Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

A Centennial Year Suggestion	Fliers (printed matter)	Ornithology--Societies, etc State birds Meetings	1946-04-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A flier with suggestions on how every Iowan should salute and celebrate Iowa's significant emblems in honor of the state's centennial year (1946). Bird Clubs and Audubon Societies throughout the state were encouraged to include in their programming a discussion of the American Goldfinch and how it became the state bird of Iowa. Also included is an itinerary from Jo Baumgartner used to salute the American Goldfinch at a program presented to the Fairfield Bird Club.	Baumgartner, Jo	American Goldfinch	Des Moines Fairfield				Fairfield (Iowa) Bird Club Records \| MS 386	1	2
Ames Audubon Society Newsletter, Volume 12, Number 1, September 1979	Newsletters	Birds--Nests Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings Birds--Infancy	1979-09-01	1979-09-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Ames Audubon Society, Volume 12, Number 1, September 1979. Highlights of the newsletter include a note from Ames Audubon president Richard Trump regarding an American Goldfinch nest, an article on a nesting Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, and a listing of society programs and field trips for 1979-1980. Also included is an Ames Audubon Society membership list, September 1, 1979.	Ames Audubon Society Ladd, Marlys Hempstead, Jean C.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher American Goldfinch	Ames				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	2
Ames Audubon Society May Newsletter, 1978	Newsletters	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Turdidae \| Thrushes Societies--History, organization, etc	1978-05-01	1978-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Ames Audubon Society, May 1978. Highlights of the newsletter include the slate of society officer candidates to be voted on at the official annual meeting in May, information on an upcoming field trip to Ledges State Park to capture the peak of spring migration, an article on birding in Story County by Barney Cook, and a list of forty-three species of birds observed during April 1978.	Cook, Barnett C. Ames Audubon Society	Northern Flicker Purple Martin Chimney Swift Northern Saw-whet Owl	Ames Ledges State Park Brookside Park				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	2
Ames Audubon Society April Newsletter, 1978	Newsletters	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Parks Emberizidae \| Sparrows	1978-04-01	1978-04-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Ames Audubon Society, April 1978. Highlights of the newsletter include details of the next program, "Big Bend National Park" presented by Bob Jefferson and Joan Jefferson, information on an upcoming field trip to Soper's Mill to walk the Green Belt Trail, notes on observations and banding of a Hoary Redpoll, and a list of the forty-six species of birds observed during March 1978.	Cook, Barnett C. Ames Audubon Society	Hoary Redpoll	Ames Sopers Mill Access Area				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	2
Ames Audubon Society March Newsletter, 1978	Newsletters	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Wildlife habitat improvement	1978-03-01	1978-03-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Ames Audubon Society, March 1978. Highlights of the newsletter include details of the next program of the society which is a public presentation on the proposed Skunk River Green Belt plan, an article on birding in Story County by Barney Cook, and a list of the twenty-three species of birds observed during February 1978.	Cook, Barnett C. Ames Audubon Society	Cedar Waxwing Hoary Redpoll Sharp-shinned Hawk Eastern Screech-Owl	Ames Skunk River				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-07-09	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on July 9, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, numerous correspondence about the bird sighting, an outside review of the sighting from Don Roberson, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Mountain Plover	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	3 miles east of Colo, County Road E-41, 1/2 mile north, section 1 T83N R21W, Story County.	General: Recently plowed field with several pothole ponds Specific: The bird stayed in the waterways that led to the ponds. These areas were wet and contained no vegetation.	The documentation form by Hank Zalatel is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, Tom Staudt, and Paul Martsching were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Steve Dinsmore, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden and Black-bellied plovershave [sic] gray-white and brown-gold scaly backs, this bird's back was brown and was unmarked. These two plovers have streaked throats which this bird did not have. These two plovers have streaked breasts which this bird did not have. The white above the eye of this bird was clear and contained no streaking as does the Black-bellied Plover. The bird associated with Golden Plovers in breeding plumage and one that was not so that comparison could be made on the spot for the two plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:55:00 July 9, 1986 and 18:45:00 - 19:15:00 on July 10, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	19
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding Snowy Owl sightings and Iowa Ornithologists' Union membership, January 24, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watchers Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-01-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Snowy Owl sightings contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. Gladys is also commenting on a recent increase in Iowa Ornithologists' Union memberships. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl	Iowa Warren County Wright County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Ames Audubon Society Newsletter, February 1977	Field notes Serials (publications)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Societies, etc Citizen science Wildlife habitat improvement	1977-02-01	1977-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	February 1977 issue of the Ames Audubon Society Newsletter reporting on the 1977 Christmas Bird Count and describing birdwatching trips in Story County. The newsletter is published in Ames, Iowa and later changed its name to Big Bluestem Audubon Society. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Ames Audubon Society		Ames Story County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Yellow-throated Warbler hybrid at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-03	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-throated Warbler hybrid at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on May 3, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Redstarts	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi St. Pk, Warren Co.	Oak-hickory-buckeye (the only greenery)	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: What an interesting question. If the bird had not been singing I suppose one could have shrugged it off as an atypical Yellow-throated Warbler. However the song in combination with the olive back patch definitely indicated N. Parula heritage some where down the line. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-09	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 9, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park	uppermost pine branches often to the very tips of the branches	The documentation form by Robert Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula Warbler Magnolia Warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-03	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 3, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat den State Park	General: dense forest and stream bottom Specific: 1 mile from Mississippi R.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include T.K. Shires, Carl Bendorf, and Tom Staudt. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:15:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Franklin's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-25	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for one to two Franklin's Gulls in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 25, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Franklin's Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large reservoir with some open water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark mantle, black hood, white eye crescents, small size, and red bill and legs eliminates all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Franklin's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-16	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Franklin's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on January 16, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kleen, Vernon M.	Franklin's Gull	Lock Number 19	Hamilton (Hancock Co), Il. + Keokuk, Iowa	The bird was flying over + around the pool of the Mississippi River just below the lock and dams at Keokuk. The water was open.	The documentation form by Vernon Kleen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Cecil was submitted. Other observers include Doug Reeves, Kathy Andrews, Mary Grapperhans, Joel Greenberg, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: white windows in wing eliminated Laughing; lack of extensive white in wing eliminated Bonaparte's and Black-headed or Sabines \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Reddish Egret at Colfax, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-05	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Reddish Egret at Colfax in Jasper County, IA on September 5, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Reddish Egret	Colfax	1 mi. west of Colfax IA. Jasper Co.	Flood water pool of the Skunk River	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tim Schantz, Peter C. Petersen, Ann Johnson, Gerald White, Ross Silcock, Thomas H. Kent, Pam Allen, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jim Scheib, Kelly McKay, Dan Dorrance, Jim Sinclair, Hank Zaletel, Reid Allen, Dick Tetrault, D. Thompson, D. and V. Hendrickson, Ella Moeller and Jean Moeller, Kenneth R. Nelson, Rita Goranson, Carolyn Fisher, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Blue Heron adult would have darker body and neck with no brown tones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Gray Owl at Colfax Township in Grundy County, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl at Colfax Township in Grundy County, IA on February 17, 1996. Includes two record review documents with votes, an article from the Grundy Register, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, James J.	Great Gray Owl	Colfax Township	section 17, Colfax Township, Grundy Co. (ca 3 miles east of Wellsburg)	roadside, open farmland	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Barred Owl-size, relative length of tail, gray rather than brownish gray as predominant color.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Gray Owl at Claybanks Forest, 1997	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-02-08	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl at Claybanks Forest in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 8, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, a photocopy of a photograph, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Great Gray Owl	Claybanks Forest	Cerro Gordo County, 1/4 mile west of the intersection of Wren and 225th Street; on 225th St.		The documentation form by Pam and Reid Allen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Carolyn Fischer, Jim Fuller, and Stephen J. Dinsmore were submitted. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, James J. Dinsmore, Dick Tetrault, Chris Caster, Dale Fye, Diane Porter, Ron Muilenberg, Gerald White, Jan Walter, Rita Pedelty, Tom Fischer, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: There really is no other owl except a Barred Owl which could be confused with this bird. The yellow eyes of the Great Gray Owl eliminated the possibility of a Barred Owl which has dark eyes. Also, size would eliminate the Barred Owl. The Great Gray Owl looked almost twice as large as a Barred Owl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:52:00/16:09:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Fejervary Park, 1950	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1950-05-07	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Fejervary Park in Davenport in Scott County, IA on May 7, 1950. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article reviewed by the committee .	Feeney, Thomas J.	Townsend's Warbler	Fejervary Park	[...] in a ravine at Fejuvary [sic] Park, Davenport.		The documentation article by Thomas J. Feeney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Thomas Morrissey. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] the distinctive face pattern, the combination of black crown and striped sides made identification certain. \| Observation lasted for ten minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-12	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 12, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	White, Gerald	Townsend's Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	[...] At Wild Cat Den State Park in a small area of bottom land of deciduous woods on May 12, 1988 at 7:20 AM, for aproximatly [sic] 45 seconds.		The documentation form by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] When the first look at the head I thought of a possible Blackburnian but when I saw the neck I knew I had a new bird for myself. The most striking features being the head and throat markings. [...] I then checked the rest of the birds listed and made the summation that I had seen the Townsend's. That evening when I returned from work I checked my Golden, Peterson, N.G.S. and Audubon Master Guide for their accounts of the Townsend's and similar species. I eliminated the following; Hermit Warbler - no cheek patch: Blackburnian - dosn't [sic] have a black throat: Black-throated Green - has solid back color and cheek patch not as bold, no black cap. Of the references mentioned, the N.G.S. has the most accurate illustration of the birds head but I can't verify that the bird I saw did or didn't have yellow under the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:20:00/07:20:45.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Gray Owl at Big Marsh, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-11	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on February 11, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Field Notes, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great Gray Owl	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, Butler Co., Iowa	At north edge of large man-made marshy area near the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, Mary Lou and Peter Petersen, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Francis Moore, Beth Proescholdt, Carl Kurtz, Linda Kurtz, Carolyn Fischer, Pat Hansen, Alan Martin, Rita Pedelty, Rita Goranson, Jan Walter, Tim Gedler, Dennis Henrickson, Bruce DeLong, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Tom Stone, James Scheib, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Only Barred Owl is remotely similar. The most impressive marks were the yellow eyes, bow tie mark, and large gray facial disks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:59:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Gray Owl near Quarry, 1959	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1959-05-12	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl near Quarry in Marshall County, IA on May 12, 1959. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Mitchem, Lucile	Great Gray Owl	Quarry	[...] gravel road that follows the Iowa River near the small town of Quarry.		The documentation article by Lucile E. Mitchem forms the basis of this record. Other observer includes her daughter. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I was well acquainted with the Barred Owl, the only other owl an amateur might confuse with the larger Great Gray Owl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:30:00/05:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at the Trickle Slough Area of Big Spirit Lake, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a California Gull at the Trickle Slough Area of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 13, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	California Gull	Trickle Slough Area	Trickle Slough Area of Big Spirit Lake	Natural lake with point of land	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Thayer's Gull - head shape, bill size and leg color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:40:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Red Rock Lake, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a California Gull at Red Rock Lake in Marion County, IA on October 5 to November 4, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation submitted to the committee.	Brees, Aaron	California Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock, Marion Co.		The documentation form by Aaron Brees is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] - larger than Ring-billed Gulls [...] - smaller than Herring Gulls - all first year Herrings have 75-100% dark bills - Herrings are thicker, bulkier - California sits more buoyantly on the water with tail and wingtips sitting much higher off the water	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-06-16	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at the southeastern corner of Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on June 16, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, sight record, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Laughing Gull	Black Hawk Lake	spoil area SE of Blackhawk Lake, Sac County, IA	shallow water and sandflats	The documentation form by Bill Huser forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Rob Thelen and Peter Ernzen were submitted. Other observers include Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: the black head eliminated most gulls. Size, and other features, eliminated Little and Bonaparte's Gulls. Size, bill size, leg color and lack of white on primaries eliminated Franklin's Gulls. Common Black-headed Gulls were eliminated by the black, not brown, hood, black legs and lack of white on dorsal wing. Sabine's was eliminated by the bill color, size and lack of white on dorsal wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Runnells Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-08-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area in Marion County, IA on August 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells W.A., Marion Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ray Cummins was submitted later. Other observers include Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, brown coloration, and bill and leg color eliminated other gull species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 10, 1996. Includes one record review document with votes, a photograph, correspondence about bird sighting, an Iowa Bird Life Article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	resting on beach with other gulls	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was clearly one of the "hooded" gulls. The combination of size, mantle color, and upperwing pattern eliminates all of the hooded gulls except for Franklin's Gull. The larger size, less obvious white eye crescents, larger and longer bill, and extensively dark tips to the underwings eliminated Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18