|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1981
|
Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1981-12-05
|
1993-08-26
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 5, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Silcock, W. Ross
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Lake Manawa
|
Lake Manawa
|
|
The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: [...] Smaller than adult Herring Gull (winter plumage, red spot end of lower mandible) beside it, legs a little pinker. Larger than Ring-billed Gulls- flock of 14 adjacent. [...] Headmuch [sic] smaller relative to body than in the Herring Gull- also flatter-appearing. [...] 1. Bill was black (or very dark); this , combined with the rather pale underparts relative to the rest of the (also rather pale) plumage tends to rule out a first year Herring Gull. 2. Bill and head size and shape were not as heavy-appearing as in Herring Gull. Direct comparison with adjacent adult Herring Gull was very useful in deciding this. [...] 5. Size and pinker legs than Herring Gull are not sure characters, but lend support to identification as Thayer's Gull.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock 15 in Davenport, 1986
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1986-12-24
|
1993-09-07
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 24, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Petersen, Peter C.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Lock and Dam 15
|
Lock 15, Davenport
|
General: Mississippi River Specific: just below roller dam
|
The documentation form by Peter C Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tim Dwyer and Jerry White. | Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - wing tips not black on this bird, + its eye was dark. Iceland (Humelius) - wing tips not as pale grey, legs not pale pink. | The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:15:00 on December 24, 1986 and 14:40:00/14:42:00 on December 25, 1986.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19, 1986
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1986-12-21
|
1993-09-07
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 21, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Cecil, Robert I.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Lock Number 19
|
Lock and Dam 19, Miss. River, Keokuk, Lee Co, Iowa
|
River rapids.
|
The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Doug Reeves. | Elimination of similar species: First year Herring much more "contrasty"--see above. Kumlien's Iceland Gull...According to Seabirds (Harrison), 1st year Iceland is more pale, tail uniform gray. Overall body coloration is more like 1st year Glaucous--bird I saw was darker than 1st year Glaucous. [...] The important thing about this uniformity that the accompanying first year Herring Gulls had much contrast, showing whitish head, darker wingtips, dark at the tip of the underwings (sometimes), and most obviously, much darker secondaries, creating a dark trailing edge to the wings. Their general color was a darker chocolatey brown. [...] BILL: Pinkish--noticably [sic] smaller that [sic] Herrings. This is pretty subjective, but at about 2/3 of the way across the river at the dam (maybe one third mile) the bill on a Herring can be easily seen through my scope. [...] A very indistinct darkening (wing, upper surface) of the first two or three primaries. The mark had to be looked for to be seen--on the Herring it was much more evident. [...] At some times, the bird showed secondaries that were slightly darker than the rest of the wing. Slightly should be emphasized--at no time was it even close to the darkness of the secondaries of the first year Herring. [...] There was a very slight and indistinct darkening to the first two or three primaries, but this had to be looked for carefully. I have also seen a number of 1st year Herring Gulls that fit this description, but all have a distinct window at base of primaries. | The original documentation form event occurred at various times during the date range of sightings on the documentation form.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Island View Park at Rathbun Reservoir, 1986
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1986-12-20
|
1993-09-07
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for three Thayer's Gulls at Island View Park at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on December 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Dinsmore, Stephen J.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Island View Park
|
Rathbun Reservoir, Appanoose Co. (Island View East and West Areas)
|
sitting on ice and feeding on open water with other gulls
|
The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ray Cummins was submitted. Another observer includes Randy Strough. | Elimination of similar species: The first-year birds were separated from first-year Iceland Gull by the distinct tail band and the darker primaries and from first-year Herring Gull by head shape, bill size, more uniform body color, and the silvery-white underwing. The adult bird was separated from an adult Iceland Gull by size, bill shape, and more black (still not too much, though) in the wingtips and from an adult Herring Gull by head shape, bill size, and paler wingtips. | The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:30:00 and 13:30:00/13:54:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19, 1986
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1986-12-17
|
1994-11-04
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 17, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Cecil, Robert I.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Lock Number 19
|
Lock and Dam 19, Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa
|
River Rapids
|
The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Francis L. Moore. | Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull:Bill size, pattern of wingtips on upper and under surface of wings. Ringbill: size. Kumlien's Iceland: black rather than gray in wintip [sic] (Tom Kent, personal communication). Adult Glaucous has no black in wingtips. | The original documentation form event occurred at various times on the various dates listed on the documentation form.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1986
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1986-12-13
|
1993-09-07
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for two to five Thayer's Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 13, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Dinsmore, Stephen J.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Lake Red Rock
|
Red Rock Res., Marion Co.-below dam and near the Hwy 14 bridge
|
resting on sand bar below dam and feeding near open water on main lake
|
The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt, Tom Kent, and Tom Staudt. | Elimination of similar species: The dark tail band and fairly dark body coloration should eliminate Iceland Gull. The smaller bill, rounder head, smaller size, more even body coloration, and pale undersides of the wings eliminates first-winter Herring Gull. | The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1986
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1986-12-03
|
1993-09-07
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of two Thayer's Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Lake Red Rock
|
Red Rock Reservoir
|
reservoir with ice and open water.
|
The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Jim Fuller. | Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull --see above. [...] The bird is not any larger than some of the ring-bills--some of the ring-bills are smaller. The larger ring-bills are almost as big as this bird, and it is distinctly smaller than a number of Herring Gulls in the same field. The bill is much smaller and thinner; the head is small. [...] The striking thing about this bird is the size, bill shape and head shape compared to the nearby herrings and very distinct smudge through the eye." | The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:10:00 for several minutes and 15:55:00 for many minutes.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Cottonwood Recreation Area near Saylorville Dam, 1986
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1986-12-03
|
1993-09-07
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of a Thayer's Gull at Cottonwood Recreation Area near Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Petersen, Peter C.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Cottonwood Recreation Area
|
Cottonwood Rec. Area below Saylorville Dam. Polk Co
|
|
The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Mark Proescholdt, Steve Dinsmore, Gil Sandvick, and unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: [...] Birds call not distinguishable from Ring-billed Gulls feeding with it. [...] Herring Gull eliminated by lack of sharp contrast between primaries + remainder of mantle + back and whitish undersides of primaries. | The original documentation form event lasted from 10:02:00/10:03:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull near Saylorville Reservoir Dam and Oak Grove Beach, 1986
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1986-11-23
|
1993-09-07
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for seven or more Thayer's Gulls near Saylorville Reservoir Dam and Oak Grove Beach in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Dinsmore, Stephen J.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Saylorville Dam Oak Grove Recreation Area
|
Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.(Oak Grove Beach and near dam)
|
seen resting on beach and flying over water near dam
|
The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore were submitted. Other observers include Paul Martsching, Bob Myers, Beth Proescholdt, Mark Proescholdt, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: The darker body plumage and dark tail band eliminate Iceland Gull (Kumlien's form). The smaller size, smaller, more delicate bill, more rounded head, silvery white underwing pattern, more uniform body color, and more uniform upperwing pattern eliminate first winter Herring Gull. | The original documentation form event occurred at various times.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull near Oak Grove Beach and Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1986
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1986-11-23
|
1993-09-07
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull near Oak Grove Beach and Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Dinsmore, Stephen J.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Saylorville Dam Oak Grove Recreation Area
|
Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (Oak Grove Beach and near dam)
|
seen resting on beach and flying over water near dam
|
The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bob Myers, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Francis L. Moore, Robert Cecil, and Paul Martsching were submitted. | Elimination of similar species: The darker body plumage and dark tail band eliminate Iceland Gull (Kumlien's form). The smaller size, smaller, more delicate bill, more rounded head, silvery white underwing pattern, more uniform body color, and more uniform upperwing pattern eliminate first winter Herring Gull. | The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/11:55:00 and 15:50:00/16:05:00 on November 23, 1986 and 14:50:00/15:35:00 on November 24, 1986.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1985
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1985-12-10
|
1993-09-03
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 10, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Bendorf, Carl J.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Red Rock Dam
|
Red Rock Res. Tailwater
|
|
The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Francis L. Moore, Bob Myers, Beth Proescholdt and Mark Proescholdt, and Dennis Thompson were submitted. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel, Darwin Koenig, Steve Dinsmore, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. | Elimination of similar species: Thayer's Gull is a difficult bird to identify. In researching this problem, I have found several helpful sources in addition to the standard field guides and I have tried to understand what it takes to know a Thayer's Gull when you see one. Nearly every reference makes it clear that Thayer's cannot be identified on the basis of one or two positive field marks. It takes a combination of characters to come to a conclusion of any certainty. In discussing this particular observation, I will examine each of the fieldmarks and compare and contrast to similar species with liberal reference to the literature, especially Lehman (1980). The most likely similar gulls in this case are 1st winter Herring and 1st winter Iceland (Kumlien's). The Kumlien's form is the darker form of the Iceland Gull and is the form that breeds in the Baffin Island area and winters mainly on the Atlantic coast. Lehman's article deals mainly with Kumlien's. Several similarly sized and possible but unlikely candidates can be eliminated rather quickly. A 1st winter California should not have an all dark bill and would show much darkening in the primaries in flight. Lesser Black-backed Gull could be about the right size, but in flight a 1st winter bird should show darker primary and secondary coverts, more extensively dark primaries, even compared to Herring Gull. A 1st summer Slaty-backed Gull is also light uniform brown with an all dark bill, but it should exhibit extensive darkening in the primaries on the upper wing. A 1st winter Glaucous-winged Gull would be very similar to Thayer's but should be larger, with a larger bill, and less mottling to the body color. Except for the first two, one would probably not consider the likelihood of their occurrence in Iowa to be very great. One hybrid, Glaucous-winged X Western, might be similar but should have a quite heavy bill. [...] Summary: Of the most likely similar species, 1st winter Herring Gull and 1st winter Kumlien's Iceland Gull, each is eliminated by one or more of the features discussed above. The wing pattern is especially damaging to the possibility of Herring, along with the bill shape and size. Iceland is ruled out by the presence of the noticeable tail band and by the darker secondaries on the upper wing. To identify a Thayer's Gull, one must see a combination of field marks. I feel that the bird I saw at Red Rock is consistent on every point.| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:45:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1981
|
Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1981-12-10
|
1993-08-26
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 10, 1981 recorded incorrectly as 1982 on the documentation form. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Saylorville Dam
|
Above and below Saylorville Dam
|
Open water, rocky shore and ice covered pond.
|
The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: [...] Nearly the same size as an immature Herring Gull, but neck seemed thinner, head smaller. Bill was same length as a Herring Gull's but was blunter, not as strongly hooked. [...] The primaries were not nearly as dark as immature (1st year) or 2nd year Herring Gulls and was of a much different color than the black color of that species. Primaries and tail were nearly the same color. [...] In flight this bird could be easily picked out from the immature Herring Gulls at considerable distances. Using 7x35 binoculars the beige color of the upper surface of wings and translucent underwing could be detected as far as three-quarters of a mile. There were also three other birds that resembled this particular bird though they appeared darker on the upperparts. However I was unable to get close observations of these birds. The bird I observed closely and documented had one primary feather missing and aided in tracking the bird from day to day.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981
|
Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1981-12-06
|
1993-08-26
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Coralville Dam
|
Coralville Res. Dam, Johnson Co., Iowa
|
Reservoir just above dam on ice
|
The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent as dictated to Carl Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Carl Bendorf. | Elimination of similar species: imm. Herring Gull. The second year Herring has a light bill with black tip and more contrasting black and white pattern to wings and tail. The first year Herring is much darker, has a more bulbous, hooked bill, and lacks the definitewhite [sic] window in flight. | The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Boone, 1987
|
Administrative records Field notes Maps (documents)
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1987-05-29
|
1996-04-24
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck near Boone in Boone County, IA on May 29, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, a map of the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Espeland, Steven R.
|
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
|
Boone
|
County: Boone Location in detail: Observed standing in shallows of ~0.25 A. farm pond located on Eilene Glover acreage NW of Boon, Iowa (see map)
|
Farm pond w/ random stands of cattails, sedges etc.
|
The documentation form by Steven R. Espeland is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling Duck - Lacks distinctive wing patches and pink bill, legs and feet. | The original documentation form event occurred at 18:00:00 and from 19:00:00/20:00:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
8
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981
|
Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1981-11-08
|
1993-08-26
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for three Thayer's Gulls at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on November 8, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Moore, Francis L.
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Coralville Dam
|
Coralville Reservoir
|
Open wate [sic] near small sandy beach near the Dam area, Johnson County
|
The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Tom Kent, Tom Shires, Tom Staudt, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: Ring-billed Gull and Herring Gull, see above. The Ring-billed Gulls were seen in direct contrast to these three birds and were definitely much smaller birds. The Herring Gulls (first year birds) that I have seen have more of a contrast between the rump and back and upper wing surfaces and none that I remember showed the whitish trailing edge on the tail. [...] The three birds seen were about the size of Herring Gulls in typical first year plumage. They were obviously large gulls of the genus Larus with a noticeably larger size than the Ring-billed Gulls and one Bonaparte's Gull that were next to the three larger birds. [...] There were no Herring Gulls nearby with which to make a comparison of size and coloration. The bills of all three gulls were black did not seem as heavy or bulky as the bill of a Herring Gull. | The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/09:30:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981
|
Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1981-11-07
|
1993-08-26
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on November 7, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Coralville Dam
|
Coralville Res. Dam, west overlook, Johnson Co. Iowa
|
Reservoir, just above dam, in water and on swimming beach
|
The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Mike Newlon, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: Photographs taken at the first encounter with a Celestron 750 mm lens demonstrate the size difference, the bill and head shape difference, the lighter overall color, and the window in the wing. An adult Herring was in the photo with the Thayer's on 7 Nov and imm Herring were photographed on 10 Nov for comparison. | The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:50:00 and 11:00:00/11:20:00 on November 7, 1981 and 07:30:00/08:30:00 on November 8, 1981.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1981
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1981-03-19
|
1993-08-26
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and comments about the sighting, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Silcock, W. Ross
|
Thayer's Gull
|
Lake Manawa
|
Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
|
|
The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Peter C. Petersen, and Robert K. Myers were submitted later. Other observers include Tom Shires, James Kovanda, Sandra Kovanda, Tanya Bray, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, B.J. Rose, and four unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: The above description separates by direct comparison first-year Thayer's and Herring Gulls, the most similar species present. Thayer's may be confused in first year plumage with Kumlien's form of Iceland Gull, but the Thayer's had primaries slightly darker than the mantle (from above), whereas the opposite occurs in Iceland Gull (Lehman). Lehman also notes that some first-year Western Gulls may show translucent primaries from below in certain light, but these observations took place in excellent light at fairly close range. | The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:30:00/11:00:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1990
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1990-10-13
|
1993-07-17
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of a Western Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
|
Western Sandpiper
|
Babcock Access
|
Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co. Iowa.
|
mud flats with shallow pools
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The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. | Elimination of similar species: The size and shape in comparison with Baird's Sandpiper establish this bird as a peep. The black legs, gray color, and lack of bib exclude Least Sandpiper (several of which were seen earlier). The distinction from Semipalmated Sandpiper is based on the bill and apparent molt to basic plumage. Five minutes earlier I had seen two Semipalmated Sandpipers running on the other side of the area; they had short straight bills and had all feathers of the upper parts edged with buff (juvenile plumage). I had seen a number of Semipalmated Sandpipers with longer and slightly drooped bills this fall, but none approached the length, thinness, and droop seen on the current bird. According to Kenn Kaufman's Advanced Birding, Semipalmated Sandpipers wear their juvenile plumage until they reach wintering grounds, and juvenile Western Sandpipers gradually molt from juvenile to basic plumage from August to October with some retaining rusty scapulars. I assume, based on date, that this bird was probably a first-year bird, and that it had either completely molted to basic plumage or had some rusty scapulars that I did not see. I did not consider any of the Eurasian stints, which would be exceeding unlikely and have bills more like a semipalmated or have yellow legs. | The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:20:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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10
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3
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Big Creek Lake, 1988
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Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1988-10-09
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1993-08-04
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Rare birds documentation form
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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.
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Johnson, Ann
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Western Sandpiper
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Big Creek Lake
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Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA
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Mudflats from low water on freshwater lake
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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.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
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3
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988
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Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1988-10-08
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1993-08-04
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of a Western Sandpiper at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 8, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
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Dinsmore, Stephen J.
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Western Sandpiper
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Saylorville Lake
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Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-north end of reservoir
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feeding in shallow water adjacent to mudflat with other shorebirds
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The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andy Fix. | Elimination of similar species: see above [...] The bird was roughly 25% smaller than a Pectoral Sandpiper. [...] Note that we saw a single Semipalmated Sandpiper in the same flock of shorebirds. The Semipalmated Sandpiper had a shorter, thicker bill, more of a brown wash on the breast, and frequented the edge of the mudflat rather than wading in the water. | The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:45:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
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3
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Merlin in southwest Chickasaw, 1990
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Administrative records Field notes
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1990-06-03
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1993-07-17
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of a Merlin in southwest Chickasaw County, IA on June 3, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
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Cecil, Robert I.
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Merlin
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Chickasaw County
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S.W. Chickasaw Co.
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Fence row in row-cropped ag. land
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The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: No other small falcon has uniform dark brown back and upper wing surface. It was much too small to be a female Peregrine. | The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:45:05.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
9
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3
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Columbus Junction, 1999
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Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1999-04-25
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2000-11-28
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Columbus Junction in Louisa County, IA on April 25, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, an e-mail about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
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Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
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Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
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Columbus Junction
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2 miles north of Columbus Junction, Louisa Co., Iowa
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A backwater slough adjacent to highway 70 and close to the Iowa River
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The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ted Allen, Bill Ohde, and Jim Dinsmore. | Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling-Duck lacks the gray face, orange bill, and white wing patch.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
8
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3
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh, 1998
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Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Maps (documents) Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1998-04-10
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2000-11-24
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County on April 10, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a map of one of the sightings, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Reisz, Russell
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Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
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Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area
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Tomahawk Marsh, Sac County, Iowa
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marsh, wetland
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The documentation form by Russell Reisz is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter Ernzen, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Dick Tetrault, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. | Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling-duck is the most similar species. This species was eliminated because it has a different bill color and a different leg color than the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. The Fulvous Whistling-duck also lacks the white wing patch and the dark belly of the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. These were all points of identification for the species seen at Tomahawk Marsh. | The original documentation form event lasted from 19:58:00/19:58:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
8
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3
|
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh, 1993
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Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1993-11-01
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1996-04-25
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on November 1, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, two photographs, an article in The Southwestern Naturalist, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
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Dinsmore, James J.
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Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
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Big Marsh Wildlife Area
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Big Marsh
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freshwater marsh
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The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rodney Steere. | Elimination of similar species: Nothing it could be confused with
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
8
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3
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Ingham Lake, 1988
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Administrative records Field notes
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1988-10-23
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1996-04-24
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Ingham Lake in Emmet County on October 23, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
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Hartwig, Thomas P.
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Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
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Ingham Lake State Game Management Area
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Ingham lake, Emmet County - on Refuge
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Duck was seen standing on a rock and then it went into the water for a little while, then back on the rock
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The documentation form by Tom Hartwig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Doug Lemke. | Elimination of similar species: Left unmolested.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
8
|
3
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