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 Northern Goshawk at Stephens State Forest, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-05-20	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Northern Goshawk at Stephens State Forest in Lucas County, IA on May 20, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Northern Goshawk	Stephens State Forest - Lucas Unit	Stephen's State Forest, Lucas County		The documentation form by Ann Johnson and Jim Bangma is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The powerful direct flight, the longish tail, and the rounded broad wings identified this bird as an accipter. Bangma's first comment was that the width of the wings reminded him of Hook-billed Kites in So. Texas, a dramatic characteristic that allows experienced hawk watchers to identify Northern Goshawk from a distance - literally a stovepipe with broad wings. Buteos have a much shorter tail that gives them an entirely different look and feel. A gray adult male Northern Harrier would look white below and have longer wings proportionate to the body. Although we were unable to see the bird at an angle to see every characteristic of this species, other accipters would have been rufous or brown from below. Although this is certainly a late date for this species, Northern Goshawk has been seen in the winter in and near this location. In breeding areas it feeds on grouse. We speculated on the reintroduction of Ruffed Grouse in this area and what effect it might have on late migration and even potential breeding. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Neotropic Cormorant at Otter Creek Marsh, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-05-04	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Neotropic Cormorant at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on May 4, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Neotropic Cormorant	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh - Tama County	Big pond area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: D-cr. cormorant is much larger. I saw one fly as I drove out and it looked huge in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-07-09	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on July 9, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, numerous correspondence about the bird sighting, an outside review of the sighting from Don Roberson, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Mountain Plover	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	3 miles east of Colo, County Road E-41, 1/2 mile north, section 1 T83N R21W, Story County.	General: Recently plowed field with several pothole ponds Specific: The bird stayed in the waterways that led to the ponds. These areas were wet and contained no vegetation.	The documentation form by Hank Zalatel is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, Tom Staudt, and Paul Martsching were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Steve Dinsmore, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden and Black-bellied plovershave [sic] gray-white and brown-gold scaly backs, this bird's back was brown and was unmarked. These two plovers have streaked throats which this bird did not have. These two plovers have streaked breasts which this bird did not have. The white above the eye of this bird was clear and contained no streaking as does the Black-bellied Plover. The bird associated with Golden Plovers in breeding plumage and one that was not so that comparison could be made on the spot for the two plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:55:00 July 9, 1986 and 18:45:00 - 19:15:00 on July 10, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite near Luster Heights, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-09-26	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite near Luster Heights in Allamakee County, IA on September 26, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bowles, John B. (John Bedell), 1933- Roosa, Dean M. Stravers, Jon	Mississippi Kite	Luster Heights Work Camp	The observation point was located 5.1 miles north of Marquette, Allamakee County, near the Luster Heights State Correctional facility.		The documentation form by Jon Stravers, John Bowles, and Dean Roosa is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: We could clearly see that the bird lacked streaking or banding on the entire underside, as is common in other raptor species...Even though falcon-like in appearance, we knew immediately that the bird was different from previously observed migrating hawks (Accipiters, Buteos, and Falcons). \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Port Neal, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Port Neal in Woodbury County, IA on May 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Mississippi Kite	Sioux City	Iowa Public Service Port Neal Woodbury County, IA	non climax riparian woodland	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Art Huser, Bill Vust, and Bob Moritz. \| Elimination of similar species: N. Harrier Male - broader, more rounded wings. More predominate head. Rather labored wing beats. More buteo-like shape. This bird very un-buteo-like. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
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 Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park, 1990	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on May 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Mississippi Kite	Ledges State Park	Ledges St. Pk. - Pea's Creek	wooded valley	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large and uniform in color for a kestrel or merlin. Wings and tail too broad for one of the larger falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Iowa City, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-06-13	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Iowa City on Johnson County, IA on June 13, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Berry, Robert	Mississippi Kite	Iowa City	The north edge of Iowa City, near the Rochester Hy-vee.	Above a wooded residential area.	The documentation form by Robert Berry is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Glorine Berry and Diane Amundson. \| Elimination of similar species: I consulted three books and Jim Fuller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hitchcock Nature Area, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-23	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hitchcock Nature Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on September 23, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Mississippi Kite	Hitchcock Nature Area	Hitchcock Nature Area, Pottawattamie County (Five miles north of Crescent)		The documentation form by Babs & Loren Padelford is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roland Barth. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:49:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hickory Hill Park, 1987	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-05-09	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on May 9, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Mississippi Kite	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park - Iowa City	Woodland	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event started at 07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hickory Hill Park, 1990	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-06-24	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on June 24, 1990. Includes one record review document with votes and a documentation form.	Schulein, Thomas M., 1945-	Mississippi Kite	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City	Woodland edge, on a dead branch at the top of a tree next to a trail	The documentation form by Thomas M. Schulein is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: 1. Cooper's Hawk, but this bird has a barred breast and no eye patches and a dark and light head pattern. 2. White-tailed Kite, but this bird has dark wing patches. 3. Osprey, but this bird is larger and is brown and white, even though it has dark eye patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Iowa City, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, Iowa on May 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Mississippi Kite	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No falcon is dark gray with a very dark otherwise unmarked tail from below, and no falcon has an unmarked whitish head and neck. A Common Nighthawk is brownish with obvious white wing patches from below. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:45:00 (20-30 seconds).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hartman Reserve, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-16	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hartman Reserve in Blackhawk County, IA on May 16, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and one documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Hartman Reserve, Cedar Falls, Iowa	River bottom and large field with scattered trees. The bird glided over from south to north and disappeared.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: We were looking for a Swallow-tailed Kite reported the day before, but this bird did not have the forked tail and contrasting black and white of that species. The underparts and tail were not white as would be expected for Black-shouldered Kite. I did note any contrast in the upper wing (white posterior edge of inner wing) -- I may not have seen this or this could of been a first-year bird that lacks this mark. The failure to flap wings and overall gray color is inconsistent with any falcon. I saw a Swainson's Hawk earlier in the morning and its contrasting underwing was very different than this bird. A Red-tailed Hawk was also seen earlier and had an obvious buteo shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:27:00/10:29:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-26	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on September 26, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Mississippi Kite	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove, Marshall County - hawk-watch	Wooded ridge paralleling Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine, imm male, is similar. See above. It was near the size and shape of a Peregrine with long tapered wings & slim body. I knew this wasn't a Peregrine (but an immature male Peregrine & an imm. Mississippi Kite are similar). However the slim, pointed wings of this bird had a different shape; the tail was longer, proportionately, than a Peregrine's, & squared-off rather than tapered like a Peregrine's. I couldn't see if its tail flared at the tip, but in the gap where we had a second, very quick look, Eloise noted its twisting of the tail which is a Mississippi Kite trait. But it was the wing beat that determined absolutely that it was a Mississippi Kite- light, bouyant, [sic] floppy, leisurely, like a moth-so different from the powerful, rapid, direct flight of a Peregrine, and different from any other raptor's flight we have observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-12	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 12, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, correspondence about bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr. Stone, Tom	Mississippi Kite	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	Lowland river bottoms with Deciduous Woodland	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone Sr. \| Elimination of similar species: Like Marsh Hawk which has a white rump patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at East of Randall, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at east of Randall in Hamilton County, IA on May 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Randall	Hamilton County just east of Randall	along Skunk River Valley - wooded river - open area near bridge	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Beth Proescholdt were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Harrier - tail was not right and long enough for harrier and bird was not right color underneath. Nighthawk - Our bird was much bigger than Nighhawk and had no white patches in its wings. Turkey Vulture or Eagle - Our bird was much smaller and had long, narrow pointed wings. Accipiters - Body shape was wrong and did not have extra long tail -look like accipiters have. Osprey - Wrong body shape for osprey and no white markings on our bird. Buteos - Wrong body shape again even for Swainson's Hawk which can appear to have pointed wings when seen overhead. Buteos have much broader wings and should show some white contrasting colors underneath. Falcons - Our bird was too big for a Kestrel or Merlin. I don't think Merlins ever have leisurely, slow flapping flight. This bird didn't fly right for a Peregrine and the body proportions were not right for a Peregrine. I've seen Peregrines fly in a slow, leisurely manner and this did not seem to suggest a Peregrine at all. A Peregrine or Prairie Falcon should show some light-colored areas underneath. Also, a Peregrine's tail tapers down to a rounded end and is not squared off and flared at the end. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:35:00/19:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Dudgeon Lake area, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-06-06	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Dudgeon Lake in Benton County, IA on June 6, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, three photographs, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Dudgeon Lake State Wildlife Mgt Area	Dudgeon Lake area - N. of Vinton - (Benton Co.)	Riverbottom woods along Cedar River with pond and power line cut	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Carl J. Bendorf, Beth Proescholdt, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, Peter C. Petersen, and Diane Porter were submitted later .Other observers include Brian Blevins, Phyllis Harris, Jim Sinclair, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Marc Phelps, Dave Conrads, Anne Barker, and Steve Poe. \| Elimination of similar species: There really are no similar species. An adult Black-shouldered Kite is very distinctive and the immature does not have a barred tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:33:00/07:45:00 and 11:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-19	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 19, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Babcock Access	Coraville Reservoir, Babcock Access, Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir with open mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings indicate a kite or falcon. The gliding flight was that of a kite not a falcon. The white body and head also eliminates all falcons. The lack of white rump as well as the flight pattern eliminate Northern Harrier. Swallow-tailed Kite would have a forked tail and different flight pattern. Black-shouldered Kite has a white and black shoulder. The lack of white patches in the secondaries and brownish tail indicate a subadult (first year bird). I looked for bands in the tail, but could not appreciate them. Failure to see bands could be due to the lighting and distance or, as noted by Clark and Wheeler, to the fact that "A few immatures have solid, unbanded dark brown tails." The prominent light and dark underwing puzzled me, but Dunne says that "Immature has body and underwing coverts buffy, with dark streaking and spotting of variable density; may be lighter or darker than illustrated." The underwing coverts and body appeared about the same shade to me. The lighting and distance may have precluded my appreciating any streaking. This bird appeared lighter than the bird I saw at Dudgeon Lake last year, especially the underwing coverts. The profile and flight characteristics allowed me to immediately recognize the bird as a Mississippi Kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
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 Mew Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-29	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 29, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The wing pattern, size, and lack of black marks on the face eliminated any of the smaller gulls (i.e. Bonaparte's). The small size and smaller bill size eliminated California Gull. Ring-billed Gull was eliminated on the basis of the darker mantle and upperwings, large, dark eye, and bill color and shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:03:00/16:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-11	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 11, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Red Rock Dam	below Red Rock Reservoir dam, Marion Co., IA	spillway	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair, Ray Cummins, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Jim Fuller, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species with which this bird could be confused is Ring-billed Gull. The tail and wing patterns, generally darker coloration, large eye, and smaller bill all eliminate first-winter Ring-billed Gull. Identification to subspecies was based on tail pattern and more extensive dark color on head and underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Lock and Dam 14, 1982	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-12-19	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Lock and Dam 14 in Scott County, IA on December 19, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, comments and correspondence on the sighting, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Laughing Gull	Lock and Dam 14	Lock and Dam 14, Scott Co. Iowa	Mississippi River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas J. Staudt, Peter C. Petersen, Tim Dwyer, and Francis L. Moore were submitted. Other observers include Don Moeller, Jean Moeller, Mary Lou Petersen, Bob Linden, Clark Scott, and Larry Linder. \| Elimination of similar species: Separated from Ring-bill by gray head and mantle, wing-tip, size, character of terminal tail band, and bill color and shape. Separated from Franklin's by wing tip pattern (in face of nearly white tail, ie 2nd year bird) \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:40:00/09:50:00 and 14:15:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Lakeview Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-20	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Lakeview Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 20, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Lakeview Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA-on jetty at Lakeview Rec. Area	perched on jetty 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 Susan Grove, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: On the basis of size and general plumage characters, this species could only be confused with Ring-billed Gull, hundreds of which were available for direct comparison. The combination of slightly smaller size, distinct head shape, bill color and shape, dark eye, and slightly darker mantle and upperwings are sufficient to eliminate Ring-billed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:42:00/16:53:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Fairport Fish Hatchery, 1995	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-08	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Fairport Fish Hatchery in Muscatine County, IA on September 8, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence from Peter Petersen to Thomas H. Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Mew Gull	Fairport State Fish Hatchery	Fairport Fish Hatchery, Muscatine Co. IA	Fish rearing ponds + adj. Miss. River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring-billed Gull- much more black on primary tips, black ring on yellow bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23