Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black Scoter at Volga Lake, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-11-21	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black Scoter at Volga Lake in Fayette County, IA on November 21, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Tom Kent to Joe Schaufenbuel, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Black Scoter	Volga Lake	Northwest a rea [sic] of Volga Lake, in the Volga Lake Recreation Area, Fayette County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only bird that this duck reminded me of was a Ruddy Duck female, but this bird was difinitely [sic] not this species, and is mentioned because of vague plumage characteristic similarities. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:20:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a Hummingbird species in Le Claire, 1998	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-03-31	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hummingbird species at Le Claire in Scott County, IA on March 31, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Don Moeller to Tom Kent and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schmitz, John A.	Hummingbirds	Le Claire	Le Claire, Iowa		The documentation form by John A. Schmitz is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred from 14:00:00/14:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	22
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Spirit Lake, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-01	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of five Eurasian Wigeons at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on April 1, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Foote, LaVonne	Eurasian Wigeon	Spirit Lake	In a marsh about 7 miles west of Spirit Lake, Iowa on Highway No. 9 on the South side of the road.	marsh	The documentation form by LaVonne Foote is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mavis Wunder and Jan Ortmeier. \| Elimination of similar species: American wigeon - Easy to tell apart as male colors are so different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00 and 15:30:00/16:05:00 on April 1, 1985 as well as 11:21:00/12:15:00 on April 2, 1985.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sprague's Pipit at Kettleson's Hogback Wildlife Management Area, 1994	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-09	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sprague's Pipit at Kettleson's Hogsback Wildlife Management Area in Dickinson County, IA on April 9, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a follow up letter from Lee Schoenewe to the IOU Records Committee, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Sprague's Pipit	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Kettleson's Hogsback WPA., Dickinson Co.	Grassland along shallow marsh	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was LaVonne Foote. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipit - Leg color; Behavior; Breast color + streaking; streaked back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Hill Lookout on Sioux River in O'Brien County, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-02-07	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Hill Lookout on Sioux River in O'Brien County, IA on February 7, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, a letter documenting a related sighting, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Mountain Bluebird	Hill Little Sioux Overlook	Hill Tree Farm lookout on Waterman Blvd, O'Brien Co.	Hilly river valley	The documentation form by Lee Schoenewe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ed Thelen, Thomas H. Kent, and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Nancy Schoenewe, Rob Thelen, Matt Thelen, Marty Thelen, and Gary Grange. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern and Western bluebirds have rust color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:40:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Credit Island, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-23	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on November 23, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about the sighting from Louise Augustine to Carl Bendorf, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Augustine, Louise	California Gull	Credit Island	Credit Island - Davenport, Iowa - Scott County	This is an unfamiliar Area for me - I have never birded there before - The Place Credit Island - Backwater of Mississippi River - There was some ICE and open water - Many Gulls were in this Backwater area - on ice and in water. Probably around 1,500 Gulls -	The documentation form by Louise Augustine forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter C. Petersen and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Randy Pinkston, Mary Lou Petersen, Jerome Augustine, David Augustine, and Julie Augustine. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - darker mantle - Dark eye - Leg Color - ashy-green gray not Pink - smaller size - slimmer build Ring-billed Gull - mantle too dark - dark eye - Bill had only a spot Leg Color not yellow - This bird larger than Ring-billed gulls - \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Marbled Godwit at Cherokee, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of forty-six Marbled Godwits at Cherokee Airport in Cherokee, Cherokee County, IA on May 17 and 19, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting and others, summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Marbled Godwit	Cherokee Municipal Airport	Cherokee Airport	General: flooded corn field Specific: Waters Edge	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian which was also in the field. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:45:00/20:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mute Swan at South Clay County, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-08	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a a Mute Swan at South Clay County, IA on April 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a page of copied photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, internal correspondence, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Mute Swan	Clay County	5 East of 71 on 374	Large farm pond, rolling hills most of which were in cultavation [sic]	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Beirman. \| Elimination of similar species: Was from the mute swan because of the straight neck and the Tundra swan because of the dark base of the bill. The wings were not held high like on the Mute swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-09-25	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 25, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, articles in Iowa Bird Life and American Birds, three photos, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red Phalarope	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Beach - Saylorville Reservoir	Small little bay along a sandy shore	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Robert Cecil, Ann Johnson, Randall Pinkston, Jim Fuller, Reid Allen, Jim Dinsmore, Gerald White, Ray Cummins, Tim Schantz, and Peter C. Petersen were submitted later. Other observers include Denny Thompson, Jim Sinclair, Bery Engebretson, Jim Scheib, Chuck Fuller, Pam Allen, Bob Myers, Hank Zalatel, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: A Sanderling lacks the black bar through the eye and does not have a grayish back. A Red-Necked Phalarope has vivid streaks on its back and a longer, thinner bill. A Wilson's Phalarope has no wing stripe and has a long, thin bill and is a paler bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 17:30:00/19:07:00 or sunset.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for MacGillivray's Warbler at Eagle City County Park, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-06-02	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a MacGillivray's Warbler at Eagle City County Park in northern Hardin County, IA on June 2, 1995. Includes two record review documents with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Illinois Birds, an article in Birds of Missouri, two articles from The Auk, an article in Meadowlark, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	MacGillivray's Warbler	Eagle City Park	Eagle City Co. Park - (North Hardin County)	Brushy tangle along park's edge up the hill from Iowa River Greenbelt	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In "Spring" this should not be mistaken for any other warbler. A ♂ Mourning Warbler lacks the vivid eye crescents. A Connecticut Warbler has a complete white eyering and no black smudge on the upper breast and the gray head is a lighter gray color. In "fall" the female and immature Mourning Warblers may show a thin, nearly complete eyering (which I have seen on Mournings in the fall), but this could not be mistaken for the vivid white eye crescents of this breeding-plumaged male MacGillivray's Warbler along with its very noticeable black smudge on its upper breast below its gray hood. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:15:00/11:15:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Curve-billed Thrasher west of Solon, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-11-17	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Curve-billed Thrasher west of Solon in Johnson County, IA on November 17, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to review, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Newlon, Michael C.	Curve-billed Thrasher	Solon	Solon, IA	General: mixed cropland/timber/houses. Specific: yard with small trees; adjacent to brushy creek bottom.	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas Kent, Peter C. Petersen, Joe Schaufenbuel, Robert Myers, and Francis Moore were submitted later. Other observers include Carl Berridge, Ruby Jean Berridge, Thomas Shires, Russell Hays, Tom Stone, Sr., Tom Stone, Jr., and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The two other grey, speckle-breasted thrashers, Bendire's and Sage, have smaller, less decurved bills; Sage has much stronger ventral marking and wing-bars, is smaller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:55:00 as reported by Thomas Kent.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper northwest of Iowa City, 1974	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1974-10-03	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper northwest of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on October 3, 1974. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Johnson County	County road 0, about 15 miles NWW of Iowa City, Iowa	General: puddle in mudflat Specific: shallow water and mud, with sparse clumps of grass	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Pectoral Sandpiper. good juxtaposition. Diff.: chestnut crown, breast spotting much finer, mostly on sides only, no sharp line of demarcation downwards \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1984	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on June 23, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Martsching, Paul	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: I once saw a Prairie Falcon flying the same way in S. Dakota. Specific: in town (southwest of intersection of 13th & Grand)	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon, not overall tannish. Marsh Hawk, no white rump, wings too dark below, wings too pointy \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/18:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Marble Rock, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-09	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Marble Rock in Floyd County, IA on May 9, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Knoop, Pearl	Black-headed Grosbeak	Marble Rock	Floyd county, about a mile south of Marble Rock, along river	Narrow tree and shrubby area along the Shellrock. This type of habitat extends along the river on both sides. More bushy in some places than others. There are nearby cultivated fields and tree areas.	The documentation form by Pearl Knoop is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: female rose-breased [sic] grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull near Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Tables (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-22	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Iceland Gull near Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 22, 1985. Includes record review documents with votes, articles in Illinois Birds and Birding as well as American Birds, correspondence about the bird sighting, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Iceland Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Location: Davenport. County: Scott	General: Chanel [sic] of Miss. R., near middle of river when standing. Specific: 1/2 - 3/4 mi. above Lock + Dam 15.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Barker, Mary Lou Petersen, and Bill Barker were submitted. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Paul Martsching, Pete Wickham, Mark Brogie, Lewis Blevins, Corey Blevins, Brett Ashford, and Dale Dickinson. \| Elimination of similar species: Glaucous Gull eliminated by size, wing extention [sic] well beyond tail. Flight, headshape, all emphasized by direct comparison with Glaucous Gulls. The next afternoon Bill Barker compared this bird to two different sized Glaucous Gulls and it was smaller than the smaller Glaucous Gull. Plumage lighter than Glaucous also. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Gull east of Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-11	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Gull east of Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 11, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Western Gull	Lock and Dam 15	On Miss. River chanel [sic] ice between Davenport, Scott Co. IA &+ Rock Isl. Arsenal, RI Co. IL.	On ice covered chanel [sic] of Mississippi - 1/4 - 1/2 mi. upstream (East) of Lock + Dam 15.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Brian Blevins and Gerald White were submitted. Another observers includes Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Slaty-backed Gull - Gray mantle merged directly to black tips, trailing white wing edge too narrow, mantle color too dark for g.b. Lesser-Black-bkd Gull - leg color pink, bird too large + heavy Greater Black-bkd. Gull - Bird too small, back not black enough, legs too bright + pink. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00 on December 11, 1986, 08:20:00/08:25:00 and 09:00:00/09:15:00 on December 12, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	7
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
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 of Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens, 1979	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-30	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on April 30, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting from Claudia Wilds to Mike Newlon, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Purple Sandpiper	Laurens	7 miles south of Laurens, Iowa	large farm mud puddle with corn stubble.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Dick Bierman was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Short bright yellow legs eliminates all similar species, except the Wander [sic] Tattler which has a barred belly \| The original documentation form event occurred from 09:00:00/19:00:00 at the times of 09:00:00, 13:00:00, and 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Garganey at Forney Lake, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-02	2000-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Garganey at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 2, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, photos, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schmid, Rick	Garganey	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake; Fremont County; Iowa, between the towns of Bartlett and Thurman. The bird was seen in the water near the shore closest to the road at a point exactly one mile east of Western Ave. Later, it was seen in flight over the water in the same area.		The documentation form by Rich Shmid is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren & Babs Padelford, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Michael D. Overton, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Edwards, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Dennis Henrickson, Clem Claphake, Jim Kovanda, and Sandy Kovanda. \| Elimination of similar species:From first glance, the Garganey was conspicuously different from other nearby ducks on the lake. It was swimming with a pair of Blue-Winged Teal and appeared about the same size as the teal, but its body was much lighter overall, with contrasting dark head and breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1987	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-06-26	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on June 26, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Laughing Gull	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Hawkeye Wildlife Area, Johnson Co, IA	marshy backwaters of reservoir	The documentation form by Richard Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Potential other observer includes Thomas H. Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I looked at my field guides + realized that I was not sure if I could distinguish Franklins from Laughing Gulls in their last summer plummage [sic] before becoming adults. I am not sure of the identification. At present I lean toward Laughing due to 1. lack of obvious white on wings 2. Size of dark patches @ wing tips 3. Dark color of mantle 4. The white tail rules out all the younger birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-17	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 17, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wright, Rick	Lesser Black-backed Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPPD Settling Ponds, Pottawatamie [sic] Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Rick Wright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Strom and Marie Strom. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The different mantle colorations of the herring and ring-billed gulls were distinguishable. [...] The presence of other gull species convinced me that I had accurately judged the mantle color of this bird; I was able to compare it with 3 other species, as well as Caspian terns. The size and bill size rule out great Black-backed, the only dark-backed gull with which I am familiar. Although western gull would show a similar upper-wing pattern, I suspect that it too would appear heavy-billed (and would not have yellow feet). Yellow-footed gull is also large and deep-billed, and is probably less likely than lesser black-backed in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:30:00/13:30:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-06-06	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton in Greene County, IA on June 6, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail correspondence about the documentation, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Lark Bunting	Scranton	Greene County,1 mile south of Scranton on Highway 25 ,then 3/4 mile east.	Pasture with cows on South side, Row crops on North side	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: I don't know of any other bird of this size that has white wing patches. I couldn't find any other info in any of my bird guides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:00:06.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff northwest of Bayard, 1991	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-26	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff northwest of Bayard in Greene County, IA on May 26, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Ruff	Bayard	approx 1 1/2 miles northwest of Bayard, Iowa	Flooded field	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Maridel Jackson was submitted. Other observers include Walt Jackson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I first noticed this bird as we were scanning a bunch of dunlin and this bird "stuck out." [...] The bird was about the size of a lesser yellowlegs (also present) but was of different proportions. The body was too heavy (chunky) for a yellowlegs - being more dowitcher like. The neck was fairly long - more so than a dowticher but maybe a little shorter than lesser yellowlegs. The head was defnitely small for the size of the bird. The legs were also fairly long (knobby knees) and again probably a little shorter than a lesser yellowlegs. These basic proportions helped at once to eliminate many species. [..] The bird's head and upper neck were very tawny (similar to buff breasted sandpiper) [...] Tail - This is the one feature along with the basic shape that convinced me. [...] If the bird would have had no color at all I still would have called it a ruff from the proportions. Ruff plumage is variable to say the least. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tufted Duck at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-06-30	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tufted Duck at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on June 30, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, correspondence about the sighting, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Tufted Duck	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh (Tom Stone, Jr. & I first found bird)	marshy area near cattails	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis L. Moore were submitted . Other observers include Russell Hays, Tom Stone, and Tom Stone, Jr. \| Elimination of similar species: May be a ring-neck female or scaup but doesn't look right- probably a hybrid. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:45:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	16