Records Committee Utah Ornithological Society Web Site

Records Committee
Utah Ornithological Society

First Round Comments
Year 2003 (records 1 - 26)

2003-01 - Gyrfalcon

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	23 Jan 2003	Acc	Photo clinches it as an immature gray-morph Gyrfalcon
2nd round	1 Sep 2003	Acc
Steven H.	17 Jan 2003	Acc	Photo was helpful - better than no photo.
2nd round	9 May 2003	Acc	Photo adequate to ID this species.
Ronald R.	24 Mar 2003	Acc	While the description lacked field marks I would like to have been listed (face pattern, underwing pattern, tail pattern, primary extension), I feel there is sufficient detail to eliminate prairie and peregrine falcons to accept this record. The observer has extensive experience with raptors, especially falcons. The photo is difficult for ID purposes.
2nd round	24 Sep 2003	Acc	My comments from the first round still apply.
Terry S.	2 Feb 2003	Acc	The observer's experience along with overall description of size, body proportions and plumage are convincing.
2nd round	19 May 2003	Acc
Mark S.	5 Feb 2003	N, ID	The bird in the photo looks more like Prairie than Gyrfalcon to me - the facial markings are much too prominent and dark for a gray-morph Gyrfalcon, and the belly markings are too light for a dark-morph. Size and flight style can be easily mis-judged. The date is also remarkable for a Gyrfalcon. I really think this bird is a Prairie.
2nd round	27 Mar 2004	N, ID	I don't think that my vote will matter on this one, as it appears headed for passage, however, I still don't think that this is clear enough to call a Gyrfalcon over a Prairie. To me, the facial markings appear too prominant for a Gyr. But the thing which really caused me to retain my "no" vote was an analysis of the size. In the photo, the bird is perched upon a standard BLM marker sign. I was unable to measure the exact sign in the picture, and found that the height of the signboard varies with the text, and I could not find one with analogous text. However, it appears that these signs are all mounted on 4x4 posts. Using the post as a reference, I estimated the size of the bird in the photo. On my computer screen, the posts measured 9mm wide, and the visible portion of the bird measured 24mm. I assumed another 10mm for the non-visible portion of the bird (this could be a bit short) for a total apparent length of 34mm. Doing the math, I came up with an estimated ! length for this bird at just over 15 inches, about right for a Prairie and well short of the 20-25 inches it should be for a Gyr. Even given the potential for errors in my calculations, it would seem that this bird is outside the size range for a Gyrfalcon.
Steven S.	10 Jan 2003	Acc	I can’t argue with an expert with a photo!
2nd round	2 Jun 2003	Acc	I think the head is too dark for a Prairie Falcon imparting almost a hooded appearance. The description of the birds flight, “shallow and labored”, certainly fits Gyrfalcon more than Prairie. The bird just doesn’t look like a Prairie in the photo to me, I know photos can be deceptive but it sure looks too “barrel” chested for a Prairie. I’ll stick with my first round vote.
Merrill W.	31 Jan 2003	Acc	Good description, photo helped.
2nd round	23 Jun 2003	Acc	Still think the description fits a Gyrfalcon.

2003-02 - Broad-winged Hawk

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	23 Jan 2003	Acc	Excellent photo.
Steven H.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Good photo
Ronald R.	24 Mar 2003	Acc	Photo sufficient for identification.
Terry S.	2 Feb 2003	Acc	While no narrative the photo is great.
Mark S.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	No description, but the photo shows a Broad-winged Hawk.
Steven S.	23 Feb 2003	Acc	Even though there is no description I think the photo is worth a thousand words and clearly shows a Broad-winged Hawk.
Merrill W.	31 Jan 2003	Acc	Based on photo; would have liked a written description as well.

