Ella D. Sorensen, Keith L. Dixon, Steven P. Hedges, Craig Kneedy, Clayton M. White

    The eighth report of the Utah Bird Records Committee summarizes 64 accepted records of 47 species and 7 unaccepted records of 7 species. All species evaluated by the Committee are listed by common name and scientific name using nomenclature and taxonomic order of the Sixth A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds (1983) and subsequent supplements to that check-list. The following information is included after the common/scientific name of each accepted record: the official Committee number of the record in parenthesis, the number of birds observed along with age and sex if known, date(s) of occurrence, location of sighting, all known observers (in parenthesis) with the initial finder listed first, observers who submitted written documentation on the record (doc:), and observers who submitted photographs of the record (photo:). Information included for unaccepted records is similar to accepted records, except that names of observers and those submitting documentation are not listed.
    Observations of many rare birds have been well documented over the past several years, which has helped to clarify the current status and distribution of those species. Several species that formerly were quite restricted in their range have expanded into new areas, while other species that were seldom reported now occur on an annual basis. As a result, the Bird Records Committee has determined that many rare species now occur in Utah on a regular basis and no longer need to be documented for review by the Committee.
    The Committee will continue to review documentation for the following 94 species, as well as any species that is not included on the 1994 Field Checklist of the Birds of Utah: Red-throated Loon, Yellow-billed Loon, Red-necked Grebe, Brown Pelican, Least Bittern, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Stork, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Trumpeter Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, Brant, Harlequin Duck, Black Scoter, White-tailed Kite, Common Black-Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Zone-tailed Hawk, Gyrfalcon, Purple Gallinule, Common Moorhen, Mountain Plover, Wandering Tattler, Upland Sandpiper, Hudsonian Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, White-rumped Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pomarine Jaeger, Parasitic Jaeger, Long-tailed Jaeger, Laughing Gull, Mew Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Glaucous-winged Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, Sabine's Gull, Ancient Murrelet, Inca Dove, Common Ground Dove, Black-billed Cuckoo, Snowy Owl, Great Gray Owl, Chimney Swift, Vaux's Swift, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Magnificent Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Red-headed Woodpecker, Acorn Woodpecker, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Gilded Flicker, Least Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Great Crested Flycatcher, Brown-crested Flycatcher, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Blue Jay, Eastern Bluebird, Veery, Wood Thrush, Le Conte's Thrasher, White-eyed Vireo, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Hermit Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Palm Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Ovenbird, Kentucky Warbler, Connecticut Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Canada Warbler, Painted Redstart, Northern Cardinal, Dickcissel, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, Le Conte's Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, McCown's Longspur, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Rusty Blackbird, Bronzed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, Brambling, Common Redpoll.
    The Utah Bird Records Committee encourages all observers to briefly describe any rare bird they see that is not on the official Records Committee review list, as well as any significant range extension, and submit that information to the editor of the Utah Birds seasonal reports for inclusion in those reports. Information on those sightings is still needed to accurately determine the status and distribution of those species, and for use in latilong reports and other similar studies.
    The Utah Bird Records Committee would like to thank those individuals who documented their sightings and submitted them to the Committee. The Committee encourages anyone who observes any of the above mentioned review species or a species not on the Utah list to thoroughly document that sighting and submit it to the Committee. We especially encourage the use of photographs to document rare sightings; however, written documentation is still needed along with photographic evidence. Rare bird forms are available from any Committee member or Terry Sadler, Utah Birdline Coordinator.

ACCEPTED RECORDS

PACIFIC LOON Gavia pacifica. (14-1990); one immature; 11 Oct-22 Nov 1990; Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Juab Co.; (JE); doc: JE.
    Pacific Loons migrate through Utah in small numbers in the fall where they utilize the deeper freshwater bodies. The Committee will discontinue reviewing detailed descriptions of this species, but will continue to seek records with substantiating details of identification for inclusion in the Utah Birds seasonal reports.

YELLOW-BILLED LOON Gavia adamsii. (8-1991); one; 16 Nov 1991; Fish Springs NWR, Juab Co.; (PG,JB,ES,CK); doc: PG; photo: JB.
    All distinguishing fieldmarks were observed on this loon including the pale yellowish color on the outer portion of the culmen and the dark spot on the ear coverts. A photograph (see front cover) verified the identification. This is the first confirmed Utah record of this species, which is considered very rare inland.

RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena. (10-1990); one juvenile; 4 Nov 1990; Cutler Reservoir near Benson Marina, Cache Co.; (LR,RR,KA,ASt,TS,CK,ES,others); doc: LR; photo: LR.
    This juvenile bird was observed by many observers at close range with Western and Clark's grebes.

ROSS' GOOSE Chen rossii. (56-1985); one adult; 7 Dec 1985; Lava Hills Golf Course, St. George, Washington Co.; (SH,VH,JG,NS); doc: SH; photo: SH.
    Questions were raised concerning whether this was the same goose that was variously reported as a Ross, Snow, or hybrid. The initial observer noted that the questionable goose was present at a different St. George location December 1986-February 1987. A photograph was submitted of Record 56-1985.

HARLEQUIN DUCK Histrionicus histrionicus. (19-1991); one female; 1 Nov 1991; Farmington Bay, Davis Co.; (CK,TS,ES); doc: CK.
    This is the first documented record for Farmington Bay.

OLDSQUAW Clangula hyemalis. (2-1990); one adult female; 3-7 Jul 1990; Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder Co.; (LR,AL,KF); doc: LR.
    This is the first documented summer record of an Oldsquaw. Winter records have become so common that the Committee will discontinue reviewing detailed descriptions of this species, but will seek substantiating records for the seasonal reports published in Utah Birds.

BLACK SCOTER Melanitta nigra. (8-1990); one adult male; 19-29 Oct 1990; Sugarhouse Park, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co,; (CK,TS,mob); doc: CK; photo: CK.
    All previous Utah records of Black Scoter have been females or immatures. There were no bands or any other indication that the bird had escaped from captivity. Black Scoter is a difficult species to maintain in captivity.

WHITE-TAILED KITE Elanus leucurus. (4-1992); one adult; 18 Apr 1992; Lytle Ranch, Beaver Dam Wash, Washington Co.; (ASm,KE,DC,JR,MB,BF,CN,JN,FN,JiP,JoP); doc: ASm; photo: ASm.
    The kite was observed during a Wasatch Audubon Society field trip and documented with a photo. This species is increasing its range in the Southwest.

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK Buteo lineatus. (11-1991); one-two; 12 Feb 1991; St. George, Washington Co.; (SH,CK,BD); doc: SH.
    This is the second documented record from this area, the first being in 1984. There are also a couple of undocumented sightings from there.

BROAD-WINGED HAWK Buteo platypterus. (27-1988); one adult; 1 Oct 1988; Navajo Mountain, San Juan Co.; (CLaR,BL,SG,RVH); doc: CLaR. (13-1991); one adult; 5 May 1991; City Creek Canyon, Salt Lake Co.; (CK); doc: CK.
    Record 27-1988 is the first documented for southeastern Utah. This hawk is proving to be regular in small numbers at hawkwatching sites in Utah and Nevada. The timing and location of Record 13-1991 does not fit the usual pattern for this vagrant hawk, but the bird was seen well and a detail description submitted by a raptor rehabilitator with extensive field experience with hawk identification.

RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres. (12-1990); one juvenile; 6 Sep 1990; Bear River MBR, Box Elder Co.; (KK,ES); doc: KK. (21-1990); one adult; 23 May 1990; Locomotive Springs, Box Elder Co.; (PP); doc: PP. (22-1990); one adult; 30 May 1990; Fish Springs NWR, Juab Co.; (PP,JE); doc: PP. (12-1991); three adults; 13 May 1991; Layton/Kaysville Marsh, Davis Co.; (CK,PP,PS,TS); doc: CK.

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea. (16-1991); one adult; 18 May 1991; Harold Crane Waterfowl Management Area, Davis Co.; (PP,ES); doc: PP.
    An adult in full breeding plumage was observed in detail for 50 minutes by a graduate student who was studying shorebirds at the Great Salt Lake. This Eurasian species is a casual migrant throughout North America. This is the first accepted record for Utah.

BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER Tryngites subruficollis. (11-1990); one; 6 Sep 1990; Bear River MBR, Davis Co; (ES,KK,CK); doc: KK; photo: LR. (10-1992); one juvenile; 27 Sep 1992; Salt Wells Flats, Box Elder Co.; (CK); doc: CK.
    Buff-breasted Sandpiper is typically a bird of fields or dry flats. However, Record 11-1990, Utah's first, was observed at the edge of a dike road having a margin of rocks and mud. That location is rather unusual for this species, but it was probably attracted there by the large number of brine flies. Record 10-1992, the second for Utah, was described in detail by an observer with extensive shorebird experience in Utah and familiarity with this species.

RED PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicaria. (7-1989); one non-breeding adult; 1 Oct 1989; Kaufman Ranch, Millard Co.; (ES,RS); doc: ES. (18-1991); one immature; 29 Sep 1991; Logan Sewage Ponds, Cache Co.; (KA); doc: KA; photo: KA. (20-1991); one non-breeding adult; 11 Oct-6 Nov 1991; Farmington Bay, Davis Co.; (CK,TS,ES); doc: CK.
    Red Phalarope records have become so regular that the Committee will discontinue reviewing detailed descriptions of this species. However, the Committee will continue to encourage the submission of detailed records for the Utah Birds seasonal reports.

POMARINE JAEGER Stercorarius pomarinus. (5-1991); one adult; 3-6 Nov 1991; west of Geneva Steel mill on Utah Lake, Utah Co.; (EM,MW,MB,ES,CC,CK,RC,BB,TS); doc: EM,CK; photo: EM.
    This jaeger harassed gulls in the area, causing them to disgorge food which it caught in the air. The distinctive marks of an adult Pomarine Jaeger were noted, including the twisted, spoon-shaped tail feathers, the number of white feather shafts, black extending into the malar area, and prominent gonydeal angle on bill. Photographs were obtained of the bird, which was seen by many observers. Record 5-1991, the first Pomarine Jaeger for Utah, is the third species of jaeger to be documented in Utah, and the least observed jaeger at inland locations.

LONG-TAILED JAEGER Stercorarius longicaudus. (15-1990); one adult; 30 Aug 1990; Bear River MBR, Davis Co.; (LR); doc: LR.
    Adult Long-tailed jaegers, with their long streamlining tails, are relatively easy to identify. The documentation was submitted by an observer familiar with all three jaegers in their normal range.

LITTLE GULL Larus minutus. (9-1992); one adult; 17 Sep 1992; Willard Bay, Box Elder Co.; (CK); doc: CK.
    The gull quietly sat with 15 Forster's Terns on a rocky spit in Willard Bay. A detailed description of plumage and body parts, along with a detailed sketch of the bird, were submitted by an observer with extensive gull experience. The uniform soft gray upper parts and black underwings were well described. This is the first record for Utah.

HEERMANN'S GULL Larus heermanni. (58-1985); one adult; 2 Nov 1985; Logan Sewage Ponds, Cache Co.; (MT,TB,RR); doc: RR.
    All distinguishing marks were observed on this gull. This is one of the easiest adult gulls to identify, with its blackish back, gray underparts, white head, red bill with dark tip, and black tail with a light terminal band. A poor quality photograph was not submitted to the Utah Records Committee, but was felt to be a Heermann's Gull, according to Philip Unitt, editor of Western Birds (pers. comm.). This gull is a common post-breeding visitor along the West Coast north of its Mexican breeding grounds, but is extremely rare inland. This is the first accepted record for Utah.

MEW GULL Larus canus. (23-1991); one juvenile/first winter; 8 Oct 1991; Logan Sewage Ponds, Cache Co.; (RR,LR,KA,BA); doc: RR; photo: RR.
    This is the first record for Cache Valley.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus. (1-1991); one winter adult; 18 Jan 1991; Salt Lake City Landfill, Salt Lake Co.; (CK,ES); doc: ES,CK.
    This gull stood next to a Ring-billed and California gull, and all three species were noted in the same binocular field, so the increasingly darker mantle from Ring-billed to California to Lesser Black-backed was repeatedly observed. The gull had yellow legs and a light eye, and was in typical adult winter plumage except for a dark, diagonally running smudge approximately 3/8 inch from the tip of the bill. Consultation with Paul Lehman, a gull expert, indicated that the significance of this bill mark is unknown, but has appeared on other seemingly adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls such as one occurring the same winter in Texas.

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL Larus glaucescens. (11-1989); one first winter; 10 Nov 1989; Logan Sewage Ponds, Cache Co.; (RR,LR); doc: RR.
    The massive all dark bill, primaries which were the same color as the back feathers while resting, the overall sandy color, and the lighter undersides of the wings were noted by observers familiar with this species in Alaska and along the West Coast. This is the first record for Cache County. Since hybrid Glaucous-winged X Western gulls are common and have been recorded in Utah, care must be taken with identification of this species.

