Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Chestnut-collared Longspur
Scientific name:	Calcarius ornatus
Date:	January 3, 2021
Time:	12:15 pm
Length of time observed:	< 30 seconds
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	Golden Spike National Historical Sight
County:	Box Elders
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	~90 yards
Optical equipment:	80mm Vortex Razor Spotting Scope & Canon sx60hs camera.
Weather:	Overcast
Light Conditions:	Flat
Description: Size of bird:	~5.5
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Sparrow
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Light brown
(Description:) Bill Type:	Finch/sparrow
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	The first thing I noticed was the overall dark breast when compared with the Horned Larks. Upon closer examination, I noticed the upper chest was much darker and faded as it went towards belly. Facial pattern was brownish overall with a linear marking from rear of eye to ear. Unfortunately, I was unable to see a tail pattern or notice the coverts prior to flying off. The bill appears large in the very poor photo, but I feel this is an artifact as I didn t notice it in the brief time I observed it. (see photo)
Song or call & method of delivery:	N/A
Behavior:	Resting on an open snowfield mixed in with hundreds of Horned Larks, a Snow Bunting, and a few other longspur species.
Habitat:	Open snowfield that covered some sort of stubble wheatgrass agricultural field.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	The darker breast and belly would eliminate Thick-billed and Lapland Longspurs, and Snow Bunting. The very dark upper breast would eliminate Smith s and Lapland Longspur, and Snow Bunting.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Have only observed this species in breeding plumage on their Summer grounds in Wyoming. However, other than Smith s Longspur, I ve observed the other comparable species extensively in breeding and non breeding plumages and this individual stood out as very different from other Winter plumaged species.
References consulted:	Sibley, Macaulay Library.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Mike Hearell
Observer's address:	North Ogden
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	N/A
Date prepared:	1-6-2021
Additional material:	Photo
Additional comments:	Very poor photo was the only one prior to bird flying off. There were thousands of HOLA present and the CCLO wasn t the only species I was unable to find again.