English and Scientific names:	Vaux's Swift (Chaetura vauxi)
Number of individuals:	2 individuals of unknown age and sex
Locality: LOUISIANA:	East Baton Rouge Parish
Specific Locality:	University Lake, Baton Rouge: East side of University Lake between the LSU Bird Refuge on E. Lakeshore Dr. and City Park Lake parking area adjacent to May St.
Date(s) when observed:	19 January 2007
Time(s) of day when observed:	Between 4:08 and 4:34 PM
Reporting observer and address:	Justin Bosler Baton Rouge, LA
Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):	Devin Bosler
Other observers who independently identified the bird(s)	Dan Lane and Richard Gibbons
Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):	Fair with moderate to heavy overcast conditions. Swifts appeared dark-bodied against pale grayish-white sky when viewed without optical magnification.
Optical equipment:	Nikon Venturer LX 8x32, good condition
Distance to bird(s):	Average distance approx. 50-60 meters, but closest observation within 10 meters.
Duration of observation:	The observation lasted approx. 26 minutes, however, this was not a continuous observation. Some periods of the observation were interrupted by the movements of the swifts behind structures, most notably large trees.
Habitat:	Airspace over shallow-water lake and wooded lake edge; and on average 15-20 meters above the surface of the lake, but higher on occasion.
Behavior of bird:	Both swifts were actively foraging on aerial insects, therefore all observations of the species was in flight. Flight consisted of a short, rapid procession of a dozen or so wing beats often followed by a glide. Five glide periods were timed. The shortest glide lasted a duration of 3 seconds, while the longest was at least 7 seconds. On glides wings were bowed downward, giving the impression of a sharp dihedral.
Description:	Overall small, dark-bodied swift with pale throat fading into a darker brown lower breast and belly. Very short-bodied appearance in comparison to the wings, especially noticeable was the short tail. Wing length similar to nearby tree swallows, but body length considerably shorter. Rump coloration was poorly studied, but was contrasty to the blackish tail and dark brown upperparts.
Voice:	Unfortunately, no vocalizations were heard, but future attempts will be made to note this character if species persists at this location.
Similar species:	Chimney Swift, being the closet relative and superficially similar in appearance, was eliminated by structural, physical, and behavioral characters. Most notably short-bodied/short-tailed appearance, throat and rump coloration, and flight dynamics. Unfortunately, the most distinguishable character, voice, was not heard throughout the discontinuous 26-minute observation.
Photographs or tape recordings obtained?	No photographs or video could be obtained at the time.
Previous experience with this species:	Previous experience in Louisiana occurred on 24 Feb 2006 when solid identification was made based on structural, physical, behavioral, and voice characteristics. Also, prior experience with Vaux's Swift within that species normal west coast range from Big Sur, CA to Mount Baker in WA.
Identification aids:	No identification aids used
This description is written from:	This description was produced from notes taken at time of observation and from memory.
Are you positive of your identification? If not, explain:	Yes, I am considerably confident with my identification.
Reporter:	Justin Bosler
Date and time:	21 January 2007, 11:48 AM