Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Boreal Owl
Scientific name:	Aegolius funereus
Date:	10/4/19
Time:	8:24pm
Length of time observed:	20 min
Number:	3
Age:	2 adult, 1 juvenile
Sex:	Adult-males, juvenile-?
Location:	Soapstone Basin
County:	Wasatch
Latilong:	40.543359, -111.031357
Elevation:	8553'
Distance to bird:	30 feet, 100 meters, 150 meters
Optical equipment:	N/A
Weather:	Variably gusty
Light Conditions:	Half moon.
Description: Size of bird:	N/A
(Description:) Basic Shape:	N/A
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	N/A
(Description:) Bill Type:	N/A
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	EAll 3 birds were located at least 500M apart and gave distinctive Boreal Owl calls. The first was a juvenile that gave the juvenile call. First about 30 meters away, then 20 and finally 10. The juvenile responded directly to the adult male call by calling back. The other two birds gave the the adult male advertisement call. The second bird called several times about 100 meters away. The 3rd bird was heard calling once about 150 meters away.
Song or call & method of delivery:	The adult male advertisement calls are distinctive, sounding like a winnowing snipe but in a location where there wouldn't be any snipe. The juvenile call is a short, metallic squeak. (audio recordings)
Behavior:	The juvenile was moving through the forest, calling as it was going. It also responded by call in response to an adult male call. The adult males were giving their advertisement calls which they will give in the fall after the breeding season.
Habitat:	Conifer forest with interspersed aspen groves.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	The juvenile call of the Boreal Owl is distinctive with other owls not giving a similar call. The adult male advertisement call sounds like the winnowing display call of Wilson's Snipe. However snipe wouldn't be giving that call in the fall or at this type of habitat. Also the calls sounded like they were coming from trees and not in the air.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I've seen only one Boreal Owl before, in Central Park in New York City.
References consulted:	Sibley's 2nd edition. Dunne's Field Guide Companion, Peterson's Owls of NA.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Kenny Frisch
Observer's address:	4609 S Wallace Ln Holladay, UT 84117
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Tim Avery
Date prepared:	12-3-19
Additional material:	Attached ebird checklist with audio recordings.
Additional comments:	https://ebird.org/checklist/S60355073