Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Hermit Warbler
Scientific name:	Dendroica occidentalis
Date:	8-23-03
Time:	10:30 AM
Length of time observed:	2 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Immature
Sex:	Female
Location:	Along Santa Clara river Above Gunlock Res.
County:	Washington
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	30 to 40 feet
Optical equipment:	10x42 B&L Elites
Weather:	Clear and calm
Light Conditions:	Good mid morning light
Detailed description of bird:	A obvious Warbler. The sides of the head were yellow with a olive gray smudge in the auricular area. The crown, nape and the back were olive brown. The wings were dark with two white wing bars. The throat was white. The underparts were buffy white with a stronger buffy wash to the side and flanks. The undertail coverts were white. I didn't see the tail well.
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Feeding in the lower part of a willow tree toward the ends of the branches.
Habitat:	Riparion corridor with willows,cottonwoods and a thick understory.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Elimination: Lack of yellow on the breast,streaking on the sides and the back color ruled out a hybrid with Townsend. A first year female Black-throated green would also look more like a Townsend X Hermit hybrid then a pure Hermit.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Living on the West coast I've saw a lot of immature Hermit Warblers. I've also seen a few Townsend X Hermit hybrids.
References consulted:	Dunn & Garrett Warblers
Description from:	Notes made later
Observer:	Larry Tripp
Observer's address:	131 N. Butch Cassidy Trail Central, Utah 84722
Observer's e-mail address:	LTRIPP29@hotmail.com
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Rick Fridell, Kristin Comella, Priscilla and Steve Summers
Date prepared:	11-04-03 (General Public)
Additional material:
Additional comments: