Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Hermit Warbler
Scientific name:	Setophaga occidentalis
Date:	09-03-2014
Time:	5:30p
Length of time observed:	10-30 minutes
Number:	2
Age:
Sex:	immature / female types
Location:	Lava Point, Zion National Park
County:	Washington
Latilong:	19
Elevation:	~ 2400 m
Distance to bird:	various
Optical equipment:	8 x 42 binoculars
Weather:	clear
Light Conditions:	calm
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	On the afternoon of September 03, I visited Lava Point and searched for Hermit Warblers in the same area where I observed at many (8+) individuals in mid-August (oaks, pines, and firs west of the Lava Point Campground). I was able to find two immature female types actively foraging along with a few Audubon s Warblers. Description: Immature/ female types. Warblers with yellow faces, dark wings with two prominent white wingbars, and olive backs with faint dark streaking. Yellow face with prominent black eye and indistinct dark auricular patch, slightly darker on crown. Pale whitish gray undersides with indistinct dusky marking on sides and flanks, no yellow below throat. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	none heard
Behavior:	foraging
Habitat:	Ponderosa/ fir / oak forest
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Townsend s Warblers with distinct face pattern, darker crowns, and distinct streaking on undersides. Hermit x Townsend s Warbler hybrids typically show some combination of a darker auricular pattern, more extensive and distinct streaking on sides and flanks, yellow coloration on lower breast, belly, and/or flanks.
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:
Date prepared:	12-04-2015
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments:	Description copied from field notes. Hermit Warblers are rare but regular migrants through southwestern Utah mountains from late July to early September. They should probably be considered for removal from the review list.