Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Black-throated Blue Warbler
Scientific name:	Dendroica caerulescens
Date:	10/12, 10/13, 10/15, 10/17, and 10/20/08
Time:	various
Length of time observed:	various, several hours
Number:	1
Age:	?? , likely first-fall
Sex:	female
Location:	Red Hills Golf Course, St. George
County:	Washington
Latilong:	19
Elevation:	~ 850 m
Distance to bird:	> 10 m
Optical equipment:	Leica binoculars, 300 mm Nikkor lens
Weather:	various, mostly clear and calm
Light Conditions:	various, overcast and bright sunny conditions
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) Red Hills Golf Course, St. George, Washington Co., UT October 12, 2008, remained through October 20. As the sun was coming up, I observed a female Black-throated Blue Warbler foraging in a tamarisk along the cart path near the creek crossing above the pond. It was with a flock of Yellow-rumped Warblers and a few Orange-crowned Warblers. I observed it for about 30 minutes, however, I was unable to relocate it two hours later when I returned with my camera. I eventually refound it the following day (10/13) and also 10/15, 10/17, and 10/20. It remained, primarily, in the area between the cart path crossing and the pond, feeding on tangle vine berries. I eventually obtained many photos by waiting near one of the several berry patches it used for food. It frequently gave a sharp chip note, very similar to a Dark-eyed Junco. Description: Larger and plumper than Orange-crowned Warbler. Olive above and buffy yellow below; with a relatively large dark bill, dark eye; long pale supercilium thinning behind eye; dark eyeline extending through eye, darkest in loral area; pale arc below eye. Dark auricular patch highlighted by pale throat below and supercilium above. Back olive green, brightest at center of back; undersides buffy yellow, buffy throat, brightest yellow at breast; relatively short dark tail, long buffy undertail coverts; olive wings with dark secondary bar, and small but distinct white patch at base of primaries; pale fleshy pink legs and feet. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	It frequently gave a sharp chip note, very similar to a Dark-eyed Junco.
Behavior:
Habitat:	dense riparian vegetation on golf course
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Very distinctive warbler.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	yes
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes made later
Observer:	Rick Fridell
Observer's address:	Hurricane, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	rfridell@redrock.net
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	03-26-09
Additional material:	Photos
Additional Comments:	Information above copied from field notes written following the sighting.