INCA DOVE Columbina inca. (13-1989); one; 28 Oct-4 Nov 1989; Moab, Grand Co.; (GL); doc: NB. (17-1990); one; 9 Nov-1 Dec 1990; Moab, Grand Co.; (NB,GL); doc: NB. (23-1990); two; 17 Jan 1990; Kanab, Kane Co.; (BL,MN,TH,CK,ES,RS,LR,RR); doc: BL. (10-1991); two adults; 12 Feb 1991; Washington, Washington Co.; (SH,BD); doc: SH. (8-1992); five; 30 Oct 1992; Lytle Ranch, Beaver Dam Wash, Washington Co.; (TS); doc: TS.
    Most of these sightings are from new locations for this species which seems to be rapidly expanding its range into southern Utah.

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO Coccyzus americanus. (24-1990); one adult; 18 Jul 1990; Beaver Dam Wash, Washington Co.; (JS); doc: JS.
    This sighting is from a location where this declining species has previously been reported.

GREAT GRAY OWL Strix nebulosa. (1-1989); one; 28 Jan 1989; Garden City, Rich Co.; (DJ,TS,PS); doc: DJ.
    A Great Gray Owl was reported from this area prior to this documentation. This bird was seen by numerous observers on January 28, but this was the only documentation received. Great Gray Owl is an irruptive species and probably ranges irregularly into the northern portion of the state in winter. There are reports of this species being present during the breeding season in the Uinta Mountains and the Records Committee seeks documentation of its occurrence for the scientific record.

ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD Calypte anna. (24-1988); one adult male; 20 Nov 1988; Sandy, Salt Lake Co.; (CK); doc: CK.
    This species was first documented in Utah in November 1987. Anna's Hummingbird is the only hummingbird that regularly winters in the U.S. All late fall and winter hummingbirds should be carefully checked because a vagrant Anna's is more likely at that time than any of the regularly occurring Utah species.

ACORN WOODPECKER Melanerpes formicivorus. (26-1988); one; 21 Aug 1988; 10 miles south of Monticello at Hwy 163 crossing of Devils Canyon, San Juan Co.; (ALaR,CLaR); doc: CLaR.
    This sighting was made at the same location and by the same observer who found the state's first specimen, a road kill, in January 1988.

LEAST FLYCATCHER Empidonax minimus. (6-1989); one; 18 Jun 1989; Beaver Dam, Hwy 30, Box Elder Co.; (RR,LR,KA,CM,ES,CK); doc: RR. (14-1991); one adult; 1 Jun 1991; Ogden River, Ogden, Davis Co.; (CK,SHea); doc: CK.
    The distinctive "chef be" song of Record 6-1989 was heard coming from a grove of large willow trees in a steep ravine with standing water by an observer with 16 years of Least Flycatcher experience in Michigan. The plumage and body shape was consistent with Least Flycatcher. These sightings represent the first and second state records of Least Flycatcher, a species which is expanding its range westward.

EASTERN PHOEBE Sayornis phoebe. (14-1989); one adult; 22 Dec 1989; Kanab, Kane Co.; (SH); doc: SH. (18-1990); one; 30 Oct 1990; Colorado River floodplain near Moab, Grand Co.; (NB); doc: NB.
    Both sightings were made by observes familiar with this species. Eastern Phoebe is most likely to occur in Utah during winter or migration in the southern portion of the state.

GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER Myiarchus crinitus. (11-1992); one adult; 3 Oct 1992; West Point, Davis Co.; (CK); doc: CK.
    The feature on this bird that first caught the observer's eye was "the strong contrast between the dark throat and upper breast with the rich yellow belly, giving the bird a hooded appearance not unlike the male MacGillvray's Warbler." The tail appeared dark brown from above and rufous from below. This is the first state record.

SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER Tyrannus forficatus. (1-1992); one; 1 Jul 1992; Logan, Cache Co.; (BW,NW,LR,TS,RR,KA,AS,TB,JB,RA,KD,AL,MW, others); doc: LR; photo: LR. (12-1992); one; 16-21 Oct 1992; Fish Springs NWR, Juab Co.; (MdR); doc: MdR; photo: MdR.
    Record 1-1992, the first for Cache Valley, was also a state first for many active birders, making this bird one of the most observed rarities in the state. The overall pale gray color, salmon colored sides, and extremely long tail were noted on record 12-1992.