2003-03 - Broad-winged Hawk

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Photo clearly shows an young Broad-winged Hawk (particularly when lightened with photo editing software).
2nd round	16 May 2003	Acc
Steven H.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Photo a little dark but key marks are identifiable.
2nd round	9 May 2003	Acc	Good photo when lightened.
Ronald R.	24 Mar 2003	N, ID	This photo is not clear (tail pattern cannot be seen and color of underside of wings is not very clear). Important field marks suggest broad winged hawk: heavy mottling on chest and breast, dark primaries and trailing edge on wing, apparent lack of barring in secondaries, and overall shape. But, the belly has a dark streak all the way to the undertail coverts (a seemingly strange color pattern which might be a problem of the photo) and the color of the underside of the wing is not clear enough to determine whether there is barring of the secondaries or translucent crescent as in red-shouldered hawk. Perhaps a non-pixelated photo would be clearer.
2nd round	27 Aug 2003	Acc	Using the lightened photo from Rick, I feel this record is acceptable. However, I agree with Merril that it would be nice if there was a written description to point out important field marks that the observer used. This species may be one to take off the review list.
Terry S.	2 Feb 2003	Acc	While this is not a very good photo is does show the clean straight lines of the leading and trailing edges leading to a tapered point. Seems to be streaking on the belly and flanks much like an immature Red-shouldered Hawk but the way the wings taper it would seem to rule this out
2nd round	19 May 2003	Acc
Mark S.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	No description, but the photo shows a Broad-winged Hawk. Do we need to keep reviewing this species?
2nd round	6 Aug 2003	Acc
Steven S.	23 Feb 2003	Acc	If you lighten up the photo you can see all the field marks of an immature Broad-winged Hawk.
2nd round	2 Jun 2003	Acc	I think the photo does show a Broad-winged Hawk.
Merrill W.	31 Jan 2003	N, ID	Would have preferred a written description. May change mind later, depending on others vote.
2nd round	23 Jun 2003	Acc	Still would have preferred more on a written description, but photo seems to match the pictures in Sibley's latest fieldguide.

2003-04 - Broad-winged Hawk

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Nice photograph.
Steven H.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Good photo.
Ronald R.	24 Mar 2003	Acc	Good photo and interesting record!
Terry S.	2 Feb 2003	Acc	Again very good photos
Mark S.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	No description, but the photo shows a Broad-winged Hawk.
Steven S.	23 Feb 2003	Acc	Again nice photos. The white secondaries blending with the white primaries is good for this species.
Merrill W.	26 Feb 2003	Acc	Nice photo, time of year, poor description; still it certainly appears to be this species.

2003-05 - Red Phalarope

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	5 Feb 2003	Acc
Steven H.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Excellent photos
Ronald R.	24 Mar 2003	Acc	Excellent report and photos.
Terry S.	8 Feb 2003	Acc	Very good description and photo
Mark S.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Excellent description and fabulous photos! Leaves little doubt on this one . . .
Steven S.	23 Feb 2003	Acc	Great photos.
Merrill W.	26 Feb 2003	Acc	Photos eliminated the other two species.

2003-06 - Eurasian Collared-Dove

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Great photo.
Steven H.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Description does not describe underside of tail, but photo appears to be a collared-dove. Primaries are too dark for ringed turtle-dove as is overall coloration.
Ronald R.	24 Mar 2003	Acc	While the description lacked sufficient detail, the photo shows an Eurasian collared-dove.
Terry S.	8 Feb 2003	Acc	While limited description the photo shows the dark primary tips
Mark S.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Description not very convincing, but the photo is.
Steven S.	23 Feb 2003	Acc	Although there is no description of the underside of the bird I think the photo shows the gray undertail coverts.
Merrill W.	26 Feb 2003	Acc	Photo is pretty convincing.

2003-07 - Glaucous-winged Gull

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Description is brief, however the outstanding series of photographs by Milton leave no doubt.
Steven H.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Excellent photos.
Ronald R.	24 Mar 2003	Acc	Good photos.
Terry S.	8 Feb 2003	Acc	Very limited narrative however great photos. I don't see any characteristics that would lead me to believe it is a hybred.
Mark S.	5 Feb 2003	Acc	Description could be more detailed, but noted definitive features, and the photos are clearly a Glaucous-winged Gull.
Steven S.	23 Feb 2003	Acc	A good series of photos that look like a good Glaucous-winged Gull to me.
Merrill W.	27 Feb 2003	Acc	Milton should consider becoming a professional. Nice photos.

2003-08 - Yellow-throated Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc	Description is adequate for Yellow-throated Warbler
Steven H.	9 May 2003	Acc	Good description.
Ronald R.	24 Mar 2003	Acc	Good description and drawing. Only questionable remark is mention of lack of white in tail--this species has white in the tail. But no other warbler has the rest of the pattern described.
Terry S.	3 Apr 2003	Acc	very good documentation
Mark S.	4 Aug 2003	Acc	Good description of a distinctive species - another interesting winter record for this bird in Utah. Even though we're well out of the normal range for this species, the fact that they winter extensively in the southern U.S. makes this a good candidate for any winter warbler record.
Steven S.	13 May 2003	Acc	This report is well written. The description fits a Yellow-throated Warbler very nicely as do the field sketches. An unusual time and place but this species has been found in winter (or more likely that this is just a late Fall lingerer) in California.
Merrill W.	16 May 2003	Acc	Good description. He eliminated the similar Grace's Warbler with his sketch, plus the description of the white ear patch.

