Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Great Gray Owl
Scientific name:	[Strix nebulosa]
Date:	January 29, 2017
Time:	4:00 PM
Length of time observed:	30 minutes
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:
Location:	1750 W. 1500 N. Wasatch County, Utah 84032
County:	Wasatch
Latilong:
Elevation:	5800
Distance to bird:	30 yards
Optical equipment:	Nikon Camera 200 MM lens
Weather:	Fair
Light Conditions:	Good
Description: Size of bird:	18 - 24 inches tall -
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Upright oval
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	dark brown - white / black bowtie under chin
(Description:) Bill Type:	hooked beak
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Large rounded head, dish shaped face. Black and white "bowtie" under chin. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Was hunting along a brushy fence line. Would sit in top of brush or on fence post and turn it's head to listen for prey. After a few minutes, it would move further down by 20 - 30 yards and repeat that behavior. Did not observe any catches.
Habitat:	Open snowy fields with occasional river willows and brush.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Thought at first it could be a barred owl, however the bowtie markings and eye color were distinguishing to eliminate that
Previous experience with this & similar species:
References consulted:
Description from:	From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Cary Hobbs
Observer's address:	131 Ryans Lane, Midway, Utah 84049
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Many birders identified it from photos I posted on the Utah Bird Hotline. About 50 people came to this location the day after I posted the photos but did not locate the bird.
Date prepared:	Feb 2, 2017
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments: