Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Great Gray Owl
Scientific name:	Strix Nebulosa
Date:	8/14/2022
Time:	0900
Length of time observed:	5 minutes
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:
Location:	(40.6438,-110.7910) [Fish Creek, near Rainbow Lake, Uinta Mts.]
County:	[Duchesne]
Latilong:
Elevation:	10000
Distance to bird:	100 yards
Optical equipment:	10x25 binoculars
Weather:	Partly Cloudy
Light Conditions:
Description: Size of bird:	28"
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Round head with stout body
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Gray
(Description:) Bill Type:	Not visible
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Large gray bird that had a classic owl profile. No visible signs of tufts on head. Large gray owl with round head profile seen in a creek area at about 10,000 elevation in the Uinta Mountains. The area is mature pines. I used 10x compact Zeiss binoculars to look at the bird. No head feather tufts as it straightened to camouflage it s view profile. The bird flew as we approached and the flight style was that of a large owl with slow wing beats and long glides. Sibley s Field Guide indicates that this area has non-breeding presence. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Flight style of a large owl.
Habitat:	Creek area with large pines
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Great Horned Owl - no tufts on head visible and coloration was mostly subdued gray.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	limited experience with great gray owl. I regularly handle a great horned owl where I volunteer, Hawk Watch in SLC, UT
References consulted:	Sibley, Merlin
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Robert Fink
Observer's address:	2987 Creek Road, Park City, UT 84098
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	2 MAY 2025
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	Recently eBird requested I submit this form.