Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Ruddy Turnstone
Scientific name:	Arenaria interpres
Date:	9/26/2023
Time:	13:15
Length of time observed:	2 minutes
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:
Location:	Willard Spur WMA Mudflats
County:	Box Elder
Latilong:	41.354733, -112.133610
Elevation:	~4195
Distance to bird:	20-30 feet
Optical equipment:	Leica Ultravid 8x42 HD and Canon 7D Mark II with 100-400 mm lens
Weather:	Sunny, ~85 degrees
Light Conditions:	Excellent
Description: Size of bird:	~9 inches
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Chunky/stocky
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Brown/Black/White/Orange
(Description:) Bill Type:	Short, stout and pointed
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Medium-sized shorebird, about the size of a Killdeer, but with distinctive short orange legs, blackish blobby chest markings with white belly, mottled brown above. Distinctive bill shape, unlike plovers and sandpipers. Bird was so close I didn't even need my binos to identify it. See photos.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Silent
Behavior:	Walking around on mudflat, taking a few steps then pausing and pecking at the surface.
Habitat:	Shallow water mudflat with nearby pickleweed/salicornia
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Killdeer - similar size, but more rufous rusty above than RUTU, and distinctive white breast bands not present on this bird. Bill shape completely different than RUTU. Black Turnstone (I wish!) - RUTU has pale throat, overall not as dark/sooty/black like BLTU
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Many in UT, TX, FL, CA
References consulted:	None, memory
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Max Malmquist
Observer's address:	2377 East Boyes Street, Holladay, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	None
Date prepared:	9-29-2023
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	See eBird checklist with photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S150818053