Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Vaux's Swift
Scientific name:	Chaetura vauxi
Date:	17 April 2021
Time:	8:00 am
Length of time observed:	Approx. 20 minutes
Number:	At least two
Age:	Unknown
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Tonaquint Nature Center @ Dixie Drive overpass, St. George
County:	Washington
Latilong:	19 - St George
Elevation:	2560 ft
Distance to bird:	Varied - 20 ft to several hundred feet. Birds were in flight.
Optical equipment:	Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 binoculars, Canon 6D Mk II and Sigma 150-600mm C lens
Weather:	Partly cloudy, calm winds
Light Conditions:	Approx. one hour after sunrise, partly cloudy, Sun was behind birds for most of the observation, but they moved into favorable light from time to time.
Description: Size of bird:	Small - less than 12 wingspan
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Typical Swift shape - cigar-shaped body with slender wings
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Dark gray/brown overall with lighter throat
(Description:) Bill Type:	Typical Swift bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	My first impression on seeing the first bird was that it was obviously a Swift and different than the hundreds of swallows surrounding it, primarily based on shape and flight pattern/wingbeats. My second impression was that it was all dark and clearly not the expected species of Swift for the area - the White-throated Swift. My third impression was that it was different than the Chimney Swifts I was used to seeing in Texas - the wingbeats of this bird were more regular in interval and not as stiff and conspicuous as I was accustomed to seeing from Chimney Swifts. This led me to check the Merlin Bird ID app for other species that might occur in the area. The bird did not seem dark enough or large enough for a Black Swift, and Vaux s Swift was more likely than Chimney Swift for the area. I had already leaned away from Chimney Swift because of the bird s flight characteristics. I checked the Merlin Bird ID app for a sound recording of the Vaux s Swift s call and it mat ched what I could hear from above, mixed in with the swallows. I stayed and observed for approximately 20 minutes and took pictures and was able to determine there were at least two individuals and likely more, but it was hard to tell for sure how many since there were so many swallows also flying around at the time. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	I did reference the Merlin Bird ID app to play back the call of the Vaux s Swift, and noted that it sounded similar to the chatter I could hear from the birds I was observing.
Behavior:	Aerial foraging, in the company of a mixed flock of hundreds of swallows.
Habitat:	Santa Clara River zone next to Southgate golf course ponds
Similar species and how were they eliminated:
Previous experience with this & similar species:	This is the first time I have seen Vaux s Swifts in the continental US, but I have seen them a couple of times in the Caribbean. I am more familiar with Chimney Swifts because of my time living in E. Texas.
References consulted:	Merlin Bird ID app
Description from:	From: From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Jenner Bryson
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	26 April 2021
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments: