Records Committee Utah Ornithological Society Web Site

Records Committee
Utah Ornithological Society

Status & Comments
Year 2015 (records 26 through 54)

2015-26 Gyrfalcon

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	31 Oct 2015	No, ID	Not a Gyrfalcon.
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	No, ID	There is no link to the photos in the record. Also, perhaps we should change to bylaws to allow a process for the secretary / webmaster to pre-review obvious records when submitted (?).
Kenny F.	11 Oct 2015	No, ID	Looks like a Cooper's Hawk to me.
Dennis S.	28 Oct 2015	No, ID	This is an accipiter not a falcon!
Jack S..	6 Nov 2015	No, ID
Steve S.	4 Dec 2015	No, ID	A 12 inch Gyr in October?
Mark S.	14 Oct 2015	No, ID	Wrong Order.
Larry T.	1 Dec 2015	No, ID	Photo makes this one easy.
David W.	18 Oct 2015	No, ID

2015-27 Red Phalarope

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	31 Oct 2015	No, ID	No details in the description or in the elimination of similar species section. The photo provided appears to be a Red-necked Phalarope.
2nd round:	5 Feb 2016	No, ID	I still think this looks like a red-necked phalarope.
3rd round:	12 Feb 2016	No, ID	Still think this is a red-necked phalarope.
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Should consider combining with record 2015-28 (?).
2nd round:	7 Dec 2015	No, ID	I probably shouldn't have reviewed this along with 2015-28 as I did last round. I agree with others that the bill and pattern of the photographed bird appears to be a Red-necked Phalarope.
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	Acc	Thick bill with paler base rule out a Red-necked Phalarope.
2nd round:	26 Dec 2015	No, ID	Looking more closely at this bird and in several field guides, the pale area at the base of the bill of a Red Phalarope should only be on the lower mandible. This bird shows a pale area only on the top of the bill which makes me think that this is a lighting artifact maybe of the pale head on the top of a wet bill? The observer said that he didn't observe the pale base of the bill in the field, only when he got home and looked at his pictures. Additionally the back does look somewhat streaked in the enhanced picture.
3rd round:	21 Mar 2016	No, ID	See previous comments.
Dennis S.	29 Oct 2015	Acc	Photos helped.
2nd round:	7 Dec 2015	Acc	The questions boil down to a couple of things. The reporter stresses a yellow bill base. Does it appear to have or not? Is the back unstreaked gray or not? Is the bill shorter and thicker than a RNPH? Is the bird slightly larger than a RNPH? I think the report and photos marginally address each of these concerns and apparently RNPH were present to make comparisons. The thickness on the bill especially at the base tipped the scale in favor of a REPH.
3rd round:	6 Feb 2016	Acc	No additional thoughts.
Jack S..	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Description is good. Photographs are supportive.
2nd round:	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Steve S.	4 Dec 2015	No, ID	I'm not seeing any yellow at the base of the bill and the bill looks to long and thin to be a Red Phalarope.
2nd round:	20 Jan 2016	No, ID	Still looks like a Red-necked Phalarope.
3rd round:	25 Mar 2016	No, ID	I still say Red-necked Phalarope.
Mark S.	20 Oct 2015	Acc	Yellow in bill is distinctive; shape also supports Red Phalarope.
2nd round:	18 Dec 2015	Acc	I'm still voting to accept, as I do see a pale/yellowish bill base consistent with Red Phalarope, and not Red-necked, and find the other features of bill thickness & length, and back markings (such as they can be seen) to be within the range of variation for Red Phalarope. I've had this opinion reinforced by recent sightings of numerous winter Red & Red-necked Phalaropes off-shore here in San Blas. This bird is more similar to the Red Phalaropes we're seeing.
3rd round:	26 Feb 2016	No, ID	While I still think this looks more Red Phalarope-ish, I recognize that the evidence before us may not be clear enough to warrant acceptance of this record, so I'm changing my vote.
Larry T.	1 Dec 2015	Acc
2nd round:	30 Dec 2015	Acc	The photo isn't the greatest and I think it is a bit deceiving. The bill appears to be thinner in the first shot but looks ok ( although fuzzy )for a Red in the close up. I got a better perspective of the close up shot when I darkened my screen and set back from it a ways. The bill certainly looked to large for a Red-necked. It does look to me like there is yellow at the base.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	No, ID	This looks more like a Red-necked phalarope to me, based on thin, long bill; boldness of face mask (admittedly not definitive), and what appears as white edgings to scapulars/mantle feathers.
2nd round:	22 Jan 2016	No, ID	I'm sticking to my first round vote.
3rd round:	13 Feb 2016	No, ID	I still think this is clearly a Red-necked phalarope.
Kevin W. 3rd round:	8 Feb 2016	No, ID	Bill length and width indicate that it is more likely a Red-necked Phalarope, it's difficult to see much about the back from photos submitted. The "yellow bill base" used by the submitter to describe differences from other phalaropes doesn't match the pattern of Red Phalarope photos that show it.

2015-28 Red Phalarope

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	31 Oct 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Should consider combining with record 2015-27 (?).
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	Acc	Thicker neck, bulky chest and high riding position in the water separate this from a Red-necked Phalarope.
Dennis S.	29 Oct 2015	Acc	Photos helped.
Jack S..	3 Dec 2015	Acc	The description and photographs support this identification.
Steve S.	5 Dec 2015	Acc	This one looks a little better. I'll wait to see what others think.
Mark S.	20 Oct 2015	Acc	Good documentation. Photo shows Red Phalarope by shape, bill length, size compared to Red-necked Phalaropes, and back color.
Larry T.	1 Dec 2015	Acc
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	Now this one seems to have all the right field marks for a Red phalarope: plain gray back, proper bill length, and face/head pattern,.

2015-29 Red-breasted Sapsucker

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	31 Oct 2015	Acc
2nd round:	5 Feb 2016	Acc	I still think this is a red-breasted.
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice photos; acceptable as a daggetti RBSa.
2nd round:	15 Dec 2015	Acc	I disagree with David and Mark and do not see anything indicative of a hybrid (at least an F1 hybrid). I think this is a daggetti female.
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	Acc	Bird looks good for a daggetti subspecies Red-breasted Sapsucker with nothing indicating hybridization with Red-naped Sapsucker
2nd round:	26 Dec 2015	Acc	I still think that this bird within the range of variation that a daggetti RBSA would show.
Dennis S.	28 Oct 2015	Acc	Nice record - Nice photos - No problems!
2nd round:	7 Dec 2015	Acc	I still think the bird in question is a daggetti subspecies. The extent of white and black in the face of RBSA is somewhat variable, with females oftentimes appearing like the bird in question with a longish white malar stripe and blackish mottling on cheeks. The best evidence of a RNSA/RBSA hybrid is the amount of black in the chest (Kaufman - Advanced birding). A hybrid shows a lot of black. RBSA may show some black specks around the red breast border, especially in females.
Jack S..	6 Nov 2015	Acc	Distinctive photographs!
2nd round:	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Steve S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc
2nd round:	20 Jan 2016	Acc	Look's like daggetti to me. If there is hybridization in its genes its far enough back to not make much difference.
Mark S.	20 Oct 2015	No, ID	I think the photos show a hybrid. I note the following features more consistent with a hybrid than a pure Red-breasted of any subspecies: -long and extensive white mustache stripe -extensive black around the eye -black high onto the lower nape -black invading the red breast (visible on both sides) -black invading the hind-crown While clearly more Red-breasted than Red-naped, this looks like a mixed individual to me.
2nd round:	18 Dec 2015	No, ID	It still is clear to me that this bird is a hybrid. The head markings show as much similarity to Red-naped as they do to Daggetti Red-breasted, and there is clear black in the red breast. Compare this bird to these photos of a hybrid sapsucker, for example: Photo 1 Photo 2
Larry T.	1 Dec 2015	Acc	Looks like a good Red-breasted to me.
2nd round:	30 Dec 2015	Acc	We all know that Sapsuckers hybridize regularly. And with close inspection many out of range birds could be lumped into that group ( hybrids ). To me this bird looks good enough that I wouldn't have a problem calling it a red-breasted in the field.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	No, ID	This looks like a lovely hybrid sapsucker to me. The moustachial stripe looks too bold even for the daggetti race, with a black stripe above the white and a white patch above the eye making things worse. The white & black moustachial stripes continue past a short red break and even broaden farther down & back in a manner that also recalls a Red-naped sapsucker.
2nd round:	22 Jan 2016	No, ID	I wanted to say that I disagree with Rick when he disagrees with us regarding the hybridization of this individual, but he and others have given me pause. However, I still think this bird is more like a hybrid than a pure Red-breasted, even of the southern variety. Perhaps a back-cross? http://www.azfo.net/gallery/2010/html6/RBSA_PenaBlanc_Schmierer_07_October_2010.html

