Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Prothonotary Warbler
Scientific name:	Protonotaria citrea
Date:	05-22-2012
Time:
Length of time observed:	~ 30 min
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Male
Location:	Lytle Ranch, Beaver Dam Wash
County:	Washington
Latilong:	19
Elevation:	~ 850 m
Distance to bird:	5 m
Optical equipment:	8x42 binoculars
Weather:	clear and calm
Light Conditions:	sunny; bird often viewed in shade
Description: Size of bird:
(Description:) Basic Shape:
(Description:) Overall Pattern:
(Description:) Bill Type:
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	While trying to relocate a Swainson s Thrush in the large mulberry tree in the orchard at Lytle Ranch I heard the distinctive flight seep of a Prothonotary Warbler high in the tree. I followed its movements via the call note for ten or so minutes before it dropped, following a moth, into the lower branches of the mulberry tree. I observed the warbler foraging for another ten minutes or so before continuing up to the Lytle pond; relocated it again in a nearby fruit tree an hour or so later. Description: Medium sized warbler with golden-yellow head, nape, and underparts, brightest in the center of chest. Olive green back, blue-gray wings, and very long white undertail coverts. Short tail, upperside blue-gray with white spots visible in flight; underside dark with white visible in outer rectrices. Black eye prominent on yellow face and large black bill. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	seep flight call, also occasionally gave this call while perched, rather than typical chip call note
Behavior:	Actively foraging in a large mulberry and smaller nearby fruit trees; often explored/gleened clumps of dead leaves.
Habitat:	old orchard adjacent to desert riparian area
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	very distinctive warbler
Previous experience with this & similar species:	yes
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes made later
Observer:	Rick Fridell
Observer's address:	Hurricane, UT
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	07-07-2012
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments:	notes and description above copied from field notes written following sighting.