Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Least Bittern
Scientific name:	[Ixobrychus exilis]
Date:	5/3/24
Time:	10:40-11:05 am
Length of time observed:	25 min
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:
Location:	southeast side of Sand Hollow reservoir -- see details below
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:	~2800 ft
Distance to bird:	20-30 yards
Optical equipment:	none -- audio only
Weather:	clear, warm, calm
Light Conditions:	bright sunshine
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Audio only. Vocalized continuously 55+ times, sometimes with lengthy pauses, for the 25 minutes I stayed to listen. Very simple, distinctive "song": 5-6 soft, low-pitched, slightly descending and decrescendoing: "hhoof-hhoof-hhoof-hhoof-hhoof" or "wolf wolf wolf wolf wolf." I did not attempt to draw it out with audio -- no need. I was unsuccessful obtaining a recording.
Song or call & method of delivery:	See above.
Behavior:	Hidden in reed grasses/cattails.
Habitat:	Reed grasses/cattails in shallows on Sand Hollow's south side high-water shoreline. A few scattered young cottonwoods in the shallows and some medium-size tamarisk and other scrub along shore.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	The only other birds I eliminated "just in case" was Black- and Yellow-crowned Night Heron via audio samples. Neither one really close to matching.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I was with Alex Harper listening to Least Bittern at Henderson (NV) Bird Viewing Center last January. I've also heard Little Bittern in Spain, which has some similarities in vocal quality.
References consulted:	Stokes audio
Description from:	From memory
Observer:	Paul Hicks
Observer's address:	1630 E 2450 So #26, St George 84790
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	none
Date prepared:	5/3/24
Additional material:
Additional comments:	I have exceptional ability to decipher and recall bird vocalizations. I have been ear-birding since high school and have taught birding-by-ear for over 10 years. As soon as I heard the first vocalization, given the context/habitat, I knew it was a Least Bittern, recalling what I heard at Henderson in January. At the time I figured it was unusual so reported it to our local rare bird list and was informed by Mike Schijf this is a documentation species. Location: south end of Sand Hollow Reservoir, toward the shore from Well #22 beyond the end of the asphalt. Orient to the twin cottonwoods, one looks dead. Other birds present (quite birdy!): GT Grackle, RW Blackbird, (YH Blackbird heard), Yellow Warbler, YR Warbler, Song Sparrow, a glimpse of an unidentified long-tailed empid (guessing Western/Pac-slope), Bullock's Oriole, plus Verdin, Lazuli Bunting, WC Sparrow, and coots, Eared Grebes, Mallard, and Forster's Terns close offshore.