Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Red Knot
Scientific name:	Calidris canutus
Date:	09/27/26
Time:
Length of time observed:	roughly 1 minute
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:
Location:	Lebarron Pt
County:	Utah co
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	a few hundred yards
Optical equipment:	Leupold sx-4
Weather:	overcast, light wind.
Light Conditions:	bright, with some heatwave
Description: Size of bird:	larger than Sanderling, roughly Killdeer sized
(Description:) Basic Shape:	plump, round,
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	gray, white and brownish
(Description:) Bill Type:	short, stout, and straight.
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	While scoping through Larus gulls from a high vantage at LeBarron Point, I saw that many birds had been flushed by a peregrine, which had been happening frequently every time I visited this spot. From the groups emerged two calidris. I followed them for a while until they landed. In flight they both showed bright white wing flashes contrasting against dark wings. Once landed, it was clear the REKN dwarfed the other bird which was a sanderling. The REKN was again much larger, stouter billed, and darker, more brown in color, vs the very bright white and gray sanderling. After a few seconds they were flushed again by the peregrine. I followed them until they disappeared. The REKN in flight seemed longer winged and slower wing beats, closer to a Dowitcher flight. Leg color not seen well.
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	in flight, behavior not shown well as it was wary of predators.
Habitat:	expansive mudflats of lebarron
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Comparing this bird directly to a Sanderling effectively rules out other expected calidris. Size, and shape too big, bill too big, etc. etc. too plump and short legged for Tringa or STSA. wing flashes too bright, bill too straight, and position too squatty for PESA.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	between multiple west coast trips and the GSL, I've seen hundreds of REKN's often in mixed flocks of all types. I've seen countless of our expected Calidris and Tringa, Dowitchers, ETC.
References consulted:	Sibley, Macauley Library
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Mckay Olson
Observer's address:
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	10/02/26
Additional material:	https://ebird.org/checklist/S397040470
Additional comments: