UBRC Report         

Voting Members: Kathy Beyer, Robert Bond, Rick Fridell, Ryan O'Donnell, Ron Ryel, Terry Sadler, Jack Skalicky, Mark Stackhouse, David Wheeler;  Non-voting Members:  Craig Fosdick (Secretary), Milt Moody (Webmaster), Eric Huish (Archivist), Cody Neuman (eBird Liaison)

This annual report of the Utah Bird Records Committee summarizes 99 records of 49 species submitted in 2013.  The Committee accepted 87 of these records (87.9%). The primary reason for records not being accepted by the Committee during the period covered by this report was insufficient descriptive details to eliminate similar species.  Other reasons included the possibility of the bird being an escapee, the bird being accepted to the genus but not the species level, and the possibility of the bird being a hybrid. 

Besides the Voting Members listed above, the following committee members participated in the review of the records for 2013: Dennis Shirley and Steve Sommerfeld.  The webmaster, Milt Moody, compiled this report, obtaining information from the website and the "Summary Pages" of the records themselves.
 

This year, one new species was added to the checklist of Utah birds. After the split of Winter Wren into Pacific Wren in the western United States and the new Winter Wren for those found mainly in the East, it was assumed that most of the Winter Wren sighting in Utah to this point had been of the new Pacific Wren variety.  The first documentation for the new Winter Wren in Utah was sent in by Joel and Kathy Beyer, for a bird found at Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island, in Davis County. With excellent documentation including photos from all sides taken by Dean DiTommaso, this record was easily accepted as the 451st Utah bird species.

All species evaluated by the Committee are listed by common and scientific name using the nomenclature and taxonomic order of the 7th American Ornithological Society Check-list of North American Birds, 54^th supplement, followed by  the number of the records accepted for this species in the last ten years followed by the total number of official sightings for Utah (in parenthesis). The following information is included with each record in the species section:  record number, occurrence date, sighting location, observer(s) who submitted written documentation of the record, and the number of birds observed along with age and sex if known and a link to any photos submitted with the record (all in parenthesis), and the final-round vote of the committee, with the first number being the “accept” votes and the second number being the “not-accept” votes. A summary/explanation of the sight record review will follow the "final round" numbers for those records that were not unanimously accepted in the first round and will be enclosed in parenthesis. Any comments about the species, as a group, will be, in italics, in the final paragraph of each species section. There are hyperlinks for each species to the list of vetted sightings in Utah, and to the actual sight records along with any photos for that record.
 

The Utah Bird Records Committee would like to thank those individuals who submitted documentation for these rare sightings as well as those who sent in additional material and information about these birds. The submission of photographs and recordings of songs or calls, along with the written documentation is strongly encouraged by the Committee.  They help greatly to establish the validity of these sightings.

SPECIES ACCOUNTS:

Black Scoter   (Melanitta americana  (12 / 22)

    2013-91  14 Oct 2013 - Sand Hollow SP, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (imm female, photo)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-75  28 Oct 2013 - Antelope Island Causeway, Davis Co., by Bryant Olsen, (one, photos)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-76  29 Oct 2013 - Farmington Bay, Davis Co., by Bryant Olsen, (one, photos)  1st round: 9-0

Scaled Quail  (Callipepla squamata)  (0 / 2)

    2013-50  1 Jun 2013 - Circleville, Piute Co., by Kenneth G D Allen, (one)  2nd round: 0-6  --  (The likelihood of this being an an escapee, became more apparent with discussion).

Red-throated Loon  (Gavia stellata)  (10/18)

    2013-34  24 Apr 2013 - Lee Kay Ponds, Salt Lake Co., by Bryant Olsen, (one, photos)  1st round: 9-0
 

Red-necked Grebe  (Podiceps grisegena)  (16 / 25)

    2013-11  26 Oct 2012 - Lee Kay Ponds, Salt Lake Co., by Matt Pendleton, (one, photos)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-74  22 Oct 2013 - Provo Airport Dike, Utah Co., by Eric Huish, (Juvenile, photos)  1st round: 7-0

    2013-77  2 Nov 2013 - Pineview Reservoir, Weber Co., by Mike Hearell; Kris Purdy (Juvenile, photos, drawings)  1st round: 9-0

Flamingo  (Phoenicopterus sp.)  (1 / 2)
    2013-40  15 May 2013 - Near Wellington, Carbon Co., by Lloyd Logan, (two adults)  2nd round: 0-6 no nat  --  (One reviewer was willing to accept this as a "flamingo - species unknown" which sent this to a second round where the natural occurrence was universally questioned).

