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 Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-27	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red-throated Loons at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 27, 1989. Includes a record review document and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya E. Bray is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Marc Lund, and Bob Myers were submitted later. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, Roger Rose, Dave Starr, and Jerry Toll. \| Elimination of similar species: Pacific Loon, eliminated by red color of throat patch and shape of bill. This bird's bill was more like that of a Eared Grebe; that is, very slender and not as loon-like as that of Pacific Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Common Loon: eliminated by size of bird, shape of bill, and red throated patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Glossy Ibis at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Photography of birds Rare birds Ornithological illustration	1992-05-04	1996-04-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Glossy Ibises at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on May 4, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from J.V. Remsen to Tom Kent, letters between Tom Kent and Bob Janssen, a letter from Matt Kenne to Tom Kent, a letter from Bruce Fall to Tom Kent, five photographs, a page with two ibis head sketches, the original sighting record found in the publication Iowa Bird Life 53:68 by Matthew Kenne, and the article Field identification of White-faced and Glossy Ibises by H. Douglas Pratt, published in Birding 8(1):1-5. The Glossy Ibises were seen by Bobbi Webber and photographed by Dave Bunkofske.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Glossy Ibis	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Brant at Forney Lake in 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1980-05-19	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for twelve Brants at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 20, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the field report by Ian Getscher.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Brant	Forneys Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-11-08	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for three Thayer's Gulls at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on November 8, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Thayer's Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Reservoir	Open wate [sic] near small sandy beach near the Dam area, Johnson County	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Tom Kent, Tom Shires, Tom Staudt, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring-billed Gull and Herring Gull, see above. The Ring-billed Gulls were seen in direct contrast to these three birds and were definitely much smaller birds. The Herring Gulls (first year birds) that I have seen have more of a contrast between the rump and back and upper wing surfaces and none that I remember showed the whitish trailing edge on the tail. [...] The three birds seen were about the size of Herring Gulls in typical first year plumage. They were obviously large gulls of the genus Larus with a noticeably larger size than the Ring-billed Gulls and one Bonaparte's Gull that were next to the three larger birds. [...] There were no Herring Gulls nearby with which to make a comparison of size and coloration. The bills of all three gulls were black did not seem as heavy or bulky as the bill of a Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
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 Amazilia species at Des Moines, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-09-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Amazilia species at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on September 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, two letters from Carole Stolz to T.H. Kent, a letter from Louis Bevier to Tom Kent, e-mail exchanges, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Amazilias	Des Moines	512 SW 60th St., Des Moines, Polk Co., IA	Rather open urban area on southwest side of Des Moines in bottom land. There is a large deck behind the house with hummingbird feeder hanging from the eve and crab apple tree behind the deck and adjacent to the garage. A large vacant field is behind the property.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Stolz, Carole Stolz, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, Jim Dinsmore, Jim Fuller, Bob Cecil, and Aaron Brees. \| Elimination of similar species: My experience and references of Buff-bellied Hummingbird suggest that the cinnamon color, extent of this color toward the throat, cinnamon rump/back, and white eye spot do not fit this species. I believe that the features shown in the photo of the Arizona 'mystery' bird in Field Notes are a perfect fit for the Des Moines bird. I do not know of specific information on bird trafficking in Iowa. We had a Yellow Grosbeak north of Des Moines in December 1990, the origin of which was never explained. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Davenport, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-06-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a House Finch at Davenport in Scott County, IA on June 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review and a letter from Ann Barker to Tom Kent containing a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Barker, Ann M. Barker, William S.	House Finch	Davenport	in yard around feeder	our yard is at the edge of a suburban neighborhood with 30 or so houses, with cultivated fields immediately adjacent on 2 sides.	The documentation form by Bill and Ann Barker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A finch, slightly larger than Goldfinches concurrently at feeder. A thinner or less puffy appearance than Purple Finch, with brighter more orange red color. Shape of head may be flatter than Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ferruginous Hawk at Cedar Falls in 1901	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Zoological specimens	1907-03-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Ferruginous Hawks at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on June 25, 1901. Includes a record review document with votes, letter from Dave Conrads to Barb Wilson, the original sighting record found in the publication The Birds of Iowa published by Davenport Academy of Science by Rudolph M. Anderson in 1907 seen by G.W. Walters, and referenced by three other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ferruginous Hawk	Cedar Falls				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Waterman Prairie, 1997	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-03-20	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for eighteen Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at Waterman Prairie in O'Brien County, IA on March 20, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Tom Kent to Ed Thelen, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Waltz, Tim J.	Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Waterman Prairie Wildlife Management Area	Waterman Prairie - 5 miles S.E. of Sutherland, IA	Timber Ridges with interspersed native prairie knobs	The documentation form by Tim Waltz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maury Muhm and Gary Wee. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Golden-crowned Sparrow east of Little Wall Lake, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-04	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for at least three Golden-crowned Sparrows east of Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on May 4, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about the sighting and documentation, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilcox, Dorothy	Golden-crowned Sparrow	Little Wall Lake	At platform feeder and on the ground	Lg. oak trees, shrubs (Rural)	The documentation form by Dorothy Wilcox is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include family and friends. \| Elimination of similar species: white crowned and white throat, definite difference in eye line and crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ivory Gull at Rathbun Reservoir, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1975-12-20	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Ivory Gull at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on December 20, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, request for reconsideration, correspondence about the sighting and review including an unreviewed documentation form, and a documentation form submitted to the committee and reviewed.	Ayres, Charles C., Jr.	Ivory Gull	Rathbun Lake	Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Iowa, 7 miles north of Centerville. Surface area 11,000 acres, about 180 miles of shoreline. Corps of Engineers project.		The documentation form by Charles C. Ayres, Jr. is the only one reviewed and forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tom Johnson was submitted and not reviewed. Other observers include Blossom H. Hallberg, Virgil Corzette, Jean Corzette, Darlene Ayres, Gary Wymore, and Madeline Wymore. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-03-19	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on March 19, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopies of three photographs, an article in American Birds, an article in Birding, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about related bird sightings and review, documentation form for a related sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee for this review.	Brees, Aaron	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Dam, Marion County, Iowa	rock bar below dam, in association with Ring-billed and Herring Gulls		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-03-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on March 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, seven photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about bird sighting and review, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schantz, Tim	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below Red Rock Dam, Marion County, Iowa		The documentation form by Tim Schantz is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Ann Johnson, Thomas H. Kent, Diane Porter, Jim Sinclair, Stephen Dinsmore, James Dinsmore, Beth Proescholdt, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Dawn DeVore, Dick Tetrault, Jim Scheib, Beth Brown, Michael Porter, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Iowa Birds mentions that there is a problem separating Iceland with Thayers. If there was any problem with this bird being anything it was a Glaucous Gull of the same age. However the bird was smaller than the Herring Gulls that were on the roost. Long wings will rule out the rare small race of Glaucous Gull. There are not to [sic] many birds that have primaries lighter than the mantle in the sitting bird.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1996	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on April 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about bird sightings, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	below dam at Red Rock, Marion Co.	D.M. River	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird did not have the large headed, large billed 'predatory' look of a Glaucous Gull. The overall lightness and the lack of dark primaries and no tail band would eliminate Thayers Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:54:00/10:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eastern Wood-Pewee at Waubonsie State Park, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-24	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eastern Wood-Pewee at Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, IA on April 25, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Scott, Charlotte	Eastern Wood-Pewee	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie State Park	near a trail in a wooded section of fairly tall trees	The documentation form by Charlotte Scott is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Dick Scott. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I ruled out Empidonax flycatchers immediately because of his lack of an eyering and what I considered--smaller size. I ruled out Eastern Phoebe because of the distinct wing bars, the yellow lower mandible and the fact that he did not flick his tail. Also I considered this to be better habitat for a Pewee. 90% of the Phoebes I see are near a bridge and stream or deserted buildings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	32
Records Committee review for Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park in Washington County, IA on September 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in the Iowa Bird Life, an article from the Loon, correspondence by mail and e-mail, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Anhinga	Lake Darling State Park	Lake Darling S.P., Washington Co.	soaring high over lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorants are the only birds likely to be confused with an Anhinga. I have seen thousands of Double-crested Cormorants and I have never seen one soar in this manner. Also, a Double-created Cormorant has a neck which is always longer than the tail (in flight) and looks conspicuously large-headed and thick-necked when seen overhead. Neotropic Cormorant is much smaller and, although it is longer-tailed than a Double-crested, the tail is still shorter than the neck in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:42:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for American Swallow-tailed Kite at Creston in 1872	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds Birds--Collection and preservation Zoological specimens	1988-03-22	1997-10-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for an American Swallow-tailed Kite at Creston in Union County, IA on August 25, 1872. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Mark Robbins to James Dinsmore, a letter from Thomas Kent to the Curator of Birds at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and a letter from Raymond A. Paynter, Jr. to Thomas H. Kent.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Swallow-tailed Kite	Creston				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Yellow Grosbeak near Elkhart, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-02	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow Grosbeak south of Elkhart in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Stephen Bailey to Tim Schantz, two notes from Tim Schantz to the Iowa Records Committee, e-mails between Jim Fuller, Paula Saba, John Saba, Chuck Williamson, and Paul DeBenedictis, an article in Bird Watcher's Digest, an article in Des Moines Register, a letter from Gary Rosenberg to Carl Bendorf, a letter from Kenn Kaufman to Carl Bendorf, a letter from Leo Galloway, Dave Eastrela, and Jack Hilsobeck to Dean Mosman, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Grosbeak	Elkhart	Backyard of Dean and Diane Mosman; Two and half miles southeast of Elkhart (Polk County Iowa)	Backyard and adjacent wooded ravine	The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms were submitted by Tim Schantz, Ken Lowder, Ann Johnson, Thomas Kent, Robert Cecil, Ross Silcock, Diane Porter, and Carl Bendorf. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Jim Scheib, Dean Mosman, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Diane Mosman, Tom Schantz, Cecile Thompson, Dennis Thompson, and John Daniel. \| Elimination of similar species: Pine grosbeak is not lemon yellow in any plumage, and has a smaller bill with hooked upper mandible. Evening grosbeak has black wings and tail and light colored bill in all plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	1
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 for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-10-08	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park in Black Hawk County, IA on October 8, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a letter from Bob Myers to Tom Kent, a letter from Francis Moore to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Western Tanager	Hope Martin Memorial Park	Hope Martin Park, Waterloo, Ia. (Part of Waterloo Greenbelt)	Riverbottom Timber on edge of park - brushy area First seen in top of willow thicket, then flew to top of oak in the park.	The documentation form by Robert Myers is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Fall scarlet tanager is possible - see attached page. My first thought was that this was late for a scarlet Tanager and when I looked closer I saw the wing bars. My second thought was that someone told me that one of a hunderd [sic] ♀ scarlets have wing bars. I also knew the Peterson Guide says some scarlets have two wing bars. When I went home that night I was anything but convinced the bird was a western tanager even though most literature states wing bars = western tanager. When I got home I phoned Fancis Moore and he went to the park and was able to relocate the bird. Even though he had never seen western tanagers before, Francis thought this was one. His enthusiasm prompted me to research further. I am now also convinced that this bird was indeed a western tanager no matter how unlikely it seems. Ironically, my first western tanager, a male seen April 26, 1980 at Forney Lake, was also with a mixed flock of yellow-rump + palm warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Big Creek Lake, 1988	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-09	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Sandpiper at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on October 9, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting by Guy McCaskie, Kim Eckert, and Bruce Peterjohn, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Western Sandpiper	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats from low water on freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Thomas. \| Elimination of similar species: Although I understand the difficulty in identification of fall western sandpipers, the Baird's and white-rumped were eliminated because of wing length. The least sandpiper was eliminated by leg color and bill shape/size. The most difficult elimination was that of the semipalmateds, especially since other semipals were present in the area. After careful observation and comparison, however, the prototypical western sandpiper bill was too obvious to make the bird into a semipalmated. The bill was enough longer and had an obvious droop. The others in the area had varying bill sizes but none had the general shape of this bird. Consequently, I believe this was a late date western sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Gull east of Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-11	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Gull east of Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 11, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Western Gull	Lock and Dam 15	On Miss. River chanel [sic] ice between Davenport, Scott Co. IA &+ Rock Isl. Arsenal, RI Co. IL.	