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 Rock Wren at Sioux City in 1898	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Zoological specimens	1907-03-01	1994-02-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Rock Wrens at Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on June 22, 1898. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by Guy C. Rich.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Rock Wren	Sioux City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rock Wren at Red Oak, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-09-17	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Rock Wrens at Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on September 17, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Carlisle, David	Rock Wren	Red Oak	[...] my house in Red Oak, IA		The documentation form by Dave Carlisle is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] In my attempts to identify the birds, my first observations led me to believe they both were wrens; however, they were larger than the common house wren and lacked the definite light eye ring. [...] I took notice that the bird in hand lacked the definite eye stripe characteristic of the Bewick's, Carolina, and Marsh wrens. There were no white stripes on the back as in the Marsh Wren and it did not have the white outer tail feathers characteristic of Bewick's Wren. \| The original documentation form event occurred lasted from approximately 07:50:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ringed Turtle-Dove at Davenport in 1976	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Introduced birds Rare birds	1977-03-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Ringed Turtle-Doves at Davenport in Scott County, IA in the fall and early winter of 1976. Includes a record review document with votes, additional notes about the sighting, the original sighting record found in the publication Field reports in Iowa Bird Life 47:18-22 by N.S. Halmi reported by Peter C. Petersen and seen by John Petersen.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ringed Turtle-Dove	Davenport				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-27	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red-throated Loons at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 27, 1989. Includes a record review document and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya E. Bray is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Marc Lund, and Bob Myers were submitted later. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, Roger Rose, Dave Starr, and Jerry Toll. \| Elimination of similar species: Pacific Loon, eliminated by red color of throat patch and shape of bill. This bird's bill was more like that of a Eared Grebe; that is, very slender and not as loon-like as that of Pacific Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Common Loon: eliminated by size of bird, shape of bill, and red throated patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot west of Huxley, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-09-03	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red Knots west of Huxley in Story County, IA on September 3, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Knot	Huxley	flooded field 1.2 mi. west of Huxley, Story Co.		The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Pam Allen, Jim Dinsmore (2x), Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, and Tim Schantz were submitted later. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Ann Johnson, Reid Allen, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The fairly large size and gray and white plumage eliminates all shorebirds except Sanderling and winter-plumaged Dunlin. Sanderling is eliminated by smaller size and different bill shape. Winter-plumaged Dunlin is eliminated by different bill shape, slightly smaller size, and different tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/18:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-08-25	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red Knots at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on August 25, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Red Knot	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	USNWR 1 mile N. of Headquarters, N. of road on mudflats	mudflats from receded large pool	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The reddish underside of one bird was reminiscent of Dowitchers, but the back pattern in flight and bill differences are way off. Sanderling's feeding habits are different from the simple pecking these birds did and the gray one didn't have the 'black shoulder' or big wingstripe. Curlew Sandpiper's bill is curved. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Riverton Area, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-13	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red Knots at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 13, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red Knot	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton Area, Fremont Co., Iowa	Shallow mud flats with pool at low water level.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted later. Other observers include Jim Scheib and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The chunky body, relatively short legs, feeding pattern, and lack of white rump led me away from Stilt Sandpiper. The bill was much too short for dowitcher. The bill was not curved enough for Curlew Sandpiper. These birds appeared to be partially molted into alternate plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:35:00/08:45:00 and 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-08-05	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red Knots at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 5, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of the review, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Knot	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Oak Grove Beach, Saylorville Reservoir	sandy beach along lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore (later sighting) and Bob Myers were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Only two other sandpipers have reddish underparts-Curlew Sandpiper and Sanderling. Bill shape eliminates Curlew Sandpiper. The larger size, extent of reddish underparts, leg color, white rump, and wing stripe confined to the secondaries eliminates Sanderling. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:31:00/07:57:00 and 08:17:00/08:26:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Prairie Warbler at Rathbun Reservoir, 1977	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-09-05	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Prairie Warblers at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on September 5, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wymore, Gary D.	Prairie Warbler	Rathbun Lake	County Line Access, Lake Rathbun Reservoir	General: West facing slope of oak-hickory woods, with honey locust adjacent, small pond bey[...] Specific: In young honeylocust (15-18 ft.), had been raining earlier in day and very moist conditions prevailed under tree canopy, with water droplets on leaves.	The documentation form by Gary Wymore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	22
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Warbler at Hancher Auditorium at Iowa City, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-12-20	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Pine Warblers at Hancher Auditorium at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 20, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, three photographs, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Pine Warbler	Hancher Auditorium	Under white and scotch pines at edge of Hancher Auditorium parking lot, University of Iowa, Iowa City (Johnson County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Randall Pinkston were submitted. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Dick Teterault, Jim Scheib, Matt Prather, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of light eye ring, whitish wingbars, unstreaked back, and light belly and vent should separate this species from any other warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:55:00/09:20:00 and 12:55:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Grosbeak at Spencer, 1995	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-02-27	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Pine Grosbeaks at Spencer in Clay County, IA on February 27, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Pine Grosbeak	Spencer	Riverside cemetary & residence at Prospect Dr., Spencer	Pine trees & Ash trees in suburban neighborhood & cemetary	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Doug Harr and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Crossbill: bill shape, size & long tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00 and 16:45:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pacific Loon at Maffit Lake, 1972	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1972-05-06	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Pacific Loons at Maffit Lake in Polk County, IA on May 6, 1972. Includes a record review document with votes, commentary by the IOU Records Committee on the bird sighting, the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 42:37 seen by Woodward H. Brown and D. Mooney.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Pacific Loon	Dale Maffitt Reservoir				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pacific Loon at Beaver Creek, 1902	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1902-12-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Pacific Loon at Beaver Creek in Polk County, IA, in December, 1902. Includes a record review document with votes, comments by the IOU Records Committee on the sighting, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Polk County, Iowa, by Philip A. DuMont and seen by Lester P. Fagan.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Pacific Loon	Beaver Creek				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur at Larson Marsh, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two or three Smith's Longspurs at Larson Marsh in Story County, IA on April 18, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Martsching, Paul	Smith's Longspur	Larson Marsh	Larson's Marsh (east of Ames) Story County, Iowa	General: marsh with pond nearby Specific: wet grassy area - much old tall grass bent down by snow last winter.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include an unidentified observer. \| Elimination of similar species: After seeing the first one and going thru all the pictures of sparrows was at a lose [sic] to know what I'd seen. Later we went back. The only sparrows with black & white face pattern (Wh Crnd & Wh Throated) are only black & white from the eyes up. Only realized was seeing a longspur about the time the last male disappeared in the grass. Were unable to flush. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:00:30 and 17:15:00/17:16:00 for the female bird and 17:15:00/17:15:10 for the male bird.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-02	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two or more Thayer's Gulls at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	sitting on ice with other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis L. Moore, Steve Dinsmore, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Andy Fix, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Bob Cecil, Bery Engebretsen, Jim Sinclair, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The overall dark color of the bird and the lack of paler wingtips eliminates first-winter Iceland Gull. The translucent flight feathers, uniform body color, lack of a "window" on the upperwing, smaller, thinner bill, rounder head, dark smudge around the eye, and smaller size eliminates first-winter Herring Gull. The uniform body color, lack of a dark tail band, and translucent flight feathers eliminates first-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird west of Squirrel Hollow County Park, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-03-06	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds west of Squirrel Hollow County Park in Greene County, IA on March 6, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Mountain Bluebird	Squirrel Hollow County Park	Greene Co. 2 1/2 m. N of Int. P30 + E57, then 1/4 m W.	River bottom, pasture hillside with scattered Shrubs	The documentation form by Rob Thelen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, and Ed Thelen were submitted. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Jane Fuller, Alicia Thelen, Melinda Thelen, Natasha Thelen, Gordon Thelen, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird, Mt. Bluebird is all Blue \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-24	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on March 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Swan Enclosure in Dickinson County - west of Big Spirit Lake	Open - praire [sic] pothole - fenced	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maury Muhm, Gary Wee, Tim Waltz, and Bryan Hellier. \| Elimination of similar species: - Eastern + Western bluebird were eliminated by the blue on breast - shape, color, size and habits eliminated indigo bunting \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Charles City in 1914	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Eggs Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Rare birds	1923-09-01	1994-02-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds at Charles City in Floyd County, IA during April 1914. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication The Birds of Floyd County, Iowa (Part III. Continued) in the American Midland Naturalist 8(10/11):230-256 by Caroll Lane Fenton.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Mountain Bluebird	Charles City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mississippi Kite at Waubonsie State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-14	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mississippi Kites at Waubonsie State Park on May 14, 1980. Includes one record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Mississippi Kite	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie S.P.	The Loess hills, Dry woodland with some open areas on the slope of loess hills	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone, Sr.. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Marsh Hawk has a white rump patch and tail isn't black. Does not fly like a kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mississippi Kite at Burlington in 1887	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Birds--Collection and preservation Zoological specimens Taxidermy	1918-01-01	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Mississippi Kites at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA during the Fall 1887. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication The Raptorial Birds of Iowa in Iowa Geological Survey Bulletin by B.H. Bailey seen by Charles Buettner, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Mississippi Kite	Burlington				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Marsh Wren at Browns Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-01-02	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Marsh Wrens at Browns Lake in Woodbury County, IA on January 2, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Livermore, Bob	Marsh Wren	Browns Lake	Browns Lake - Woodbury County	Cattail Marsh - With open flowing water	The documentation form by Bob Livermore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was John Van Dyke. \| Elimination of similar species: There were several other species in the close vincinty [sic] (Song Sparrow tree Sparrow, Swamp sparrow + red wing black bird. Much too large and rusty and tail too prominet [sic] for winter wren. Carolina wren would be the toughest to eliminate. The way I eliminated was habitat, call, and behavior. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Marsh Wren at Brown's Lake in Woodbury County, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-01	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Marsh Wrens at Brown's Lake in Woodbury County, IA on January 1, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Marsh Wren	Browns Lake	Brown's L., Woodbury Co., IA	marsh with open water	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Both birds were clearly wrens. I would have been very surprised if they had been any wren species other than Marsh or Sedge in this habitat. The combination of a white eyeline, dark mantle with thin white stripes, white throat and breast, and dark crown eliminated other wrens, especially Sedge Wren. I also recognized the chip note as that of a Marsh Wren. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Long-billed Curlew at Wildwood Park in Floyd County in 1918	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Migration Rare birds	1916-09-01	1994-02-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Long-billed Curlews at Wildwood Park at Floyd County, IA on April 14, 1918. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication The birds of Floyd County Iowa in American Midland Naturalist 8:189-208, 230-256, 9:63-79, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Long-billed Curlew	Wildwood Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Little Blue Heron at McGregor in 1938	Administrative records Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1938-08-04	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Little Blue Herons near McGregor in Clayton County, IA on August 4, 1938. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication August records from McGregor in Iowa Bird Life 8:54 by Mary E. Roberts and Jack W. Musgrove.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Little Blue Heron	McGregor				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-08-06	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Laughing Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on August 6, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co.	large mudflat along lakeshore	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species similar to a Laughing Gull is Franklin's Gull. This species was eliminated on the basis of size, bill size and shape, leg length, and wing and tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:21:00/13:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18