Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Hudsonian Godwit
Scientific name:	Limosa haemastica
Date:	September 5, 2005
Time:	10:00 - 11:00
Length of time observed:	~40 min
Number:	1
Age:	juvenile
Sex:
Location:	Pintail Unit, Fish Springs, NWR
County:	Juab
Latilong:	9
Elevation:	4287 ft
Distance to bird:	30-50 m
Optical equipment:	Zeiss Diascope, 20-60x eyepiece
Weather:	clear, calm, and sunny
Light Conditions:	direct sunlight
Description: Size of bird:	large shorebird
(Description:) Basic Shape:	long legs, long bill
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	brown/gray
(Description:) Bill Type:	long tapering, slightly upturned
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Large shorebird feeding in shallow water; slightly larger and more stocky than nearby Greater Lesserlegs; Brownish gray breast and upperparts with indistinct dark/light spots on scapulars, coverts, and tertials; whitish belly; long black legs; Very long bill slightly upturned near the tip, mostly black with pinkish area on the base of the lower mandible; Head mostly brown with distinct white supercilium and thin dark loral line, indistinct buffy cinnamon patch on forehead, pale throat; black eye; Bright white rump patch and contrasting black tail; Long wings projecting well behind tail on perched bird; Wings dark with white wingstripe and black underwings visible while stretching. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	none
Behavior:	Foraging in shallow water and mudflats, often with its head down for long periods.
Habitat:	Shallow pond, mud flats
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Marbled Godwit: larger, longer billed, with buffy underparts and heavily patterned upperparts Willet: similar in non-breeding plumage (i.e. grayish above, dark underwings, distinct wingstripe), but with light tail and shorter stout bill Other rare godwits: Bar-tailed with streaked upperparts, no wingstripe, and pale tail and underwings; Black-tailed similiar but with straight bill and white underwings.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I've observed Hudsonian Godwits annually in Kansas and Missouri for the past several years, however this is the first I've observed out of range.
References consulted:
Description from:
Observer:	Rick Fridell and Kristen Comella
Observer's address:	3505 West 290 North, Hurricane, UT 84737
Observer's e-mail address:	rfridell@redrock.net
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	1-14-06
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	photos handheld through spotting scope