2015-30 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	31 Oct 2015	No, ID	This bird's molt to adult plumage is fairly advanced (although maybe not as advanced as the other juvenile sapsuckers observed at the same time, per the record). Because of the extent of the black and white markings on the back and the the head pattern and red markings, I would not call it a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker based solely on the stage of its molt.
2nd round:	5 Feb 2016	No, ID	No additional comments.
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	No, ID	I've been studying fall / winter sapsuckers closely for the last five or six years... and this bird is quite tricky. Obviously the key to distinguishing these species is the timing/ extent of their preformative molt from juvenal to formative (first-basic) plumage. Both species immediately start this molt as nestlings / fledglings; molting their primaries and rectrices. The main key by late Sept is how advanced the molt is on their head and body feathers, and some lesser and median upper wing coverts. Most RN Sapsuckers should complete the majority of their preformative molt by the end of September, while young YB's preformative molt extends through the winter to the following summer. So molt on this bird looks rather too advanced for a YB Sapsucker (particularly on the head and throat - see record 2015-32), and conversely, appears delayed for a RN by 28 September. From my experience, I'd guess this is a recently fledged juvenile Red-naped Sapsucker (probably from a late nesting?).
2nd round:	15 Dec 2015	No, ID	I'm now convinced this is a late hy Red-naped Sapsucker. While working on the fall NAB report I found an email from Stephanie Greenwood who observed and photographed this bird at Garr Ranch on October 2. She commented it was "associating very closely with an adult Red-naped...like it was feeding or begging". Link to Stephanie's photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bubblesteph/21419917053/in/dateposted-public/
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	No, ID	This bird looks like it could be a hybrid. The back pattern looks more consistent with a Red-naped Sapucker due to the two rows of barring going up the back with a darker patch in the middle of the back. Photos A & B also seem to show some additional reddish patches on the side and the back of the head that would be more consistent with a Red-naped as well.
2nd round:	26 Dec 2015	No, ID	I'm sticking with my original comments.
Dennis S.	7 Dec 2015	No, ID	At first read and look this bird appears a fit to YBSA. But even with some late retention of juvenile plumage the head, breast and abundance of red already on throat and head raise questions concerning purity of species. Might it be a hybrid YBSA/RNSA? For now,need to see what others think!
2nd round:	18 Dec 2015	No, ID	No additional thoughts.
Jack S..	6 Nov 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
2nd round:	20 Jan 2016	No, ID	I'll change my vote after looking again and reading comments by others. If as it looks in Stephanies photos it is being fed by a Red-naped, this may indeed be a hybrid or as stated a late hatched bird.
Mark S.	20 Oct 2015	Acc	Although the date is a close call, the extent of the juvenile plumage on this individual suggests Yellow-bellied more than Red-naped. The pattern of the red entering on the crown, diffusely throughout the crown, rather than from the forehead back, also supports Yellow-bellied.
2nd round:	18 Dec 2015	No, ID	I'm changing my vote, since I think that the amount of red in the throat and on the crown is probably too much for a juvenile Yellow-bellied, especially at such an early date. While late for a Red-naped (perhaps hybrid, or late nesting as Rick suggests), a pure Yellow-bellied at this date would probably not have that much red. We're having a mini-irruption of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers here this year, and every one of the dozen or so that I've seen in the last two months has been in juvenile plumage, and none, even at this date in December, are showing this much red on the head.
Larry T.	1 Dec 2015	Acc	Looks to be in to much in Juv plumage to be a Red-naped at this date.
2nd round:	30 Dec 2015	No, ID	I could have gone either way on this bird at the time of year it was observed. But with the additional info that it was seen closely associating with a Red-napped from Ricks report I will change my vote.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	I went back & forth on this bird. Although most juvenile-plumaged sapsuckers after September are Yellow-bellied (YBSA), some Red-naped sapsuckers (RNSA) retain their juvenile plumage into mid October or later. According to Cliff Weisse, the progression of molt in the crown is important because the RNSA crown molts starts at the front and moves progressively back on the crown, whereas the YBSA crown molt proceeds uniformly (randomly scattered) over the entire crown. This discussion was presented on the Utah Birds website in 2010: http://utahbirds.org/hotlinephotos/2010/SapsuckerComments.htm and also in Kaufman's "Advanced Birding". When I look at this bird, I don't see a sharp demarcation between the front of the crown and the back. There is a lot of white streaking in the crown too, but I'm not sure if it's enough to be definitive. I'm going to vote tentatively to accept.
2nd round:	22 Jan 2016	No, ID	I will yield to the wisdom of others on this one. There are too many good counter-arguments to my first vote.

2015-31 Least Flycatcher

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	31 Oct 2015	Acc
2nd round:	5 Feb 2016	Acc	Still good for a Least Flycatcher.
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Very nice photos. Size and shape (head, bill, wings, & tail proportions) and plumage (pale throat, dark wings, and tertial markings) look good for a Least Flycatcher.
2nd round:	15 Dec 2015	Acc	Still believe this looks good for a Least Flycatcher.
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	Acc	Bold eyering, yellow lower mandible, contrasting wingbars, short primarty extension and whitish throat look good for a Least Flycatcher.
2nd round:	26 Dec 2015	Acc	Nothing on this bird leads me to think it isn't a Least Flycatcher.
Dennis S.	6 Dec 2015	No, ID	I think the reporter makes way too many conclusions and assumptions concerning this record. All Empidonax flycatchers are small, little gray birds, with wing bars, and eye rings. I think we are splitting hairs(feathers) when it comes to size, tail length, grayish/whitish of throat, and overall coloration on fall migrant Empidonax. Trying to ID fall non-singing Empidonax is challenging at best. Even with good photos there's way too much variation between and among close relatives to correctly ID fall migrants of this group.
2nd round:	18 Dec 2015	Acc	At the very "least" we agree the bird in question is an Empidonax flycatcher, and since the photos do favor a Least Flycatcher I'm willing to change my vote and not be the odd man out!
Jack S..	3 Dec 2015	Acc
2nd round:	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
2nd round:	20 Jan 2016	Acc	Still looks good for Least.
Mark S.	20 Oct 2015	Acc	Excellent documentation. Photos show a Least Flycatcher.
2nd round:	18 Dec 2015	Acc
Larry T.	1 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice pics of this bird. Black wings with contrasting edges, nice evenly round eye ring, Bill shape and color, top heavy look with short tail all look good for a Least.
2nd round:	15 Jan 2016	Acc	As before
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	Nice photos.
2nd round:	1 Jan 2016	Acc

2015-32 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
2nd round:	12 Feb 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Present at Lytle from 10/6 to 11/12. http://www.pbase.com/image/161504436
2nd round:	31 Dec 2015	Acc
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	Acc	A sapsucker in juvenal plumage this late in October will almost always be a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, especially with the limited red in the plumage and the overall paleness on the head.
2nd round:	26 Dec 2015	Acc	Sticking with my original comments.
Dennis S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc	Retention of complete juvenile plumage into Oct., prominent head stripes and spotting, and marked breast streaking and coloration leave little doubt -- YBSA.
2nd round:	27 Dec 2015	Acc	No additional thoughts.
Jack S..	3 Dec 2015	Acc
2nd round:	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
2nd round:	20 Jan 2016	Acc	This one still looks too juvenile at this late date to be anything but Yellow-bellied.
Mark S.	27 Oct 2015	Acc	Good documentation. As the observer notes, Red-naped should be much farther into adult plumage by the date of this sighting.
2nd round:	30 Dec 2015	Acc	I still think there's too much juvenile in this bird to be considered a Red-naped. When I look closely at the photos, I can see reddish appearing throughout the crown, supporting Yellow-bellied.
Larry T.	1 Dec 2015	Acc	No doubt with this plumage. Saw one there at the end of Nov. probably the same bird.
2nd round:	15 Jan 2016	Acc	Seems to be no question with this one.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	No, ID	This bird seems to have retained its juvenal plumage late into October, which argues in favor of the Yellow-bellied ID. On the other hand, its crown is clearly molting from front to back, with the forehead much redder than the top or back, and with the boundary being quite distinct. This conflict in field marks is enough for me to push this into the second round to hear what the other Committee members have to say.
2nd round:	12 Feb 2016	Acc	OK, I've seen what the rest of the Committee had to say. It appears my concerns do not seem to be alarming anyone else.

2015-33 Red-throated Loon

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	31 Oct 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	good documentary photos
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	Acc	Looks good for a juvenile Red-throated Loon with a dusky neck with paler area on the face as well as its slender bill that is angled upward.
Dennis S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Adequate report and marginal photo still enough.
Jack S..	21 Nov 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	1 Nov 2015	Acc	Based upon the new photos posted for this record, my concerns are alleviated, and I'm now comfortable accepting this record. The new photos clearly show a Red-throated Loon. [27 Oct 2015] I'm uncomfortable with this record, and would like to see it go to a second round. The description doesn't seem to rule out Pacific Loon, and I'm not sure that the photos can, either. The only thing in the description that would rule out Pacific is the bill - thin and upturned, but any loon can hold its bill upward, and at the long distance of the sighting, that can be hard to see accurately. I can't make anything out in the photos to help with that feature. The observer offers size as a means for telling Pacific from Red-throated, but those two are so close in size (and indeed overlap) that I have trouble with them based on size alone even when both species are present. The thing that makes me most hesitant to accept is the darkness of the neck and head, and the restricted white on the face. These look more Pacific Loon-like to me. A juvenile or basic plumage Red-throated should be much paler, with a much whiter neck and with more extensive white on the cheek. If this is a Red-throated, I would have to say that it's an adult still partially/mostly in alternate plumage. While the molt timing could have an individual still retaining partial alternative plumage at this date, it would seem unusual. I don't know, and can't find, enough information on the sequence of the molt progression to get any help there regarding whether this type of appearance is possible for Red-throated Loon. The other option is that the photos don't accurately depict the appearance of the bird, in which case we're left with the written description, that doesn't offer much help with the issues that concern me. For me, there are just too many doubts for a first-round acceptance, and I'm interested to see the opinions of others on the committee.
Larry T.	1 Dec 2015	Acc	Photos look like a Red-throated.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	Though I am not sure what to make of the first three photos, the other photos and the description support the idea.

2015-34 Palm Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	good photos (except C and C1 are of an Audobon's Warbler).
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	Acc	Brownish overall color along with yellow undertail coverts, streaked chest, pale supercilium and dark eyeline look good for a western Palm Warbler.
Dennis S.	6 Dec 2015	Acc	Even though I accept this record, I wonder about a couple of things. First, there was no mention of the characteristic " tail pumping" of this species, which most often is the most conspicuous behavior. Second, are photos C still of the same bird? It appears the facial pattern is more like a "Myrtle" Yellow-rumped Warbler. The prominent yellow undertail is the best character for this bird.
Jack S..	21 Nov 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	1 Nov 2015	Acc	Photos show a Palm Warbler, yellow under tail coverts are distinctive. The description is sparse, and distinctive behaviors weren't noted, but the photos are conclusive.
Larry T.	1 Dec 2015	Acc	Looks good in pics. Even without the tail pumping behavior being noted.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc

2015-35 Northern Parula

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice record
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	Acc	Unmistakable. Looks great for a Northern Parula.
Dennis S.	28 Oct 2015	Acc	Good supporting photos.
Jack S..	21 Nov 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	1 Nov 2015	Acc	White eye-arcs eliminate Tropical Parula.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Good photos make it easy.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	This bird was well-seen by many birders.

2015-36 Ovenbird

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Good record.
Kenny F.	8 Nov 2015	Acc	Black and orange headstripes, streaked chest and white eyering all good for an Ovenbird.
Dennis S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc
Jack S..	21 Nov 2015	Acc	Nice photos and report.
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good documentation and photos.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice to have good Photos. Nothing to question.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc

2015-37 Prothonotary Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Great photos.
Kenny F.	17 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice warbler!
Dennis S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good photos and report.
Jack S..	3 Dec 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good documentation and photos.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice documentation.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	Distinctive photos and, at times, poetic write-up (gird thy soul when staring into the sharp eyes of this species, people).

2015-38 Black Scoter

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	sparse, but adequate, description
Kenny F.	17 Dec 2015	Acc	White cheek and dark cap and thin bill look good for a Black Scoter.
Dennis S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Marginal photo and adequate report are enough for acceptance.
Jack S..	3 Dec 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	The photos are marginal, but together with the description, is sufficient to establish the i.d.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Seen by several observers and documented well.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	Head shape in blurry photos helpful in ID.

2015-39 Magnolia Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Good record.
Kenny F.	17 Dec 2015	Acc	Description matches a Magnolia Warbler and the pictures mostly look like one.
Dennis S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Poor blurred photos don't add much, but details of written report provide sufficient description and comparison with other similar species to warrant acceptance.
Jack S..	8 Dec 2015	Acc	Description and photos are acceptable for this species.
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice report
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Distinctive tail pattern is visible in some of the photos, and noted in the excellent written documentation.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Photos not very good but you can see what appears to be a distinct Magnolia tail pattern. Important Field mark were observed.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	Good write-up for this very rare Utah vagrant.

2015-40 Common Redpoll

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Great photos
Kenny F.	17 Dec 2015	Acc	Pictures good for this northern finch.
Dennis S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	No comments needed. Good photo.
Jack S..	3 Dec 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Photos show a Common Redpoll.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Good pics of a Common Redpoll
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	Nice photo & write-up.

2015-41 Red-necked Grebe

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Good record
Kenny F.	17 Dec 2015	Acc	Unique shape for a grebe matches Red-necked
Dennis S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good photos.
Jack S..	3 Dec 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Photos show a Red-necked Grebe.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Well Documented with photos
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc

2015-42 Ovenbird

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Description has a few flaws, but head and body pattern are correct, as is the walking behavior (not so much the hopping part...), habitat, and timing.
Kenny F.	19 Dec 2015	Acc	Description of song and appearance fit Ovenbird well.
Dennis S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good detailed report.
Jack S..	8 Dec 2015	Acc	Acceptable description of plumage and behavior. Timing is good.
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good description, including of the call, establish this i.d.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Very distinct bird if seen well. Observer eliminated other species.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc

2015-43 Common Redpoll

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	20 Dec 2015	Acc
Rick F.	3 Dec 2015	Acc	Should be combined with record 2015-40
Kenny F.	19 Dec 2015	Acc	Picture says it all.
Dennis S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good photos.
Jack S..	3 Dec 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Photos show Common Redpolls.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Shouldn't this one be added in with 2015-40.
David W.	29 Nov 2015	Acc	Should this record be combined with the previous one at this location (2015-40)?

2015-44 Black-throated Blue Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Rick F.	4 Dec 2015	Abst
Kenny F.	19 Dec 2015	Acc	White spot on wing seals the deal for this id.
Dennis S.	6 Dec 2015	Acc
Jack S..	8 Dec 2015	Acc	Distinctive photographs!
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good photo and description. White check on wing, thin eyebrow and eye-arc distinctive.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice photo of a distinct bird.
David W.	7 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice.

2015-45 Chestnut-sided Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Rick F.	4 Dec 2015	Abst
Kenny F.	19 Dec 2015	Acc	Great shot of a CSWA.
Dennis S.	6 Dec 2015	Acc
Jack S..	8 Dec 2015	Acc	Distinctive photographs!
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Excellent photo and description of a distinctive species.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice!
David W.	7 Dec 2015	Acc	Another stunning photo from Mr. Fridell.