2003-09 - Ruddy Ground-Dove

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc	I hesitantly accept based on overall coloration (reddish body, pale head). I never could get the clips to play, and a couple field marks in the photos (I think) resemble Common Ground-Dove (e.g. bi-colored bill?, wing spots?).
Steven H.	9 May 2003	Acc	Photos adequate for identification.
Ronald R.	11 Jun 2003	Acc	This is a well documented record. The main issue is whether this is a wild bird. Considering the recent number of records in Arizona and Nevada, I feel this is a wild bird.
Terry S.	19 May 2003	Acc	Great retrieval of an old record. Photos from Video acceptable.
Mark S.	4 Aug 2003	Acc	Good description - lucky that this bird was a male! The video, though not clear, shows a male Ruddy Ground-Dove, assuming that the colors are true.
Steven S.	2 Jun 2003	Acc	Probably the most telling mark on separating Ruddy from Common Ground-Doves is the presence or lack of spots on the scapulars. I’m pretty sure I can see this in some of the photos on the video, making this a Ruddy Ground-Dove. The fact that the observer did not see white in the tail is also more indicative of Ruddy Ground-Dove.
Merrill W.	16 Apr 2003	Acc	Since I was the one who submitted the record, then I vote to accept.

2003-10 - Red-necked Grebe

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	16 May 2003	Acc	Description is definitive. It was an exceptional fall and winter for Red-necked Grebes in the Great Basin.
Steven H.	9 May 2003	Acc	Good description
Ronald R.	27 Aug 2003	Acc
Terry S.	19 May 2003	Acc	Excellent description and drawings
Mark S.	4 Aug 2003	Acc	Good description - couldn't view the drawing.
Steven S.	13 May 2003	Acc	A well written report supported by a good field sketch.
Merrill W.	6 Jun 2003	Acc	Report well written, sketch helpful.

2003-11 - Red-throated Loon

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	16 May 2003	Acc	It sure is nice having photos (even with this well-described record).
Steven H.	9 May 2003	Acc	Good description, good photos.
Ronald R.	27 Aug 2003	Acc	The photo and description strongly suggests a red-throated loon. I am not quite sure of the age of the bird--it seems to be between plumages as it does not fit the typical patterns of juvenile, 1st summer and winter adult, but it also is less similar to other loons. The head and bill shapes for this sized bird are distinct.
Terry S.	19 May 2003	Acc	Photo convincing
Mark S.	4 Aug 2003	Acc	Good description, photos. I also saw this bird.
Steven S.	13 May 2003	Acc	The photos, though blurry, support this I.D.
Merrill W.	6 Jun 2003	Acc	Convincing description, photos diagnostic.

2003-12 - Eastern Phoebe

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	16 May 2003	Acc	Somewhat brief, but very careful description is adequate for an Eastern Phoebe.
Steven H.	9 May 2003	Acc	Description was a little sketchy but most fieldmarks were observed.
Ronald R.	22 Sep 2003	Acc	Very good description and discussion to eliminate other species.
Terry S.	19 May 2003	Acc	I believe enough description was given to accept sighting
Mark S.	4 Aug 2003	Acc	The description is adequate, and likely refers to this species. The dipping tail behavior is important, but I would have liked to have had a comparison with Olive-sided FC, which would be much more likely in this season. The date is a bit late for Eastern Phoebe. A somewhat reluctant vote to accept . . .
Steven S.	13 May 2003	Acc	Although a somewhat brief description it does fit this species well.
Merrill W.	6 June 2003	Acc	Description was adequate; behavior of tail dipping convincing.

2003-13 - Northern Bobwhite

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	16 May 2003	N, Nat	Obviously of questionable origin. The "chestnut back" suggests an Eastern form, but I'm not sure where the "darker belly" fits.
Steven H.	9 May 2003	N, Nat	Many gamebird breeders raise bobwhites in Utah and birds occasionally escape. I've seen a couple in southern Utah.
Ronald R.	27 Aug 2003	N, Nat	Bird described like a bobwhite, but origin is questioned considering similar records of escaped birds in Cache Valley.
Terry S.	19 May 2003	N, Int	This may be an introduced bird. Does anyone know the status of DWR's attempt at introduction?
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	N, Nat	The documentation is not really sufficient to deal with the i.d. issue, but I'll assume that this easy-to-identify species was recognized by the observer. However, the chances of this being a wild bird are so much less than those of it being an escapee (they are commonly kept here in the valley), that I can't believe that this represents a natural occurrence.
Steven S.	13 May 2003	N, Nat	Although the basic description fits this species I don’t believe Bobwhites are established in Utah. Could this bird have come from some ones cage?
Merrill W.	6 Jun 2003	N, Int.	Probably was a Bob White; but more than likely an introduced bird. According to my sources Bob White can't survive Utah's dry climate.

