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 Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Charts (graphic documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-01-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on January 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, appraisal and comparison of relevant bird sightings, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf	Mississippi River between Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, Illinois. The bird was at times in both states.	Ice floes and open water of Mississippi River.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H. Kent was submitted. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Peter Petersen, Ann Barker, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Western gull is the same size as herring gull, as is slaty backed gull and lesser black backed gull is smaller than herring. The very large legs and bill would also speak against lesser black-backed and slaty-backed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:40:00 on January 14, 1991 and 07:41:00/07:48:00 and 08:12:00/08:28:00 on January 17, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mourning Dove at Des Moines in 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1977-09-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Mourning Dove at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 15, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Ringed Turtle in Dove in Des Moines in Iowa Bird Life 47(3):112 by Helen M. Peasley, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ringed Turtle-Dove	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Black-backed Gull in Iowa before 1870	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1870-01-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Great Black-backed Gulls in Iowa before 1870. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication A Catalogue of the Birds of Iowa by J.A. Allen, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Great Black-backed Gull	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sharp-tailed Grouse near Hamburg in 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Captive wild birds Rare birds	1975-09-01	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Sharp-tailed Grouse near Hamburg in Fremont County, IA on June 14, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 45:92 by Woodward H. Brown seen by Ione Getscher.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Sharp-tailed Grouse	Hamburg				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sharp-tailed Grouse near Hamburg in 1974	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Captive wild birds Rare birds	1974-12-01	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Sharp-tailed Grouse near Hamburg in Fremont County, IA on November 13, 1974. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 44:101 by Woodward H. Brown seen by Ione Getscher.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Sharp-tailed Grouse	Hamburg				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Brewer's Blackbird at Zirbel Slough, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-08	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Brewer's Blackbird at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on September 8, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Brewer's Blackbird	Zirbel Slough	Zirbel Slough, Cerro Gordo Co., IA	Marsh	The documentation form by Jim Bangma and Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rusty Blackbird ruled out by solid black color, deeper call note, bill shape. Grackles ruled out by tail length, bill size and shape and call note. Cowbirds ruled out by eye color, tail length and head/bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-18	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge in Clinton County, IA on December 18, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kaufman, Sharon	Wood Thrush	Eden Valley County Refuge	West Valley at Eden Valley Refuge (Lost Nation CBC)	Shrubs at hardwood timber edge	The documentation form by Sharon Kaufman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Jack Wohlstadter. \| Elimination of similar species: Hermit and Grey Cheeked Thrush. This bird had more conspicuous eye, larger and more numerous breast spots. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Great Black-backed Gull	White Breast Creek	Whitebreast Point, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Flying over open water and ice	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size (larger than Herring) eliminated most others. White head and black and white checkering eliminate Lesser Black-backed and Herring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-10-23	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on October 23, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Great Black-backed Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Black hawk Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Because I did not see the bird from front I could not eliminate other species - However due to its extreme size I eliminated all other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:34:00/10:34:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Black-backed Gull near the Keokuk Wastewater Treatment Plant, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-25	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed near the Keokuk Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lee County, IA on December 25, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Great Black-backed Gull	Keokuk Wastewater Plant	Near Sewage treatment plant, Mississippi River, Keokuk, Lee Co. IA	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: All other gulls eliminated based upon size alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 and around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-02-28	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on February 28, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Ben Butterworth Parkway	Mississippi River between Bettendorf, Iowa and Moline, Illinois (Scott Co.).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] In the middle of the group was a gull that was darker than any of the other birds, even the immature Herring Gulls. [...] In general size, this bird appeared almost twice the size of the Ring-billed Gulls, and considerably larger than the Herring Gulls, maybe 25%. It also had a massive bill compared to either of those species. [...] The legs were a dull gray-pink, and they were noticeably thicker than those of the Herring or Ring-billed Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-07	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on March 7, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Great Black-backed Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Beach ,Saylorville Lake	Beach	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only gull which approaches the Gr. Bl-backed in size is the Glaucous Gull - this species would not have a dark tail band or dark secondaries or an all dark bill \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-02-07	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on February 7, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, comparison of different gull sightings, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock Number 19	Lock 19, Keokuk, Lee Co.		The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ann Johnson was submitted. Another observer was Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The black mantle really eliminates most other gulls. Western Gull, a remote possibility, is smaller and has a slightly paler mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/15:40:00 on February 7, 1991 and 13:32:00/14:20:00 on February 8, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Iowa Ornitholgists' Union code of ethics	Administrative records	Ornithology--Societies, etc	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa Ornithologists' Union code of ethics adapted from the RSPB Code.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	1	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-13	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 13, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great Black-backed Gull	Davenport	Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa	Mississippi River north of Credit Is.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, all black upper wing and back, large head and bill, pink legs eliminate all other black-backed gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:40:00/13:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Black-backed Gull east of Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-18	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 18, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Missisippi River just E (upstream) of Lock 15 in Davenport	river ice	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen 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 Mary Lou Petersen, Walter Zuurdeeg, Ann Barker, and Don Moeller. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Black-backed Gull - this bird too large, mantle color too dark, legs color was pink, not yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:50:00 and 13:00:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at Cone Marsh, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-03-29	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 29, 1996 Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh (Louisa County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Comparisons to Pectoral and Baird's Sandpipers have been made during description. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ross' Goose at Cone Marsh, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-03-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Ross' Goose at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 11, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross' Goose	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co., IA	Marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose - see above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:33:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ross' Goose at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-03-02	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ross' Goose at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 2, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross' Goose	Coralville Lake	West overlook, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	reservoir above dam	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, bill shape and size, head shape used to separate from Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-03-21	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 21, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ross' Goose	Willow Slough Dam	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose! Seemed to differ in size, head shape, bill shape, color of bill (darker in Ross' goose) and lack of black grin mark. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ross' Goose at Forney Lake, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-03-19	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ross' Goose at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 19, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross' Goose	Forneys Lake	Forney L. Fremont Co. IA	large shallow lake-marsh Forney L.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow goose \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow-billed Loon at Little Wall Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-12-02	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-billed Loon at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on December 2, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, a print of four photos, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-billed Loon	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake, Hamilton Co., IA	Natural lake in glaciated area. All open water.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Chris Edwards, Jim Dinsmore, Stephen J. Dinsmore, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Kevin Healy, Dick Tetrault, Reid Allen, Pam Allen, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Proescholdt, Kay Niyo, Eric Haley, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and thick bill exclude Red-throated and Pacific Loons. The features that favor Yellow-billed over Common Loon include the bill shape, dark line to mid culmen, small eye, auricular patch, and the pattern of the foreneck and face (little extension of white and mottled color). The back pattern (wavy white lines rather than fuzzy white lines with dark bars) and paleness of the auricular patch indicate a juvenile. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-18	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 18, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Yellow-billed Loon	Clear Lake	North side of Clear Lake, Clear Lake, Iowa	Large open lake, no reeds or rushes in this area	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Color, plumage, and bill shape eliminated Cormorants. Size eliminated Red-throated and Pacific Loons. Basic and immature plumage. Common Loon eliminated by straight, yellow aulmen, very pale tannish face, brown auricular patch, overall pale appearance of head and neck, and brown, not black, body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	8
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Yellow-billed Loon	Clear Lake	West end of Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo Co. Ia off Harbor Inn parking lot	Sheltered, shallow end of large lake	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Walter and Curt Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Large bill, thicker at the base, and painted, not hooked at the tip eliminated immature Double-crested Cormorant. Larger size, bill shape and absence of white crescent from white chin to behind eye eliminated winter plumage Red-necked Grebe. Larger size and bill size, shape, and color eliminated winter plumage Pacific and Red-throated Loons. Heavy yellow bill, head paler than back, narrow area of crown and nape color, and brown appearance eliminated Common Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	8
Draft Iowa Ornithologists' Union code of ethics	Administrative records	Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-05-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Draft of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union code of ethics modeled after the American Birding Association code of ethics. Draft dated May 15, 1993.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	1	8