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 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 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 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 Vermilion Flycatcher at Sioux Center, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-06	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on May 6, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Vermilion Flycatcher	Sioux Center	In approximately the center of Harry Kuhl's farm, located at the east end of Sioux Center, Sioux Co., Iowa. The specific area in which we found the bird consists of wet bottomlands with creek and tall willows and many broken branches, snags, and stumps. The bird used snags and branches near and over the creek as perch. The lighting, provided by partly cloudy skies which gradually clouded over completely as the afternoon wore on, was excellent, as the sun was largely behind us. We observed the bird from distances varying between 20 feet and 60 yards.	[...] a section of tall trees, extensive shrub area, open fields, and in the center, surrounded by pasture land and agricultural fields, an area of wet bottomlands transversed by a creek (beaver occurs here) through a fairly open stand of tall black willows; broken limbs and snags are scattered throughout the area (see enclosed photographs).	The documentation form by John Van Dyk forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Gordon Brown was submitted. Other observers include Ken Venhuizen, Mike Van Dyk, Jan Van Dyk, and John Kevin Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: This category hardly applies since a male Vermilion Flycatcher is quite unmistakable. If there is any bird with which it might possibly be confused -- perhaps at great distance -- it would be a Scarlet Tanager. However, our bird was much smaller, had no red on its back, had black patchy line through its eye, had a thin dark flycatcher bill instead of a light-colored tanager bill, and behaved like a flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/17:00:00 on May 6, 1983 and 06:30:00/07:00:00 on May 7, 1983.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake in Worth County, IA on May 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Anderson, Gerald	Vermilion Flycatcher	Rice Lake	Worth County North Shore Rice Lake	Edge of Timber and marsh	The documentation form by Gerald Anderson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Curt Rector. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Smaller than cardinal \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Island View Park at Rathbun Lake, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-10-25	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Island View Park at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on October 25, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, excerpts from Iowa Bird Life, an article in American Birds, two photographs, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Vermilion Flycatcher	Island View Park	Island View Park, Rathbun Resevoir, [sic] Appanoose Co.	open parkland, scattered trees along beach front	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tom Johnson, Ray Cummins, Thomas H. Kent, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dot Cornett, Tim Schantz, Mary Montgomery, and many unidentified other observers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Varied Thrush southeast of Monticello, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-02-09	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Varied Thrush southeast of Monticello in Jones County, IA on February 9, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Fred K.	Varied Thrush	Monticello	Paul Whear's Home Monticello, Ia	Home and feeder located in large Cedar Grove	The documentation form by Fred Thompson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas Kent was submitted later. Other observers include Pete Wickham, Tim Gates, Paul Whear, Michael Newlon, Thomas Shires, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - Eating bird seed (8) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Trumpeter Swan at Lake Manawa, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-13	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Trumpeter Swan at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 13, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Trumpeter Swan	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: Black bill without knob and neck posture eliminates Mute Swan. Tundra Swan eliminated by neck posture and lack of yellow on bill: darker plumage of juvenile. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
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 Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 11, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form with field notes submitted to the committee.	Garthright, William C.	Townsend's Warbler	Stone State Park	"Bunny Hill" Trail, behind Loess Lodge, in Stone State Park, Sioux City, Iowa	wooded ravines	The documentation form by Bill Garthright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-throated Green Warbler doesn't have black face and crown, or yellow breast. Blackburnian Warbler doesn't have black throat and chin or solid black crown; is more orange or orange-yellow rather than bright lemon yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	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 Solitaire at Polk City Cemetery, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-17	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Solitaire at Polk City Cemetery in Polk County, IA on May 17, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hertzel, L. Paul	Townsend's Solitaire	Polk City Cemetery	Polk City Cemetary. [sic]	Mowed grass with scattered pines and bushes.	The documentation form by Paul Hertzel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Briefly considered Mockingbird, but posture (upright) and behavior was wrong. On closer look had orange, not white, wing bars. Lacked sleek head and longer bill of Mockingb[...] Eye-ring was very obvious. \| The original documentation form event lasted occurred from approximately 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Three-toed Woodpecker north of Iowa City, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Three-toed Woodpecker north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 13, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Joan	Three-toed Woodpecker	Iowa City	14 Woodland Heights North of Iowa City IA, off N Dubuque St, off Stewart Road	suet feeder in heavily wooded lot with much woodpecker activity of all common Iowa species.	The documentation form by Joan Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I have not seen any similar species. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull north of Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull north of Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-north of Jester Park	feeding in river channel with thousands of other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill and leg color and size eliminates all gulls except Herring, Thayer's, and Iceland gulls. The uniform dark color of the wings, lack of a lighter "window" on the inner primaries, and the silvery color of the underside of the flight feathers eliminates 1st-winter Herring and Iceland gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:38:00/14:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull near Oak Grove Beach and Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-23	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull near Oak Grove Beach and Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam Oak Grove Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (Oak Grove Beach and near dam)	seen resting on beach and flying over water near dam	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bob Myers, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Francis L. Moore, Robert Cecil, and Paul Martsching were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: The darker body plumage and dark tail band eliminate Iceland Gull (Kumlien's form). The smaller size, smaller, more delicate bill, more rounded head, silvery white underwing pattern, more uniform body color, and more uniform upperwing pattern eliminate first winter Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/11:55:00 and 15:50:00/16:05:00 on November 23, 1986 and 14:50:00/15:35:00 on November 24, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull near Lindsay Park in Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-02-18	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull near Lindsay Park in Davenport in Scott County, IA on February 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee for this sighting.	Petersen, Peter C.	Thayer's Gull	Lindsay Park	Lindsay Park Boat Club harbor, east edge of Davenport Scott Co.	On ice shelf along Mississippi River, 40 yards from sea wa[...]	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.Other observers include Walter Zuurdeeg and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Immature gull same size as nearby Herring Gulls. [...] Head smaller than Herrings, bill more slight, black, + not thickened at the tip, compared to Herrings. When wings spread - this was seen twice, the upper surface seemed fairly uniform with no dark tip pattern as in the Herrings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/09:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull near Horse Island near Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-02	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull near Horse Island near Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Thayer's Gull	Horse Island	downstream tip of Enchanted Island. Davenport, Scott Co. IA	Mississippi River - edge of open water, Iowa side	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins and Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - eye light, wing tips black with white windows, bill larger than Thayers. California Gull - eye light, wing tips black with white windows, yellow legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-28	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 28, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-above dam	feeding with other gulls on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, uniform body color, pale underside of the flight feathers, and dark bill eliminates othr [sic] gulls. Iceland Gull eliminated by uniform wing color without noticeably lighter wingtips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-28	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on January 28, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Lake, Polk Co., IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The primary identification was done through the size and shape of the head. Other similar gulls do not share this "dove head." The bird was confirmed by the silvery underwings and very little dark coloring on the upper side of the primaries, characteristics not shared by similarly gray-mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 3, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Res., Marion Co., Iowa	reservoir, partly frozen	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt, Steve Dinsmore, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniform coloration and lack of dark wing tips were the main marks used to separate it from Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-10	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 10, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Res. Tailwater		The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Francis L. Moore, Bob Myers, Beth Proescholdt and Mark Proescholdt, and Dennis Thompson were submitted. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel, Darwin Koenig, Steve Dinsmore, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Thayer's Gull is a difficult bird to identify. In researching this problem, I have found several helpful sources in addition to the standard field guides and I have tried to understand what it takes to know a Thayer's Gull when you see one. Nearly every reference makes it clear that Thayer's cannot be identified on the basis of one or two positive field marks. It takes a combination of characters to come to a conclusion of any certainty. In discussing this particular observation, I will examine each of the fieldmarks and compare and contrast to similar species with liberal reference to the literature, especially Lehman (1980). The most likely similar gulls in this case are 1st winter Herring and 1st winter Iceland (Kumlien's). The Kumlien's form is the darker form of the Iceland Gull and is the form that breeds in the Baffin Island area and winters mainly on the Atlantic coast. Lehman's article deals mainly with Kumlien's. Several similarly sized and possible but unlikely candidates can be eliminated rather quickly. A 1st winter California should not have an all dark bill and would show much darkening in the primaries in flight. Lesser Black-backed Gull could be about the right size, but in flight a 1st winter bird should show darker primary and secondary coverts, more extensively dark primaries, even compared to Herring Gull. A 1st summer Slaty-backed Gull is also light uniform brown with an all dark bill, but it should exhibit extensive darkening in the primaries on the upper wing. A 1st winter Glaucous-winged Gull would be very similar to Thayer's but should be larger, with a larger bill, and less mottling to the body color. Except for the first two, one would probably not consider the likelihood of their occurrence in Iowa to be very great. One hybrid, Glaucous-winged X Western, might be similar but should have a quite heavy bill. [...] Summary: Of the most likely similar species, 1st winter Herring Gull and 1st winter Kumlien's Iceland Gull, each is eliminated by one or more of the features discussed above. The wing pattern is especially damaging to the possibility of Herring, along with the bill shape and size. Iceland is ruled out by the presence of the noticeable tail band and by the darker secondaries on the upper wing. To identify a Thayer's Gull, one must see a combination of field marks. I feel that the bird I saw at Red Rock is consistent on every point.\| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-10-24	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on October 24, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Gravel bar and open river	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by the light and uniform body color, brown as opposed to blackish primaries and tail band, lack of a window from above, and lack of any color to the underside of the primaries. Iceland Gull was eliminated based on the darker secondaries and wide, brown tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:50:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-08	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 8, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock	below dam	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: It was lighter + more evenly colored than a Herring Gull, larger than Ring-billed, too dark for an Iceland too small for a Glaucous. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:50:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3