Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Brant
Scientific name:	Branta bernicla
Date:	01-11-2020
Time:	3:30pmish
Length of time observed:	1 hour
Number:	1
Age:	?
Sex:	?
Location:	Lake Park, West Valley
County:	Salt Lake City
Latilong:	40.7128743,-112.0016349
Elevation:	4300
Distance to bird:	75m at closest
Optical equipment:	Nikon 10x42
Weather:	Snowing, overcast and 33F
Light Conditions:	poor
Description: Size of bird:	25 inches(Sibley)
(Description:) Basic Shape:	plump compact goose
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	most blackish, white vent and sides of rump,
(Description:) Bill Type:	Small black and stubby
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Very Small dark goose mixed with much larger Canada Geese. Black legs and bill, black head, neck and breast, sooty brown back and belly, white sides of rump and vent, white tail with black outer edge, some white in flanks and on throat. Very distinctive (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	none heard
Behavior:	Grazing on golf course greens with Canada Geese
Habitat:	Large golf course complex
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Canada Geese-much larger, paler breast and white cheeks Cackling Geese-White cheeks, usually paler
Previous experience with this & similar species:	None-lifer. Many with Canada and Cackling Geese, direct comparison with both
References consulted:	Sibley, Audubon and iBird Pro apps
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Bryant Olsen
Observer's address:	84102
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Mike and Max Malmquist relocated it about 45 minutes later. Matthew Pendelton also found it later
Date prepared:	1-11-2020
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S63294082