Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Curlew Sandpiper
Scientific name:	Calidris ferruginea
Date:	August 14, 2005
Time:	7:15 pm
Length of time observed:	15 minutes
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:
Location:	Antelope Island Causeway
County:	Davis
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	20-25 yards
Optical equipment:	Bausch and Lomb Discover Zoom Telescope
Weather:	Clear, calm
Light Conditions:	Bright sun
Description: Size of bird:	About 8" in length, as compared to surrounding Western and Baird's Sandpipersand Snowy Plovers
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Slender, long-legged sandpiper
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Pale gray and white
(Description:) Bill Type:	Long, decurved
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	This bird had long black legs. We noted about one-third of the complete leg length above the joint and two-thirds below. The bird seemed much "taller" than the surrounding birds--mostly Western Sandpipers, Snowy Plovers and a few Baird's Sandpipers. The bill was long, black and curved downward. For comparison, the length of the bill was one-and-a-half to two times the width of the head from front to back. Its head and face were pale gray. A bright white supercillium contrasted with the gray face. The cap above the white eyebrow appeared slightly darker than the rest of the head. The bird's back (and folded wings) were a striking extremely pale gray and the underparts were white. There was no visible variation to the gray over white pattern except for a very slight gray wash (no streaking) on the upper breast. The bird had a slender overall body shape and a longer body length than a Western Sandpiper. Assuming the length of a Western Sandpiper at 6" would make this bird approximately 8" in length. We also noted a narrow white wing stripe on the top surface of the wing as the bird was preening.
Song or call & method of delivery:	Not heard
Behavior:	The bird chased several smaller birds, preened for a few minutes and occasionally pecked at the wet mudflat. When the surrounding birds flew, it ran several steps and then joined the flock of smaller birds.
Habitat:	Wet mudflat on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, next to very shallow water.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Stilt Sandpiper has yellow legs. Its bill is also straighter with a slight droop. Dunlin does not have a bright white supercillium. It is also not as slender in body shape and is browner and more darkly colored overall in basic plumage. It also has a long straight bill with a slight droop.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	We've seen one prior Curlew Sandpiper in incomplete breeding plumage on the AIC in 5/2001. We've seen many Stilt Sandpipers and Dunlins in both basic and breeding plumage over several years.
References consulted:	Sibley and National Geographic field guides
Description from:	Notes taken at time of sighting
Observer:	Joel and Kathy Beyer
Observer's address:	1719 Hillcrest Ave., Salt Lake City, UT 84106-3623
Observer's e-mail address:	twobirders@juno.com
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	August 16, 2005
Additional material:
Additional comments: