Common NameWillow Ptarmigan
Scientific NameLagopus lagopus
Type of ReportRare Species
Date of Observation05/26/2020
Media
  • Media
  • Media
Number Observed1
Reporting Observer's NameJeff Hindes
Mailing Addressunknown
unknown
unknown, Vermont unknown
United States
Map It
EmailEmail hidden; Javascript is required.
Date Completed01/25/2021
Latitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)44.5523681
Longitude of Observation (enter 0 if unable to provide)-73.2557543
Place NameThayer Beach
TownshipColchester
CountyChittenden
Vermont eBird Checklist URLebird.org
Time of Day03:15 PM
Length of Time Observedunknown
Maximum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)unknown
Minimum Estimated Distance from Bird (in feet)unknown
Optical Equipment Used for Observation

unknown

Observer’s Previous Acquaintance With This or Similar Species

unknown

I certify that any attachments included with this report were captured during this observation event​​.
Verbal Narrative & Description of Observation

I observed this unusual bird for about 15 minutes near my home on the shore of Lake Champlain. The bird was calmly walking about and showed no apparent concern as I approached it. It went onto the beach and began to eat the leaves of the wild rose bushes growing there. Several times it also “swished” its beak vigorously in the beach sand. I was distracted and paid attention elsewhere for a short period, looked back to the area where I had seen it, but the bird had disappeared. I was perplexed by the bird’s appearance—especially it’s rust colored neck, white body and feathered “trousers” that extended down its legs to its feet. The weather that day was fair and mild with light winds. Thinking it might be an escaped domestic fowl, I place a post on my local Front Porch Forum site—but received no replies. I shared photos with several people, and none could identify it. Recently, studying my field guides I finally found what I believed it to be in the “rare and accidental” section.

IMPORTANT: What similar species were eliminated when making the identification and how was this bird different?

unknown

Other Notes & Comments

This form was filled out from Vermont eBird checklist by K.P. McFarland. The observer did not answer several request for more information via email.

This report was written from notes taken:Written from Memory