Neotropic Cormorant  (Phalacrocorax brasilianus)  (1 / 2)

    2013-29  25 Feb 2013 - Willow Pond, Murray, Salt Lake Co., by Richard Young, (one, photos)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-32  4 Apr 2013 - Provo Airport Dike, Provo, Utah Co., by Jeff Cooper, (one, photos)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-55  11 Jun 2013 - Ogden Bay, Weber Co., by Mike Hearell, (one, photo)  2nd round: 6-2  --  (There were different interpretations of the photos that caused some differing opinions, but the majority accepted the ID).

    2013-58  4 Jul 2013 - Ogden Bay, Weber Co., by Mike Hearell, (two, photos)  2nd round: 6-2  --  (There was some confusion between the written description and the photos which cause some persistent doubts, but the majority were convinced to accept the ID).

    2013-61  15 Jul 2013 - Logan Fish Hatchery Pond, Logan, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (one, photos)  1st round: 7-1 abs

    2013-84  28 Mar 2013 - St. George, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (subadult, photo)  1st round: 8-1 abst

Least Bittern  (Ixobrychus exilis)  (3 / 11)

    2013-62  18 Jun 2013 - Virgin River at St. George, Washington Co., by Robert Dobbs, (two adults, photos)  1st round: 8-0

White Ibis  (Eudocimus albus)   (2 / 3)

    2013-43  11 May 2013 - Skipper Bay Trail, Utah Co., by Brenton Reyner , (two)  2nd round: 6-1  --  (The possibility of two naturally occurring vagrant birds of this rarity, was a concern, but the ID of these birds was convincing).

Glossy Ibis  (Plegadis falcinellus)  (3 / 8)

    2013-38  4 May 2013 - Hyde Park Lane, Benson, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (two, photos)  1st round: 7-1 abs

    2013-42  17 May 2013 - About 10420 W, 900 N, Lehi, Utah Co., by Jeff Cooper, (one)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-45  11 May 2013 - Benson, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (one, photos & video)  1st round: 7-1 abs

    2013-46  20 May 2013 - Amalga Barrens, Amalga, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (one, photos)  1st round: 7-1 abs

    2013-47  24 May 2013 - Logan, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (one, photos)  1st round: 7-1 abs

    2013-54  11 Jun 2013 - Ogden Bay, Weber Co., by Mike Hearell, (one)  2nd round: 6-1  --  (Most reviewers considered the description sufficient to cover the possibility of a hybrid).

    2013-59  6 Jul 2013 - Crawford Mountain Road, Rich Co., by Jeff Cooper, (adult, photos)  1st round: 9-0

Zone-tailed Hawk  (Buteo albonotatus)  (9 / 18)

    2013-86  29 Aug 2013 - Lava Point, Zion NP, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (one, photo)  1st round: 8-1 abs

Mountain Plover  (Charadrius montanus)  (2 / 8)

    2013-33  10 Apr 2013 - Antelope Island, Davis Co., by Mia McPhearson, (two, photos)  1st round: 9-0

Bar-tailed Godwit  (Limosa lapponica)  (2 / 8)

    2013-64  5 Aug 2013 - Willard Bay Northwest Playa, Box Elder Co., by Kathy & Joel Beyer, (adult)  2nd round: 6-2-1 abs  --  (With no photos and a higher standard for first state records, it took three members of the records committee as eye witnesses to confirm this ID for a first state record).  (First State Record)

Ruff  (Calidris pugnax)  (5 / 8)

    2013-71  28 Sep 2013 - Ogden Bay WMA, Weber Co., by Mike Hearell, (one)  2nd round: 0-9  --  (Although a lot of the reviewers thought it most likely was a Ruff, they also thought that the description of the bird didn't rule out other possible species).

Parasitic Jaeger  (Stercorarius parasiticus)  (2 / 11)

    2013-68  12 Oct 2013 - Provo Airport Dike, Utah Co., by Eric Huish, (adult, photos)  1st round: 7-0

Western Gull  (Larus glaucoides)  (9 / 13)
    2013-12  14 Jan 2013 - Lake Park, West Valley City, Salt Lake Co., by Bryant Olsen, (3rd cycle, photos)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-19  3 Feb 2013 - Farmington Bay, Davis Co., by Mike Hearell, (3rd cycle & Adult, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-48  16 May 2013 - Neponset Reservoir, Deseret Ranch, Rich Co., by John Ruckdeschel, (one)  2nd round: 1-7  --  (With no photos, the description of the bird is vital. Other dark-backed gulls were not adequately eliminated by the write-up).