2003-14 - Ovenbird

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	16 May 2003	Acc	Well described.
Steven H.	9 May 2003	Acc	Good description.
Ronald R.	24 Sep 2003	Acc	Good description that eliminates other species.
Terry S.	19 May 2003	Acc
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	Good description; eliminates other species adequately. Behavior and time of year are both consistant with Ovenbird.
Steven S.	2 Jun 2003	Acc	The description fits for an Ovenbird.
Merrill W.	12 Jun 2003	Acc	Good description

2003-15 - Common Black-Hawk

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	16 May 2003	Acc	I'm not sure this is still a review species, but this is certainly an interesting record. Habitat, behavior and description all fit.
2nd round	19 Oct 2003	Acc	While the description is brief and did not mention tail and leg length or underwing pattern, all the characters described fit Common Black-Hawk. The observed behavior (perching over a stream, flying low from perch to perch) are particularly good for a Black-Hawk and would be somewhat unusual for a Zone-tailed Hawk. The described wings "appearing broad for size" also does not fit a Zone-tailed Hawk. Behavior is also somewhat unusual for a Broad-winged Hawk. Dark phase Broad-wings are somewhat rare, even in their typical range, and they also would appear dark brown, and not have an the obvious yellow cere "and facial skin" of a C. Black-Hawk.
Steven H.	15 May 2003	Acc	adequate description
2nd round	16 Oct 2003	N, ID	I have to agree with Steve S. The description doesn't adequately eliminate Zone-tailed. A better description of the tail would have helped since the tails of the two species are very different. Habitat also more typical of Zone-tailed.
Ronald R.	22 Sep 2003	Acc	This was a brief description and lacking of some key details (short tail, dark underwing). However, the broad wings and behavior should rule out zone-tailed hawk. We might consider taking this species of the review list, although this is an interesting location.
2nd round	28 Mar 2004	Acc	My comments from the first round still apply. A more complete description, especially of the tail, would have desireable. However, the habitat and habits of this bird are consistant with black hawk and not of zone-tailed or broad-winged hawks. Prior experience with this species was good.
Terry S.	19 May 2003	Acc	Brief but acceptable description
2nd round	3 Jan 2004	Acc	A good description of the tail and the pattern under the wing, butthe behavior and the brief description of broad wings seems to eliminate Zone-tailed Hawk. A Broad-winged Hawk would not have yellow facial skin and cere.
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	Adequate description - not many raptors could fit a bird with the described features - at least not north of Mexico.
2nd round	27 Mar 2004	Acc	The yellow cere and the white tail bands as described would not be consistant with either Zone-tailed or Broad-winged Hawks. The habitat and behavior is good for Common Black-Hawk.
Steven S.	2 Jun 2003	N, ID	The description is very brief and leaves out some important field mark for separating this species from others (including dark phase Broad-winged). One of the most notable marks on a Black-Hawk is the very short tail and this wasn’t even mentioned. There is no description of the under-wing to help in separating out other possible black or dark phase hawks. The elevation and habitat is bothersome, fitting more for a Zone-tailed or Broad-winged. It may be this was a Black-Hawk but the description is just too brief and incomplete.
2nd round	21 Dec 2003	Acc	Although I still have reservations about the location (high elev., habitat) I suppose a migrating bird could end up here. This species is a regular breeding Utah bird and should probably be taken off the review list.
Merrill W.	12 Jun 2003	Acc	Okay, so it's black with a white banded tail; no size comparison mentioned to other hawks, nothing mentioned about tail length or body size. So, reluctantly, just because it was all black I accept it. But a more complete description would have been helpful.
2nd round	29 Oct 2003	Acc	The length of observation time gave these observers plenty of time to study this bird. Eventhough the description is sketchy I feel that the description of the tail eliminates the Zone-tailed Hawk which would be the only other hawk it could be confused with.

