ML104648821

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Observation details

Hi, Kerry, Just wanted to let you know that the NBRC has completed its review of the Snow Bunting record (2011-099) you submitted. The committee has unanimously endorsed the record. There were many very complimentary comments about the quality of the documentation for this record (only the second NBRC-endorsed record for the state.) Thanks very much. I hope you get the chance to spend some more time birding in Nevada, especially over there in the northeast, where we have very limited birder coverage. Martin Martin Meyers Secretary, Nevada Bird Records Committee The record is NBRC 2011-099. As a matter of policy, I email all submitters when the committee completes reviews on any of their submissions. We’re running pretty far behind at the moment (that’s a good thing – means we’ve had a good year in the field.) I’d expect it to be several months (perhaps as many as five or six) before this record is reviewed. As a personal comment (I’m the “non-voting” secretary, so this is just a personal comment), I’d think the only concerns any members might express on this record would be based on the brevity of the sighting. The date, while on the early side, is within the expected window. Thanks again for taking the time to submit this important record. It is only the second NBRC submission for Snow Bunting (although there are other historical, non-reviewed, records.) I was fortunate enough to see the NBRC-endorsed one, in mid-December, 2003, in Fallon. I have to admit that when I saw where you were from, that, too brought a smile to my face. Yeah, Brown Shrike (with a Yellow-rumped Warbler in his grip.) Martin Martin Meyers Secretary, Nevada Bird Records Committee website: http://gbbo.org/nbrc Date: October 23, 20 Location: Goshutes Hawk Watch, Elko County, NV. Time: ~ 12:30 pm Length of observation: 20 seconds. Distance: Closest distance of ~15 meters. Weather: Clear sky with light winds. Biography: I am from northern California (Humboldt County) and am a wildlife biologist. In my spare time I’m an avid and active birder. : The single Snow Bunting was in flight from north to south with a flock of 4 Gray-crowned Rosy Finches. They were flying both above and below the distant horizon allowing for great views of top and bottom of the bird. The underside of the bird appeared to be entirely white from chin to under tail coverts with the exception of some light rust color on the flanks and side of the neck. The bill was yellow. The head and nape were a tan/buffy/rust color. This color wrapped slightly around the nape and neck to the flanks below wing level. There was a clear auricular patch of the same buffy/rust color that was surrounded by a white or nearly white supercilium that continued around the auricular. The back and upper tail coverts were also showing lots of tan/buffy/rusty tones over a white background but the back had more dark ‘flecking’ between the nearly black scapulars. The scapulars did have some lighter edging on them but it was difficult to tell the color accurately (light of light buffy). The wings were almost entirely white and black. The primaries and primary coverts were black or near black and the secondaries and secondary coverts were mostly white. Because of the wing pattern and tan/buffy/rust color of the upper tail coverts and back of the bird I think this was a male Snow Bunting (Figure 1). The center of the tail was black or near black from upper tail coverts to the tail tip. The dark markings extended out towards the outside edges of the tail as it neared the trailing edge of the tail as seen in the field sketch. Behavior: The bird was in flight with a flock of 4 GCRF. I was scanning the flock for a Black Rosy Finch when I first saw the Snow Bunting.

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