Photos Below

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 adult

3. Locality: Parish: Southeast of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish

Specific Locality: Tom Stegal Road, about halfway between Corbina and Tom Hebert Roads, where the road crosses an old canal.

4. Date(s) when observed: December 31, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: About 2:10 p.m.

6. Reporting observer and address: Robby J. Bacon, 357 Washington Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): None

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): None as of January 1, 2013

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Heavy cloud cover made for flat light with no shadows, actually yielding good observation potential from any direction.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 8 X 40 Binoculars and 20 power spotting scope in serviceable condition.

11. Distance to bird(s): Variable, but as close as about 25 feet.

12. Duration of observation: About 15 minutes.

13. Habitat: Fields of short grass bordered by barbed-wire fence.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation):

Discovered on the roadside fence, occasionally sallying from a perch on the wire or a fence post, usually toward the ground and at times actually landing on the ground. Wagged its tail from time to time. Sometimes perched on weeds only about a foot off the ground.

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):

Flycatcher between Empidonax and Myiarchus in size. Gray above, and slightly lighter gray on throat and breast. Orangish abdomen and undertail coverts. Fairly long black tail.

16. Voice: Probably silent (although my hearing is not good).

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Appeared slightly larger and longer tailed that very different plumaged Eastern Phoebes seen before and after the observation. Distinguished from female Vermilion Flycatcher by larger size, longer tail, plain gray throat, and the lack of any real facial pattern.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Very blurry but identifiable photos were obtained by the observer with a small hand-held pocket camera.

19. Previous experience with this species: 175 entries in field notes since 1976.

1976 – 1977 Nested on my apartment building in Oceanside, California, where resident.

1979 – 1986 Recorded as a fairly common winter visitor in Merced County, California.

1993 Observed in the Klondike area of Cameron Parish, LA on February 2.

1996 – 2010 Encountered on nearly annual trips to west Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.

2010 – 2011 Observed each fall at Choke Canyon State Park, Texas.

2011 Observed in southwest Louisiana on Niblette Road in Jefferson Davis Parish (two occasions) and at Cameron Prairie NWR in Cameron Parish (two occasions).

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

a. At time of observation: None needed. The bird was identified without the aid of optics while slowly driving and watching the fence-line for bird activity.

b. After observation: None needed.

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?); __x__notes made after the observation (date: December 31, 2012); _____memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Due to extensive experience with the species, I am 100% positive of the identification.

23. Date: January 1, 2013 Time: 12.20 p.m.