2003-16 - Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	16 May 2003	Acc	We were fortunate this bird stuck around so long, allowing extensive study
2nd round	1 Sep 2003	Acc	I am certain that the black border was complete, and the back coloration is well within the variation of pure YB Sapsucker. I've seen many in the east (and have a photo of a bird from North Carolina) with a back pattern similar or with less white than this individual. Also, I did not observe any red on nape...occasionally worn female Red-naped Sapsuckers lack red on nape (usually in late summer). Also occasionally female Red-napes may have a complete black border around red throat, but the chance that a single bird would show both of these characteristics is remote, especially in winter.
Steven H.	15 May 2003	Acc	Good photos.
2nd round	19 Aug 2003	Acc	Bird appears to be a pure YB Sapsucker, not a hybrid.
Ronald R.	23 Jun 2003	N, ID	I am not entirely convinced that the photos and description rule out female red-naped sapsucker. Most problematic are the white markings on the back of the bird--they occur in two rows, not diffused across the bird--see photos C-F. Female red-naped sapsuckers have more while than males and the white is most extensive in winter (see Sibley). Also, the black border around the red throat patch may not be complete--see photo A where the black seems to be missing just above the notch. In any case, female red-naped sapsuckers can have complete borders. I would like to see more discussion on this record, but presently am not convinced it rules out female red-naped sapsucker.
2nd round	10 Sep 2003	Acc	This is a difficult identification because of the overlap in characteristics of these two species. I am however, voting to accept this record based on the head pattern--the black line over the eye is broad when it reaches the back of the head, no red on the nape, a black-bordered red throat patch, and the white marking below the eye is quite broad and extensive when it reaches the neck region. It would be unusual for an individual female of red-naped to not have red on the nape and also an entirely red throat, and then even more unusual to have the broad black and white markings as described above. The two rows of white on the back is a bit perplexing, but other photos I examined of yellow-bellied sapsuckers did show similar rows. However, most of the yellow-bellied sapsucker photos had a little more extensive white and often smaller spotting. But this amount of white would be unusual for red-naped sapsuckers it seems.
Terry S.	19 May 2003	Acc	Excellent description and photos of an adult bird
2nd round	28 Aug 2003	Acc	I believe the photos are clearly showing a YBSS. Photo"A" shows a complete and distinct black border around a red throat. Photos "F" and "C" show no red on the nape. While female RNSS can occasionally show one or the other of these characteristics Kaufman in Advanced Birding states it is very unlikey that one bird could combine these two variations-showing both a greatly reduced amount of red on the nape and a greatly increased amount of red on the throat, not to mention the complete black framing which is also seen. Regarding the banding on the back, While some photos seem to show the barring arranged in two longitudinal bands other photos show the bands as more diffuse(photos "B" and "C"). The white barring is also more extensive than a typical RNSS.
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	N, ID	This is a tough one, and I'd like to see it go to at least another round. The head striping is much more like YBSS than RNSS, but that is the only feature that I can see in the photos which really suggests YBSS. The black border around the throat does not look complete to me, and there seems to be a pinkish tinge in the nape. But the one thing that really looks RNSS to me is the back pattern - YBSS does not usually show such divided white patches. I think we may be looking at a hybrid bird, but I'd like to see opinions from some other folks on this one.
2nd round	12 Sep 2003	Acc.	I'm really not comfortable with identifying adults of RNSS and YBSS - I think it's still unclear which characters are most reliable (if any). However, I think the comments of the rest of the committee are all well made, and my gut feeling upon viewing the photos the first time was that this is a YBSS - I think based largely upon the head markings. I'm still not happy with the back, but I don't know, and can't find any references for, which field marks might be most important in this i.d. Nevertheless, this species belongs on the checklist, as there have been several sightings of juveniles in late fall, and this record is good enough, in my opinion to be approved.
Steven S.	2 Jun 2003	Acc	I think the photos are enough to ID this bird as this species.
2nd round	9 Sep 2003	Acc.	I found several photos of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers on the internet taken back east with back patterns like this bird. The faint “buffy-cream” color on the nape looks to me in the photo be more like the creamy color of the back, which is also a good mark for Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. In the field the black border looked complete. The black and white face pattern was definitely that of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. I think it highly unlikely that a female Red-naped Sapsucker would lose all of it’s red nape color while at the same time gaining a completely red throat. Interestingly there were at least three other Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers reported during this time period in Ariz., S. Calif. and Nev.
Merrill W.	6 Jun 2003	Acc	Based on description and photo of neck and nape regions.
2nd round	26 Aug 2003	Acc.	I Still feel it is an adequate description.

