Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Cassin's Sparrow
Scientific name:	Peucaea cassinii
Date:	5 July 2020
Time:	0835 hrs
Length of time observed:	~ 1 hour
Number:	1
Age:	adult
Sex:	male
Location:	Desert Lake Waterfowl Management Area
County:	Emery
Latilong:	39.370441, -110.795506
Elevation:	1,709 m
Distance to bird:	~ 120 m
Optical equipment:	Scope: Vortex Razor 20-60x Binoculars: Vortex Viper 10x42
Weather:	Sunny, ~ 76 F; light variable wind
Light Conditions:	Bright and sunny. Looking through scope in an easterly direction resulted in compromised viewing conditions.
Description: Size of bird:	among the middle-sized sparrows
(Description:) Basic Shape:	resembles a slender, miniature towhee, with lengthy tail noteworthy
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	pale brown
(Description:) Bill Type:	slender and slightly pointed
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Pale brown sparrow-like bird with relatively long tail, observed through spotting scope. Identity not concluded from plumage characteristics. Song is diagnostic, heard frequently over a span of approx. 60 minutes. Song is often clearly heard, and sometimes obscured by other birds singing. Pattern in song is distinctive: starting with a high-pitched series of brief whistles, followed by a long trill at a slightly lower pitch, finishing with two flat-noted calls that are lower in pitch than the rest of song. MP3 recording of song obtained in field, and is critical in later identifying the individual based on reference audio library. Refer to sonogram in MP3 audio that is submitted by e-mail, as supporting evidence.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Frequent bouts of singing with periodic pauses lasting approx. 5-7 minutes. Songs are spaced approx. 20 to 30 seconds apart. Singing from top of large shrub (approx. 3 meters tall)
Behavior:	Singing. Flying to grassy area and returning to primary shrub where singing is predominantly occurring.
Habitat:	Open, semi-alkali plain with fairly dense grass and prostrate shrub cover. Greasewood in area, with several large deciduous shrubs and small trees dispersed. Several large deciduous trees along access road.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Savannah Sparrow eliminated by characteristics of song. Vesper Sparrow eliminated by characteristics of song. Brewer's Sparrow eliminated by characteristics of song. Sagebrush Sparrow eliminated by characteristics of song.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	No prior experience with this species. Extensive experience with most sparrows (and their vocalizations) of western North America, including Savannah Sparrow, Sagebrush Sparrow.
References consulted:	Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, All About Birds website: Audio recording by Geoffrey A. Keller, stored at Macaulay Library
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Kevin Glueckert
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	[unavailable]
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	None on 5 July 2020. At least seven birders observed this individual on 6 July 2020 (per reports, including photographs, in eBird)
Date prepared:	7 July 2020
Additional material:	MP3 recording of song
Additional comments:	This bird is photographed the following day by other observers who submitted reports to eBird. [Photos]