On ice covered chanel [sic] of Mississippi - 1/4 - 1/2 mi. upstream (East) of Lock + Dam 15.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Brian Blevins and Gerald White were submitted. Another observers includes Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Slaty-backed Gull - Gray mantle merged directly to black tips, trailing white wing edge too narrow, mantle color too dark for g.b. Lesser-Black-bkd Gull - leg color pink, bird too large + heavy Greater Black-bkd. Gull - Bird too small, back not black enough, legs too bright + pink. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00 on December 11, 1986, 08:20:00/08:25:00 and 09:00:00/09:15:00 on December 12, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-14	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on November 14, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, excerpts from Western Birds, articles in Pennsylvania birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, eight photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Empidonax Flycatchers	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi State Park, Warren County, IOWA	Woodland edge consisting primarily of honeysuckle and junipers	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Brian Blevins were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Peter Petersen, Kelly McKay, Corey Blevins, Jim Scheib, Jim Sinclair, John Daniel, Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, David Youngblut, Beth Brown, Sherry Dragula, Bill Overland, Jane Overland, John Miller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The date of observation is historically good for a vagrant western flycatcher species, so this was in the back of my mind in assessing the characteristics observed. The presence of both eye ring and wing bars, in addition to size and shape, indicate that the bird fits the Empidonax complex. The combination of green back, yellow throat and pure orange lower mandible with no markings would eliminate Least, Hammond's, Dusky, Gray, Buff-breasted, Alder, and Willow Flycatchers. A juvenile Acadian can be eliminated by the short primary extension, color of the wings, size and shape of the eye ring, and active behavior. Only three species are indicated by the green upper parts and yellow under parts. Two are separable only by voice. The choices were between Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Western (Cordilleran and Pacific-slope) Flycatcher. Back color is greener in Yellow-bellied and more olive in Western. Although the back looked olive, this was rather subjective. According to the Audubon Master Guide, behavior would be more indicative of a Yellow-bellied in that the bird was not flicking both tail and wings. According to Kaufman, however, behavior is quite variable. Three characteristics made me lean more toward Western complex. They were peaked appearance to the head (usually smooth and rounded in Yellow-bellied); almond-shaped eye ring (round, narrow, and more even in Yellow-bellied); and browner wings than eastern Empidonax. The color of the wings is again subjective, but the contrast between wing color and wing bars was less than the black/white (or even black/buff in fall birds) of eastern birds. Even with the variability that may occur in any Empidonax, it is unlikely that these three characteristics, which are common to the Western Flycatcher, would appear simultaneously in a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Further support is found in the Audubon Master Guide to Birding where it states in the description of Western Flycatcher, "...olive wash on the breast, flanks, and especially the sides tends to highlight a midventral yellow stripe" - one of the more obvious characteristics when viewed at close range from the front. IF the call notes heard belonged to this bird, it would indicate a Cordilleran Flycatacher, the most likely vagrant. None of us were able, however, to get the bird to call as we were observing it. Cal Knight played a tape and the bird became very agitated but did not call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/14:00:00 on November 14, 1992 and 11:30:00/13:45:00 on November 15, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	35
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 of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-10	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 10, 1981 recorded incorrectly as 1982 on the documentation form. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Above and below Saylorville Dam	Open water, rocky shore and ice covered pond.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Nearly the same size as an immature Herring Gull, but neck seemed thinner, head smaller. Bill was same length as a Herring Gull's but was blunter, not as strongly hooked. [...] The primaries were not nearly as dark as immature (1st year) or 2nd year Herring Gulls and was of a much different color than the black color of that species. Primaries and tail were nearly the same color. [...] In flight this bird could be easily picked out from the immature Herring Gulls at considerable distances. Using 7x35 binoculars the beige color of the upper surface of wings and translucent underwing could be detected as far as three-quarters of a mile. There were also three other birds that resembled this particular bird though they appeared darker on the upperparts. However I was unable to get close observations of these birds. The bird I observed closely and documented had one primary feather missing and aided in tracking the bird from day to day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3