Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Gray Hawk
Scientific name:	Buteo plagiatus
Date:	2/1/2023
Time:	11:40 AM
Length of time observed:	~20 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Hurricane
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	50 - 120 ft (variable)
Optical equipment:	8x42 binoculars / 500 mm lens
Weather:	Cloudy/starting to rain (thunderstorm rolling in)
Light Conditions:	Overcast/shade
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	This is not intended to be a stand-alone sight record, but rather a supplement to the original sight record already submitted by Toni Taylor. These are mostly notes on this bird's behavior, habitats where observed, etc.: As of February 2nd, the adult Gray Hawk continues to be observed intermittently in Hurricane in areas spanning (north to south) between State Street and approximately 650 South, and (east to west) between 60 East and 700 West. It has mostly been observed hunting or roosting (powerlines and low to mid levels of large trees), before flying low and traveling variable distances where it has occasionally been immediately re-found...but often flies far enough that it is not re-found for hours or the following days. I saw it fly twice and both times the flight style was quite accipiter-like. I don t believe it has been observed at any of the large fields in Hurricane, and instead seems to favor yards, often those with large pecan trees, other wooded areas around town, and small vacant lots. My observation was at/near Gould Wash, which is a small riparian area that runs through Hurricane. It has been quite difficult to relocate this bird at any specific location(s), with some birders having searched for hours before seeing it (myself included). After Toni photographed it on the afternoon of January 24th, I am not aware of another observation until 6 days later (following a weekend with many people searching). Since Toni's report, most subsequent observations have occurred during the morning hours. (see photos) 2/7/2024 Update: During the few days that have elapsed since I wrote the above narrative, the Gray Hawk has been found much more reliably, likely due to the influx of birders that have been searching for it. It is quite flighty and generally doesn't stay at one perch for longer than 10-15 minutes before flying short distances and landing again at another low perch (generally found again within a block or two). I have now seen this bird on 3 different occasions, and have yet to see it fly more than about 20 ft above the ground. On February 3rd, several birders got to see it perched on a powerline next to the juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk that has also been hanging out in Hurricane. See link to Jeff Cooper's eBird photo below: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/614375269
Song or call & method of delivery:	Silent
Behavior:	Noted above
Habitat:	Noted above
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Adult is distinctive
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Limited, but have observed a handful of times in southern Arizona at Aravaipa Canyon during 2015.
References consulted:	Macaulay Library
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Mike Schijf
Observer's address:	Ivins, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	I observed this bird with Cameron Rognan, Miranda Crawford, Terry Reid, James Loveless, and a couple of nearby residents. Has also been observed by many others, including many prior to my observation. Original observation by Hurricane resident Justin Neighbor on December 31st, although it was not widely reported until Toni Taylor got great photos on January 24th.
Date prepared:	2/2/2024
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments: