Birders report first verified storm petrel sightings in Utah after Tropical Storm Rachel

Birders say storm petrels were seen in Utah this week for the first time on verified record, KUER reported. The ocean birds were carried hundreds of miles inland by Tropical Storm Rachel, which brought 1.25 inches of rain to the Salt Lake City airport, 2.47 inches to the University of Utah campus and 1.43 inches to Saratoga Springs. ^[1]

Birder Tim Avery, owner of Pitta Nature Tours, told KUER that sightings began Monday and that birds were then reported on bodies of water from St. George to Cache County. He saw one Tuesday morning at Utah Lake. He said Utah typically adds one or two new bird species a year, so three to four in 24 hours is unheard of. ^[1]

Avery said storm petrels are 5 to 10 inches long and normally live well offshore. He said he saw at least one dead storm petrel on the water and expects most will die within 24 to 36 hours because the inland water and food are unsuitable. ^[1]

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources said these are the first storm petrels of any species recorded in Utah, KSL.com reported. DWR biologist Adam Brewerton estimated 20 to 25 reached the state. The birds were identified as wedge-rumped storm petrels, which breed mainly in the Galápagos Islands, and were also seen at Hyrum Reservoir, Willard Bay and in southern Utah, as well as along the storm's path in Nevada and California. ^[2]