Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2020-36


Common name:

Ruff

Scientific name: Calidris pugnax
Date: September 9, 2020
Time: 7:35pm
Length of time observed: 25 min
Number: Adult
Age: Female
Sex:  
Location: Antelope Island Causeway (MM2-MM3)
County: Davis
Latilong: 41.0834, -112.2050
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: 100m
Optical equipment: 20x60 Swarovski Spotting Scope, 10x42 Nikon Monarch Binoculars. Photos were taken with Apple iPhone 6 through scope.
Weather:  
Light Conditions: First observed just after 7:30pm a few minutes before sunset. Light faded fast and we watched the bird until dark.
Description:        Size of bird:  
(Description:)       Basic Shape:  
(Description:)  Overall Pattern:  
(Description:)            Bill Type:  
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Female observed for 20-30 minutes between mm 2 & 3 on the south side of the causeway. Longest distance greater than 250m and closest approx 100m.

Important field marks noted:
• Short bill; Noticeably shorter than yellowlegs (roughly a 2:3 ratio in direct comparison).
• Conspicuous white feathering at the base of the bill.
• Back (tertials, scaps, etc) appeared a darker shade of brown with a noticeably different “marbling” pattern compared directly with LEYE, although it was difficult to discern fine detail at 100+ m with strong winds and fading light.
• Ruffled look to tertial and scapular feathers (see photos).
• Larger than LEYE and smaller than AMAV (direct comparisons through scope).
• Bright yellow/orange legs, appeared more saturated than LEYE.

Our party walked closer to the shoreline and managed to see the bird in more detail - noted a “spectacled” look, or eye ring, and a scaly gray wash down the sides of the breast.
(Photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:  
Behavior: Feeding actively in shallow water with other waders (BNST, AMAV, LEYE). Noticeably different posture and feeding behavior than LEYE.
Habitat: Expansive mud and shallow water.
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Lesser Yellowlegs: Considerably larger and bulkier with much shorter bill in direct comparison with LEYE which it was loosely associating with. Mantle appeared a darker brown through the scope with an obvious difference in the patterning on the scapulars, mantle, etc. White “knob” at the base of the bill really stood out.

Greater Yellowlegs: Shorter bill than expected for Greater Yellowlegs. Rounded back and darker brown/scaly tones above eliminate GRYE. None present for direct comparison
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
I’ve seen two Ruff’s prior to this encounter both within the last 5 years during the month of September. This bird closely resembled the individual I found several years ago at Utah Lake State Park.
References consulted: Guide to Birds, Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia
Description from: Notes made later
Observer: Kendall Watkins
Observer's address: 2622 W Dry Creek Drive, Riverton  Utah ZIP: 84065
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Lauri Taylor, Bryant Olsen, Max Malmquist.
Date prepared: September 10, 2020
Additional material: [Photos]
Additional comments: