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 Laughing Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Dam, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-08-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on August 19, 1989. Includes one record review document with votes, four photographs of the bird, analysis of the photographs, an Iowa Bird Life article, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Laughing Gull	North Overlook Park	L. Red Rock, Dam Site Swim Beach, Marion County, IA	Sand beach bordering open water	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong, Jim Fuller, Peter C. Petersen, Thomas H. Kent, Robert Cecil, Jim Sinclair were submitted later. Other observers include Carol Thompson, Art Huser, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Heerman's gen'l coloration wrong, two-toned bill juv. too dark ventrally. Mew short bill, yellow or two-tone bill juv. two-tone bill, mottled or barred breast + flanks Mew (L.c. brachyrhynchus) bill short + two-toned 1st win. - tertials lack pale fringes Sabine's small size, distinct wing pattern, including white secondaries. Ivory all plumages generally white Black-headed Bill quite slender + two toned Bonapartes small size, bill small + slender Franklin short bill, juv underparts whitish Ring-Billed 2-tone bill in all plumages, juv spotted breast, larger \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:30:00 and 09:45:00/10:15:00 on August 19, 1989 and 07:15:00/07:45:00 and 08:45:00/09:45:00 on August 20, 1989.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-05-13	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve at Emmet County, IA on May 13, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Baird's Sparrow	Anderson Prairie State Preserve	Anderson Prairie State Preserve, Emmet Co., Iowa	General: Open Grassland Specific: Tall-Grass Prairie	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe, Bob Moats, Bob Madson, Mrs. Madson, Ellen Heine, Russ Heine, Pearl Osher, Dave Kuel, and three unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow - narrower median stripe, more of pale yellow-white. Heavier streaking on breast and down sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:42:00/08:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-03-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County, IA on March 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Emmetsburg	North of Emmetsburg on blacktop N-40 in Palo Alto County	Along roadside- cultivated field, brushy tile nearby	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Linda Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird and Western Bluebird have rust on breast; this bird was all blue. Indigo Bunting- size is smaller and doesn't have white under the tail. Also a darker blue color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Lake Anita State Park, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-03-07	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven Mountain Bluebirds at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on March 7, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Mountain Bluebird	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park	Hilly, grassy lake shore with red cedar	The documentation form by Bob Myers forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore, Ann Johnson, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Beth Brown, James Dinsmore, L. Paul Hertzel, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern bluebird would show reddish on throat and breast. Western bluebirds would be darker and also have chestnut on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Bettendorf, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-02-18	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on February 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Bettendorf	Mississippi River, Bettendorf, Scott Co., IA	seen from shore just south of I80 in area of cabins	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The primary identification was done through the size and shape of the head. The bird was lighter in color than the first-winter herring gulls in the same area and the wing pattern on both upper and lower sides eliminated herring, ring-billed and Iceland gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:42:00/12:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull near Lindsay Park in Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-02-18	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull near Lindsay Park in Davenport in Scott County, IA on February 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee for this sighting.	Petersen, Peter C.	Thayer's Gull	Lindsay Park	Lindsay Park Boat Club harbor, east edge of Davenport Scott Co.	On ice shelf along Mississippi River, 40 yards from sea wa[...]	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.Other observers include Walter Zuurdeeg and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Immature gull same size as nearby Herring Gulls. [...] Head smaller than Herrings, bill more slight, black, + not thickened at the tip, compared to Herrings. When wings spread - this was seen twice, the upper surface seemed fairly uniform with no dark tip pattern as in the Herrings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/09:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-28	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on January 28, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Lake, Polk Co., IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The primary identification was done through the size and shape of the head. Other similar gulls do not share this "dove head." The bird was confirmed by the silvery underwings and very little dark coloring on the upper side of the primaries, characteristics not shared by similarly gray-mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull near Horse Island near Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-02	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull near Horse Island near Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Thayer's Gull	Horse Island	downstream tip of Enchanted Island. Davenport, Scott Co. IA	Mississippi River - edge of open water, Iowa side	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins and Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - eye light, wing tips black with white windows, bill larger than Thayers. California Gull - eye light, wing tips black with white windows, yellow legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Bonaparte's Gull at Ottumwa, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-01	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bonaparte's Gull at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on January 1, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hoskins, Nelson R.	Bonaparte's Gull	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Ia.	Des Moines River, Below Hydro-dam	The documentation form by Nelson Hoskins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull - above mentioned markings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	22
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Black-headed Gull at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-02	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Black-headed Gull at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 2, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, photocopies of four photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-headed Gull	Cherry Glen Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Cherry Glen Rec. Area	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by B.J. Rose was submitted later. Other observers include Doug Rose, Roger Rose, and Ken Lowder. \| Elimination of similar species: Because of the fairly small size and conspicuous dark spot behind each eye, the bird must have been a Bonaparte's, Little, Common Black-headed, or Ross' gull, or a kittiwake. Separation from Bonaparte's Gull is discussed above. Little Gull eliminated by its smaller size, dark bill, lack of any black color on the upperwing, and uniformly dark underside to the flight feathers. Ross' Gull eliminated by tail shape, bill size and color, and darker underwing. Both kittiwakes eliminated by bill color, lighter mantle color, and differences in wing pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:17:00/16:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Laughing Gull at Mississippi River Pool 18 in Des Moines County, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-09	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Laughing Gulls at Mississippi River Pool 18 in Des Moines County, IA on September 9, 1989. Includes one record review document with votes, two photographs, analysis of the photograph, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Laughing Gull	Pool 18	Mississippi River, 2 south and 5 east of Kingston, Des Moines Co., Iowa.	Mississippi River several miles above dam.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Louise Augustine and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The juvenile bird is distinctive and I was able to pick it out quickly. When we first saw the second-year bird, we considered both Franklin's and Laughing gulls. A juvenile or first-winter Franklin's would not have uniform gray in the wing coverts. A second-summer or second-winter Franklin's Gull would not have a full tail band. The bill shape also favors Laughing Gull. The bird appears to be in second-winter plumage, except for the tail band which fits better with first-summer plumage. I was impressed with the soft grayness of the bird and its similarity the birds I photographed recently in North Carolina. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Barrow's Goldeneye at IPL Ponds, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-12	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at Iowa Power and Light plant ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 12, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G.	Barrow's Goldeneye	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa, Pottawattamie County, south of Council Bluffs, the south pond of the Iowa Power and Light plant's ponds, two miles north of the county line (three miles north of the Bellevue exit on I-29); also present was Betty Grenon.		The documentation form by Alan G. Grenon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Betty Grenon. \| Elimination of similar species: A large oblong crescent was between the eye and bill, the head was of a different shape than the Commons, being longer behind than they were. The back had more black and less white than the Commons, having a white mark, almost a line, curving up and back from near the shoulder, in an otherwise all-black back (as seen). The eye was light, white to yellow. In flight, its back had more black an less white than nearby flying Common Goldeneye. Other than noted, it was similar to the Common Goldeneye in size, form, and behavior. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Long-billed Curlew at Riverton Area, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1989-04-11	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Long-billed Curelew at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on April 11, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Priebe, Carl	Long-billed Curlew	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton Area Fremont County, IA	Shallow water area 3-4" of about 1-2 acres surrounded by mudflats	The documentation form by Carl Priebe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Whimbrel - The curlew was larger than the Marbled Godwit, Whimbrels would be about the same size or slightly smaller. Marbled Godwit - This bird has an upturned bill Hudsonian Godwit - This bird has an upturned bill No other bird has a bill comparable to the length and downward curve of the Long-billed Curlew \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at the MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-08-27	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at the MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on August 27, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Whimbrel	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Ponds, Pott Co., IA		The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Loren Padelford, Babs Padelford, Doug Rose, B.J. Rose, Roger Rose, and Tanya Bray. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Notable however was call - a rather mellow series of piping notes. (Somewhat like a musical Lesser Yellowlegs). The only other possibilities, Marbled Godwit & Longbilled Curlew, have very different calls. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-08	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on October 8, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Black Rail	McBreen Marsh	South end of a restored wetland on the north side of the McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 4 mi. NW of Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	Was in 3 20-30' diam. clumps of river bulrush surrounded by mudflats	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jeffrey K. Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora and Virginia Rail - was smaller and different color (black) than these. Yellow rail - wrong color, also \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at Zirbel Slough, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-05-15	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 15, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Black Rail	Zirbel Slough	East-west dike n. side of Zirbel Slough, Cerro Gordo Co., Ia	Open pool of water between dike and dense marsh	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim B. Walter and Edna E. Peters. \| Elimination of similar species: Size; Rail shape, flight, and behavior eliminated near-by Blackbirds. It was too early in the year for a downy Rail chick in North Iowa. Also downy chicks would not be able to fly. Very small size and all black color eliminated other Rail species. Even though we did not see the reddish wash on the back, white speckling on the wings, or barring on the flanks; the black, not reddish, underparts eliminated the possibility of a small Virginia Rail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:13:00/19:13:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Paulina, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-06-03	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Paulina in O'Brien County, IA on June 3, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Ferruginous Hawk	Paullina	5 miles North of Paulina Iowa OBrien [sic] Co.	Flat, Agricultural, only farm Groves for Trees	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Swainson's Hawk have dark primaries. Red Tails with light tails have a terminal band. This one didn't. Red Tails do not have dark legs that are feathered to the ankle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:18:00 and 09:40:00 to 09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville on edge of Louisa and Muscatine County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ferruginous Hawk	Conesville	1 mi. W. conesville edge of Muscatine and Louise Cos., IA	cultivated fields	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian, Corey, and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged hawk - underwing would show more dark in the underwing coverts, well defined tail band. Kriders Red-tail - has a very light head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Benton Township in Fremont County, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-17	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Benton Township in Fremont County, IA on January 17, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes of the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ferruginous Hawk	Benton Township	Benton TWP, Fremont Co., IA.	Open Missouri riverbottom; soybean stubble fields	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See attached discussion. (After writing my field notes at the site of observation and returning home later I found the stnadard field guides most unhelpful. Dunne et al's discussion of Ferruginous was tremendous, indicating variation in Ferruginous Hawks, and especially in discussion of flight characteristics, 'jizz', and behavior [...] The only possibility which is realistic to consider is Redtailed [sic] Hawk, or possibly Rough-legged Hawk. While similar in 'jizz' to a rough-leg (long tail, flight with 'crooked' (=osprey-like) wings, darker mottling underneath, longish wings), Roughleg can be eliminated by the following characters - absence of characteristic underwing pattern, including significant wrist mark (Ferruginous should show this to some extent according to Dunne et al, but I did not see it; remember I did not see the underparts well), and method of hunting-I have never seen a roughleg fly this low over the ground for this long (about a mile) - much lower and more consistently so than a harrier. Regarding elimination of Red-tail - I really think it is easier to eliminate Red-tail than rough-leg based on 'jizz'. The tail was too long, was never spread, and wings were long than Red-tail's. Tail pattern and 'three points of light' combination also is never seen on a Redtail [sic], especially when viewed from above. (The similarity to Roughleg [sic] in pattern can be seen in the front end paper in Dunne et al). Habitat and behavior also are important - while Redtails [sic] are very common in Fremont County, they are definitely not common on the open Missouri bottomlands. Redtail [sic] is a bird of edge habitat. I always look closely at any buteo seen from October to April on the open bottomlands. I have never seen any other buteo fly as low to the ground for as long as this bird - when i say low, I mean 1-2 ft above the ground. At no time was the bird higher than 6', and that was when perched on possibly the lowest post for some distance. Even a Harrier will rise and fall while hunting. This bird stayed low, in the manner of a hunting Golden Eagle (which I have seen in Western Kansas) - a point also mentioned by Dunne et al. Another point noted by Dunne et al and also shown in my sketch (purposely!) and, mentioned in my field notes was the osprey-like crook in the wings-while flying low over the ground. Dunne et al note that this is characteristic of a hunting Ferruginous. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Red Rock Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-02	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 2, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Ferruginous Hawk	Lake Red Rock	Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	pasture with wooded draw to the south	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was a classic case of delayed reaction as I began sorting through in my mind as I drove down the road. The large size and bulk of the bird, plus the broad, rounded tail made it an obvious buteo. After double-checking all phases of the rough-legged hawk in Clark's Hawks, I once again eliminated rough-leg because of the nearly all white underparts. However, redtail wasn't fitting either, even a light phase, and a few miles down the road the ferruginous crossed my mind. I pulled off the road, made a few notes, and began researching with the guides at hand. The most troublesome field mark was the 'white tail with gray band.' I have seen numerous redtails give the white rump appearance but none have had the distinctive white tail/gray terminal band. There was absolutely no dark patagial marking on the underwing. The combination of field marks (or lack thereof) would seem to approach an immature Krider's redtail. I eliminated this bird because of the appearance of one, wide gray tail band and the more uniform coloring of the body - very little white mottling. Although I wish I'd had a longer look, I came to the conclusion that the combination of what I had observed pointed toward an immature ferruginous hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Harris's Hawk at South of Blairstown, 1989	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-10	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Harris's Hawk at South of Blairstown in Benton County, IA on September 10, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Harris's Hawk	Blairstown	2 1/2 miles South of Blairstown (Benton Co.) along I-56	Feedlot and open grazing land (hilly)	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Keith Carris, Carl Bendorf, Jim Fuller, and Ken Lowder. \| Elimination of similar species: Hawk at one time - appeared to be about the same size. White-tailed hawk has similar shoulder patch but breast is light. Dark phase Swainson's or red tail do not have white undertail or this tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-shinned Hawk at Jackson Township, 1989	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-07-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-shinned Hawk at Jackson Township in Hardin County on July 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting by David Conrads to Carl Bendorf, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Conrads, David J.	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Jackson Township	NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 SEC 13 T-88N R-20W Jackson Twp Hardin Co.	Upland forest, steep ravine	The documentation form by David J. Conrads is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Keith Franzen and Nixon Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Due to its significantly smaller size than a Cooper's Hawk, we concluded that it was a HY male Sharp-shinned Hawk. We also listened to "A Field Guide to Bird Songs" and although the Sharp-shinned recording was that of 175 "kek-kek-kek" warning/alarm call, the Cooper's Hawk recording was that of a food begging call which was very similar but of a significantly lower pitch than that of the bird we observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	27
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Dudgeon Lake area, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-06-06	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Dudgeon Lake in Benton County, IA on June 6, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, three photographs, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Dudgeon Lake State Wildlife Mgt Area	Dudgeon Lake area - N. of Vinton - (Benton Co.)	Riverbottom woods along Cedar River with pond and power line cut	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Carl J. Bendorf, Beth Proescholdt, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, Peter C. Petersen, and Diane Porter were submitted later .Other observers include Brian Blevins, Phyllis Harris, Jim Sinclair, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Marc Phelps, Dave Conrads, Anne Barker, and Steve Poe. \| Elimination of similar species: There really are no similar species. An adult Black-shouldered Kite is very distinctive and the immature does not have a barred tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:33:00/07:45:00 and 11:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-29	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G.	Thayer's Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa, Pottawattamie County, south of Council Bluffs, the north pond of the Iowa Power and Light plant's ponds, two miles north of the county line (three miles north of the Bellevue exit on I-29), just east of Interstate highway 29.		The documentation form by Alan G. Grenon forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford and Ross Silcock were submitted. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, Loren Padelford as well as four unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The most likely similar species are Iceland and Herring Gulls. Iceland Gull (first winter) is eliminated by the combination of the following characters: wing-tip darker than body at rest; wing-tip and secondaries darker above than remainder of wing; tail marked above by a darker band covering most of the distal portion; a possible darker area around the eye. Herring Gull (first winter) is eliminated by the combination of the following characters: wing-tip at rest brown-tan, not black; wing-tip and secondary bar tan in flight, not black; primaries with thin, pale tips; tail bar tan, not black; bill all dark; bill and head delicate; bill thin. Glaucous Gull would have been larger relative to Ring-billed Gulls, with a massive bill light with a dark tip, large head, and wing-tips and secondaries would not have been darker than other upper parts. California Gull (first winter) would have black or near-black primaries, secondaries, tail, and a mostly pale bill with a black tip. Glaucous-winged Gull and hybrids thereof eliminated by bill and head structure and body size all smaller/finer in this bird, tail and wing pattern. AG. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00 on October 29, 1989, from 11:30:00/12:15:00 and around 14:00:00 on the October 30, 1989.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-06	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 6, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	North Overlook Park	North Overlook Beach, Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	Sandy beach on man-made reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Iceland Gull - basically eliminated by darker color and narrow chocolate edges to outer primaries. Kumlien's - presence of tail band would seem to eliminate Herring - eliminated by combination of: structure and size of body and bill; shape of head; more uniform coloration above, especially lighter colored primaries; light flight feathers from below contrasting with darker wing lining; lighter color of tail band \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3