Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2015-08


Common name:

Least Bittern

Scientific name: Ixobrychus exilis
Date: September 09, 2014
Time: 1200
Length of time observed:  
Number: 1
Age:  
Sex:  
Location: Santa Clara River near confluence with Virgin River
County: Washington
Latilong: 19
Elevation: ~ 850 m
Distance to bird: 5 m
Optical equipment:  
Weather: stormy
Light Conditions:  
Description:        Size of bird:  
(Description:)       Basic Shape:  
(Description:)  Overall Pattern:  
(Description:)            Bill Type:  
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Found by St. George employees during flooding of the Santa Clara River, likely displaced from dense cattail sections of the Santa Clara upstream through St. George City. Bird was floundering in the water and fished out by city employees who contacted UDWR. Bittern appeared waterlogged but unhurt so was placed in willow to dry out and eventually flew off towards.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:  
Behavior:  
Habitat:  
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
 
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
 
References consulted:  
Description from: From photo(s) 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: Christian and Molly Edwards.
Date prepared: 01-25-2015
Additional material: Photos  
Additional_Comments: Photographs by Molly Edwards