    2013-94  6 Dec 2013 - West Valley City, Salt Lake Co., by Mike Hearell  (adult, photos)  1st round: 9-0

Iceland Gull  (Larus glaucoides)  (7 / 7)

    #2013-80  29 Nov 2013 - Lee Kay Ponds, Salt Lake Co., by Mike Hearell  (one, photos)  2nd round: 6-1  --  (There were some indications that this bird might be on the Thayer's end of the spectrum, but most accepted this as a "Kumlien's Gull" -- a supposed subspecies of the Iceland Gull -- somewhere between a Thayer's and an Iceland Gull).

Lesser Black-backed Gull  (Larus fuscus)  (7 / 7)

    2013-02  22 Dec 2012 - Bountiful Pond, Davis Co., by Mike Hearell, (two, photos)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-07  7 Jan 2013 - West Valley City, Salt Lake Co., by Bryant Olsen, (adult, photos)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-28  25 Feb 2013 - Logan Landfill, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (one, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-39  2 May 2013 - Logan River Wetlands, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (one, photos)  1st round: 7-1 abs
 

Least Tern  (Sternula antillarum)  (1 / 1)
    2013-36  6 May 2013 - Pioneer Crossing Ponds, Lehi, Utah Co., by Jeff Cooper, (one, photos)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-41  16 May 2013 - Provo Airport Dike, Provo, Utah Co., by Eric Chase, (one, photos)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-49  27 May 2013 - Willard Spur, Box Elder Co., by Kristin Purdy, Paul Higgins (one, photos)  1st round: 8-0

Snowy Owl  (Strix nebulosa)  (2 / 7)

    2013-21  16 Feb 2013 - Amalga Barrens, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (male, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-31  4 Mar 2013 - Myton, Duchesne Co., by J Jackson, (one)  1st round:0-9  --  (With no description or photos of the bird, the reviewers had only the information that a person who had lived in Alaska reported seeing a Snowy Owl. Not enough for an ID).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird  (Archilochus colubris)  (4 / 9)

     2013-88  12 Sep 2013 - Diamond Valley NP, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (hy male, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

Allen's Hummingbird  (Selasphorus sasin)  (4 / 9)

    2013-83  16 Jan 2013 - Ivins, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (SY male, photos)  2nd round: 8-1 abs

Broad-billed Hummingbird  (Cynanthus latirostris)  (4 / 9)

    2013-81  5 Dec 2012 - Ivins, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (hy male, photo)  1st round: 8-1 abs

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker  (Sphyrapicus varius)  (7 / 14)

    2013-82  21 Dec 2012 - Lytle Ranch, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (immature, photos)  2nd round: 7-1-1 abs  --  (Despite some suspicion of hybridization, this bird was accepted as a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in a post juvenile molt).

Red-breasted Sapsucker  (Sphyrapicus ruber)  (7 / 14)

    2013-89  4 Oct 2013 - Lytle Ranch, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (juv male?, photos)  1st round: 8 acc, 1 abs

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher   (Empidonax fluviventris)   0 Vetted

    2013-66  10 Sep 2013 - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island Davis Co., by Bryant Olsen, (one, photos)  2nd round: 0-9  --  (Western Flycatcher could not be ruled out by the documentation).

Least Flycatcher  (Empidonax minimus)  (13 / 20)

    2013-53  8 Jun 2013 - Icon River Trail, Logan, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (adult, male)  1st round: 7-1 abs

    2013-56  16 Jun 2013 - Riverdale, Weber Co., by Kristin Purdy, (adult, photos)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-57  18 Jun 2013 - Ouray NWR, Uintah Co., by Bryant Olsen, (one, photos, video)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-60  26 Jun 2013 - Lund Lane, Farmington, Davis Co., by Jeff Cooper, (adult, photos)  1st round: 8-0

Tropical Kingbird  (Tyrannus melancholicus)   (3 3)

    2013-78  7 Nov 2013 - Ogden Bay WMA, Weber Co., by Mike Hearell (one, photos)  1st round: 9-0

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher  (Tyrannus forficatus)  (3/ 11)

    2013-65  12 Aug 2013 - Shorelands Preserve, Davis Co., by Kendall Watkins, (1st year, photos)  1st round: 1-7  --  (A Western Kingbird was not eliminated as a possibility for this bird).