WINTER WREN Troglodytes troglodytes. (22-1991); one male, one female, two juveniles; 29 Jun-13 Jul 1991; Deaf Smith Canyon, Salt Lake Co.; (SHea,TC,NN,DC); doc: SHea; photo: SHea.
    This well-documented sighting was the first confirmed breeding record of Winter Wren for Utah, and was more than 100 miles south of the known breeding range for this species. The birds were along a mixed deciduous/conifer stream bottom. Reports of the species breeding in Zion National Park were never adequately documented. A note of caution: young House Wrens have short tails and have been misidentified as Winter Wrens.

EASTERN BLUEBIRD Sialia sialia. (12-1989); One-two males; 16-23 Dec 1989; Moab, Grand Co.; (NB,ES,RS,CK,TS); doc: NB.
    A male was observed on December 16 and 19 in the open fields of a horse pasture near the Colorado River, and two males were observed on December 23. The rust on the throat and breast contrasted sharply with the white belly and extended onto the sides of the neck. The deeper rusty coloration may indicate these birds were the migratory eastern race rather than the resident southwestern population. This is a first state record.

BENDIRE'S THRASHER Toxostoma bendirei. (2-1989); one; 28 Apr 1989; Zion National Park, Washington Co.; (JZ,ML); doc: JZ.
    This bird was seen by an observer familiar with this and similar species in California and Arizona. The species is expected in southern Utah and the Committee will not review further records from that area.

LE CONTE'S THRASHER Toxostoma lecontei. (25-1990); one male; 6 Mar 1990; lower Beaver Dam Slope, Washington Co.; (RR,LR); doc: RR.
    This observation was made in the same area on the dry sparsely vegetated slopes of the Beaver Dam Mountains as most other Utah records. "The bird was seen sitting on top of Joshua trees singing. When approached or startled, it would drop immediately to the ground. It would then reappear on top of another Joshua tree a few moments later singing. The bird probably ran between singing posts." Experts on the Le Conte's Thrasher say it is extremely reluctant to fly and is most often seen running across the desert floor, tail cocked up like a roadrunner. This lack of flying is a good indicator of the species.

NORTHERN PARULA Parula americana. (7-1990); one male; 12-13 Dec 1990; Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co.; (BC,CK,TS); doc: BC,CK,TS.
    The circumstances surrounding this record, the first accepted for Utah, were some of the more unusual. The bird was observed by diners as it foraging in a small tree outside the Red Iguana Restaurant on North Temple, one of the busiest urban streets in Utah. On December 13, the bird was noted picking at rotting apples.

CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER Dendroica pensylvanica. (8-1989); one; 15 Oct 1989; Kale Springs, Grand Gulch, San Juan Co.; (ES,CK); doc: ES. (5-1992); one adult male; 24 May 1992; Pack Creek Campground, La Sal Mountains, San Juan Co.; (NB,LF,GL); doc: NB.
    Chestnut-sided Warbler is one of the more regularly occurring eastern warblers in the West. A small population breeds in Colorado. Record 5-1992, an adult male in breeding plumage, was well described and was seen at the peak time of eastern vagrant observations in the West.

HERMIT WARBLER Dendroica occidentalis. (3-1989); one adult male; 29 Apr 1989; Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co.; (HS,AS,ES); doc: HS; photo: ES.
    Hermit Warblers nest in tall conifers in the Pacific Northwest. All previous Utah records are from fall in mountainous forests of southeastern Utah. This warbler gleaned in the canopy of a scrub oak in the front yard of a Salt Lake residence.

YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER Dendroica dominica. (4-1991); one; 15-17 Dec 1991; Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co.; (MS,LL,JR,TS,ES,CK,BB); doc: LL,MS,ES.
    This sighting was first made in the ponderosa pines of an urban park on a Christmas Bird Count and observed by many over the next two days. The warbler was the white-lored subspecies and was seen in a flock of chickadees and nuthatches. The early winter occurrence for this first accepted Utah record was unexpected.

