Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Red Phalarope
Scientific name:	Phalaropus fulicarius
Date:	Nov 8, 2024
Time:	3:30pm
Length of time observed:	~5 min
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:
Location:	Sand Hollow Reservoir, SW section
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:	3000 ft
Distance to bird:	~400-500 yards?
Optical equipment:	Leica scope, 20-60x
Weather:	Bright sunshine, exceptionally calm (zero) wind
Light Conditions:	Near ideal lighting from behind and to my right.
Description: Size of bird:	Comparable to Red-necked Phalarope
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Comparable to Red-necked Phalarope
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	pale gray above, white below, dark eyemask
(Description:) Bill Type:	Long and narrow, but more substantial than red-neck
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Plain pale gray above, with some gray coming down a short distance over the "shoulder." White below. Dark eyemask. Long narrow bill more substantial (not as needle-thin) than Red-necked. Small amount of contrasting black in tail/wingtips area. Considerably smaller than Horned Grebe, the only bird in the vicinity for comparison. It appeared more compact or "chunky" than the many (250+) Red-necks I had studied 7-10 days prior. This impression of a heavier, chunkier bird was definitely reinforced when I tracked it in low-level "heavier" flight for at least 1/4 of the way across the reservoir before losing it. I had observed hundreds of Red-necks in flight 7-10 days prior, so had become familiar with their flight characteristics.
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	It did the characteristic phalarope "twirlng" and surface-picking, actively (but not overly energetically) foraging the majority of the time.
Habitat:	Out toward the center of the reservoir
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	The Red-necked Phalarope is the closest comparison. I studied with great fascination the large Red-neck flocks at the reservoir in late October, one day exceeding 260. Because of the great distance in both cases, for this bird much of my ID is based as much or more on "jizz" than on pinpoint plumage details -- viz, the more compact, stockier structure evident both while foraging on the surface and while flying "heavier" over the surface; plus the combination with the plain pale upperparts and the more substantial bill, point in the direction of Red.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Limited experience prior to this fall. I would see Red-necked Phalaropes at the SW Wash coast annually, both in tidal ponds and off the jetty. For Reds I would have to do a pelagic trip and views were fleeting. One big November wind blew five Reds into ponds along the Columbia River (Ridgefield NWR) in Greater Portland-Vancouver. And I did see one right next to the dock at Tokeland Marina, SW Wash coast.
References consulted:	Sibley's Field Guide. AllAboutBirds photos. National Geo field guide.
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
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:	12/08/24
Additional material:
Additional comments:	Colby Neuman, eBird monitor, asked me to report this sighting. I'm not expecting confirmation based on so little substantive info. On the other hand, I am confident in my ability to pick up on "intangibles" that form the basis of much of my conclusions. In my eBird report I described it as a "satisfactory though distant view..."