2003-17 - Least Tern

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc	Good description and great photographs.
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	Acc	Excellent photos.
Ronald R.	22 Sep 2003	Acc	Good description and photos.
Terry S.	19 May 2003	Acc	Excellent photos
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	The description is a bit incomplete, but the photos are great - I also saw this bird (or maybe a different individual at the same place).
Steven S.	2 Jun 2003	Acc	Clearly a Least Tern. Nice photos.
Merrill W.	12 Jun 2003	Acc	Nice description, good photos, plus, I saw the same bird, so verification of this record is easy.

2003-18 - Yellow-throated Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc	Limited but adequate description, and described typical Yellow-throated Warbler foraging behavior.
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	Acc	All key field marks observed.
Ronald R.	24 Sep 2003	Acc	Good decription and clearly distinguished this species from similar Grace's. Behavior a lso more like yellow-throated.
Terry S.	17 Jun 2003	Acc	Observers adequately ruled out Grace's Warbler
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	Excellent description - behavior fits Yellow-throated Warbler well.
Steven S.	2 Jul 2003	Acc	The timing and location fit for a vagrant of this sort and the description seems to eliminate all other possibilities.
Merrill W.	12 Jun 2003	Acc	Good description; especially appreciate the way they separated it from Grace's Warbler.

2003-19 - Painted Redstart

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc	This spring (2003), a singing Painted Redstart was observed near Weeping Rock from 04-03 to 04-07, and another (or perhaps the same) was observed along the Riverside Walk from 04-29 to at least 05-04.
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	Acc	Good photo. Same bird as previous 2 years?
Ronald R.	27 Aug 2003	Acc	Good evaluation and adequate photo.
Terry S.	17 Jun 2003	Acc	Photo is convincing
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	Not much doubt here.
Steven S.	2 Jul 2003	Acc	The photos leave no doubt and this bird seems to becoming a regular in this area. This bird was actually reported several times before and after this date on the birdnet.
Merrill W.	12 Jun 2003	Acc	Fine description, plus this is a bird I also had a chance to observe, so verification is easy.

2003-20 - Northern Parula

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc	While the description is limited, I believe it is adequate (I also observed this bird on 05/28/03).
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	Acc	Key fieldmarks observed.
Ronald R.	24 Sep 2003	Acc	Description eliminates other species--broken eye-ring eliminates tropical parula.
Terry S.	17 Jun 2003	Acc
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	Good description, song fits as well.
Steven S.	2 Jul 2003	Acc	A well seen singing bird, description fits.
Merrill W.	12 Jun 2003	Acc	I like the description of bird and song. Also verified by a lot of other observers.

2003-21 - Zone-tailed Hawk

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	Acc	Good photos.
Ronald R.	27 Aug 2003	Acc	Good photos and description.
Terry S.	17 Jun 2003	Acc	A Excellent photos
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	Nice photos.
Steven S.	2 Jul 2003	Acc	Great photos.
Merrill W.	12 Jun 2003	Acc	Nice photo. Good description.

2003-22 - Broad-billed Hummingbird

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc
2nd round	26 Nov 2003	Acc
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	Acc	Combination of field marks, especially the tail, eliminate all regular Utah hummers.
2nd round	16 Oct 2003	Acc	Still voting to accept. Key marks (bill, tail) adequately described.
Ronald R.	24 Sep 2003	Acc	A very detailed description. A few field marks were not noted (red on lower mandible, undertail color) and the brown on the head and rump are a bit perplexing. However, the rest of the field marks seem sufficient to identify this species. The unmarked throat was important as black-chinned and magnificent show faint streaking. Observers extensive experience with this species and other similar species important in helping to recognize that this bird was clearly not the regular species in southwestern Utah.
2nd round	28 Mar 2004	Acc	My comments from the first round still apply. The comments from Rick helped answer questions posed during the first round.
Terry S.	17 Jun 2003	Acc	Excellent description
2nd round	3 Jan 2004	Acc	I believe the additional comments provided by the observer answers concerns raised in the first round of votes
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	N, ID	This is another tough call which I'd like to see discussed a bit before we accept it (I'm voting to not accept to ensure that we have this discussion). I also must caution that although I've seen hundreds of female BBHU, and see many each year, most of them have been in Mexico well south of the border, so I don't have as much experience with the northern populations. The description is excellent, which gives us a lot to work with, and perhaps Rick and Steve can clarify a few points which trouble me about this one. The first thing which bothers me is the "indistinct white area behind the eye" - most (all?) of the female BBHU I've seen showed a distinct white post-ocular stripe, set off by an often equally distinct black stripe below it. However, the black is not very obvious (and sometimes absent altogether) in the loral area. I also would not call it a "fairly large" hummingbird - it's about the same size as a Broad-tailed. They also tend to look rather round, no! t lanky, to me. On the plus side, the bill description is good - the red on the bill of the female can be very difficult to see, even under ideal conditions, and the tail behavior is typical of BBHU. [see "Committee Discussion"]
2nd round	27 Mar 2004	Acc	Rick's additional comments were very helpful, and I feel entirely comfortable changing my previous vote, which was based more on principle than conviction.
Steven S.	2 Jul 2003	Acc	One more note about this bird is we got a very good look at the upperside of the tail which was very dark, the whole tail appearing black except for the white tips. I believe this helps eliminate Anna’s Hummingbird which tends to have more green at the base.
2nd round	29 Oct 2003	Acc	I believe this is what we saw. I think Rick’s further comments should help.
Merrill W.	22 Jul 2003	Acc	I accept on the basis of more than one competent birder..... Very complete description.
2nd round	29 Oct 2003	Acc	Second description submitted by Rick helped clarify misgivings I had in the first round.

