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 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 Ferruginous Hawk at Princeton Marsh, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-08	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Princeton Marsh in Scott County, IA on May 8, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ferruginous Hawk	Princeton State Wildlife Management Area	Princeton Marsh, Scott Co., IA.	bird flying of marsh & agricultural area	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 Don Moeller. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk no windows from above, legs white, has breast band, tail uniform rusty red. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Storm Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-05	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Black-necked Stilts at Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, IA on September 5, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Black-necked Stilt	Storm Lake	Storm Lake, Buena Vista Co. IA	Island in lake & flying over lake.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, and Kelly McKay. \| Elimination of similar species: No other shorebird is at all similar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:02:00/09:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville on edge of Louisa and Muscatine County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ferruginous Hawk	Conesville	1 mi. W. conesville edge of Muscatine and Louise Cos., IA	cultivated fields	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian, Corey, and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged hawk - underwing would show more dark in the underwing coverts, well defined tail band. Kriders Red-tail - has a very light head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail near Dixon, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-05-11	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail near Dixon in Scott County, IA on May 11, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Black Rail	Dixon	1/2 mi. S. High Rock Bridge near Dixon, Scott Co.	grassy ditch along county road	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Moeller and Walter Zuurdeeg. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow Rail-no white wing patch. Sora & Virginia Rail-bird much too small, flight weaker than either. I had seen Soras several times in the preceeding [sic] two days. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:40:00/20:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Credit Island, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-24	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on November 24, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Thayer's Gull	Credit Island	Credit Island harbor	ice covered Miss. River backwater	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, Lewis Blevins, Thomas H. Kent, John Daniels, and Ken Lowder. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - dark brown primary tips, lacked silvery below wings. lack smudge on head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:50:00 and 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eastern Meadowlark at Wildcat Den State Park, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-26	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eastern Meadowlark at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on December 26, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Eastern Meadowlark	Wildcat Den State Park	1/2 mi. W. of Wildcat Den State Park, Muscatine Co., IA.	roadside grassy edge	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Olson and Gary Inhelder. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Meadowlark - would show yellow on cheek, distinctly barred central tail + primary features. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:55:00/09:57:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur northeast of the junction of I-80 and Middle Rd. near Bettendorf, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for three Smith's Longspurs northeast of the junction of I-80 and Middle Rd. near Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on April 10, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Smith's Longspur	Interchange 301	1 mi. N.E. jct. I80 + Middle Rd. near Bettendorf IA.	road edge - cornfield - partly snow covered.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lewis Blevins, Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, Don Moeller, Jean Moeller, Gerry Aanes, Marilyn Aanes, and Dick Hazell. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur - tail pattern wrong, belly buffy Vesper Sparrow - buffy belly, fainter streaking, incomplete eye-ring + lack of rusty shoulder. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Hampton, IL, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-01	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Red Knot at Hampton in Rock Island County, IL on September 1, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Red Knot	Hampton	Location: Hampton. County: Rock Island	General: Mississippi River Specific: Mudflat	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Kelly McKay, and Larry Linden. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger and greyer than nearby Pectorals, less streaking on chest. Too small for Reeve, also too grey & legs greenish, Tail & rump color different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:25:00 and 14:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Spencer Creek in Pleasant Valley, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-30	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Spencer Creek in Pleasant Valley in Scott County, IA on September 30, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two copies of a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Laughing Gull	Spencer Creek	mouth of Spencer Creek, Pleasant Valley, Scott Co. + flying down Miss R.	gravel bar at mouth of creek + over river	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include May Lou Petersen and Dan Dorrance. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's Gull - larger, much heavier bill, wider tail band, this bird with much more extensive area of black on primaries. Franklin's were in the area but not standing on same gravel bar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-22	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove in Ida County, IA on April 22, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Baird's Sparrow	Ida Grove	Ida County (see map attached)	See attached sheet [...] The first sighting birds flew west across the corn field - see map - [...]	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Don Poggensee was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Le Contes Sparrow Savannah Sparrow - Dirty yellow down top of crown Henslows wrong color, Le Contes dirty yellow initially thought this Sparrow (Yellow was first thing noticed) eliminated after further study for more detail on all see attached sheets. [...] Baird's Sparrow was the last of the sparrows in my decision making. I arrived at this conclusion primarily because of the head color/down the middle of the crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Blue Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-12	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on May 12, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird life, field notes from the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The date is incorrectly recorded on the documentation form as April 12, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Red Knot	Blue Lake	South Blue Lake in Monona County	marshy shoreine [sic]	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Closest similar species would be Dunlin?, eliminated by Dunlins pronounced downcurved bill, blue gray color was dissimilar to the pronounced gray and white of the observed bird. See attached documents. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Long-billed Curlew south of Black Hawk Lake, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-22	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Long-billed Curlew south of Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on May 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Long-billed Curlew	Black Hawk Lake	dredge pond area southeast of Blackhawk Lake in Sac Co.		The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joshua Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Whimbrel was eliminated by size, color and bill size. The whimbrel should have been slightly smaller to about the same size as the marbled godwits. The brown body and cinnamon wing linings did not fit whimbrel either. The bill size is variable with shorebirds, however the great length of the bill was more suggestive of the long billed curlew. The call heard does not fit the description for whimbrel in my National Geographics [sic] Field guide to Birds of North America. Three outside possibilities the far Eastern curlew, Eurasian curlew, and bristle thighed curlew were eliminated as well. The far Eastern curlew size is about the same as that of the marbled godwit. The bird also has white wing linings with dark barring. The barring would be hard to see, however the lighter color would be distinguishable. The Eurasion [sic] curlew was eliminated because this bird would have a white rump, and white wing linings. The bird I saw in flight turned and twisted. I did not notice any white markings on the rump. The bristle thighed curlew is much more similar to the smaller whimbrel and would be eliminated by small size, shorter bill and call - "chu-a-wut". \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:50:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bullock's Oriole at Maysville, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-11-21	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bullock's Oriole at Maysville in Scott County, IA on November 21, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Bullock's Oriole	Maysville	1/2 mi. W. Maysville, Scott Co., IA	small apple orchard	The documentation form by Peter Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Bill Erps, and Everett Howard. \| Elimination of similar species: Baltimore race has some orange or yellow on all underparts, darker back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:40:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Burrowing Owl at Rathbun Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Burrowing Owl at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on December 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Strough, Randy D.	Burrowing Owl	Rathbun Lake	Appanoose County, Lake Rathbun, 1.5 miles North on paved road to Southfork Marina off J5T	Open; harvested bean field west side of road, harvested corn field east side of road. The ditches were mowed clean of weeds and lacked trees or shrubs	The documentation form by Randal D. Strough forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ray Cummins and Steve Dinsmore were submitted. Another observer includes Tom Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Screech Owl: a screech owl has ear tufts (except young screech owls may lack conspicuous ear tufts). The belly has vertical barring, and lacks definate [sic] spots on head and back. Legs are not conspicuously long. Saw-whet Owl: has vertical streaked belly, and lacks conspicuously long legs. Habitat: conifer groves, there where [sic] none in the immediate area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-22	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits in Story County, IA on May 22, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Peterson Pits Recreation Area	"Peterson Pits" Mine Reclamation Area, Story County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall "Randy" Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Mark Proescholdt was submitted later. Other observers include Dan Dorrance, Mary Kuhlman, Carlyn Fischer, Jan Walter, Daniel Pinkston, Dorothy Zehr, and Sibyl Sand. \| Elimination of similar species: Falcons also have pointed wingtips but wings typically appear more sickle-shaped, less plank-like. Falcon not expected to sail so effortlessly on fixed wings for so long. Dark slate-gray plumage and white head seen in good light does not fit with any North American falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Ventura, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-18	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon 4 miles south of Ventura in Cerro Gordo County, IA on March 18, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Eurasian Wigeon	Ventura	County Roads B43 at S14, approx. 4 miles south of Ventura, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Obvious differences from American Wigeon include the American's dark (green) face mask, white forehead and crown ("baldpate"), as well as those other differences discussed above. Female American has finely mottled grayish head and brownish sides, lacks striking patterns on wings and hindparts. Redhead (Aythya americana) has 'pochard' gestalt with darker brick-red vs. cinnamon-buff head, head more rounded in profile, tricolored bill broad and stout. Also has relatively plain wing with gray coverts and pale gray remiges. Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) of either sex safely separable on the basis of head and bill in profile. Again, male's head is dark brick-red, back and sides whitish, lacks bold wing pattern. Female mergansers easily separable on the basis of bill alone. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Clive, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-23	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Clive in Polk County, IA on May 23, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Clive	Clive, Polk Co., Iowa. Same bird observed by many others and photographed by Tom Kent.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Really unmistakable perched at such close range. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) basically a white bird with a white tail, much less likely in Iowa.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-06	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	California Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir dam, Polk County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randy Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore was submitted later. Another observer includes Susan Grove. \| Elimination of similar species: I am uncomfortable committing to California Gull given the brief and distant view I had, and my limited past experience with the species. My fear is that this was just a small Herring Gull. Herring can be quite variable in overall size, bill size, and in terms of color and shade of the first-winter plumage. Supposedly 10-15% of first-winter Herrings' can have a "dipped-in-ink" bill in the fall (Harrison 1983 or Grant 1986?). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Dam, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-11	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on December 11, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Reservoir dam, Johnson County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randy Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Carl Bendorf and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include John McLure, Chris Edwards, Jonnie Ellsworth, Lanny Haldy, Randy Graesser, Dan Ray, Angela Ray, Kathleen Kuenstling, Tom Kent, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and appearance rule out all other regular and vagrant North American gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Cedar Rapids, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on April 23, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, correspondence about bird sightings, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walton, Robert	Mississippi Kite	Cedar Rapids	2.3 miles west of junction 218 on hiway 30 ( approx. 24 miles west of Cedar Rapids)	wet cropland (corn stubble field with water puddles)	The documentation form by Randy Walton is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sandy Walton. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape and size of bird was similar to prairie and peregrine falcons. The lack of any facial markings, the grayish coloration and presence of the black dorsal wing tips eliminate the falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:15:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for American Pipit at Island View Park at Rathbun Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-19	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an American Pipit at Island View Park at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on December 19, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	American Pipit	Island View Park	Islandview East Lake Rathbun CBC	Mowed grass point with a limestone rock road	The documentation form by Ray Cummins forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Bill Heusinkveld and Marjorie Heusinkveld were submitted. Other observers include Bob Bergstrom, Sr., Mark Hoffman, and Bob Bergstrom, Jr. \| Elimination of similar species: Sprague's Pipit was begrudgingly eliminated for the following reasons: 1) Bold white eyebrow line. 2) Dark gray back pattern, there was no tan or brown in the back 3) Thin black malar stripe 4) Bird was in short grass and not particularly wary. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Big Creek State Park, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-17	1998-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Black-headed Gull	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek State Park Polk Co.	Open water	The documentation form by Ray Cummins forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Stephen J. Dinsmore and Jim Dinsmore were submitted. Other observers include Dennis Thompson and Susan B. Grove. \| Elimination of similar species: see above [...] The setting gull in direct comparison to the two Bonaparte's was lighter mantled, larger, whiter headed, the bill was longer and heavier, and the bill was reddish black not pure black like the Bonaparte's. In flight the gull had the same upper wing pattern as the Bonaparte's. [...] The underwing was not totally black like the Little Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Reddish Egret at Colfax, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-05	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Reddish Egret at Colfax in Jasper County, IA on September 5, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Reddish Egret	Colfax	1 mi. west of Colfax IA. Jasper Co.	Flood water pool of the Skunk River	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tim Schantz, Peter C. Petersen, Ann Johnson, Gerald White, Ross Silcock, Thomas H. Kent, Pam Allen, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jim Scheib, Kelly McKay, Dan Dorrance, Jim Sinclair, Hank Zaletel, Reid Allen, Dick Tetrault, D. Thompson, D. and V. Hendrickson, Ella Moeller and Jean Moeller, Kenneth R. Nelson, Rita Goranson, Carolyn Fisher, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Blue Heron adult would have darker body and neck with no brown tones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Lake Rathbun, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-04	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on November 4, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Mew Gull	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Appanoose Co.	Sandy beach with about 50 other gulls including Ring-billed, Franklin's, Bonaparte's and the 1st winter Mew Gull. After about 20 min the bird departed to the north with about a dozen other gulls. Did not see them take off.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See Ring-billed Gull comparicons [sic] above. [...] The size was slightly but noticeably smaller than all the Ring-billeds present. The head was more rounded in appearance than the ring-billeds. The bill was smaller in portion than the Ring-billeds, both shorter and thinner. [...] The tail was black, but not as black as side by side comparisons with the adult Ring-billeds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23