Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Gyrfalcon
Scientific name:	Falco rusticolus
Date:	February 11, 2015
Time:	8:17 AM
Length of time observed:	13 minutes, two different sessions with the bird
Number:	1
Age:	juvenile
Sex:
Location:	Antelope Island Causeway, south side
County:
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	200' to 1/4 mile
Optical equipment:	5oomm camera lens with 1.4 tc - 1120mm effectively
Weather:	Clear and calm
Light Conditions:	Full sunlight. Bird was backlit most of the time though I did get a good close look at it in flight initially
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I'm a bird photographer not a birder so I'm not great at ID but when I first spotted the bird it was close and in flight and I strongly suspected it was a very large falcon. Mia McPherson was with me (she's very good at ID) and though she didn't see it at first she eventually was quite confident that it was a Gyrfalcon. We called Jerry Liquori and he met us out on the causeway and when he saw our photos he said "there's no doubt" that it's a juvenile, gray Gyrfalcon. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	It was hunting the causeway when I spotted it but it then flew out onto the mudflats and simply perched.
Habitat:	Water/mudflat mix.
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:	Ron Dudley
Observer's address:	896 Riverbend Drive, Murray, Utah 84123
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Mia McPherson. Jerry Liquori verified the ID from our photos on site.
Date prepared:	2/11/15
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments:	Photos of the bird will be emailed to Milt Moody.