PALM WARBLER Dendroica palmarum. (25-1988); one fall plumage; 29 Sep 1988; Fish Springs NWR, Juab Co.; (JE); doc: JE. (9-1990); one non-breeding; 4 Nov 1990; Murray City Park, Salt Lake Co.; (CK); doc: CK.
    All field marks were described on both records, including the abrupt change from the white underbelly to the yellow undertail coverts and the "vigorously bobbing/wagging" of the tail, both critical marks in identifying the drab fall western subspecies of Palm Warbler. The observer of record 25-1988 has had experience with the eastern subspecies on the East Coast.

BLACKPOLL WARBLER Dendroica striata. (6-1990); one non-breeding; 22 Sep 1990; Pelican Lake, Uintah Co.; (ES,CK); doc: CK.
    While male Blackpoll Warblers in breeding plumage are easily identified, fall birds have to be identified using a more subtle combination of color and streaking on upper and underparts, face pattern, tail spots, and leg and foot color.

WORM-EATING WARBLER Helmitheros vermivorus. (17-1991); one; 23 May 1991; mile marker 22 on Hwy 65, Summit Co.; (TC); doc: TC.
    This well described distinctive warbler was found along a small stream in East Canyon at the peak period for vagrant eastern warblers to be found in the West. This is the first record of this species for Utah.

SUMMER TANAGER Piranga rubra. (9-1991); one adult male; Matheson Wetland Preserve, Moab, Grand Co.; (EK); doc: EK.
    This species has most often been observed in Washington County, particularly Beaver Dam Wash.

LE CONTE'S SPARROW Ammodramus leconteii. (4-1990); one adult; 23 Sep 1990; Simpson Springs, Tooele Co.; (CK); doc: CK; photo: CK.
    This sparrow was observed at a small wetland oasis surrounded by Great Basin desert. A detailed documentation was submitted, along with a close-up photograph which verified the identification. This is the third accepted record for Utah. The first record, a specimen from Provo in 1927, was initially identified as a Baird's Sparrow. The second record came from Moab in 1966.

GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW Zonotrichia atricapilla. (5-1990); one; 30 Sep 1990; West Point, Davis Co.; (CK); doc: CK.
 
MCCOWN'S LONGSPUR Calcarius mccownii. (2-1987); five; 24-25 Jan 1987; north of I-80, west of 7200 West, Salt Lake Co.; (CK); doc: CK; photo: CK. (19-1990); one-two non-breeding; 16-19 Nov 1990; Fish Springs NWR, Juab Co.; (JE); JE.
    Record 2-1987 was observed at close range for several hours over a two day period in a sparsely vegetated field. The inverted "T" on their tail was seen well. Photographs were sent for evaluation to Guy McCaskie who confirmed the identification, but he was surprised to see McCown's Longspurs perched on fence wires, which he noted was most unusual (see Utah Birds 2(4):109-111). This is the first accepted record for Utah. All plumage characteristics of Record 19-1990 were described in meticulous detail on this second state record.

ORCHARD ORIOLE Icterus spurius. (26-1990); one male; 29 May 1990; Fruita, Capitol Reef National Park, Wayne Co.; (JS,SV); doc: JS.
    The distinctive chestnut and black plumage and slender pointed bill was observed on a bird which slowly foraging in cottonwood trees outside a park residence. The bird appeared all dark except when in sunlight. This is a first state record.

HOODED ORIOLE Icterus cucullatus. (15-1991); 21 Mar 1991; one winter adult male; Kaysville, Davis Co.; (CK); doc: CK; photo: CK.
    Hooded Orioles breed in southwestern Utah. Most reports of Hooded Oriole from northern Utah have proven to be misidentified first-year male Northern Orioles. This out-of season oriole, confirmed by a photograph, had been coming to a hummingbird feeder since the last week in February. Often when a species such as a hummingbird or oriole occurs out of season, the chances are often greater that the bird is a vagrant like Hooded Oriole or Anna's Hummingbird than the expected breeding species of that area.

RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED, IDENTIFICATION QUESTIONED

WHITE-TAILED KITE Elanus leucurus. (8-1987); one adult; 22 Jun 1987; Lookout Pass, Tooele Co.
    White-tailed Kites are expanding their range throughout the Southwest at present. The large black area on the shoulders of Record 8-1987 was not noted. The bird was observed hovering which is a good point for kites, but is also common with harriers. Male Northern Harriers have been misidentified as kites and are common in this area. The description did not comment on harrier as a similar species.

