LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

PHOTOS BELOW

1. English and Scientific names:

Ruff, Philomachus pugnax

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

1 – basic plumage

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish)

Jefferson Davis Parish

Specific Locality:

1.6 miles south of Hwy 14 on Illinoise Plant Road.

4. Date(s) when observed:

July 28, 2012

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 4:00 PM

6. Reporting observer and address:

Dave Patton, 122 Memory Lane, Lafayette, LA 70506

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

Linda Knight

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

Devin Bosler, found the bird the day before, 7/26/12, in the same location.

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Poor, cloudy with thunder storms approaching and rain starting. Looking west.

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

30X scope.

11. Distance to bird(s):

150 yards

12. Duration of observation:

15 minutes

13. Habitat:Large wet muddy field with short green grass coming up.

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

Walking and feeding in a small wet area in the field. Sat down low as the rain settled in.

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):

The field had a large number of other shorebirds feeding. It was about the same size as the Lesser Yellow-legs around it. Bill was black and medium length. Legs were black at the base becoming deep yellow half way down the tibia and all of the tarsus. Dark in a pale buff face that looked at times to have a slight eye line through it. Forehead at the base of the bill was white becoming a tan crown with fine black streaking. Tan and streaking continued down nape and onto mantle. Back was distinctly checkered with black centers and pale edging. No detail was seen in tail or wings except some white around rump area as the wind blew the feathers. Throat, belly, undertail, and flanks looked dull white. The white came up the sides of the breast and in front of the fold of the wing.

16. Voice:

No

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

Pectoral Sandpipers and dowitchers were in the field as well and both were a richer brown as well as other differences in body shape and coloring. Pectorals had heavily streaked breast which this one did not. Lesser Yellow-legs were also present with different coloring and spot pattern on the body.

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

Yes though poor. They show the general look of the bird, but the color was more tan than seen in the photos. 300 mm lens on Canon camera.

19. Previous experience with this species:

Only a couple in Louisiana

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

a. at time of observation:

”Shorebirds”, Hayman

b. after observation:

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

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

Yes.

23. Signature of reporter: Date:__7/29/12________ Time:__7AM_____