2015-46 Hermit Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Rick F.	4 Dec 2015	Abst
Kenny F.	19 Dec 2015	Acc	Looks good for a HEWA with no signs of hybridization.
Dennis S.	6 Dec 2015	Acc
Jack S..	25 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice description and photographs!
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc	I think this species should be removed from the review list.
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Excellent photos and documentation.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	This is certainly a uncommon migrant threw the SW of Utah That should be taken of the review list. Nice photos!!
David W.	7 Dec 2015	Acc	Great record for an unusually high number of birds for this species (though I think they are quite regular in the Ponderosa forests in that part of the state during fall migration). Photos, as usual, are excellent, and document different individuals. Nice.

2015-47 Hermit Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Rick F.	4 Dec 2015	Abst
Kenny F.	20 Dec 2015	Acc	Looks good for a Hermit Warbler with no signs of hybridization with TOWA.
Dennis S.	6 Dec 2015	Acc
Jack S..	25 Dec 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good photos and description. Hybrid Townsend's adequately eliminated.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc
David W.	17 Dec 2015	Acc

2015-48 Hermit Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Rick F.	4 Dec 2015	Abst
Kenny F.	20 Dec 2015	Acc	Looks good for a Hermit Warbler with no signs of hybridization with TOWA.
Dennis S.	6 Dec 2015	Acc
Jack S..	25 Dec 2015	Acc
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	There are clearly Hermit Warblers in the photos, and the description helps establish that at least several of the individuals are apparently pure Hermit Warblers. However, I would like to note, while I'm voting to accept, that the first photo appears to be of a Townsend's/Hermit hybrid.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc
David W.	7 Dec 2015	Acc	Another high count for this species. If this keeps up, we may need to remove the Hermit Warbler from our review list. Good work, Rick. The Sommerfelds found an enormous mixed-species flock in this campground on the 15th of August--the largest I've seen in Utah, and that flock contained at least 3 Hermit warblers, but this high number of Hermit warblers subsequently identified here by Rick is a good record indeed.

2015-49 Northern Parula

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	5 Feb 2016	Acc
Rick F.	4 Dec 2015	Abst
Kenny F.	20 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice bird!
Dennis S.	6 Dec 2015	Acc
Jack S..	25 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice description and photographs!
Steve S.	7 Dec 2015	Acc
Mark S.	4 Dec 2015	Acc	Good photo and description.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice photo.
David W.	7 Dec 2015	Acc	Nice record. Good, clear photo, even if it appears to be skewed toward the yellow end of the spectrum.

2015-50 Scarlet Tanager

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	12 Feb 2015	Acc
Rick F.	15 Dec 2015	Acc	Great record.
Kenny F.	20 Dec 2015	Acc	Lack of wingbars look good for a Scarlet Tanager.
Dennis S.	27 Dec 2015	Acc	The written description of a winter tanager with dark, bar-less wings, pale bill, along with a fairly long observation time, tips the scales towards a SCTA. The photo is detracting from the record.
Jack S..	15 Feb 2015	Acc
Steve S.	20 Jan 2016	Acc	Photo and lack of wingbars show Scarlet Tanager.
Mark S.	18 Dec 2015	Acc	The photo is marginal, but together with the description, establishes the i.d. of this distinct species.
Larry T.	16 Dec 2015	Acc	Photo isn't great but is good enough to eliminate anything else along with the description.
David W.	22 Jan 2016	Acc	Nice. Succinct, but hit the main points.

