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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-05	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 5, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Thayer's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa		The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Smaller than adult Herring Gull (winter plumage, red spot end of lower mandible) beside it, legs a little pinker. Larger than Ring-billed Gulls- flock of 14 adjacent. [...] Headmuch [sic] smaller relative to body than in the Herring Gull- also flatter-appearing. [...] 1. Bill was black (or very dark); this , combined with the rather pale underparts relative to the rest of the (also rather pale) plumage tends to rule out a first year Herring Gull. 2. Bill and head size and shape were not as heavy-appearing as in Herring Gull. Direct comparison with adjacent adult Herring Gull was very useful in deciding this. [...] 5. Size and pinker legs than Herring Gull are not sure characters, but lend support to identification as Thayer's Gull.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-02-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a Hoary Redpoll at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on January 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Hoary Redpoll	Pocahontas	Rural Pocahontas, IA	Rural back yard (about 1 acre). Young trees + shrubs. Bounded on three sides by 100+ acre fields. Thistle feeder located next to a 20' Linden three about 30' north of house	The documentation form by Wallace E. Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common redpoll. This bird was paler and had a red washed unstreaked rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-17	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on December 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of record, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, a photograph, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Smith's Longspur	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA.	General: Back yard opening to a 100 acre farm field. Evergreens, bushes, trees. Specific: Foot of tray feeder beside tree.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Ronald Harms and Rita DeWall were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Water Pipit near Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-02-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Water Pipit near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on February 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Water Pipit	Pocahontas	Rural Pocahontas, IA	General: Rural back yard (about 1 acre). Young trees + shrubs bounded on three sides by 100+ acre fields. Specific: Base of stone fireplace with feeder on top. Fireplace is 6' from concrete patio in back yard.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper sparrow. Breast not streaked as heavily as vesper sparrow + white outer tail feathers more prominent than on vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-03	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on June 3, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	House Finch	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA Rt 2 Box 9 50574	Backyard. Trees, shrubs, bird baths, feeders, etc.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Betty Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00 and 18:00:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Little Spirit Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of around six Greater Prairie-Chickens at Little Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on August 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Baker, Warren L.	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Little Spirit Lake Wildlife Management Area	South end - west side Little Spirit Lake, Iowa	- cut field, next to lake	The documentation form by Warren L. Baker is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Karen Baker were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharpe [sic] Tailed grouse \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-11	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two birds (Ibis species) at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibises	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	The starting point was on the northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa		The documentation form by Wayne Stanley and Leroy Hovell is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Leroy Hovell was submitted later. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcom, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| The original documentation form event occurred after 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-10-09	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands in Plymouth County, IA on October 9, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fields, Will	Black-billed Magpie	Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve	Broken Kettle Grasslands (a Nature Conservancy Preserve, Plymouth Co., IA)		The documentation form by Will Fields is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unidentified members of Iowa State University Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Club. \| Elimination of similar species: The American crow and the common raven lack do not have such a long tail and they usually do not have white in their plumage. I had seen American crows flying around the preserve earlier that morning. This bird definitely had a longer tail than the American crows. Ring-necked pheasants also have a long tail, but they do not normally have a black and white plumage. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie east of Lindsay Wilderness Area, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie east of Lindsay Wilderness Area in Van Buren County, IA on November 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Vickers, William P.	Black-billed Magpie	Lindsay Wilderness Area	East of Lindsay Wilderness, Bonaparte, Ia	Second growth woodland near open pasture	The documentation form by William Vickers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W.C. Cockerell and Mike Bentler. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerhead shrike, which is much smaller \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Grosbeak at Saylorville Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-22	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pine Grosbeak at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on December 22, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Oesterreich, Wolfgang	Pine Grosbeak	Saylorville Lake	woods at end of NW 100th St @ Big Creek Lake T81N R25W NE 1/4 sec. 21	She was perched at the top of a deciduous tree (locust?) in a small wooded area, dominated by deciduous trees. Some conifers were present. Kevin stated that when he first saw the bird it flew like a woodpecker (undulating) and landed in the tree.	The documentation form by Wolfgang Oesterrichis the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Kevin Healy. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration and size eliminated the other finches. Too large and wrong coloration for Goldfinches. Coloration, bill shape, size not like crossbills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pygmy Nuthatch at Des Moines, 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-01-26	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pygmy Nuthatch at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on January 26, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, multiple articles from Iowa Bird Life, correspondence related to bird sighting and review, and two documentations submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Pygmy Nuthatch	Des Moines	[...] 5400 Woodland Ave.		The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Nicholas Halmi was submitted later. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Mary Brown, Dorothy Ely, Peter C. Petersen, Mary Lou Petersen, Margaret Brooke, Lillian Serbousek, Allen Mueller, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] According to plumage descriptions of the Pigmy and Brown-headed Nuthatches, the only noticeable difference between the two (short of having the bird in hand) is in the color of the crown and nape. The field guides are agreed that the crown of the Brown-headed is brown, but there is a lack of unanimity in their descriptions of the crown of the Pigmy. [...] Margaret Brooke, in writing up the observation for IBL, describes the cap as being "brownish" but has no doubt about this nuthatch being a Pigmy. Mary and I feel the grayish olive description comes closest and cinches the Pigmy identification. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	51
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Des Moines, 1971	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1971-11-04	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1971. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Western Tanager	Des Moines	Des Moines, IA	Well-kept back yard of apartment in the heart of Des Moines	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mary Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for goldfinch, wing bars eliminate Summer or Scarlet Tanagers which would not be here at this time. Bill obviously not oriole or finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted briefly, mid-afternnon [sic].	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Boreal Chickadee at Des Moines, 1976	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1976-11-17	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Boreal Chickadee at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1976. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, multiple articles from Iowa Bird Life, a request for reconsideration of record, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Boreal Chickadee	Des Moines	Des Moines, IA	General: urban, residential Specific: large back yard with both evergreen and deciduous trees and large stand of yew adjacent to feeders	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Mooney, Nicholas Halmi, Lurene Warters, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Superficially similar to any of the chickadees \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	49
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for McCown's Longspur near De Soto National Wildlife Reserve, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-16	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a McCown's Longspur near De Soto National Wildlife Reserve in Harrison County, IA on December 16, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee for review.	Starr, David	McCown's Longspur	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	North of railroad tracks on L-16, north of hwy. 30 (by DeSoto Refuge)	Tilled cornfield	The documentation form for Extraordinary Bird Sighting in Iowa by David Starr forms the basis of this record. The documentation form Supporting Details: Uncommon or Rare Species/High Numbers was also submitted by David Starr. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Prairie Warbler at Greenfield Township in Warren County, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-14	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Warbler at Greenfield Township in Warren County, IA on September 14, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form with an addendum submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Prairie Warbler	Greenfield Township	My Yard - small acreage in northern Warren County, IA	Mixed open woods and field edge with creek and many shrubs	The documentation form with an addendum by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Palm Warbler - no streaking on breast; chestnut cap not evident; streaking was black; breeding plumage unlikely on this date Pine Warbler - belly and undertail coverts bright yellow; wingbars not as distinct as the wing was not as dark nor the bars as white: streaking on the sides darker than a pine [...] Magnolia Warbler - Magnolia's body and wings too dark; adult eliminated because of no streaking on breast (only sides) and no black facial mask; immature does not have heavy enough streaking nor yellow extending up the face and around the eye far enough and the wingbars are too contrasting (black and white) Cape May Warbler - vibrant yellow undertail coverts would seem to by and large eliminate the Cape May, especially when combined with no streaking on the breast and belly; wing bars were two distinct pale yellowish markings, not white or blotched together Blackburnian Warbler - unstreaked back; no distinct cheek patch; no white wing bars on dark wings Blackpoll/Bay-breasted Warbler - unstreaked back; primary identification of fall blackpoll is white undertail coverts which eliminates this bird immediately. Also this complex normally has more distinct white wing bars on darker wings and the streaking on the sides is not the stark black on brilliant yellow but a more muted yellowish wash. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:45:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	22
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-16	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Red Knot at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 16, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Newlon, Michael C.	Red Knot	Sand Point	Sand Point, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	mudflats	The documentation form with an attachment by Michael Newlon is the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and two documentation forms for two separate sightings by Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Build, pale wings + color pattern, feather pattern on back/coverts distinctive. [...] No other calidrine sandpiper likely to be found in Iowa combines the coloration, size, and proportions of the Knot. The only species that combine the overall grey coloration and the heavy straight bill are Sanderling, much smaller, and Willet, much larger and longer-legged, with blue-grey rather than black bill and legs. The other shorebirds that are remotely similar are the Tattlers, which have more slender bills and paler legs; basic-plumaged Surfbird, which has a shorter, thicker bill, yellow at base, pale legs, and less-distinct face-pattern (but similar pattern on coverts/ scapulars/tertials); Great knot, which is supposed to lack a distinct supercilium, have round black spots on chest and flanks, black upperparts, a longer, more slender bill. .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brown Pelican at Keokuk, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-10-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Brown Pelicans at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on October 18, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the records review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fawks, Elton	Brown Pelican	Keokuk	We were stalled on Hamilton to Keokuk Bridge	Mississippi River	The documentation forms by Elton Fawks are the only ones submitted and form the basis of this record. Other observers include Margaret Flesher. \| Elimination of similar species: White Pelican eliminated by color and no black primaries. Color compared to white gulls in view at the same time. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Full at Lock 13, 1995	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock 13 in Clinton County, IA on October 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter with field notes submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 13	Lock 13		The documentation letter and field notes by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Dorrance, Kelly McKay, Mary Lou Petersen, and Dennis Carter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Groove-billed Ani at Cedar Rapids, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1966-10-22	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Groove-billed Ani at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on October 22, 1966. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for a reconsideration of the review, an excerpt from The Birds of Iowa, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Vane, Bob	Groove-billed Ani	Cedar Rapids	[...] Bever Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids		The documentation letter by Bob Vane is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jean Vane, Myra Willis, and Lillian Serbousek. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I must say at that particular time, since the bird was new to us, we were not absolutely sure whether it was a Smooth-billed or Groove-billed ani. Upon returning home, however, we found in Bent, "The note of the Smooth-billed ani has been called a wailing or whining whistle - resembling the notes of the wood duck." Our bird's call note was not a whistle at all. And then we found in Pough's Eastern Land Birds under Smooth-billed ani, "The two anis are hard to tell apart except by note, the whining notes of this species being in sharp contrast to the soft double note of the Groove-billed." So for my part, that settled it that our bird was a Groove-billed ani. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher near Holstein, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-24	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher near Holstein in Ida County, IA on May 24, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Rector, Curtis L.	Vermilion Flycatcher	Holstein	1531 Harvest Avenue Holstein, Iowa 51025-8117		The documentation letter by Curtis L. Rector is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his parents and nephew. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] But I could see right away that it wasn't a cardinal, as it lacked a crest, and it had dark feathers. [...] At this point, I thought it could be a Scarlet Tanager. [...] As I watched it, the bird was taking off from the grass, flying into the air to snatch an insect, then landing on a nearby fence. From this, I could tell it had to be a species of Flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Whooping Crane southeast of Plainfield, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-11-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven to eight Whooping Cranes southeast of Plainfield in Bremer County, IA on November 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Dinnes, Dana	Whooping Crane	Plainfield	About 3 miles southeast of Plainfield, Ia. along a creek		The documentation letter by Dana Dinnes is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Larry Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The neck was too thin to be that of a pelican. The necks and legs were too long, and the call was much different, than that of snow geese. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Caribbean Coot at Burr Oak Lake, 1992	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-26	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Caribbean Coot at Burr Oak Lake in Emmett County, IA on April 26, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Harold White to Tom Kent regarding the sighting, and a documentation letter with a supplement submitted to the committee via Thomas Kent.	White, Harold W.	Caribbean Coot	Burr Oak Lake Wildlife Management Area	lake access to Burr Oak Lake, located in section 21 of High Lake Township, Emmet County.		The documentation letter by Harold L. White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Sallie White. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Unlike the expected American Coot, this coot had a large and circular raised forehead which was yellow. The yellow was restricted to the raised portion. [...] This coot lacked the reddish circular protrusion at the top base of the bill. This coot was otherwise undistinguisable [sic] from the American Coots.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Whooping Crane southwest of Jester Park, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-11-12	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Whooping Crane southwest of Jester Park in Polk County, IA on November 12, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Keys, Jerry	Whooping Crane	Jester Park	Keith Curtis farm southwest of Jester Park in Polk County, Iowa.		The documentation letter by Jerry Keys is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chad Loreth and Randy Cook. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird's long neck and trailing legs led us to assume it was a Sandhall Crane (many had been spotted in the area yesterday). Chad started to imitate a Sandhill Crane, but when we heard the bird calling, it 'purred' and 'yelped,' it did not sound like a Sandhill. [...] Also, it was bigger than a Sandhill Crane. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review rare bird sighting of Arctic Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-28	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Arctic Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 28, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, and a documentation form in the form of a letter from Ken Lowder to Thomas H. Kent with Geri Langham receiving a copy as well on September 16, 1994 submitted to the committee.	Lowder, Ken	Arctic Loon	Saylorville Dam	I saw the bird at the dam at Saylorville Lake		The documentation letter by Ken Lowder is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Daniel. \| Elimination of similar species: It acted differently from the Common Loons. When it dove, it "reared back" its head, as though it were "winding up" for the dive. The Common Loons did not do this. In the Walsh article, this behavior is discussed. On page 26 of his article, Walsh states that "both Pacific and Artic Loons have similar diving motions." I do not believe our bird was a Pacific Loon. I base this judgement on overall body size, bill size, and the distribution of white coloration in the head/neck, waterline, and flank areas. Our bird was essentially similar size-wise to the accompanying Common Loons. The bill was also similar to Common Loon. It was not upturned and this as I would have expected with Red-throated Loon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Common Raven at Lake Manawa State Park, 1998	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-02-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven at Lake Manawa State Park in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 5, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Bunnimit, Manit	Common Raven	Lake Manawa State Park	[...] Lake Manawa State Park, near Council Bluffs, IA. [...] was travelling south on the road that follows the west edge of Lake Manawa.		The documentation letter by Manit Bunnimit is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It flew for most of the time by soaring with its wings held very flat, only twice flapping its wings momentarily (shallow wingbeats) and once folding its wings rather tightly and gliding. All of the crows I have seen flap steadily, gliding only occasionally. [...] It could not have been mistaken even for the tails of the occasional American Crows that appear quite rounded. The sheer size of the bird and the wedge-shaped tail were enough to distinguish it from any of the crows, but what about the Chihuahuan Raven? Fortunately, as it flew by, the bird made two brief call notes that were very hoarse (sounding much more like grrrawgk than the gaw of the American Crow), and much deeper than the Chihuahuan Raven that I heard in northern Texas. However, because it has been a few years since I had seen or heard the Chihuahuan, I decided to double check the calls on a tape I had at home. The tape and I agree that the call was that of a Common Raven. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:10:00/11:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47