REPORT FORM
This form is intended as a convenience in reporting observations of species on the Louisiana Bird Records Committee (LBRC) Review List. The LBRC recommends the use of this form or a similar format when submitting records for review (to assure that all pertinent information is accounted for). Attach additional pages as necessary. Please print or type. Attach xerox of field notes, drawings, photographs, or tape recordings, if available. Include all photos for more obscurely marked species. When completed, mail to Secretary, Louisiana Bird Records Committee, c/o Museum of Natural Science, 119 Foster Hall, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216.
1. English and Scientific names: Rough-legged Hawk, Buteo lagopus |
2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): |
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3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) Lafourche Parish |
Specific Locality: Fourchon Beach, 1st
sighting on beach near Bell
Pass, 29.08953,-90.21902, 2nd
sighting 29.09613,-90.20402,
which was about 1 mile east and just over dunes from beach. |
4. Date(s) when observed: |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: |
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6. Reporting observer and address: |
122 Memory Lane, Laf,
La 70506 wdpatton@cox.net |
7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light): |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): |
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11. Distance to bird(s): |
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12. Duration of observation: |
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13. Habitat: |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation
(flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification;
relate events surrounding observation):We road in a
UTV from Hwy 3090 to Bell Pass to begin walking back to the east doing a
PIPL survey. We may have seen it fighting with a Northern
Harrier near Bell Pass, but did not get an ID from the moving vehicle. 1st
sighting was resting on a washed up
root ball clump on the beach ahead of us near Bell Pass. We put the scope on
it and I saw it for about 5 seconds before it flew. I did not realize what it
was until it flew and I saw the underwing pattern. It went quickly over the
dunes to the north and out of sight. It was hard getting through the grass to
an observation point, and it was not relocated. 2nd sighting was about 1 mile east as
we continued walking the PIPL survey. We pushed a Peregrine Falcon ahead of
us for about ¼ a mile. It flushed
from the beach the last time and went over the dunes. We could see it making
dives on something in the grass and then saw the RLHA take off. We ran to the
top of the dunes and watched as it flew north and then west away from us low
to the ground. It turned and banked in the wind several times giving good
looks and photo angles. It dropped lower and disappeared below a distant line
of mangroves about ¼ mile away. |
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15. 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):1st
look through scope with it perched and facing away. Pale head with uniform
light brown streaking on crown nape, and neck. Medium brown back
with a few small white patches.
Flew and I saw the white rump, white underwing, large black wrist patches. 2nd
sighting was through binoculars as it flew off.
White lower rump and base of the tail with dark
terminal band. The back was
medium brown,and
upper wing medium brown with pale windows at
base of inner primaries. Dark wrist patches seen
on white underwing as it flapped. Most of description from this point on is
from photographs taken continuously as it flew off. Dark solid patch on
belly from pale chest to undertail. Base
of legs heavily feathered by buffy feathers becoming lightly feathered along the leg,
contrasting sharply with black belly patch. Tail white at the base with a
thick, dark terminal band. Small white
tips on the end of the tail feathers. The upper rump was
solid brown with a sharp line of demarcation to the white
lower rump/upper tail. Lower rump/upper tail was almost
all white except for a few small black flecks. Back was medium brown
with light flecking of white which was a little
heavier along the sides. Head distinctly paler than the back with what looks
like fine streaking. No obvious supercilary. Head evenly
colored without obvious crown or throat marking. The eye had
the look of a heavy brow extending a short ways behind the eye. Underwing
very clean and white with light tawny shading seen in some photos. Large
black patches at wrist and black tips on the primaries. See photos. |
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16. Voice:None |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): |
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19. Previous experience with this species: |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other
birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: |
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b. after observation: |
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21. This description is written from: __yes___
notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes
made after the observation (date:_____); ___yes__memory. And photos. |
22. Are you positive of your identification if not,
explain: |
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23. Signature of reporter: Date:__11/30/12________ Time:__7AM_____ |
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24. May the LBRC have permission to display this report or
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? |
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