2003-23 - Eurasian Collared-Dove

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc	I'm glad to see this record and I think it is important to document the expansion of Eurasian Collared-Doves into Utah.
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	Acc	Good photos.
Ronald R.	27 Aug 2003	Acc	Description and photos good. Key marks described ruled out ringed-turtle dove.
Terry S.	17 Jun 2003	Acc	Excellent photos
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	Nice photos make this one easy.
Steven S.	2 Jul 2003	Acc	I think the photos show this species.
Merrill W.	12 Jun 2003	Acc	Photos leave little question as to the identity of this bird. Good description as well.

2003-24 - Louisiana Waterthrush

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Jun 2003	Acc	Well described...bi-colored supercilium, large bill, buffy flanks, and body bobbing are distinctive.
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	Acc	Good description, adequate to eliminate N. Waterthrush.
Ronald R.	10 Sep 2003	Acc	This was a very detailed description that included all the important field marks that would distinguish this bird from N. Waterthrush.
Terry S.	27 Jun 2003	Acc	The observer noted key characteristics in distinguishing the bird from a No. Waterthrush.
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	This description noted all of the important features, and as described all point to Louisiana rather than Northern. I don't know what our policy is regarding single-observer sightings of birds this rare without photo or other physical evidence.
Steven S.	2 Jul 2003	Acc	A well written and complete description of a Louisiana Waterthrush.
Merrill W.	23 Jun 2003	Acc	Seems to be a rather complete description. I have limited experience with this species, but from the description given it seems to indicate this species rather than a Northern Waterthrush.

