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 Black-legged Kittiwake in Waterloo, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-legged Kittiwake in Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Waterloo	On South Side of Cedar River between Cedar Falls and Waterloo opposite George Wyth S.P.	Open river front	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Al Brown, Opal Uher, Maurice Hanson, Tom Stone, and Ruby Hanson. \| Elimination of similar species: No other adult gull has this combination of fieldmarks, all yellow bill, black legs, black outer primaries, smudge on back of head onto the nape, black eyes, rest of body all white, white slightly forked tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lock and Dam 14 near Davenport, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Lock and Dam 14 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 16, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Glaucous Gull	Lock and Dam 14	Lock 14 N. of Davenport IA	Open river below dam Mississippi River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull immature - many present for comparison. All Herring Gull had variable black-gray on wings and tail Iceland Gull - large bill with pale base and size eliminate this species, also rare \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on December 17, 1995.	Petersen, Peter C.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock + Dam 15, seen from Iowa walking near Il. Shore mostly	Open river	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Walter Zuurdeeg, Mary Lou Petersen, and Kelly McKay. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - heavier bill, very dark primary tips, no windows, tail darker with uneven white edge, secondaries dark from above, underwing much darker. Iceland Gull would show much lighter plumage overall, especially tail + primary tips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:05:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Palm Warbler in Greenfield Township in Warren County, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-17	1991-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Palm Warbler in Greenfield Township in Warren County, IA on August 17, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Palm Warbler	Greenfield Township	My yard in northern Warren County, Iowa	Open riparian edge	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other yellow rumped warblers were eliminated by the bright yellow undertail coverts contrasting with the buffy breast and belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	31
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-04-08	1982-04-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on April 8, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Dam	By Saylorville Reservoir Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Open Reservoir above dam.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other large species of Duck female is so uniformly brown with a white speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Ocheyedan Township, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Ocheyedan Township in Osceloa County, IA on March 17, 1981.	Harr, Douglas C.	Merlin	Ocheyedan Township	Sec. 6, Ocheyedan Township, Osceola Co., Iowa	Open prairie farmlands on edge of glacial escarpment near Ocheyedan River. 3 acre erosion control pond surrounded by grass, with some nearby shrub plantings and a few old Box elders and ash trees.	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine - not enough bold pattern and smaller than peregrine. Prairie Falcon - bird sighted was too small. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:43:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at Zirbel Slough, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-05-15	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 15, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Black Rail	Zirbel Slough	East-west dike n. side of Zirbel Slough, Cerro Gordo Co., Ia	Open pool of water between dike and dense marsh	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim B. Walter and Edna E. Peters. \| Elimination of similar species: Size; Rail shape, flight, and behavior eliminated near-by Blackbirds. It was too early in the year for a downy Rail chick in North Iowa. Also downy chicks would not be able to fly. Very small size and all black color eliminated other Rail species. Even though we did not see the reddish wash on the back, white speckling on the wings, or barring on the flanks; the black, not reddish, underparts eliminated the possibility of a small Virginia Rail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:13:00/19:13:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Trumpeter Swan at Le Claire, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-09	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Trumpeter Swan at Le Claire in Scott County, IA on January 9, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, three photocopied photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Trumpeter Swan	Le Claire	Channel of Miss. River 1 mi. N. Le Claire IA & Pt Byron IL, Scott & Rock Isl Co	Open pool in main channel of Missippi River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Diane Porter was submitted from February 25, 1989. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Don Moeller, and Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra swan- Bill very dark near base in this bird, would be light in Tundra, slope of top of head to bill tip wrong for Tundra, brownish tinge to plumage wrong for Tundra, also long bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:45:00 and 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Garganey at IPS Fly Ash Pits, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Garganey at IPS Fly Ash Pits, Woodbury County, IA on May 11, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Probst, Jerry	Garganey	New Lake	IPS Fly Ash Pits	Open pond flyash shore	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Bill Huser was submitted later. Other observers include Bob Livermore, Dave Stage, Bob Moritz, and Art Huser. \| Elimination of similar species: The eyebrow stripe eliminated bluewing teal also the other field marks did not indicate a hybrid. Direct size comparison with other ducks in area eliminated all other ducks and geese. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Woodbury County, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Woodbury County, IA on May 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Probst, Jerry	Whimbrel	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPS Flyash Pits Woodbury Co	Open Pond Flyash Shore	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Boots. \| Elimination of similar species: Long Billed Curlew - head pattern Eskimo Curlew - size + bill shape + size. All other shorebirds don't have radical decurved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin east of Sweet Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin east of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 7, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	1 mile East of south entrance to Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	Open plowed farmland next to gravel road.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon does not have as large bands on the tail as this bird had. Peregrine also has strong facial mustache marking and is much larger. Accipiters do not have as strong direct and continuous flapping flight as this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:14:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-11-30	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	open patch of water on large, frozen reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation form by Robert K. "Bob" Myers were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by overall size, bill shape and size, and white spots on back. Arctic Loon eliminated by bill shape and black of crown not reaching eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/13:00:00 and 13:45:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk at Bronson, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-04	1984-05-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Hawk at Bronson in Woodbury County, IA on May 4, 1984.	Holloway, Jack A.	Swainson's Hawk	Bronson	Woodbury County, Bronson, Iowa	Open pastures and barefields	The documentation form by Jack A. Holloway III is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Harlan's: Harlan's has more white on the tail and on the underside of wing. Harlan's wings are not as long + does not have the distinct habit of flying with the wings at such a noticeable angle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Harrier at St. Lucas, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-06-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Harrier at St. Lucas in Fayette County, IA on June 1, 1986.	Dietzenbach, Mark A.	Northern Harrier	Saint Lucas	Section 20 nw. Two miles south of St. Lucas. 80 acre wet prairie pasture, west of W14 blacktop.	Open pasture, long grass, wet boggy areas, Open fields	The documentation form by Mark A. Dietzenbach is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other hawk species is pale gray and display a similar flight pattern or markings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:06:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	22
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Gritters, Scott A	Golden Eagle	Ames	2 mi South Ames - gravel road	Open pasture on top of dead tree	The documentation form by Scott Gritters is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kevin Timmer. \| Elimination of similar species: Upon sighting of the bird in the tree we eliminated hawks by large size and black over whole body. At first his head appeared to be black headed - so I thought it was an immature bald eagle. This also cleared it from being a Turkey Vulture. Finally the bird turned its head toward us as it was getting 'nervous' - this revealed a golden crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:05:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Rock Falls, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-09-15	1993-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Goshawks at Rock Falls in Cerro Gordo County, IA on September 15, 1993.	Goranson, Rita	Northern Goshawk	Rock Falls	290th St. = 1/4/ mile from S62 near Rock Falls, Iowa	open pasture	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carolyn Fisher, Beth McBride, Tim Phalen, Pat Hansen, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: did not fly like falcons - wing shape different larger than Coopers - shape appeared different than Cooper's. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Coralville Reservoir, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-09-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 11, 1983.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res	open 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 and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Pointed wings eliminate sharp-shin. Coloration eliminated Kestrel. Size and marks eliminate Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Willow Slough, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-30	1985-04-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Greater Scaups at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 30, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Greater Scaup	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co., Iowa	Open part of lake	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert I. Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Lesser Scaup do not have white 'ear patch' as these females did. All five birds had a somewhat larger headed looks with the head looking 'fat' and rounded not pointed as Lesser Scaup would have appeared. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:25:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Wood-Pewee at Credit Island Park, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-23	1983-10-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Eastern Wood-Pewee at Credit Island Park in Scott County, IA on October 23, 1983.	Peterjohn, Bruce G.	Eastern Wood-Pewee		Credit Island Park, Davenport, Scott County, Iowa	Open parkland; a grove of large oak trees and fairly short grass	The documentation form by Bruce Peterjohn is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen, Carl Bendorf, John Robinson, and twelve or more unidentified members of the IOU. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe was eliminated by the pink lower mandible, absence of yellow on the underparts and absence of tail wagging behavior; phoebes also have grayer upperparts and have a different "jizz", appearing larger with a relatively larger head than a pewee. Western Wood Pewee was eliminated by the call note. The Western Wood Pewee has a single or double call note that has a distinctly buzzy character. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:10:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	64
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 Swainson's Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-12	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Swainson's Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 12, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Mayfield, John E.	Swainson's Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames IA	Open park land, Large trees with grass beneath.	The documentation form by John Mayfield is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Chipping sparrow: observed warbler had less vibrant color, was less active, warbler bill not sparrow bill. Palm warbler: no yellow or yellowish color, no tail wagging definitely not a palm warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	25
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Crawford Creek Recreation Area, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-02	1992-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Crawford Creek Recreation Area in Ida County, IA on May 2, 1992.	Ernzen, Peter	Great-tailed Grackle	Crawford Creek County Recreation Area	Crawford Creek Recreational Area ICCB.	open park land, lake with cattails	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle, not as long, more irridescent, [sic] common grackle with in [sic] 20 ft. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:27:00/09:29:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Curlew Sandpiper at Cedar Lake, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-10	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Curlew Sandpiper at Cedar Lake in Chickasaw County, IA on May 10, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Curlew Sandpiper	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake on Cedar River at Nashua, Chickasaw Co., Iowa	Open mud flat with sparse emergent vegetation near open lake.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red Knot has straight black bill and is larger than Pectoral Sandpiper. Sanderling is about same size but also has a straight black bill not long, thin and decurved as in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Benton Township in Fremont County, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-17	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Benton Township in Fremont County, IA on January 17, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes of the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ferruginous Hawk	Benton Township	Benton TWP, Fremont Co., IA.	Open Missouri riverbottom; soybean stubble fields	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See attached discussion. (After writing my field notes at the site of observation and returning home later I found the stnadard field guides most unhelpful. Dunne et al's discussion of Ferruginous was tremendous, indicating variation in Ferruginous Hawks, and especially in discussion of flight characteristics, 'jizz', and behavior [...] The only possibility which is realistic to consider is Redtailed [sic] Hawk, or possibly Rough-legged Hawk. While similar in 'jizz' to a rough-leg (long tail, flight with 'crooked' (=osprey-like) wings, darker mottling underneath, longish wings), Roughleg can be eliminated by the following characters - absence of characteristic underwing pattern, including significant wrist mark (Ferruginous should show this to some extent according to Dunne et al, but I did not see it; remember I did not see the underparts well), and method of hunting-I have never seen a roughleg fly this low over the ground for this long (about a mile) - much lower and more consistently so than a harrier. Regarding elimination of Red-tail - I really think it is easier to eliminate Red-tail than rough-leg based on 'jizz'. The tail was too long, was never spread, and wings were long than Red-tail's. Tail pattern and 'three points of light' combination also is never seen on a Redtail [sic], especially when viewed from above. (The similarity to Roughleg [sic] in pattern can be seen in the front end paper in Dunne et al). Habitat and behavior also are important - while Redtails [sic] are very common in Fremont County, they are definitely not common on the open Missouri bottomlands. Redtail [sic] is a bird of edge habitat. I always look closely at any buteo seen from October to April on the open bottomlands. I have never seen any other buteo fly as low to the ground for as long as this bird - when i say low, I mean 1-2 ft above the ground. At no time was the bird higher than 6', and that was when perched on possibly the lowest post for some distance. Even a Harrier will rise and fall while hunting. This bird stayed low, in the manner of a hunting Golden Eagle (which I have seen in Western Kansas) - a point also mentioned by Dunne et al. Another point noted by Dunne et al and also shown in my sketch (purposely!) and, mentioned in my field notes was the osprey-like crook in the wings-while flying low over the ground. Dunne et al note that this is characteristic of a hunting Ferruginous. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 24, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Least Tern	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh - N. of bridge	open marshy lake with mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. Two Forster's terns were seen earlier in the morning - larger, slower, overall and white wing with white areas in primaries were distinctly different from the least tern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44