Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-31
| Common name: |
Lesser Nighthawk |
| Scientific name: | Chordeiles acutipennis |
| Date: | 05/28/2026 |
| Time: | 5:35 AM |
| Length of time observed: | 20 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Unknown |
| Sex: | Unknown |
| Location: | Above the Hasting Road, Green River, UT |
| County: | Grand |
| Latilong: | 39.04990,-110.13236 |
| Elevation: | 4140 |
| Distance to bird: | 70m when first seen |
| Optical equipment: | Vortex binoculars |
| Weather: | Clear, calm, 52 f |
| Light Conditions: | Before sunrise, enough light to see but not well lit |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Nightjar, long wings in flight |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Brownish with white wing patches |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | didn't note |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I first heard a trill and tried to identify -
initially thought perhaps it was a distant western screech owl but as it
continued, it obviously wasn't. It was closer and much more consistent.
Decided maybe it was not a bird at all, but perhaps a frog or toad. Then
saw the bird move, short hop/flight between 2 bushes, and noticed the
wing markings and shape of a nighthawk. Observed for a few more minutes,
then walked closer and the bird flushed and circled in front of me, over
the wash, calling. (eBird video) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: |
Trill unlike any bird I've heard previously. (eBird video) |
| Behavior: | Roosting on ground, short hop/fly between bushes, then circled when flushed |
| Habitat: | Edge of greasewood lined wash, within open hilly clay desert |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Did not sound like a common nighthawk, poorwill doesn't have the white wing patches. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I've never seen/ heard a LENI before, very familiar with Common Nighthawks by sight and sound. |
| References consulted: | Listened to song on Merlin which matched what I heard, played video I recorded to Merlin and call was identified as LENI when location was changed to south Texas. |
| Description from: | Notes taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Lisa Horzepa |
| Observer's address: | Moab, UT 84532 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | NA |
| Date prepared: | 6/8/2026 |
| Additional material: | eBird video |
| Additional comments: | nnina |