Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-59
| Common name: |
Ruddy Turnstone |
| Scientific name: | Arenaria interpres |
| Date: | 9/25/2023 |
| Time: | 8am~ |
| Length of time observed: | 20 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway 4.5mm |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | 4190ft~ |
| Distance to bird: | 80m at closest |
| Optical equipment: | Kowa 88mm Spotting Scope |
| Weather: | Sunny, clear and calm, 60F |
| Light Conditions: | Excellent |
| Description: Size of bird: | medium sized shorebird |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | plump |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | dark above, pale bellow |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | short and stout |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Mixed with a flock of Pectorals on the north side of the causeway at
4.5mm. Similar in size(some Pectorals were slightly bigger some slightly smaller due to prominent dimorphism in Pectorals), darkish sooty brown above and white bellow, bright pinkish orange legs, short, stout flat bill used to flip rocks and other object during feeding. Briefly flew, bold black and white barring in tail, wings and on rump. My 1st fall basic plumage Turnstone in Utah. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None heard |
| Behavior: | Foraging on mudflats |
| Habitat: | Brackish mudflats |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Black Turnstone-overall darker blackish with no pale throat, duller legs Killdeer-2 bands on breast, rusty above |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Yes, many but most in breeding plumage, few in basic plumage. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Guide to Birds, book and app |
| Description from: | 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: | I was leading a Great Salt Lake Audubon fieldtrip with 7 participants, later another car pulled up with 4, Jeanne LeBer, Ray Smith and there friends from out of town. |
| Date prepared: | 9/27/23 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S150747307 |