Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2020-45
| Common name: |
Blackpoll Warbler |
| Scientific name: | Setophaga striata |
| Date: | 09-19-2020 and 9-20-2020 |
| Time: | 4:15pm |
| Length of time observed: | Less than 2 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Buffalo Ranch Pond |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | 40.9801077,-111.9387368 |
| Elevation: | 4200ft |
| Distance to bird: | Less than 3m |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon 10x42 Binoculars |
| Weather: | Sunny,clear, 70F |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | 5.5 inches |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | small passerine |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | mostly dull buffy yellowish |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | typical warbler |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Initially I saw this bird on 9/19, it flew into a willow branch at eye level
less than 10ft away giving a great but brief look before flighting away up into
the canopy, then down into thick veg. I noted the bold white wing bars, overall
unique buffy-yellow color of the head and back, and the dark eye line and weak
eye arcs. We then spent a considerable amount of time in the area trying
unsuccessfully to relocate the bird I returned the next day around noon to try and relocate the bird, and got much better longer looks at it. This time it came into pishing with a mix group of warblers and sparrows, again noted the unique buffy-yellow color, eye arcs, dark eyeline, and white wing bars, but also noted the white undertail coverts and faint streaking on the flanks and back. Watched it flycatching on the edge of the pond for several minutes giving excellent looks (see photo) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard by me to come specifically from this birds, others I was with reportedly heard it sing on 9-19 but I didn't. |
| Behavior: | Flighting in dense willows, russian olive and cottons with other warblers |
| Habitat: | Riparian willows, cottonwoods, russian olives and tamarisks along the back edge of the pond in an otherwise open mixed grassland/wetlands. Migrant trap. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Most similar is non-breeding Bay-breasted, which have limited streaking and are
brighter yellow overall with higher contrasting black and white wings Pine is also be similar, but lacks streaking and is duller overall. Cape-may would be grayer and have a greenish rump |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, I've saw one 2 years ago at Garr Ranch and have seen them on wintering grounds in South America |
| References consulted: | iBird Pro and Sibley apps |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting 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: | Max and Mike Malmquist, Kendall Watkins and David Wheeler were with me on 9-19-20, Lauri Taylor, Connie Misket and Vivian Schneggenburger where with me on 9-20-20 |
| Date prepared: | 9-20-2020 |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional comments: |
eBird checklist:
https://ebird.org/checklist/S73805469 and https://ebird.org/checklist/S73843163 |