Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Brown Pelican
Scientific name:	Pelecanus occidentalis
Date:	Jan 05 and 06, 2015
Time:	1645
Length of time observed:	30 min
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:
Location:	Quail Creek State Park
County:	Washington
Latilong:	19
Elevation:	~ 925 m
Distance to bird:	70 - 300 m
Optical equipment:	8 x 42 binoculars, 20-60x scope
Weather:	clear
Light Conditions:	evening light
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Overall brownish gray with darker wingtips, with white neck and creamy yellow head with dark eye. Large, long reddish bill with a hooked nail and large pouch. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	none heard
Behavior:	The pelican was very wary and flew around quite a bit in the 30 or so minutes we watched it. At one point it took off and circled high and flew off to the south; we decided maybe it went towards Sand Hollow. However, it flew back in about 10 minutes later and landed on the lake and was there as the sun set.
Habitat:	open reservoir
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	none similar
Previous experience with this & similar species:	yes
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Rick Fridell
Observer's address:	Hurricane, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Observed initially with Kevin Wheeler.
Date prepared:	01-25-2015
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments:	Relocated the following morning (01/06) at Sand Hollow State Park. It again was quite flighty, moving around a few times, occasionally perching on the sandstone outcroppings and buoys. Observed by Erik Woodhouse, Dan Trujillo, Martin Schijf, Steve and Cindy Sommerfeld, Pat Jividen, Christian Edwards, and Stephanie Greenwood. It was last observed around 10:20a that morning.