Rare Bird Report 28-B-08

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM


SPECIES:  


Ruddy Turnstone


HOW MANY:


one, juvenile (?)


REPORTER:  


chuck trost, 225 N. Lincoln, Pocatello, ID 83204, 208-233-4538


REPORTER EMAIL:  


trostchuck@cableone.net


OTHER OBSERVERS:


Darren Clask (the next day)


DATE REPORT PREPARED:  


November 28, 2008


DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED:  


September 10, 2005


LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION:


On the rocks on the south side of American Falls Dam, about 1 mile north of the town of American Falls.


HABITAT:


rocky edge of mudflats


CONDITIONS:


Watched for ten minutes from 1015-1025am, on a partly cloudy morning, wind 5-10mph, SW, cool (ca 50F) after a cold/rainy front moved through last night.  Bird observed from about 50 yards from car with a window-mounted Kowa 15-60X80mm scope.


DID YOU TAKE NOTES?:  


Yes, later the same day


DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?:  


Yes, during the observation


WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?:


Natl. geographic guide and Sibley's large guide.


DESCRIPTION:  


A medium sized shorebird with a daek bib on the upper breast and oranghe feet and legs.  The back was dark gray and the belly white.  The face had some dark marks on it, but not like those on an adult.  The bird had an injured right leg, but was feeding actively.  


BEHAVIOR:  


Feeding at the edge of the dam, limping with each step.  Not seen in flight and no interactions with other shorebirds.


HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU?


Recognized immediateluy as a turnstone, and the chest and face patterns looked like a Ruddy to me.


HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY?


Obciously a turnstone, and not a Blaclk, as chest and facial patterns more distinct.


EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES):  


 I have seen them on this reservoir twice before, and have seen them on both coasts several times.


GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE:  


 I've been birding for over 50 years and consider myself a careful observer.


WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?:  


None