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

Birds: verifying documentation of an extraordinary sight record submitted by Richard Hollis, June 26, 1987	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-26	1987-06-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A form documenting the sighting of a Laughing Gull at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA submitted by Richard Hollis on June 26, 1987.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Laughing Gull	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Saylorville Lake, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-29	1987-06-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on June 29, 1987.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Lake	New Beach (sw of marina) Saylorville Lake Polk Co. Ia	Sandy beach	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull - bird had a completely different build. I had the advantage of a direct comparison with ring-billed. This bird was smaller, but still larger than a Franklin's. I would say it was half-way between a Ring-bill + Franklin's in size. White was almost non existent [sic] in the wing-tips, both at rest + in flight. The most obvious difference was the structure of the bird. As soon as I saw it, I knew it wasn't a Franklin's. The long neck, size, long legs, long bill, + pot-bellied look caught my eye immediately. I guess another way to describe it was upright-looking. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-02	1987-12-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Franklin's Gulls at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Franklin's Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-above dam	resting with other gulls on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark hood and wing pattern eliminate all other gulls except Laughing Gull. The small bill and white bar separating the black wingtip from the rest of the wing eliminates Laughing Gull (in adult plumage). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:40:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Franklin's Gull at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1990.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Franklin's Gull	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County		The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent, Randy Graesser, John Van Ryebroek, Carol Thompson, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Laughing Gull: White in wingtips of adult gull doesn't fit. Bonaparte's Gull: Mantel color seemed too dark for adult bird and white tertial mark on mantel indicates a white trailing edge to wing which doesn't fit. Common Black-headed Gull: same problems as with Bonaparte's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Jolly Rogers Campground at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-16	1990-12-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Franklin's Gull at Jolly Rogers Campground at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Franklin's Gull	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Reservoir (Jolly Roger), Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Carol Thompson, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's [handwritten note - 'neither is Franklins!] not hooded at this time of year and has lighter wing with white leading edge. In the last several years, Franklin's Gulls in alternate plumage have been recorded in the midwest in winter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00 estimate.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-02-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Franklin's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on February 1, 1991.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Franklin's Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-at spillway below dam		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark gray wings separated from the black wingtip by a white bar, broad white eye crescents, stocky bill lacking a pronounced gonys and rounder wings eliminate Laughing Gull. The combination of the black head and dark gray mantle eliminates other dark-headed gulls such as Bonaparte's and Common Black-headed gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:10:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32
Rare bird documentation form for Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-31	1988-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 31, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bonaparte's Gull	Keokuk	Miss. River at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	Lock and Dam 19 Tailwaters	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Black-headed has dark underwings. I would have noticed this. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	33
Rathbun Christmas Count - Dec. 19, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-19	1998-12-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds observed during the Rathbun Christmas bird count including several rare species at Rathbun Lake on December 19 and 20, 1998, contributed by Bill Heusinkveld. Rare species sighted include a Bonaparte's Gull and Yellow-rumped Warbler.	Heusinkveld, Bill	Blue-winged Teal Red-breasted Merganser Trumpeter Swan Black-bellied Plover Yellow-rumped Warbler Bonaparte's Gull	Rathbun Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	33
Rare bird documentation form for Herring Gull at MidAmerican Energy Ponds near Council Bluffs, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-24	1985-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Herring Gull at MidAmerican Energy Ponds near Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 24, 1985.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Herring Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Settling Ponds, Council Bluffs, Iowa		The documentation form by Barb L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to most of the other large immature gulls of the world. Mantle too light for Black-backed group. Wingtips, even in their folded condition, too dark for Glaucous, Glaucous-winged, etc. that leaves a whole mess of light-mouthed large gulls with dark wing tips. Description seems to match young Herring Gull (second summer ?) well enough. Eye color would probably be becoming pale in a Herring of this plumage, but perhaps not, + it might not show at the distance. I have trouble eliminating California Gull, but it is even harder to support that species.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	34
Rare bird documentation form for Herring Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-01-04	1991-01-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Herring Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 4, 1991.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Herring Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County, Iowa	Des Moines River below dam, water mostly open with ice on edges	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Tim Barksdale. \| Elimination of similar species: The color of the back and obvious window in the inner primaries, as well as the rest of the feather tracts, all fit 2nd winter Herring Gull and seem to exclude Lesser Black-backed Gull. The soft parts were somewhat atypical, but I was not bothered much by this because I have seen much variation in Herring Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00 and 12:45:00/13:00:00 (approximate)	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	34
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Island View at Rathbun Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-20	1986-12-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Thayer's Gulls at Island View Park at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on December 20, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Island View Park	Rathbun Reservoir, Appanoose Co. (Island View East and West Areas)	sitting on ice and feeding on open water with other gulls	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ray Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: The first-year birds were separated from first-year Iceland Gull by the distinct tail band and the darker primaries and from first-year Herring Gull by head shape, bill size, more uniform body color, and the silvery-white underwing. The adult bird was separated from an adult Iceland Gull by size, bill shape, and more black (still not too much, though) in the wingtips and from an adult Herring Gull by head shape, bill size, and paler wingtips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:30:00 and 13:30:00/13:54:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-06	1990-11-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on November 6, 1990.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock Number 19	Behind Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	River	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small, to [sic] uniform in color for Herring. Slight darkening at wingtips eliminates Iceland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00 and 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Details for unusual bird sighting, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-09	1992-01-17	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting for a Thayer's Gull by Jim Fuller at Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 9, 13, and 17, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Lock + Dam 15, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 17, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock + Dam #15, Davenport, IA	Mississippi River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull-see above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-17	1992-01-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 17, 1992.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock and Dam 15, Davenport, Iowa. Rusty Pelican Restaurant	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See above discussion. [...] The wingtip pattern is what caught my attention. There was much less darkening to the outer primaries than on accompanying gulls. [...] When viewed fro [sic] underneath, the wingtips of the subject bird were white to the tips, with the exception of very narrow black tips at the tips of the primaries. This was very different from the adult Herring/Ring-bills which had substantial black towards the end of the underwings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Documentation form for extraordinary bird sightings in Iowa, Thayer's Gull, February 7, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-07	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Documentation form supporting the sighting of a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 14 contributed by Bob Cecil on February 7, 1992.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 14				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Details for unusual bird sighting, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-11-08	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting for a Thayer's Gull by Jim Fuller at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 8, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Details for Accipiters during a Christmas Bird Count at Burlington, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Details for sightings of two Cooper's Hawks, Thayer's Gull and a Sharp-shinned Hawk at the Burlington area in Des Moines County, IA on December 19, 1992 by an unknown author.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Cooper's Hawk Thayer's Gull Sharp-shinned Hawk	Burlington Sacred Heart Cemetery Burlington Municipal Airport				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Iowa City, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-01-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 19, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Iowa City	Iowa City, Johnson Co., Iowa.	partially open Iowa River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: I distinguished this bird from Herring Gull based on smaller body size, smaller head and bill, shorter wing span, uniform light tan coloration, medium brown (not black) outer primaries, translucent primaries from below, and medium brown tail band. I distinguished it from Iceland Gull by the brown outer primaries, relatively more tan coloration, and medium brown tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-11-13	1993-11-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 13, 1993.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock	Tailwaters, Red Rock Res.	Tailwaters/River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: 1st winter Herring Gull has a very dark secondary bar, often has lighter head, and generally has a much more 'contrastry' appearance involving darker and lighter shades of brown. Overall, the 1st winter Herring is darker brown. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Documentation of an extraordinary bird sighting, Thayer's Gull, November 13, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-11-13	1993-11-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Documentation supporting the sighting of a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA contributed by Thomas H. Kent on November 13, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 13, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Lake Red Rock dam, Marion County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Compared with first-winter Herring Gull above. Pale Thayer's may be confused with same-aged Iceland Gull, but Iceland typically much paler than this individual. Iceland should also show pale, mottled tertials and tail which are concolor with the upperparts. This bird's tertials and tail were unpatterned (except at the edges of the tertials) and darker than the remainder of the upperparts. Iceland's folded primaries are paler than the remainder of the mantle, not darker as in this bird. Slaty-backed, Glaucous-winged, and Glaucous-winged X Western hybrid Gulls all larger, have more massive bills, less likely in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull southeast of Jolly Roger Marina at Coralville Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull southeast of Jolly Roger Marina at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Thayer's Gull	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Reservoir (1/4 - 1/2 mile southeast of Jolly Roger Marina), Johnson County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Contrasted with first-winter Herring Gull above. First-winter Iceland typically much paler, especially the uppersurface of the primaries which are paler than the rest of the mantle, and Iceland should show mottling in the tertials and tail band. I suppose I cannot exclude a heavily-pigmented 'Kumlien's' Gull or an Iceland-Thayer's intergrade as described in Kevin Zimmer's Birding article. Both species are apparently highly variable. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Redrock Dam, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-24	1994-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Redrock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 24, 1993.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Lake Redrock below dam, Marion Co.	Open water below spillway.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: see above. [...] I picked this bird out because of it's small size compared to the other Herring Gulls present (40). It was smaller than any of the Herring gulls present, but still much larger than any of the numerous Ring-billed gulls. The head appeared more rounded than the Herring gulls and the heavy brown streaking on the nape and neck was more extensive and darker than any Herring present. The bill w/a red gonys mark on the lower mandible was shorter and thinner w/less gonys than the Herrings. They eye iris was dark not yellowish as in all the Herrings present. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 24, 1993.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below Red Rock Dam, Marion County, Iowa	Open river with gravel bars	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Raymond Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark eye and head/bill structure eliminated Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35