Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Mountain Plover
Scientific name:	Charadrius montanus
Date:	12/25/2012
Time:	3:15 pm
Length of time observed:	20 minutes
Number:	2
Age:
Sex:
Location:	West Rail Trail, Harold S Crane WMA, Weber, UT (Rainbow Unit)
County:	Weber
Latilong:
Elevation:	4325
Distance to bird:	125 yards
Optical equipment:	10x42 Pentax Bino's, 25-75x70 Vortex Impact Spotter, Canon Powershot sx50 hs Camera.
Weather:	Mostly Cloudy, 31 degrees f, no wind and snow on the ground.
Light Conditions:	A little less than perfect.
Description: Size of bird:	Around 9"
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Plover shape. Big belly, slightly longer than normal neck.
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Brownish back with off-white belly and neck.
(Description:) Bill Type:	Short and black
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Whitish forehead leading around large black eyes and then down the neck into breast and undertail, only being interrupted by a slight, almost unseen neckband. Had no black neckband like most plovers. Had a black line between black bill and eye. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	N/A
Behavior:	Plover. No needling or feeding behavior. Moved quite like a Snowy Plover.
Habitat:	Brackish mudflats.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Golden and Black-bellied Plovers, all other Plovers. Did not have black neckband. Did not have any spotting or speck lying on back or breast. Size.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	None with MOPL but limited with Both Golden Plovers and quite a lot with BBPL.
References consulted:	Stokes FG, Petersen's FG, iBird FG, Internet and other birders.
Description from:	Notes taken at time of sighting
Observer:	Mike Hearell
Observer's address:	173 W 1825 N, North Ogden, UT 84414
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	12/26/2012
Additional material:	Photos
Additional_Comments: