1. English and Scientific names:

 

Gray Flycatcher, Empidonax wrightii

 

  1. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

 

One bird, winter plumage.

 

  1. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) (specific locality)

 

Vermilion Parish, Levee on south side of White Lake Wetland Conservation Area Nature Walk Area at end of LA 91, immediately north of the Intracoastal Canal.

 

  1. Date(s) when observed:

 

November 18, 2011.

 

  1. Time(s) of day when observed:

 

Around 9:45 AM CST.

 

  1. Reporting observer and address:

 

Jay V. Huner

Boyce, Louisiana 71409

 

  1. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):


Donna Dittmann

Steve Cardiff

 

  1. Other observers who Independently identified the bird(s):

 

Michael Seymour

 

  1. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

 

Bird somewhat backlit but easy to see moving back and forth across an open levee in shrubs and small trees framing levee.

 

  1. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

 

Zeiss 10 x 40 binoculars.

  1. Distance to bird(s):

 

20-40 feet

 

  1. Duration of Observation:

 

Approximately 5 minutes.

 

  1. Habitat:

 

Levee in ricefields adjacent to marsh. Levee was about 15’ wide and flanked on both sides by small trees – hackberry, live oak, and tallow – and shrubs, especially baccarus (spelling?).

 

  1. Behavior of bird/circumstances of observations (flying, feeding, resting; including and stress habits in identification: relate events surrounding observation):

 

The bird was actively flycatching moving ahead of us once we found it. We followed it for about 150’ before retreating.

 

  1. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what “should” have been seen: include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species):

 

I saw a small empid with wing bars, whitish loral area, and dull white eye ring. Color was grayish-green back and yellowish belly.

 

  1. Voice:

 

I could not hear the bird. Both Cardiff and Dittmann stated that it was whitting.

 

  1. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

 

I depended on Cardiff and Dittmann to verify identification.

 

  1. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached”):

 

I will be submitting several images by e-mail. They are poor quality compared to those taken by Dittmann.

 

  1. Previous experience with this species:

 

Had seen one individual in Arizona in April 2004.

 

  1. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

 

    1. at time of observation: Sibley’s Field Guide
    2. after observation: National Geographic Field Guide

 

  1. This description is written from: ___notes made during the observation (notes attached?); _x_notes made after the observation = review of images (date: _11-21-11_); _x_ memory.

 

  1. Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain.

 

Yes, based on explanations provided by Dittmann and Cardiff.

 

  1. Signature of reporter __Jay V. Huner__ date_11-21-11_ time _5:35PM_