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 Sabine's Gull at Lock 13, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull at Lock 13 in Clinton County, IA on October 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation field report submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Sabine's Gull	Lock and Dam 13	Lock 13 flying over channel near barges		The documentation field report by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen and Dennis Carter. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] much smaller than Ringbills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-10-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Sabine's Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on October 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a field report submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Sabine's Gull	Black Hawk Lake	[...] Northeast corner of Black Hawk Lake in Sac Co.		The documentation field report by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted around 10 minutes in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Selasphorus species at Chester, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Beneficial birds Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-25	2000-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Selasphorus species at Chester in Howard County, IA on September 25, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Tyler, Eleanor Tyler, Sanford	Rufous Hummingbirds	Chester	Feeder at Chester, Iowa home of Sanford + Eleanor Tyler	Bottle feeder + Locust Tree	The documentation form and letter by Eleanor and Sanford Tyler is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis Moore, Robert K. Myers, Beth Proescholdt, Mark Proescholdt, Steve Dinsmore, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Dennis Thompson, Kevin Tyler, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Allen's - eliminated by type of Storm and direction of Storm.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Red Rock Lake, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a California Gull at Red Rock Lake in Marion County, IA on October 5 to November 4, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation submitted to the committee.	Brees, Aaron	California Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock, Marion Co.		The documentation form by Aaron Brees is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] - larger than Ring-billed Gulls [...] - smaller than Herring Gulls - all first year Herrings have 75-100% dark bills - Herrings are thicker, bulkier - California sits more buoyantly on the water with tail and wingtips sitting much higher off the water	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-29	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G.	Thayer's Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa, Pottawattamie County, south of Council Bluffs, the north pond of the Iowa Power and Light plant's ponds, two miles north of the county line (three miles north of the Bellevue exit on I-29), just east of Interstate highway 29.		The documentation form by Alan G. Grenon forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford and Ross Silcock were submitted. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, Loren Padelford as well as four unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The most likely similar species are Iceland and Herring Gulls. Iceland Gull (first winter) is eliminated by the combination of the following characters: wing-tip darker than body at rest; wing-tip and secondaries darker above than remainder of wing; tail marked above by a darker band covering most of the distal portion; a possible darker area around the eye. Herring Gull (first winter) is eliminated by the combination of the following characters: wing-tip at rest brown-tan, not black; wing-tip and secondary bar tan in flight, not black; primaries with thin, pale tips; tail bar tan, not black; bill all dark; bill and head delicate; bill thin. Glaucous Gull would have been larger relative to Ring-billed Gulls, with a massive bill light with a dark tip, large head, and wing-tips and secondaries would not have been darker than other upper parts. California Gull (first winter) would have black or near-black primaries, secondaries, tail, and a mostly pale bill with a black tip. Glaucous-winged Gull and hybrids thereof eliminated by bill and head structure and body size all smaller/finer in this bird, tail and wing pattern. AG. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00 on October 29, 1989, from 11:30:00/12:15:00 and around 14:00:00 on the October 30, 1989.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Barrow's Goldeneye at IPL Ponds, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-12	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at Iowa Power and Light plant ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 12, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G.	Barrow's Goldeneye	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa, Pottawattamie County, south of Council Bluffs, the south pond of the Iowa Power and Light plant's ponds, two miles north of the county line (three miles north of the Bellevue exit on I-29); also present was Betty Grenon.		The documentation form by Alan G. Grenon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Betty Grenon. \| Elimination of similar species: A large oblong crescent was between the eye and bill, the head was of a different shape than the Commons, being longer behind than they were. The back had more black and less white than the Commons, having a white mark, almost a line, curving up and back from near the shoulder, in an otherwise all-black back (as seen). The eye was light, white to yellow. In flight, its back had more black an less white than nearby flying Common Goldeneye. Other than noted, it was similar to the Common Goldeneye in size, form, and behavior. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Bean Goose at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-29	1994-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Bean Goose at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County on December 29, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles from bird publications, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G. Wright, Rick	Bean Goose	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	In air over DeSoto Lake, east of Wood Duck Nature Trail, Washington Cty., NE, and Pottowatomie Cty., IA, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge		The documentation form by Alan Grenon and Rick Wright is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren Padelford and Babs Padelford, Tanya Bray, Francis L. Moore, Thomas H. Kent, Ross Silcock, Barbara L. Wilson, and Steve Dinsmore were submitted later. Other observers include Jim Dinsmore, Betty Grenon, Graham Chisholm, David Starr, B.J. Rose, Duane Bright, Nancy Curry, Al Werthman, and Melba Wigg. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was noticed flying with seven greater white-fronted geese (A. albifrons), first noticed as significantly larger than accompanying A. albifrons, flew pas several times at distances greater than 200m. Some primaries were damaged. The A. albifrons all had visible pink bills, white faces, and speckled bellies (all adults) The A. fabalis was ca. 125% the size of A. albifrons, with a longer neck, longer bill, and a swan-like profile. Underside plain, grading from the dark brown at chin to white at the vent. Gray-brown above, back feathers with contrasting light edges, primaries dark. Bill: significantly longer than A. albifrons, dark with light area near or at tip, long head profile. Feet: orange. White above and at tip of tail as in A. albifrons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at the Louisa Division in Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-03-26	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-necked Stilt at the Louisa Division in Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on March 26, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sprunger, Amy, Allworth.	Black-necked Stilt	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	Mark Twain NWR, Wapello District, Louisa Division	Shallow fesh water, ~ 4-6"; near deeper open water	The documentation form by Amy Sprunger-Allworth is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American avocet. The avocet has reddish neck & head colorations; also has a bill that curves upward near the end. The stilt was only black & white in coloration, with a straight bill. Legs of stilt were pinkish red. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:50:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Dunbar Slough, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-22	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, IA on May 22, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fix, Andrew S.	Snowy Plover	Dunbar Slough	Southwest corner of Dunbar Slough		The documentation form by Andrew Fix is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore and Brian L. Blevins were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] 2) Semipalmated plover - completely banded; darker nape broken by band; dark mantle and wings; light legs; shorter bicolored bill 3) Wilson's plover - larger heavy bill; larger, heavy full band; larger size; no distinct auricular patch; pale legs 4) Killdeer - much larger size; two full bands; large, heavy bill; \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:45:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Saylorville Lake, 1988	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-19	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Jaeger species at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Fix, Andrew S.	Jaegers	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake		The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I ruled out other gulls, especially A [sic] young Herring Gull (1st yr) because of the location of the white (belly & wings) as well as the deep rowing flight. In addition, I had the opportunity to observe the Pomarine Jaegers earlier this fall at the same location and the markings were similar, except this bird was darker with a white belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/14:40:25.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1987	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-03-14	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on March 14, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fix, Andrew S.	Barrow's Goldeneye	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Iowa portion of DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge	water - central portion of large body of water at DeSoto Bend NWR	The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Craig Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: Only species for possible confusion is Common Goldeneye, which was readily separable by the lack of dark lateral breast band in Common Goldeneye. Lack of dark back with linear row of white spots parallel to midline in Common Goldeneye and the overall whiter appearance of the Common Goldeneye. The final spot of the Barrow's is supposedly a cresent [sic] however this was not clearly evident in this bird, as the spot it had was suggestive of a cresent [sic] when compared to the nearby Common Goldeneye. Voice and behavior were not helpful in separation in this case. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Boreal Chickadee at Osage, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-11-24	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Boreal Chickadees at Osage in Mitchell County, IA on November 24, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Woolfries, Andy	Boreal Chickadee	Osage	Osage, Iowa Home Feeder board	Home bird feeder - back yard - shrubs and trees.	The documentation form by Andy Woolfries is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Associated with other chickadees but noticable [sic] because of distinctive brown cap. There appeared to be only two. They were positively identified at least 20 times from a distance of about six feet. Reference: "Birds of North America". \| The original documentation form event occurred at least 20 times over November 24 to 26, 1978.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	49
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Dickcissel at Davenport, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-24	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Dickcissel at Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 24, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Barker, Ann M.	Dickcissel	Davenport	on ground near feeder @ RR3 Box 190, Davenport	Short grassy area under feeder, near bushes & Scotch Pines	The documentation form by Ann Barker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Bill Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: House Sparrow - Lap. Longspur. Field marks - this bird had definite black bib, bright yellow on breast, yellow eye line, chestnut shoulders. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	6
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 for Smith's Longspur at Five Ridges Prairie, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur at Five Ridges Prairie in Plymouth County, IA on September 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Smith's Longspur	Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve	Five Ridges Prairie, Plymouth County, IA	Rolling western Iowa prairie with some agriculture	The documentation form by Ann Johnson and Jim Bangma is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Although the time of observation was fairly short, the facial pattern and buffy underparts were definitely that of an adult male Smith's Longspur. A molting Black-headed Grosbeak would be larger, more plump, and would show a very noticable [sic] white wing flash in flight. Bangma's first reaction, upon seeing the facial pattern, was Reed Bunting, but the buffy underparts eliminate that species. No other bird combines the characteristics we observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:15:00/07:15:59.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Five Ridges Prairie, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of six Greater Prairie-Chickens at Five Ridges Prairie in Plymouth County, IA on September 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve	Five Ridges Prairie, Plymouth County, IA	Rolling western Iowa prairie with some agriculture	The documentation form by Ann Johnson and Jim Bangma is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The lack of a pointed tail eliminated even a young Ring-necked Pheasant (confirmed later in the week with observations). Sharp-tailed Grouse have been released in the Loess Hills, but they show a more pointed tail with white at the edges and their flanks are more spotted than barred. Ruffed Grouse has a fan-shaped tail which matches the body color and has a dark subterminal band. We had no doubt that these birds were Prairie Chickens. Lesser Prairie Chicken cannot be eliminated by our sighting but is dismissed based on location and habitat (tall grass vs. short grass prairie). The question of origin then arises. The closest releases of grouse have been Sharp-tailed in the Loess Hills south of Sioux City, but our observations eliminated Sharp-tailed. Greater Prairie Chickens have most recently been released in Ringgold County, some 150-200 miles to the southeast. I discussed possible releases with some birders in the area and no one had any knowledge of released birds. On the other hand, Greater Prairie Chicken nests in South Dakota fairly close to the Iowa border. This map shows the relative abundance of the bird in the plains states based on Breeding Bird Surveys. We therefore feel that it is most likely that these birds come from a native population nearby and might possibly have been a family group. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:20:00/07:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on September 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Red Phalarope	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co., Iowa	Shallow marsh at north end of refuge	The documentation form by Ann Johnson and Jim Bangma is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wilson's Phalarope looks much lighter, does not have the black eye patch, and has a long, thin bill. Red-necked Phalarope is superficially similar but the bill is much more needle-like. Furthermore, Red-necked has the gray extending further onto the crown, shows white streaking on the back, and would not have remnants of red color on the throat and upper foreneck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Elk Rock State Park, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-07	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on May 7, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph with a report, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Western Tanager	Elk Rock State Park	South Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., Iowa	Soft deciduous and brushy area near water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Dennis Thompson, and Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of red face and yellow body eliminated all other tanagers. Females of other species would not show red on the face, and young males going into first alternate plumage would not have the red coloration restricted to the head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/17:30:00 with bird seen three times for a total of 25-30 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-25	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 25, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Gravel bar and open river	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H. Kent was submitted. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Dick Tetrault, and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by the light and uniform body color, pale gray primaries, secondaries and tailband, lack of a window from above, and lack of any color to the underside of the primaries. The bird certainly had the overall coloration of a first year Iceland Gull. However, Iceland Gull was eliminated based on the darker secondaries, complete gray tail band, and the darker webs to the outer primaries from above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:10:00/16:50:00 on November 25, 1991 and 13:50:00/14:05:00 on November 28, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 16, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Least Flycatcher	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Primarily open edge and grassy area with pine tree plantings	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tim Schantz was submitted. Other observers include Roy Godwin and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Body and bill shape and behavior identified this bird as a flycatcher. The size, eye-ring and wing bars eliminated all but Empidonax flycatchers. Because of the late date on this bird, it is difficult to get an understanding of molt sequences which may or may not be helpful. From what I can find on molts, however, the following is based on best available information. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:55:00 and approximately 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	34
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-05	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on October 5, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below Red Rock Dam, near Pella, Marion Co., IA	River with numerous sand and gravel bars	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair, Raymond Cummins, and James Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Marlys Huff, David Youngblut, Pete Wickham, John Daniel, and Ken Lowder. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed Gull- The bird was not large enough nor was the bill as massive. The great black-backed should also show a whiter head and lighter inner primaries and the back would be more of a checkerboard than the scaliness of this bird. Herring Gull- Because of variability, eliminating the herring was more problematic. Size was not particularly helpful initially in that this bird was near the second-year herring gull for such a brief time that I really couldn't make comparison. The variable sizes of ring-bills were of no help because next to some it looked huge and next to others it was only some larger. Some subtle differences were helpful in making this bird "look different" but I don't believe they could be considered sufficient. The checkered, scaly look was more pronounced than most juvenile herrings. The wings seemed long as they extended beyond the tail. The bill was entirely black and the tail band more distinct than most juvenile herrings. The color distinction between the head/tail and body from a distance were also helpful. The clincher, however, was during flight when no "windows" were visible on the inner primaries and the dark secondary coverts created a wide, dark trailing edge to the wing. These flight indicators, as well as size differential, were confirmed on the 23 October sighting. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/16:00:00 and 16:15:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-19	1995-07-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 19, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Mew Gull	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Sandy area at edge of open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Russ Widner and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dick Tetrault and Roy Godwin. \| Elimination of similar species: Size eliminated any gull larger than a Ring-billed. Although structurally the bird more closely represented one of the larger hooded gulls, they were eliminated by the lack of any hood or auricular spot. Furthermore, most hooded gulls with a tail band would also show a strong carpal bar. Laughing Gull could be eliminated by the more diminuative [sic] bill and leg color. Although some individuals seem to carry a vestige of their more motley juvenile plumage into first winter, Ring-billed Gull was eliminated by size, head and bill structure, and clear-cut as opposed to more diffuse tail band. I originally identified this bird as a Mew Gull based on my experience studying structural differences between Ring-billed and Mew gulls on the west coast. I have never seen a first-year Mew Gull, however. In researching the Mew on my return home, I concluded that the bird in question was not dark enough, nor brown enough, to be of the west coast sub-species. By virtue of its strong similarity to a Ring-billed Gull, this bird was most likely the European sub-species known as the Common Gull. Although according to Grant the bill description comes closer to L.c. brachyrhynchus, I assume that this bird's bill coloration was still changing from juvenile plumage. Apparently the Common Gull appears on occasion on the east coast and is therefore probably as likely a vagrant to Iowa as is the western form. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Big Creek Lake, 1988	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-09	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Sandpiper at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on October 9, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting by Guy McCaskie, Kim Eckert, and Bruce Peterjohn, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Western Sandpiper	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats from low water on freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Thomas. \| Elimination of similar species: Although I understand the difficulty in identification of fall western sandpipers, the Baird's and white-rumped were eliminated because of wing length. The least sandpiper was eliminated by leg color and bill shape/size. The most difficult elimination was that of the semipalmateds, especially since other semipals were present in the area. After careful observation and comparison, however, the prototypical western sandpiper bill was too obvious to make the bird into a semipalmated. The bill was enough longer and had an obvious droop. The others in the area had varying bill sizes but none had the general shape of this bird. Consequently, I believe this was a late date western sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Eider at Jester Park, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-26	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Common Eider at Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 26, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Common Eider	Jester Park	off Jester Park boat ramp, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, IA	open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: ID based solely on head profile whichwas [sic] identical to the Red Rock bird studied at length earlier in the year. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:55:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-crowned Night-Heron at Polk City, 1997	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-crowned Night-Heron at Polk City Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Black-crowned Night Heron	Polk City Wildlife Area	Polk City Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA		The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore was submitted later. Other observers include Aaron Brees and Phil Walsh. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was eliminated by the boldness of the markings on both the upper and underparts of the body and by the leg extension in flight. \| The documentation form event occurred at approximately 09:30:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	20