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 |