes
Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 31 Mar 2004
7 acc
The photograph showing the contract in colors between the head and the throat and back helped to convince the committee on this first state record.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-41
Hermit Warbler
Dendroica occidentalis
23 Aug 2003
Larry Tripp, Rick Fridell, Kristin Comella, Priscilla and Steve Summers.

HERMIT WARBLER (). 2003-41. One immature female was observed along the Santa Clara River above Gunlock Reservoir, Washington Co. on  Documentation by LT. 		Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 31 Mar 2004
7 acc
The documentation adequately described this species whose sightings have recently become more frequent in Washington County
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-42
Black-throated Blue Warbler
Dendroica caerulescens
18 Oct 2003
Larry Tripp
Lytle Ranch, Washington Co.
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER (). 2003-42. One adult female was seen at  on . Documentation by LT. 		Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 31 Mar 2004
7 acc
A good description easily convinced the committee. This species has been reported each of the last 4 years in Utah.
       
 
Record #:
Common name:
Scientific name:
Date:
Observer(s):
Location: 		2003-43
Kentucky Warbler
Oporonis formosus
5 November 2003
H. Gail Pollock
Tropic, Garfield Co.		 Sight Record
Date review completed:
1st round vote:
2nd round vote:
Summary of Comments:
 		 20 May 2004
6 acc 1 not
7 acc
Although there was one dissenting vote in the first round because the description didn't completely rule out all possibilities, this record passed unanimously in the second round, mainly owing to the bird, a  fairly distinctive species, being observed "in hand."
 

          * Summary of the comments made by members of the Utah Bird Records Committee when voting on this records.