Chihuahuan Raven  (Corvus cryptoleucus)  (3 / 5)
    2013-70  16 Sep 2013 - Arches National Park, Grand Co., by Mike Cadman, (one, photos)  3rd round: 1-8  --  (With a difficult ID for a first state record, the reviewers were very thorough and careful with this record and were not completely convinced about the ID).

Winter Wren  (Troglodytes hiemalis)  (3 / 5)

    2013-22  17 Oct 2010 - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island, Davis Co., by Joel and Kathy Beyer, (one, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-23  20 Feb 2013 - Grove Creek Canyon, Pleasant Grove, Utah Co., by Eric Huish, (one, photos)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-92  27 Nov 2013 - Cottonwood Wash, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (one, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-96  14 Dec 2013 - Logan, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell  (one, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-98  29 Dec 2013 - Provo River Oxbow, Provo Utah Co.., by Eric Huish  (one, photos, audio, spectrogram)  1st round: 9-0

Veery  (Catharus fuscescens)  (1 / 5) 

    2013-67  30 Aug 2013 - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island Davis Co., by Ken Rosenberg, (adult, photos)  1st round: 7-0

McCown's Longspur  (Rhynchophanes mccownii)  (6 / 15)

    2013-04  6 Jan 2013 - Near Ogden Bay WMA, Weber Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (one female/juvenile)  1st round: 7-1 abs

    2013-18  28 Dec 2012 - Near Penrose, Box Elder Co., by Kendall Watkins, (1st winter male, photos)  2nd round: 7-0  --  (The doubt expressed in the first round was alleviated by excellent analysis and discussion in the second round).

Ovenbird  (Seiurus aurocapilla)  (1 / 4)

    2013-27  4 May 2012 - Logan, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell , (adult male)   2nd round: 6-2-1 abs  --  (Despite only having a description of the song of this bird, the experience of the observer was considered and convinced most of the reviewers to accept this ID).

Prothonotary Warbler  (Protonotaria citrea)  (7 / 14)

    2013-44  15 May 2013 - SunRiver St. George Golf Course, Washington Co., by Bill Hunter, (one)  3rd round: 2-6  --  (There were concerns about eliminating other similar species in the write-up, which became gradually more of a problem through the later rounds).

Tennessee Warbler  (Oreothlypis peregrina)  (9 / 10)

    2013-69  22 Sep 2013 - Big Cottonwood Reg.Park, Holladay Salt Lake Co., by Richard Young, (one, photos)  1st round: 7-0

Blackburnian Warbler  (Setophaga  fusca)  (3 / 6)

    2013-73  9 Oct 2013 - Lytle Ranch, Beaverdam Wash, Washington Co., by Douglas Mead, (adult male?)  2nd round: 0-9  --  (For a first state record without photos, the reviewers thought that the description didn't quite meet the higher standard for the first record of this species in the state).

Northern Parula  (Setophaga americana)  (16 / 26)

    2013-51  18 May 2013 - Lytle Ranch, Washington Co., by Norm Parrish, (adult, female)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-79  19 Nov 2013 - Provo Airport Dike, Utah Co., by Eric Huish (male, photos)  1st round: 9-0

Chestnut-sided Warbler  (Setophaga magnolia)  (10 / 22)

    2013-97  28 May 2011 - Dead Horse Point, San Juan Co., by Ian Gardner  (adult male)  1st round: 9-0

Magnolia Warbler  (Setophaga magnolia)  (5 / 15)

    2013-90  9 Oct 2013 - Beaver Dam Wash, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (hy male /ad female, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

Hermit Warbler  (Setophaga occidentalis)  (6 / 21)

    2013-63  4 Aug 2013 - Table Cliff Plateau, Garfield Co., by Bryant Olsen, (one, photos)  3rd round:  6-3  --  (Concerns that this could be a hybrid with a Townsend's Warbler resulted in a lot of convincing research on both sides. The opinions were ultimately in favor of accepting this as a Hermit Warbler).

    2013-85  29 Aug 2013 - Lava Point, Zion NP, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (adult male, photo)  1st round: 8-1 abs

Palm Warbler  (Setophaga palmarum)  (8 / 19)

    2013-37  6 May 2013 - Utah Lake State Park, Provo, Utah Co., by Ned Bixler, (one, photos)  1st round: 8-0

Bay-breasted Warbler  (Setophaga castanea)  (1 / 1)

    2013-72  14 Oct 2013 - Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., by Bryant Olsen, (Hatch Year, photos)  2nd round: 9-0  --  (Minor questions in the first round were resolved in the second round for a unanimous agreement on the ID).

