Records Committee Utah Ornithological Society Web Site

Records Committee
Utah Ornithological Society

Status & Comments
Year 2008 (records 1 through 15)

2008-01 McCown's Longspur

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	15 Mar 2008	Acc	Great record
Eric H.	18 Feb 2008	Acc	The field marks described and the marks seen in the photo do not fit any other bird (tail pattern + chestnut median coverts). Some of the description doesn't seem to fit the photo exactly. Maybe there were more than two birds?
Colby N.	18 Feb 2008	Acc	Good description and elimination of similar species and photo helps, too.
Kristin P.	23 Jun 2008	Acc
Terry S.	18 Mar 2008	Acc	Even though I would have liked to have seen better description of body shape, primary projection, and comparative bill shape with the Laplands that were present, I believe solid narrative supports the sighting.
Larry T.	8 Jun 2008	Acc
David W.	13 Mar 2008	Acc	Well, we can't complain about too sparse a description on this one.

2008-02 Cackling Goose

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Mar 2008	Acc
2nd round	22 Aug 2008	No, ID	I suppose this could be a Lesser Canada Goose (B. c. parvipes), however I still think most of the features point to a Taverner's Goose (B. h. taverni).
Eric H.	13 Apr 2008	No, ID	The 'cackling' geese in the photos look fairly large. The bill does look small but not really stubby. I don't feel at all confident identifying the white-cheeked geese that aren't at the extremes of size/shape.
2nd round	2 Nov 2008	No, ID	I can't say with confidence that this isn't a Lesser Canada Goose (B. c. parvipes).
Colby N.	9 Jun 2008	No, ID	While the written description fits Cackling Goose, the photos make this record a little more ambiguous. In the photos where the bird(s)' bill is observable (photos A,B,E), it looks too long for a 'good' Cackling Goose. Now that does not mean this bird is out of the range for Cackling Goose either. This reminds of a bird I saw at an industrial park last winter where the bird seemed like it could go either way. If others feel this is within the range of Cackling Goose, and I'm out to lunch (and I do some more research) then I will likely give this record a yes in the second round. I have no doubt that Ryan saw a Cackling Goose, but I'm just not sure the one(s) with the best side profile is a Cackling Goose given the photos.
2nd round	20 Oct 2008	No, ID
Kristin P.	29 Jul 2008	Acc
2nd round	2 Nov 2008	No, ID	Looks like we share the same doubts about identifying the mid-range Canada/Cacklers from each other. See my comments on 2007-23. What's the future for these subspecies records with our committee, especially records that don't include photos? This one had photos and we couldn't confidently say it's one or the other, therefore, it will not be accepted.
Terry S.	10 May 2008	Acc
2nd round	11 Sep 2008	No, ID	Other reviewers have made me have second thoughts on this record. Colby's and David's comments are persuasive.
Larry T.	20 Jun 2008	Acc
2nd round	23 Sep 2008	No, ID	After reading other comments I looked at this record closer and would have to agree this one could go either way.
David W.	19 Mar 2008	No, ID	At the outset, let me just say that I almost want to recuse myself from this vote because I am still struggling with the definitive identification of the various subspecies of the Canada/Cackling goose complex. I've seen geese like these in Utah and have not yet had the courage to put them on my own Utah list, out of nagging doubt. I do feel comfortable saying these geese do not look like the the minima or leucopareia subspecies of the Cackling goose, but could possibly be the taverneri or hutchinii subspecies. I am voting NO because these are not "obviously" Cackling geese, to my mind. When I look at photos of the Lesser Canada goose (B. c. parvipes), I see a good match that fits the photos presented with this record. That subspecies of Canada goose also has a squarer head; shorter neck; shorter, more wedge-shaped bill; and is 2/3 the size of our moffitti Canada geese. Neck ring is pretty variable across both species, so I will not even address that. I do not feel the observer adequately ruled out the Lesser Canada goose in this writeup/photos.
2nd round	31 Aug 2008	No, ID

2008-03 Common Ground-Dove

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Mar 2008	Acc
2nd round	21 Oct 2008	Acc	There is no question that Laurie's bird was a Common Ground-Dove. In regards to David's question - yes I did see the bird, and I simply transcribed Laurie's notes. I also took some notes on the dove and could submit them if necessary, however, since Laurie found the dove, I encouraged her to write-up the record for submission. And in my (biased?) opinion, I believe the write-up (although scant) and photos (although low resolution) are adequat
Eric H.	13 Apr 2008	Acc	I wish the photos were just a little sharper and I wish the observer would have described the bird more. She mentions 'pink at base of bill', 'short tail' and 'a scaled pattern on it's neck and head', didn't say anything about scaling on the back so I'm assuming there wasn't any.
2nd round	2 Nov 2008	Acc	I believe there is enough description to rule out similar species. It's good to know someone else saw the bird. I was under the impression that only Laurie saw the bird. Having additional eyewitnesses that independently identify a bird always strengthens a record.
Colby N.	20 Oct 2008	No, ID	The photos and the description are almost conclusive? Admittedly, it appears to have a short tail via the photos, which suggests this is a ground dove (and maybe no tail at all?, but the description does mention a 'short tail' with a 'white edge')...I would have liked a more detailed description of the tail, body and wing pattern...did the scaling extend anywhere else on the bird?, what was the wing pattern perched?, what was the underpart coloring and pattern?, etc....
Kristin P.	13 Oct 2008	Acc
Terry S.	10 May 2008	Acc	Marginal photos but good description
2nd round	11 Nov 2008	Acc
Larry T.	20 Jun 2008	Acc
David W.	19 Mar 2008	No, ID	I have some questions on this record, so I am voting "No" in hopes of sending the record into the second round. Overall, I would like to see a stronger case made against this being an Inca dove with a short tail. Namely: 1) Was the scaling LIMITED to the head and breast? The observer doesn't actually state that, though it is implied. When I look at the photos, it appears there may be scaling on the wings (esp. photo B), or at least splotching (photos A & C). In photo A, it even appears there may be scaling on the flanks & lower breast. 2) Was the base of the bill truly pink or just pale? Juvenile Inca doves often have a pale base to bill. The photos don't show pink, but they are blurry. The photos also show what APPEARS to be a fairly long bill too, more consistent with an Inca dove, but this is not at all conclusive. 3) What was the shape of the tail? Was it broad and square or like some sort of truncated/regrowing shape (perhaps molted or ripped off)? Most Inca doves have young during spring to fall, but may do so year-round (per Cornell site). I mention this because the short tail could possibly be due to a molt from juvenile to adult plumage, though I do not know exactly how such a molt would proceed. 4) What exactly about the wing pattern differentiated this bird from an Inca dove? Wings of these two species are fairly similar, so I think it is important to know what was meant by this. When I look at the photos, I do not see any signs of the dark spots on the wings that I associate with a Comon ground-dove (though I agree the photos are not clear enough to be definitive about this). 5) Who actually saw the dove? Depending on which part of the record writeup I look at, it seems like it was Rick or Laurie, possibly both. Did Rick just transcribe this?

2008-04 Lawrence's Goldfinch

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Mar 2008	Acc
Eric H.	19 Mar 2008	Acc
Colby N.	25 Mar 2008	Acc
Kristin P.	13 Oct 2008	Acc
Terry S.	10 May 2008	Acc	Great Photos
Larry T.	20 Jun 2008	Acc
David W.	19 Mar 2008	Acc	I saw one of these birds still visiting the feeder on the 15th of March 2008. Thank you, Rick, for the submission of the record (saving me the trouble), and also your help in getting me to see the bird in person.

2008-05 Common Redpoll

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	30 Mar 2008	Acc
Eric H.	26 Mar 2008	Acc
Colby N.	25 Mar 2008	Acc
Kristin P.	16 Oct 2008	Acc
Terry S.	10 May 2008	Acc
Larry T.	20 Jun 2008	Acc
David W.	26 Mar 2008	Acc	Good photos, plus well differentiated from Hoary redpoll.

2008-06 Cackling Goose

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	22 Aug 2008	Acc	This is nice, clean, minima Cackling Goose
Eric H.	13 Apr 2008	Acc
Colby N.	9 Jun 2008	Acc	Good photos
Kristin P.	29 Jul 2008	Acc
Terry S.	10 May 2008	Acc
Larry T.	20 Jun 2008	Acc
David W.	30 Mar 2008	Acc	Now this is a Cackling goose I can get behind.

2008-07 Neotropic Cormorant

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	22 Aug 2008	No, ID
Eric H.	19 Jun 2008	No, ID	I believe these are Double-crested Cormorants.
Colby N.	9 Jun 2008	No, ID	These are good photos of second year Double-crested Cormorants. The pale edging on the side of the one bird, is within the range of Double-crested Cormorant. Although usually less apparent in water, given the quality of the photos, there would be a noticeable size difference between the two species as well.
Kristin P.	16 Oct 2008	No, ID	I believe the observer saw several young DCCOs just entering their second year. Last year's DCCOs retain brown plumage well into the next spring and sometimes summer and wouldn't have head plumes. An adult NECO is entirely black with iridescent tones and is noticeably smaller than a DCCO, not brown and the same size. In addition, photographs dispute the written word picture. Size of alleged NECOs is the same as the nearby adult DCCOs; size, shape, color, and proportion size of gular pouch to the head is the same on the birds in question (alleged NECOs) as in the adult DCCOs in the photographs. I beleive all the birds depicted and observed were DCCOs.
Terry S.	10 May 2008	No, ID	Looks like this is probably a Juvenile Double-crested Cormorant.
Larry T.	23 Sep 2008	No, ID
David W.	24 Apr 2008	No, ID	These look like juvenile-plumaged Double-cresteds to me (the juvenile plumage is retained into the first spring in DCCs, the molt extending into at least mid April). Note the yellow supraloral skin on most, which is a classic DCC fieldmark. In the photos, the shape of the gular pouch is inconclusive in some of the birds (and indeed more like DCC in others). Juvenile-plumaged DCCs also have a whitish outline to their gular pouches. Overall feather coloration is also consistent with a juvenile DCC. Finally, the size difference between the two species (which were together)was not noted, as it should have been because the DCC is usually significantly larger. When one looks at the photos and compares those birds that are clearly DCCs to hose that are in some respects less obviously so, one doesn't see the expected size difference.

