Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2024-27
| Common name: |
Ruddy Turnstone |
| Scientific name: | Arenaria interpres |
| Date: | 5/11/2024 |
| Time: | 0906 |
| Length of time observed: | 3 -5 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Antelope Island Causeway |
| County: | Davis |
| Latilong: | 41.08841, -112.186714 |
| Elevation: | Unknown |
| Distance to bird: | 50 - 200 ft |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon Monarch 5 10 x 42 |
| Weather: | Clear, slight wind, maybe 50 degrees |
| Light Conditions: | Partly Cloudy |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small, stocky |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | oval (football) shaped |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Black, white and rusty, orange |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Black and pointy |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
We saw this bird foraging on the mudflats with the BBPL's. It stood out
due to it's smaller size compared to the BBPL's as well as it's striking
rusty/orange upperparts, white belly and black and white patterned head
and neck. It was distinctively a RUDU. We first saw it further away,
then it flew with the BBPL's down the beach and we were able to get much
better looks. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Foraging on the shoreline |
| Habitat: | MudfLats along the north side of the causeway |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Dunlin - bill is longer, and the dunlin's doesn't have the distinct head, neck
and chest coloration. Dunlin's legs are black. Black bellied plover? - Coloration is not comparable besides the black and white on face and belly. Bill shape and color are similar, but legs are not orange. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I've seen them 3 other times on the causeway in breeding and non-breeding plumage, plus numerous times in April in Texas. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Birds v2 App and eBird |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Felicia Alvarez |
| Observer's address: | SLC, UT 84105 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: |
Dee McLaughlin, Heidi Hoven were with me when we saw it -
https://ebird.org/checklist/S173630296 Also seen on the same day by Mike Hearell, Kenny Frisch, and Taylor Abbott - https://ebird.org/checklist/S173818998 |
| Date prepared: | 05/14/2024 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |