Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Thick-billed Longspur
Scientific name:	Rhynchophanes mccownii
Date:	1/16/2024
Time:	2pm~
Length of time observed:	Off and on for about an hour total
Number:	5
Age:	Some adult males(2 or 3)
Sex:	Mixed, some males, some female or immature
Location:	Ogden Bay WMA
County:	Weber
Latilong:	41.225080, -112.173406
Elevation:	4200ft~
Distance to bird:	50-80m
Optical equipment:	Kowa 66mm Spotting Scope
Weather:	Sunny, clear calm and cold,26F
Light Conditions:	Harsh, sunny day with snow on the ground
Description: Size of bird:	smallish passerine
(Description:) Basic Shape:	plump
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	dull brown and grayish
(Description:) Bill Type:	stout grainivore
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	I initially found 1 here on 1/7/24, but it was late, windy and cold so I did not attempt photos (Note at that time TBLO was not a review species). I returned on 1/16 to relocate, photograph and see what else may be mixed in. I arrived at around 1:30pm, initially I found a couple small flocks that only had Horned Larks, but eventually found a bigger flock farther out and almost immediately located a Thick-billed Longspur in the scope. While watching and studying it, I noted another. Notes from sighting-first saw tail in flight, white with dark T(white-tailed Longspur would have been a better name)noted big head and stout bill, short tailed with chunky body, black breast shield and gray belly. Noted 2 together several times, at one point found a group separate from Larks with 5 or 6 TBLO and 2 or 3 LALO (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Heard Longspur rattle flight calls several times, but Lapland also present so unsure which species
Behavior:	Feeding on weeds and pickleweed sticking up through 6inches of snow, then flocks would flush, fly around then re-land, over and over
Habitat:	Pickleweed-saltgrass playa near wetlands along east shore of Great Salt Lake
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Lapland Longspur- direct comparison, smaller head and bill, rich rufous tones with bold black streaking on flanks and dark auriculars, black upper breast with white belly, only 1 white outer tail feather Chestnut-sided Longspur-smaller head and bill, with wing bars and a blackish belly. 3 white outer tail feathers Smith's Longspur-smaller head and bill, buffy belly with black streaking and auriculars Snow Bunting-whiter overall with white wing patches, black primaries. No other Longspur or passerine has the same distinctive white tail with a dark T
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Yes, several
References consulted:	Sibley app
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Bryant Olsen
Observer's address:	84102
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	None that I know of as of writing of record
Date prepared:	1/20/24
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S159092563