Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2017-25


Common name:

Long-tailed Jaeger

Scientific name: Stercorarius longicaudus
Date: May 3-11
Time: various
Length of time observed: vaious
Number: 1
Age: Adult
Sex:  
Location: Sand Hollow State Park
County: Washington
Latilong: 19
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: various
Optical equipment:  
Weather: various
Light Conditions: various
Description:        Size of bird:  
(Description:)       Basic Shape:  
(Description:)  Overall Pattern:  
(Description:)            Bill Type:  
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus)

Sand Hollow State Park, Washington Co., UT.

May 3 - 11, 2016. Photographed.

I originally observed the adult jaeger floating on the water to the north of main boat ramp at Sand Hollow State at 1:55p (May 3). I contacted several other birders and watched it flying around a bit and landing on the rocks near the stack of extra boat ramps whle I waited for others to arrive. It was observed on the rocks around 3:00p by the Sommerfelds while I ran home to get a kayak. It then circled high out of sight as Kevin Wheeler arrived but was relocated about 40 minutes or so later (by Bill and Deb Compton) floating on the water south of the emergent red rock outcrops. I paddled out and managed a few decent photographs. It then flew along the west dam towards the south boat ramp.

Observed daily at Sand Hollow State Park through May 11. It would either fly around the reservoir or perch / roost on along the edge of the west dam. Observed occasionally chasing gulls and terns and scavenging dead grebes.

Found dead along Sand Hollow Road (adjacent to the park / west dam) by Jeff Blisky and Tim Avery on 05/13. It appeared to be in good health, prior to being hit by a car. Collected by UDWR and submitted to BYU MLB Museum.

Description:

Small jaeger with a dark black cap extending from base of bill under the eye and back onto the nape. White throat, cheeks, and chest. Cheeks and auriculars with yellowish wash in good light. Slate gray back, sides, belly, rump, and undertail coverts. Wings slate gray with black secondaries and primaries, and four white primary shafts visible in flight. Dark blackish gray wedge shaped tail with two extremely long central rectrices. Eye and orbital ring black. Narrow and relatively short black bill. Legs bluish gray with black feet.
(see photos)

Additional photos at: http://www.pbase.com/rfridell/longtailed_jaeger
Song or call & method of delivery:  
Behavior:  
Habitat: reservoir
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
adults are distinct
 
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
 
References consulted:  
Description from: Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Rick Fridell
Observer's address: Hurricane, UT
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird:  
Date prepared:  04-17-17
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments: description above copied from field notes.