Painted Bunting  (Passerina versicolor)  (0 / 0)
    2013-35  30 Apr 2013 - Garr Ranch, Antelope Island, Davis Co., by Bryant Olsen, (one, photos)  3rd round: 5-3 no,nat  --  (The ID of this bird was not in question, but the natural occurrence was. With discussion and expert opinions this sighting was accepted after three rounds).

    2013-93  29 Nov 2013 - Lytle Ranch, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (female, photo)  1st round: 8-1 abs

Rusty Blackbird  (Euphagus carolinus)  (7 / 12)

    2013-95  14 Dec 2013 - Smithfield Fish Hatchery, Cache Co., by Craig Fosdick  (two, photos)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-99  20 Dec 2013 - West of Reese, Weber Co., by Mike Hearelll  (male, photos)  1st round: 9-0

Baltimore Oriole    ( Icterus galbula)  (7 / 12)

    2013-52  22 May 2013 - Springdale, Washington Co., by Carl Ingwell, (adult, male)  2nd round: 7-1  --  (There was a concern about the possibility of hybridization , but most reviewers were satisfied with the written description). 

    2013-87  28 Sep 2013 - Washington Fields, Washington Co., by Rick Fridell  (female, photo)  2nd round: 6-1-1 abs  --  (Despite suggestions of hybridization, the majority thought this was good for a female Baltimore Oriole).

Common Redpoll  (Acanathis flammea)  (29 / 41)

    2013-03  6 Jan 2013 - Liberty, Weber Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (78, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-06  8 Jan 2013 - Logan, Cache Co., by Craig Fosdick, (four, photos)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-08  12 Jan 2013 - East Layton, Davis Co., by Wes Segni, (4-8, photo)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-09  15 Jan 2013 - Hyde Park, Cache Co., by Craig Fosdick, (female, photos)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-10  13 Jan 2013 - Bear River Bottoms WMA, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (10, photos)  1st round: 7-1 abs

    2013-13  29 Dec 2012 - West of Kelton, Box Elder Co., by Bryce Robinson, (30, photos)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-14  25 Jan 2013 - Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., by Patricia Richards, (2-3, photos)  1st round: 8-0

    2013-15  12 Nov 2012 - Logan, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (one, photos)  1st round: 7-1 abs

    2013-17  3 Feb 2013 - City Creek Canyon, Richmond, Cache Co., by Ryan O'Donnell, (40, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-20  11 Dec 2012 - Antelope Island, Davis Co., by Rick Fridell, (40, photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

    2013-24  13 Jan 2013 - Eagle Mountain, Utah Co., by Eric Huish, (one, photos)  1st round: 9-0

    2013-25  19 Feb 2013 - West of Amalga Barrens, Cache Co., by John Ruckdeschel , (flock of 35)  2nd round: 6-3  --  (The description that mentioned a dark bill and didn't mention a red cap created some doubt, but most reviewers thought that other species were adequately eliminated).

    2013-26  27 Feb 2013 - Big Cottonwood Canyon, Salt lake Co., by John Ruckdeschel , (six +)  2nd round: 7-2  --  (Some field marks that were missing or a bit off, created some doubt, but other field marks seemed to eliminate any other possibility).

    2013-30  3 Mar 2013 - North Logan, Cache Co., by Ron Ryel, (one male; photos)  1st round: 8-1 abs

Hoary Redpoll  (Acanathis hornemanni)  (29 / 41)
    2013-01  30 Dec 2012 - Jenson, Uintah Co., by Clay Johnson, (one, photos)  1st round: 0-9  --  (Reviewers mentioned characteristics of both Hoary and Common Redpolls on this individual, so this was not accepted as a pure Hoary Redpoll).

    2013-05  5 Jan 2013 - Near Park City, Summit Co., by Bryan Shirley, (male, photo)  2nd round: 6-0  --  (The foreshortened look at the bill of this bird made it hard to assess the length of the bill and the pushed-in look of the face, so there were some questions in the first round. The questions were resolved in the second round by other field marks).

    2013-16  31 Jan 2013 - Croydon, Morgan Co., by Weston Smith, (one, photos)  3rd round: 3-4  --  (The characteristics of this bird were right between Common and Hoary Redpoll which was indicated by the split vote reached by a lot of research on this record).

* The heading photo is of a Mountain Plover by  Mia McPhearson (Record 2013-33)