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 for King Eider at Keokuk in 1894	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Rare birds Hunting Zoological specimens	1925-01-01	1993-09-07	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a King Eider at Keokuk in Keokuk County on November 10, 1894. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs of the specimen, the original sighting record found in the publication Two records from Keokuk Iowa in Iowa Ornithologist 1:52 by William E. Praeger, and referenced by seven other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	King Eider	Keokuk				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for King Eider at Lake Odesa in 1970	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Zoological specimens	1981-12-01	1993-09-07	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a King Eider at Lake Odesa in Louisa County, IA on November 8, 1970. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Fifth record of King Eider in Iowa in Iowa Bird Life 51:126-129 by Mike Newlon and Thomas Kent seen by Steven Slack.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	King Eider	Lake Odessa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Kirtland's Warbler at Linn County before 1907	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1907-03-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Kirtland's Warbler at Linn County, IA before 1907. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by George H. Berry.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Kirtland's Warbler	Linn County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Estherville in winter of 1932-1933	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1933-12-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a large flock of Chestnut-collared Longspurs at Estherville in Emmet County, IA during the winter of 1932-1933. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Revised List of Birds of Iowa by Philip A. DuMont seen by B.O. Wolden, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Estherville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-04-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on April 28, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Babcock, Mary Cook	Lark Bunting	De Soto Lake	De Soto Bend NWR	Bare tree by a pond in flock of mixed swallows	The documentation form by Mary Cock Babcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller + different shape from red winged black bird. No yellow head as yellow headed black bird. Too small for mockingbird or shrike - also different color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting north of Burlington, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-30	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 30, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Lark Bunting	Burlington	North of Burlington off Highway 99	Farm land--freshly plowed field, low hedge rows	The documentation form by Charles Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The Bird sighted on a dirt road feeding with a Vesper Sparrow--within 3 feet for comparison. The most conspicuous field mark were the large creamy white wing patches (Not bars). The bird was slightly larger than the Vesper Sparrow with heavy sparrow bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-06-06	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton in Greene County, IA on June 6, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail correspondence about the documentation, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Lark Bunting	Scranton	Greene County,1 mile south of Scranton on Highway 25 ,then 3/4 mile east.	Pasture with cows on South side, Row crops on North side	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: I don't know of any other bird of this size that has white wing patches. I couldn't find any other info in any of my bird guides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:00:06.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow north of Newell, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-20	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow north of Newell in Buena Vista County, IA on December 20, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Lark Sparrow	Newell	1 mile N. of Newell along black top road	Roadside - open fields - only cover in ditch	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Thelen and the Thelen children. \| Elimination of similar species: unmistakable - clear breast, dark spot - white tipped tail - strong facial pattern \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow south of Riverton, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-01-04	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow south of Riverton in Fremont County, IA on January 4, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Jacqueline M.	Lark Sparrow	Riverton	1 mile south of Riverton, IA	deciduous edge woods adjacent to corn field	The documentation form by Jacqueline M. Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jarrett Harms, Joe Worthington, Marla Worthington, Larry Falk, and Derry Wolford. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - no face pattern Juncos - wrong color Amer. tree Sparrow - no white outer tail feathers \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Laughing Gull at Blencoe in 1894	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1907-03-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Blencoe in Monona County, IA on October 10, 1894. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by H.W. Kerr as reported by J.A. Dickinson and Isadore Trostler, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Laughing Gull	Blencoe				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at IPL Ponds, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-07	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 7, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, an article in the Illinois Audubon Bulletin, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Laughing Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power + Light Settling Pond		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tanya Bray, Babs Padelford, and Loren Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: Differs from Franklin's Gull only in lack of white line between black primaries + gray mantle. I saw one Franklin's this spring with a very narrow white band in the primaries. If this isn't a Laughing Gull, it's an aberrant Franklin's. It seemed to be in a very neat breeding plumage, not a young bird. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for around two minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Laughing Gull at Lake Manawa in 1941	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1941-06-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 25, 1941. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication The Laughing Gull in Pottawattamie County in Iowa Bird Life 11:36 by B.F. Stiles.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Laughing Gull	Lake Manawa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lake Rathbun, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-06-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on June 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Laughing Gull	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Appanoose Co.	Lake and shore.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Of the medium sized Gulls only Ring-billed, Franklin's, and Mew Gulls have similar juvenile plumages. The direct size comparison, seen gull being smaller, bill shape and dark color, and lack of white in head eliminates Ring-billed Gull. Mew Gull is eliminated by long dark bill, Ring-billed like jist of bird in flight, and uniform overall color. The long down turned bill and the total improbability of a juvenile Franklin's being in southern Iowa on this date. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:19:00/10:30:30 on June 4, 1991 and 09:30:00/09:35:00 on June 5, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-07-08	1997-10-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on July 8, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Lock Number 19	above Lock 19, Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	resting on a log in river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's Gull is the only species this bird was likely to be confused with. The larger size, longer, more pointed wings, lack of white color in the primaries, longer, larger bill, dark legs and bill, and gray wash on nape (rather than a more distinct half-hood) are sufficient to eliminate Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:05:00/16:30:00 on July 8, 1994 and 06:15:00/06:28:00 on July 9, 1994.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Midwest Power Pond, 1994	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-10-19	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Midwest Power (South) Pond in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 19, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a documentation letter from Paul Lehman to Ross Silcock, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Laughing Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Midwest Power (South) Pond, Pottawattamie Co., IA		The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Babs and Loren Padelford as well as Paul Lehman were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Later it was seen at rest with Ring-billed and Franklin's Gulls, the latter group including a few individuals of the same age as the Laughing Gull, allowing careful comparison. [...] The wings were long and pointed, the overall jizz of the bird more attenuated than a Franklin's. [...] There was a grayish-black wash over the crown and nape, slightly intensified in the upper nuchal area, and a paler grayish wash on the flanks in the area below the bend of the wing, imparting a "dirtier" look to the underparts than on same-age Franklin's Gulls (seen when at rest). At rest, the black primaries extended well past the tail, a feature compared easily with nearby Franklin's, and there were no small white crescents in the primaries of the Laughing Gull, a feature easily seen in same-age Franklin's nearby. The Laughing Gull was almost as big as the Ringbills near it, while it appeared significantly larger than the adjacent Franklin's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Laughing Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Dam, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-08-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on August 19, 1989. Includes one record review document with votes, four photographs of the bird, analysis of the photographs, an Iowa Bird Life article, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Laughing Gull	North Overlook Park	L. Red Rock, Dam Site Swim Beach, Marion County, IA	Sand beach bordering open water	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong, Jim Fuller, Peter C. Petersen, Thomas H. Kent, Robert Cecil, Jim Sinclair were submitted later. Other observers include Carol Thompson, Art Huser, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Heerman's gen'l coloration wrong, two-toned bill juv. too dark ventrally. Mew short bill, yellow or two-tone bill juv. two-tone bill, mottled or barred breast + flanks Mew (L.c. brachyrhynchus) bill short + two-toned 1st win. - tertials lack pale fringes Sabine's small size, distinct wing pattern, including white secondaries. Ivory all plumages generally white Black-headed Bill quite slender + two toned Bonapartes small size, bill small + slender Franklin short bill, juv underparts whitish Ring-Billed 2-tone bill in all plumages, juv spotted breast, larger \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:30:00 and 09:45:00/10:15:00 on August 19, 1989 and 07:15:00/07:45:00 and 08:45:00/09:45:00 on August 20, 1989.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-07-21	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on July 21, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Laughing Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	spillway and river below dam	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Pam Allen, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Russ Widner, David Arbour, Reid Allen, Tim Schantz, Jane Fuller, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was smaller and more brown than the ring-bills of the year. The other features noted above make the juvenile Laughing Gull an easy identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-07-17	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on July 17, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photocopy of a photograph, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Laughing Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion Co.)	Mudflats near retreating water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Tanya E. Bray, Barbara L. Wilson, and Randall Pinkston were submitted. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Tim Schantz, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: A Franklin's Gull juvenile or first-winter bird has a clear-cut blackish half-hood, a smaller bill, smaller size, and a white forehead. A juvenile Mew gull is much darker, has a thin bill, and light grayish legs. Juvenile Herring and California Gulls are much larger - larger than Ring-Billed Gulls - and lack the bright white at the base of the tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:15:00 and 11:00:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Runnells Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-08-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area in Marion County, IA on August 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells W.A., Marion Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ray Cummins was submitted later. Other observers include Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, brown coloration, and bill and leg color eliminated other gull species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-03	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area in Marion County, IA on September 3, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Red Rock Wildlife Area	1 mi e. of Swan, Marion Co. (Runnells W.A.)	shallow pool of water	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair and Thomas H. Kent were submitted. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species this bird could be confused with was Franklin's Gull. The larger size, bill size, and head and wing patterns all eliminated Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/12:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-07-15	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on July 15, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville	General: Saylorville lake Specific: parking lot (closed) at Sandpiper Beach	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: large bill, no suggestion of a hood, scaled back & complete, broad dark tail band suggest Laughing, rather than Franklin's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:50:00/20:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 10, 1996. Includes one record review document with votes, a photograph, correspondence about bird sighting, an Iowa Bird Life Article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	resting on beach with other gulls	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was clearly one of the "hooded" gulls. The combination of size, mantle color, and upperwing pattern eliminates all of the hooded gulls except for Franklin's Gull. The larger size, less obvious white eye crescents, larger and longer bill, and extensively dark tips to the underwings eliminated Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandy Beach at Coraville Reservoir, 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-03-26	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 26, 1977. Includes two record review documents with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Laughing Gull	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Sandy Beach, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co.	sandy shore of reservoir and flying out over lake	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull: lack of white band separating black on wing tip from mantle; size difference from Ring bill in this case not as obvious as for Franklin's. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-11	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on May 11, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, three photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Dam	Polk Co., below Saylorville Dam Spillway		The documentation form by Pam Allen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H. Kent was submitted. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's Gull is smaller and has white edges to its wing tips. The black cap does not extend as far down the back of the neck like the Laughing Gull. The call is much different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:15:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1993	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-18	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on September 18, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Dam	Below Saylorville Dam, Polk County, IA	Fast moving river with many small fish	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The body and bill structure eliminated all but hooded gulls and the brown plumage indicated a first year bird. Size close to Ring-billed, in addition to plumage already described, eliminated some of the smaller hooded gulls. The most likely candidate for confusion would be the Franklin's Gull. Juvenile Franklin's shows a hooded pattern early in development rather than a brown wash on the head. Franklin's tail band would also be incomplete with white feathers showing on the outer edge. It would also show fewer dark primaries, with the inner flight feathers more approximating the mantle and inner wing color. No other small gull has this characteristic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:10:00 and 15:30:00/14:00:00 [sic].	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18