2008-08 Mississippi Kite

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	22 Aug 2008	Acc	Description is adequate (particularly 08a) and timing is perfect for a vagrant Mississippi Kite.
Eric H.	22 Sep 2008	Acc	I am having a hard time with this one and have waited way too long to vote. These are two detailed, well written records. The write-ups both seem to eliminate similar species. My concern is with the rarity of this species and the circumstances of the sighting, mainly the incomplete views and extreme lighting. Birds flying overhead with the sun at such a low angle can appear much different than in normal situations. If the bird was flying towards the setting sun wouldn't the light wash out the underside of the bird and wouldn't the body of the bird cast a shadow on the tail making it look darker? I feel Ryan and Craig have both submitted very descriptive records and I'm voting to accept. I'll ponder it more and vote again in the second round.
Colby N.	9 Jun 2008	No, ID	I think the brevity and quality of the actual observation is hurtful for this record. They did an wonderful job writing up their description though! Again, I'm going to say no, for similar reasons to the Purple Finch even though short of photos/recording this is about as good of a written record as possible especially given the duration and circumstances of the actual observation. I look forward to reading other's comments on this record.
Kristin P.	18 Oct 2008	Acc
Terry S.	26 Jul 2008	No, ID	While the color and shape of the tail sound good for Mississippi Kite very little good observation was made on the bird mostly because of the short duration of observation and flight of the bird toward the sun.
2nd round	11 Nov 2008	No, ID	I still feel the sighting is questionable given the brevity and lighting
Larry T.	30 Oct 2008	No, ID	The description of the poor lighting make this record difficult.The differences in the described flight style don't help either.
David W.	2 Jul 2008	Acc	Convincing. I'm surprised we don't get more reports of this species when one considers its migratory habits.

2008-09 Yellow-billed Loon

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	22 Aug 2008	Acc	Nice description, excellent photos
Eric H.	19 Jun 2008	Acc
Colby N.	9 Jun 2008	Acc	Good photos
Kristin P.	18 Oct 2008	Acc
Terry S.	22 Jun 2008	Acc	A well documented record with outstanding photos
Larry T.	23 Sep 2008	Acc	Nice bird!
David W.	28 May 2008	Acc	Photo C is just superb.

2008-10 Mountain Quail

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	22 Aug 2008	No, Int	Based on the description, it appears a Mountain Quail was observed.
Eric H.	30 Jul 2008	No, ID	I need more detailed notes on plumage, taken at the time of the sighting, for a bird as rare as a Mountain Quail. She admitted that she was unfamiliar with western quails at the time, "Before I had seen those in person, I thought it could be a California or Gambel's Quail." and wrote this up a few months after the sighting. She also mentions a couple places near her that raise or keep captive animals.
Colby N.	9 Jun 2008	No, Nat	Certainly an interesting record, but I question the natural occurrence given quail's flight skills and especially the proximity of the location to nearby farms (pet, barnyard escapee, etc.) in the Cache Valley.
Kristin P.	18 Oct 2008	No, Nat	It's unlikely that this bird arrived in Paradise under natural circumstances due to the short migratory journeys for which the species is known. In addition, since the species has experienced significant declines in Idaho, Northern Nevada and Eastern Oregon, the likelihood of the population expanding into Utah is extremely low. This bird is more likely an escapee. Contra to that statement however, is the fact that a UDWR representative told me back in June that no one in the Paradise area holds a permit to raise quail. Good establishment of ID by the observer through plumage, size, behavior and sound.
Terry S.	24 Jun 2008	No, Nat	While this narrative describes what may be a Mountain Quail I'm concerned this is probably a captive bird that has been released or escaped. Mountain Quail have a restricted range with altitudinal migration.
Larry T.	23 Sep 2008	No, ID
David W.	9 Jul 2008	No, Nat	I don't know what to think about this record. The description of overall color, long head plume, and voice matches a Mountain quail. However, I have some reservations: 1) The bird was described as looking like a Chukar (which matches the description much better than a MQ other than the head plume), but a Chukar is rather different than a MQ in appearance (face, breast, belly, and even back color). Unfortunately, the description of this bird was very general and omitted any field marks other than the head plume that would differentiate between the two species. 2) The bird was described as being notably larger than a quail. That matches a Chukar, but a MQ is only an inch larger than a California quail. 3) The sound is described as "short, screechy, queark", which is a very good match for a MQ. However, there are several Chukar vocalizations which are rendered similarly on Cornell's Birds of North America Online. So I do not think the call can eliminate that species either. Some examples which jump out at me are: a) Hawk Alarm. Overhead movement or shadows generally elicit short, guttural kerr, b) On Guard. Low-pitched undulating kweer emitted if overhead disturbance (such as a soaring hawk) continues, and c) All s Well. Soft plaintive coo-oor of loafing or feeding bird that is not under stress. Can also signify end of period of alarm. 4) The natural range of this nonmigratory species is nowhere near Bear Lake. It seems much more likely that, if this is indeed a MQ, it is an escapee from some hunting club, or similar game farm. I contacted Idaho Fish & Game and was told that a fellow named Mike Bird raises exotic game birds on the Idaho side of Bear Lake, and they suspect his place may be the source of this bird (though they are not sure what exact exotic species he is raising). In summary, I think there is adequate doubt as to the identity and source of this non-migratory bird to accept this record.

2008-11 Black-throated Blue Warbler

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	22 Aug 2008	Acc	The description is barely adequate, but I suppose is convincing for this distinctive warbler. Also description of song and timing are correct.
Eric H.	9 Jun 2008	No, ID	I would like a better description. Where exactly was the blue? The Black? Similar Species? What about Cerulean Warbler, Lazuli Bunting or Yellow-rumped Warbler? Did the observer actually see the bird singing or could there have been other birds present? Insufficient Description.
Colby N.	20 Oct 2008	No, ID	The fact he heard the song is good...but I'm hesitant about the after the fact 'song was a dead on match'...time of year and habitat/location is, in my opinion, actually very good for this species migrating through the Intermountain West as there multiple records for this species moving through the higher elevations of the region at this time of year...however, the description is poor with few details, and the fact a female was 'tagging along' seems odd to me at best. And there was no description of the female.
Kristin P.	19 Oct 2008	Acc	Very difficult decision based on multiple shortcomings of this record and improbable timing of two BTBWs. However, I regard the male as unmistakable and the song description as accurate, even if it looks like a field guide description. I vote to accept the sighting of the male only, and not the female, which the observer did not describe.
Terry S.	22 Jun 2008	Acc	A distinctive species
2nd round	11 Nov 2008	No, ID	Other comments have raised some doubt even though this is a distinctive species.
Larry T.	30 Oct 2008	No, ID	Very distinct Warbler But the female doesn't fit or the song seems a little off. Not sure what else this would be but a second round is in order for this one.
David W.	2 Jul 2008	No, ID	OK, I will admit that my vote on this record was influenced by the dismissively vague description in the report, and perhaps I am being unduly stringent on this one as a result. What does "distinctive" mean to a birder who has never seen the species in question? How far did the distinctive colors extend? Was a Lazuli bunting adequately eliminated? The song of that species can be vaguely similar to a Black-throated Blue Warbler's, and it is Blue & black above, with white patch(es) in the wing & below. What are the odds of a pair being lost together as described here? The description is a good match for a Black-throated Blue Warbler, in a general way, but I would have wanted more detail to eliminate doubt.
2nd round	31 Oct 2008	No, ID

2008-12 Whip-poor-will

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	22 Aug 2008	Acc	Nice record of a "Mexican" Whip-poor-will!
Eric H.	30 Jul 2008	Acc
Colby N.	20 Oct 2008	Acc	Happy to have recordings despite the multiple observers
Kristin P.	15 Nov 2008	Acc
Terry S.	26 Jul 2008	Acc	Great Find! Good recordings
Larry T.	23 Sep 2008	Acc	Great record. Not exactly the area of the state I would have thought the first one would be found.
David W.	2 Jul 2008	Acc	Nice record of the Mexican Whip-poor-will race.

2008-13 Chestnut-collared Longspur

Evaluator	Date	Vote	Comment
Rick F.	22 Aug 2008	Acc	Great record. Adequate description, nice photo.
Eric H.	30 Jul 2008	Acc
Colby N.	20 Oct 2008	Acc	Good photo and description
Kristin P.	18 Nov 2008	Acc
Terry S.	26 Jul 2008	Acc	Good photo
Larry T.	30 Oct 2008	Acc
David W.	31 Aug 2008	Acc	Well done. Another great photo by Tim.