Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-16
| Common name: |
Ruddy Turnstone |
| Scientific name: | Arenaria interpres |
| Date: | 5/12/2023 |
| Time: | 7:30~pm |
| Length of time observed: | Off and on for 45 minutes |
| Number: | 3 |
| Age: | adults |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | 41.091788, -112.182738 |
| Elevation: | 4190~ft |
| Distance to bird: | 100m to 200m |
| Optical equipment: | Kowa 66mm Spotting Scope |
| Weather: | Sunny, calm, clear, 72F |
| Light Conditions: | Good |
| Description: Size of bird: | medium sized shorebird |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | plump |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | red, black and white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | short and stout |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I had ran into Matt Pendleton on the causeway, he told me he had seen a
Ruddy Turnstone mixed with Black-bellied Plover near the 4mm. When I
arrived at the 4mm, I started scanning with the scope to the north, and
quickly picked up a Turnstone, however soon something spooked the flock,
everything got up and flew around, then re-landed farther east. I
started scanning again, and found a Turnstone, then kept scanning and
found 2 more farther east. All adults in alternate plumage-smaller than
Black-bellied Plovers, red back, white belly, black collar and throat,
white crown, short bill, orange legs. Distinctive. The next day(5/13) I went out to scout for our Bird-a-thon with Max Malmquist, and we spotted 1, farther east in the wet grass to the north at the 6mm, with BBPL. Also an adult in alternate plumage Then on our Bird-a-thon on 5/14, on the way to the island we saw 2, one at 6mm, 1 at 4mm, mixed with BBPL, and on the way back out we stopped at the 4mm to scope the BBPL, and I saw 4 RUTU together in the same field of view of the scope, all adults in alternate plumage (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | Wading in shallow water feeding |
| Habitat: | Open brackish shallow water and mudflats with some emergent vegetation north of Causeway |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Most similar in color pattern is Black-Bellied Plover, which also have a white
crown and black throat and breast, however they are larger, lack red on the back
and have dark legs. Direct comparison. Killdeer are also similar is size, shape and color pattern, but have a brown back and crown, 2 black rings on breast and dull pinkish legs(not bright orange) Black Turnstone have no red on the back, dark legs and lack the white crown and almost never stray from the west coast. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes. According to my eBird stats, 27 Observations of 81 individuals. I've seen them in MX,TX,AK and 17 observation in UT |
| References consulted: | memory |
| 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: |
Matt Pendleton, David Wheeler, Max Malmquist, John Neil, Charles Hurd, Barb
Eastman, Felica Alvarez, Deanna McLaughlin, Mitchell Dart and others reported to
eBird |
| Date prepared: | 5/15/23 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |
eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S137305312 |