2015-51 Yellow-throated Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	12 Feb 2015	Acc
Rick F.	31 Dec 2015	Acc	Great record!.
Kenny F.	26 Dec 2015	Acc	Beautiful bird! Hope it sticks around.
Dennis S.	27 Dec 2015	Acc	Striking photos!
Jack S..	15 Feb 2015	Acc
Steve S.	20 Jan 2016	Acc
Mark S.	30 Dec 2015	Acc	No room for doubt on this one . . .
Larry T.	15 Jan 2016	Acc	Nice Xmas surprise and great pics!
David W.	1 Jan 2016	Acc	Very many people have seen and photographed this bird. The owners of the feeder (Dale & Kathy Ashcroft) where the bird has been regularly seen nearly every day through today (usually around 9 am and 1pm, less often after 3pm) told me the bird has been coming around for at least a month. Furthermore, they claim that there were two early on, seen simultaneously. Only one has been photographed though. The bird is apparently eating shelled sunflower seeds.

2015-52 Yellow-billed Loon

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	12 Feb 2016	Acc
2nd round:	20 Feb 2016	Acc	I'm still voting to accept. Even with the poor photos, I can still see the features (bill color, back pattern, color, head shape) which distinguish this as a Yellow-billed Loon.
Rick F.	31 Dec 2015	Acc
Kenny F.	28 Dec 2015	Acc	Pale culmen, barred back and overall brownish coloration separate this bird from a Common Loon.
2nd round:	21 Mar 2016	Acc	See previous comments.
Dennis S.	27 Dec 2015	Acc	Head shape, pale bill, pale overall coloration, and adequate photos, are convincing.
2nd round:	16 Feb 2016	Acc	No additional thoughts.
Jack S..	15 Feb 2016	No, ID
2nd round:	29 Feb 2016	Acc	OK! I guess I can accept this record but I'm not very satisfied with the photographs or the descriptions. This record is not nearly as well documented as the last three accepted records for this species. I was also very put off by some descriptions from 2015-52a, in particular, Large, 33+". How can one make this measurement from 500 yards and a scope view? ... from my experience this is not possible.... and likewise makes me skeptical of the detailed description for the head and bill by this same observer ...... at 500 yards and a scope view! I do agree with the committee's comments however, that given a composite from the many poor photographs one can piece together a relatively complete picture for this species.
Steve S.	20 Jan 2016	Acc
2nd round:	14 Apr 2016	Acc	Poor photos still show Yellow-billed Loon
Mark S.	30 Dec 2015	Acc	I'm not particularly happy with the quality of either the photos or the written documentation, but think I can tease out enough detail from some of the photos to support this i.d. Head shape, bill color, facial markings, and back pattern appear consistent with Yellow-billed Loon.
2nd round:	26 Feb 2016	Acc	As per my first round comments.
Larry T.	15 Jan 2016	Acc	pics not very good but seems to show enough to accept.
David W.	22 Jan 2016	Acc	Boy, I am unsure that all the photos are of the same bird. The head shape seems to vary quite a bit. I am voting to accept based on the write-ups and photo H of the Second Series (which shows a distinct forehead-bump).
2nd round:	16 Feb 2016	Acc	I am willing to reevaluate my vote if Jack elaborates on why he voted against this record. But until then, I will stick to my first round vote.
David W. 2nd rd:	31 Mar 2016	Acc	Photos adequate to identify as Yellow-billed Loon.

2015-53 Common Redpoll

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	12 Feb 2015	Acc
Rick F.	31 Dec 2015	Acc	Adequate photos
Kenny F.	28 Dec 2015	Acc	Looks good for a Common Redpoll.
Dennis S.	31 Dec 2015	Acc
Jack S..	15 Feb 2015	Acc
Steve S.	20 Jan 2016	Acc
Mark S.	30 Dec 2015	Acc
Larry T.	15 Jan 2016	Acc	Looks like a common Redpoll.
David W.	1 Jan 2016	Acc

2015-54 Brown Thrasher

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Kathy B.	12 Feb 2015	Acc
Rick F.	31 Dec 2015	Acc	Another nice record
Kenny F.	31 Dec 2015	Acc	Pretty straightforward thrasher.
Dennis S.	31 Dec 2015	Acc
Jack S..	15 Feb 2015	Acc
Steve S.	20 Jan 2016	Acc
Mark S.	24 Jan 2016	Acc	Nice photos..
Larry T.	15 Jan 2016	Acc	Nicely documented.
David W.	1 Jan 2016	Acc	Another bird seen by very many people and well documented with good photographs.