LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Say’s Phoebe Sayornis saya

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

3. Locality: Parish: St. Charles

Specific Locality: Upstream end of Bonnet Carre’ Spillway structure on the Mississippi River side of structure._

4. Date(s) when observed: 29 September 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed: approx. 10:30 am

6. Reporting observer and address:

Christopher G. Brantley,

Mandeville, LA 70448

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

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): Melvin Weber and Ronald Stein

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Light conditions good, no shade, sun angle from my back.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): B&L Elite 10x42 binoculars

11. Distance to bird(s): approx. 50 feet

12. Duration of observation: approx. 10 minutes

13. Habitat: Mostly open area with linear piles of sediment parallel with spillway structure. Patches of open water and grasses nearby.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Was called by Weber on telephone regarding sighting and traveled by car from spillway office to the upstream end of spillway structure. Bird was initially observed perched on sediment pile just to the Mississippi River side of the structure apron. Bird flew to adjacent sediment piles and to ground. Met with Weber and Stein and observed bird for several more minutes perched and in flight nearby. Photos were taken by Weber.

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): Phoebe-shaped and –sized bird with dark bill, gray head, wings and back, tail dark and rufous on lower belly and vent.

16. Voice: None noted

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Other North American flycatchers eliminated on basis of gray head, back and wings, rufous belly and vent and dark, unmarked tail.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photos by M. Weber

19. Previous experience with this species: Observed on 17 Dec 1999, Laccasine-Thornwell CBC

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

a. at time of observation: none

b. after observation: none

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); __X___memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes

23. Date: 1 March 2012 Time: 8:00 pm