2003-25 - Curve-billed Thrasher

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	17 Sep 2003	N, ID	I'm starting to lean towards calling this a CBTh, however I would still like to see some photos/descriptions of juvenile Crissal Thrashers (does anyone know of a source for this information?). I'd like to see this go to a second round, and get some additional comments/opinions.
2nd round	19 Oct 2003	N, ID	I apologize for taking so long on this one, but even after reading everyone's comments, something about this bird still troubles me. It appears this one will pass the second round, so I can express my reservations without consequence. The buffy underparts, lack of gray flanks, apparent lack of spotting on the breast, and absence of any wingbars, all are perplexing for a Curve-billed Thrasher. Also this bird appears to me to be a juvenile thrasher (I guess it could be a very worn adult, but time of year would be right for a young bird and maybe a bit early for a very worn adult) and if so, the bill is too strongly curved for a Bendire's and a juvenile Curve-billed. Also Crissal Thrashers regularly nest in this area. Mark points out that based on the literature, 'Crissal Thrashers have similar plumages through all age classes'. I've had very little luck finding much in the way of descriptions or photos of young Crissals (or info on their tail patterns for that matter). However, this past year, I've noticed that both very young Crissal and Le Conte's Thrashers lack the typical crissum coloration of adults and even have some coloration on the rump instead. Next summer, I will try and observe a few very young Crissal Thrashers, and notice coloration, tail pattern etc. (and likely ammend my vote). (Here's a response to an inquiry by Rick to David Sibley)
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	N, ID	Bird in photos has bright buffy belly and undertail coverts which I have never observed on Curve-billed but is found on juvenile Crissal. Bird also lacks any spotting on underparts which should be present on Curve-billed. Bill seems a bit long for Curve-billed . Habitat is also very atypical for Curve-bill but typical for Crissal.
2nd round	27 Sep 2003	Acc	Thanks, Steve and Mark, for the comments on this record. Helped a bunch in sorting out the possibilities and narrowing my choice to one - Curve-billed Thrasher
Ronald R.	10 Sep 2002	N, ID	I am a bit perplexed about a couple of field marks. First, there does not seem to be any faint spotting on the chest. Also, the flanks are not grayish--in fact they are light and almost buffy. These are key marks for curve-billed thrasher. There seems to be little information on coloration of juvenile crissel thrashers and I would like to find more information on this before finalizing this vote.
2nd round	22 Sep 2003	Acc	Based on the outside comments provided by Steve (many thanks for getting these) and also Mark's comments, I will vote to accept this record. My biggest concern was juvenile Crissel and this seems to be ruled out.
Terry S.	14 Jul 2003	N, ID	the strongly curved bill with all dark lower mandible seems to eliminate a Bendire,s Thrasher.The overall color of the bird in the photo does not look right for a Curve-billed. Seems to be orange-brown under parts. Could this be a Juvenile Crissal Thrasher?
2nd round	22 Sep 2003	Acc	I really appreciate the additional information provided by Steve S. and Mark. It convinced me to reconsider and change my vote.
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	I've really agonized on this one, and have studied these photos since they were first posted. I'm bothered a bit by the complete lack of spotting on the breast, and a bit by the warm color on the undertail coverts, but I can't think of anything other than Curve-billed that this bird could be. These are great photos, and the bill shape and color itself eliminates a number of other contenders, such as Bendire's and Sage. All ages and sexes of Crissal show the chestnut undertail coverts. The eye color eliminates LeConte's. If this isn't a Curve-billed, I really don't know what it could be.
2nd round	19 Sep 2003	Acc	It seems that the main controversy with this record is between CBTH and juvenile Crissal. Most thrashers have plumages that either don't differ significantly by age, or only differ slightly. As far as I can tell from the literature, Crissal Thrasher has similar plumage through all age classes (e.g., Howell & Webb, Birds of Mexico). Another feature of this bird, which I didn't mention in my first comment (an oversight on my part) is the tail spots. The spots are clearly visible in the first photo, and have a pattern which is perfect for CBTH, but entirely wrong for Crissal, which has only small buffy tips to the tail feathers from underneath. Curve-billed Thrashers are highly variable over their considerable range, with the more northern birds seeming (to me) to be less spotted and browner than southern (and especially Mexican) birds. We are long overdue for a record of this species in Utah, and I think this one is good enough for the first. As I said before, what ! else could it be?
Steven S.	9 Sep 2003	Acc	All the field marks in the photo point to this species. The only other possibility is Bendire’s Thrasher but the bill just looks too long for that species.
2nd round	20 Sep 2003	Acc	I struggled with this record for a while also thinking this couldn’t be a Curve-billed Thrasher but most marks lead me to this conclusion. So I decided to ask some people outside of Utah. Here’s what I wrote to each one: I was wondering if you could send me your impressions on the attached thrasher photos. These were taken in St. George UT on 21 June 2003. I'm leaving for Ecuador for 3 weeks next Sat. so if possible could you answer this before then? Here are their replies.
Merrill W.	22 Jul 2003	Acc	The crissum is not rusty as in a Crissal Thrasher. The eye is yellow--not dark as in a LeConte's Thrasher. The unstreaked breast rules out Sage Thrasher. The bill is more down-curved than in a Bendire's Thrasher. Therefore I accept this as a Curve-billed Thrasher, especially based on the photos.
2nd round	26 Sep 2003	Acc	I accept this record for the same reasons as I mentioned before.

2003-26 - White-rumped Sandpiper

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	11 Jul 2003	Acc	Well described record and outstanding photo.
Steven H.	18 Aug 2003	Acc	Excellent photo and good description. Date fits late May-early June pattern of previous Utah sightings.
Ronald R.	27 Aug 2003	Acc	Great photo and good description.
Terry S.	14 Jul 2003	Acc	Excellent photos and description
Mark S.	6 Aug 2003	Acc	Excellent photo and description leave little doubt on this one. The late date also favors White-rumped.
Steven S.	8 Jul 2003	Acc	Amazing photo!
Merrill W.	22 Jul 2003	Acc	Description is very good; photo is outstanding. Shows the reddish area on base of lower mandible which is diagnostic of this species--plus photo shows extension of wingtips beyond tail which also helps.