Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Northern Parula
Scientific name:	(Parula americana) [Setophaga americana]
Date:	12-24-2010
Time:	~ 8:00 am
Length of time observed:	2-3 minutes
Number:
Age:	first winter
Sex:	female
Location:	Tonaquint Park, St. George
County:	Washington
Latilong:	19
Elevation:	~ 850 m
Distance to bird:	> 5 to 10 m
Optical equipment:	8 x 42 binoculars
Weather:	clear and cold
Light Conditions:	bright early morning light
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	First-winter female. First heard while standing on platform over pond at Tonaquint. Distinct chipping unlike any typical wintering warblers, alerted me to its presence. Moved quickly through the tops of cottonwoods and I eventually tracked it down in willows along edge of pond. Description: Small warbler with a relatively short tail. Yellow throat and breast, white undersides, ligh bluish gray cheeks, crown, and nape with greenish triangular patch on back. Wings - coverts bluish gray with two white wingbars, dark primaries with thin white edging. Black eyes with white eye-arcs. Underside of tail white with black tips. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Distinct chipping unlike any typical wintering warblers, alerted me to its presence. Repeated frequently as it moved around the park.
Behavior:	Moved quickly through the tops of cottonwoods and I eventually tracked it down in willows along edge of pond.
Habitat:	Landscaped riparian area adjacent to pond and Santa Clara River.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:
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:	09-25-2011
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments:	Decription copied from field notes