IBRC 15-B-10

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Greater Yellowlegs
HOW MANY: one

REPORTER: Rick Nau 9785 Dewey Road Emmett, ID 83617 208-365-6702
REPORTER EMAIL: RickNau@SpeedyQuick.net
OTHER OBSERVERS: Found by Rick Nau. No one else present. This report was requested of me by Lew Ulrey.

DATE REPORT PREPARED: 31 January 2010
DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: 14 January 2010

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: 7-Mile Slough pullout on Idaho Highway 52 approx. 9.5 miles west of Emmett, Gem County, ID
HABITAT: Shallow slough off of Payette River
CONDITIONS: Bird observed approx. 12 minutes through Swarovsky 8/42 binoculars and Swarovsky 60 mm spotting scope. Wind calm, light overcast. Bird approx. 100 feet from observer.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, later the same day
DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, later the same day
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: National Geographic 5th Ed.

DESCRIPTION: Sandpipers - Bird well seen. Bill longer than in Lesser, and slightly curved upward. Plumage dark grey back, white breast, streaked neck.
BEHAVIOR: Bird stayed alone, away from Mallards and RW Blackbirds present. Standing in approx. 3" of water, not feeding.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? The combination of yellow legs, height (approx. 12"), and thin, upturned bill seemed convincing for me.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? Lesser Yellowlegs - this bird's bill was close to 3/4" longer than many Lessers that I have seen, and it was upturned (not like an avocet, but noticeably so). I observed it fly about 75 feet. The black "W" of Willet was absent. Likewise, it was definitely NOT an avocet or a stilt. I am not really aware of other tall sandpipers possible in Gem County in winter.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): I have traveled to the Gulf Coast in winter several times, and have observed the species on many occasions. After no more than approx. 60 seconds, I was convinced as to the species. I was even more comfortable after consulting the field guide later that day.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: I have birded actively since 1983. I have approx. 655 species on my ABA-area list, and about 800 world birds. I travel solely for birding 2-4 times each year. I have visited St. Paul Island, Barrow, the Gulf Coast, Florida, and Midway Island. I am travelling to Costa Rica, the Dakotas, ans South Africa in 2010 for birding. I strive to be accurate and thorough in my notes.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: None