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK Buteo lineatus. (31-1987); one adult; 13 Nov 1987; I-15 north of Meadow/Kanosh exit, Millard Co.
    Red-shouldered Hawk can be a difficult identification. Even specimens have been misidentified. This bird was observed for 30 seconds from a vehicle on I-15 without optical equipment. The bird was not observed in flight. A Red-shouldered Hawk has different body proportions than Red-tailed Hawk. The Records Committee felt that a better observation was needed for a record of this troublesome species to be accepted.

PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus. (12-1986); one immature male; 17 Aug 1986; Chapeta Lake, Uintah Mountains, Duchesne Co.
    The Committee was convinced that the observer had the necessary expertise to correctly identify this species. The issue was the brevity of the written description which gave no details other than a statement that it was a typical male Peregrine. No additional details were submitted when requested.

UPLAND SANDPIPER Bartramia longicauda. (32-1987); one; 8 Aug 1987; rest area on I-70 west of Green River, Emery Co.
    A dead bird was found at a rest area on I-70 by an out-of-state ornithologist with experience with live and museum specimen Upland Sandpipers. The Committee's main concern was whether this bird was actually from Utah or carried here on a vehicle bumper and dropped at the rest stop. The Committee questioned why the bird, or an identifying portion, was not saved.

SABINE'S GULL Xema sabini. (19-1986); one; 9 Sep 1986; Bear Lake, Rich Co.
    This bird was observed too briefly at considerable distance for conclusive identification.

WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER Picoides albolarvatus. (9-1989); approximately 25, all ages; 12 Oct 1989; Thousand Lake Mountain, Wayne Co.
    This was a puzzling record for Committee members, including one who has had extensive experience with White-headed Woodpeckers in its known range. The extreme disjunction of a fairly resident species was not addressed in the report. Pinyon-juniper habitat where they were observed is atypical and the large number observed is totally unexpected. Previous experience with White-headed Woodpecker by the observer was not explicitly detailed. The actual description was scanty and it was felt that much greater plumage detail would be necessary to document this extraordinary type of record.

BLUE JAY Cyanocitta cristata. (16-1986); one; 8 Jan 1986; Holiday, Salt Lake Co.
    Blue Jay records have increased in Utah in recent years and several are now observed each winter. The documentation submitted for this record did not describe the bird, which is a required component for acceptance of all rare bird sight records.

GRAY VIREO Vireo vicinior. (4-1989); 12-15, all ages; 22 June 1989; 21 miles west of Eureka, Tooele Co.
    No description of the birds themselves was given. The bird was described as being similar to Gray Flycatcher in foraging behavior and much more active than Gray Flycatcher, which is inaccurate. The description of the voice did not support Gray Vireo.

Cited Observers: Keith Archibald, Robert Atwood, John Barnes, Terry Barnes, Mindy Boehm, Bob Bond, Nelson Boschen, Mark Bromley, Blaise Chanson, Calleen Cox, Douglas Cox, Randy Cox, Terry Cox, David Crider, Keith Dixon, Bob Douglas, Joseph Engler, Keith Evans, Mindy Faigle, Linda Fagan, Suzanne Fellows, Kit Flannery, Steve Ganey, Jerome Gifford, Thomas Hancock (Mr. and Mrs.), Stanley Heath, Steve Hedges, V.J. Hedges, David Jensen, Kenn Kaufman, Craig Kneedy, Anne La Rue, Chuck La Rue, Marilyn Lutz, Laura Lockhart, Gail Lea, Alice Lindahl, Bob Lippman, Blaine Lunceford, Edward Madden, Corine Melmer, Carol Neumann, Nic Nichol, Fay Noe, Jim Noe, Michael Noel, Peter Paton, Jim Peters, Joyce Peters, Jean Reagan, Jack Rensel, Lawrence Ryel, Ronald Ryel, Matt derosier, Pam Sadler, Terry Sadler, Arnold Smith (ASm), Ella Sorensen, Richard Sorensen, John Spence, Adelaide Spencer, Harry Spencer, Mark Stackhouse, Neal Stephens, Allen Stokes, Mike Tove, Randy Van Haverbek, Steve Van Valkenburg, Merrill Webb, Bryan Williams, Nancy Williams, Joe Zarki.
 

*source: Utah Birds 12(1):1-16.