Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Long-tailed Jaeger
Scientific name:	Stercorarius longicaudus
Date:	9-12-2021
Time:	8:30 a.m.
Length of time observed:	~1 minute
Number:	1
Age:	Subadult/juvenile light morph?
Sex:	?
Location:	Saratoga Springs Public Marina, Utah County
County:	Utah
Latilong:	40.291317, -111.870882
Elevation:	~4,500
Distance to bird:	100 yards initially - came within about 30 yards of the boat
Optical equipment:	Leica Ultravid 8x42 HD
Weather:	Calm, morning sun
Light Conditions:	Good
Description: Size of bird:	Medium gull/Jaeger sized
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Jaeger/gull
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Black, gray, brownish/cream
(Description:) Bill Type:	Short, stout
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	At the beginning of what turned out to be a failed expedition of a Utah Lake "shorebirding" by boat trip with my dad and Bryant, looking for the recently reported Ruff (but successful in the sense that we saw this bird), I noticed a medium-sized bird extending its wings 100 yards away on shore literally 10-20 yards north of the public marina at Saratoga Springs, where we had put in on our family Lund outboard motor fishing boat (Yes MH, we were stupid enough to try it again. . .). I immediately got my binos on the bird, and realized that it was a jaeger. While looking at the bird in the binos it took flight, and realizing how fleeting jaeger sightings can be I yelled "JAEGER!" to my dad and Bryant, and fumbled around for my camera. All I noted initially was that it was pretty darn dark with a light belly and somewhat "checkered" underwing, and not pot-bellied like a POJA. I snapped a few shots as it flew above the marina, turned directly toward us and then flew wit hin 30 yards of the boat and went SE to harassed a gull, either RBGU or CAGU. Seemed a bit smaller and daintier but I was focused on the jaeger so not 100% sure of size. I was able to get some good diagnostic photos before it disappeared into the ether. From photos, this bird presented colder, more muted tones of gray and cream, lacking the rufous coloration of PAJA (great recent comparison/example at Decker Lake). Rump and under tail barring diagnostic for LTJA, along with long tail feathers. Short bill, but difficult to see how much was actually dark because of the light and angle, but compare to our recent PAJA at Decker. See photos. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	None.
Behavior:	Briefly seen on shore before terrorizing a gull within a minute and then disappearing to the SE
Habitat:	Freshwater Lake
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Size immediately eliminates POJA. Only other option is PAJA. Color, tail length, plumage all eliminate PAJA (see description above) Also note only two outermost primaries have a light base.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have been on 3 pelagics in the last 24 months, including 2 in the Monterey, CA area at the end of August of this year where we saw many jaegers. I've seen probably 50 jaegers in that time, and although I am not proficient when it comes to Jaeger identification (especially young birds) I feel confident with this one.
References consulted:	Cameron Cox - probably the best birder I will ever have the opportunity to run into said 1000% LTJA, and Bryant Olsen was with me.
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Max Malmquist
Observer's address:	2377 East Boyes Street
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Bryant Olsen, Mike Malmquist
Date prepared:	9-23-2021
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S94563996?view=photos