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 Burrowing Owl east of Larchwood, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-08-30	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Burrowing Owl east of Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on August 30, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a photograph submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Burrowing Owl	Larchwood	[...] probable nest site three miles east of Larchwood.		The article by Doug Harr forms the basis of this record. Another observer is Dolly Zangger. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I saw no evidence of other owls on this or subsequent visits.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1969	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1969-06-22	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on June 22, 1969. Includes a record review document with votes and an article reviewed by the committee.	Bramel, Grover C.	Western Tanager	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge		The article by Grover C. Bramel forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It was identified as a male Western Tanager in full breeding plumage, by the following: Size; comparable to more common Scarlet Tanager or Baltimore Oriole; [...] At about the same time and location a bird of similar appearance except for the red face, was seen flying between trees, and may have been the female Western Tanager. \| The original documentation form event lasted around a minute.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-09-08	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 8, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and the article California Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Iowa Bird Life 61:20 by Stephen Dinsmore reviewed by the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	California Gull	Oak Grove Recreation Area	[...] Oak Grove Beach Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County.		The article by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...]The bird was similar in size to the largest Ring-billed Gulls, but slightly larger than others. I approached closer and noted that, when compared to a Ring-billed Gull, the bird had duller yellow legs, a stouter bill with black and red spots near the tip of the lower mandible, and a darker gray mantle. [...] The bird was slightly larger than most of the Ring-billed Gulls, although one or two of the biggest Ring-billed Gulls were as large as the bird I was studying. Proportionately, the bird was heavier and larger-headed than a Ring-billed Gull. [...] I estimated the mantle color to be about midway between those of Ring-billed Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. [...] The bill was heavier than the bill of a Ring-billed Gull and had a distinct gonys. The legs were pale gray-green, unlike the bright yellow legs of a Ring-billed Gull. Leg length appeared similar to a Ring-billed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Frank Starr Park, 1969	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1969-05-08	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Frank Starr Park in Buena Vista County, IA on May 8, 1969. Includes one record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Crocker, Virginia R.	Western Tanager	Frank Starr Park	[...] West Park is a state-owned 13 acre strip of land between Storm Lake and Little Storm Lake on the west side of Iowa 110.		The article by Virginia Crocker is the only one reviewed and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ruth Thornton. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Many insects were flying, and we were watching the large number of Myrtle Warblers feeding on the insects when Ruth exclaimed, "What is that bird with the bright red head?--I've never seen one like it before." Then the bird came into full view. The brilliant colors were breath-taking, and we had little trouble identifying it as a male Western Tanager. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Green-tailed Towhee at Storm Lake, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1975-05-05	2000-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Green-tailed Towhee at Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, IA on May 5, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes and an Iowa Bird Life article reviewed by the committee.	Crocker, Virginia R.	Green-tailed Towhee	Storm Lake	306 W. Ninth St., Storm Lake		The article by Virginia R. Crocker forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Edwin Crocker, Emily Ruth Campbell, Verne Campbell, Barney Campbell, and Georgia Campbell. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Raven west of Mason City, 1966	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1966-12-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven west of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 28, 1966. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Roosa, Dean M.	Common Raven	Mason City	[...] driving from Clear Lake to Mason City		The documentation article by Dean M. Roosa forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Bailey. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Its flight pattern, size, and rounded or wedge-shaped tail distinguished it from nearby Crows.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Band-tailed Pigeon west of Fort Dodge, 1970	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1970-09-05	1995-02-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Band-tailed Pigeon west of Fort Dodge in Webster County, IA on September 5, 1970. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Crawford, John	Band-tailed Pigeon	Fort Dodge	[...] seven miles West of Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa on the farm of Joseph R. Crawford.		The documentation article by John A. Crawford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joseph R. Crawford. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] This bird first caught my attention by the fact that it lacked the typical white rump of a Rock Dove.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Gray Owl near Quarry, 1959	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1959-05-12	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl near Quarry in Marshall County, IA on May 12, 1959. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Mitchem, Lucile	Great Gray Owl	Quarry	[...] gravel road that follows the Iowa River near the small town of Quarry.		The documentation article by Lucile E. Mitchem forms the basis of this record. Other observer includes her daughter. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I was well acquainted with the Barred Owl, the only other owl an amateur might confuse with the larger Great Gray Owl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:30:00/05:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Fejervary Park, 1950	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1950-05-07	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Fejervary Park in Davenport in Scott County, IA on May 7, 1950. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article reviewed by the committee .	Feeney, Thomas J.	Townsend's Warbler	Fejervary Park	[...] in a ravine at Fejuvary [sic] Park, Davenport.		The documentation article by Thomas J. Feeney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Thomas Morrissey. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] the distinctive face pattern, the combination of black crown and striped sides made identification certain. \| Observation lasted for ten minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Bluebird at Black Hawk Park, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1975-04-10	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Black Hawk Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 10, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Dowell, Virgil Eugene	Mountain Bluebird	Black Hawk Park	[...] we observed a Mountain Bluebird just after crossing Snag Creek near the entrance to Black Hawk Park. This is a county park located at the northwest edge of Cedar Falls adjoining the Cedar River and is in the Cedar River floodplain.		The documentation article by Virgil E. Dowell forms the basis of this record. Other observers include fourteen students in the Field Zoology of Vertebrates class at University of Northern Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:20:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Whooping Crane north of Clinton, 1972	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1972-10-31	1993-08-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Whooping Crane north of Clinton in Clinton County, IA on October 31, 1972. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record of Whooping Crane in Clinton County in Iowa Bird Life 42:98 by Peter C. Petersen seen by George Aurand.	Aurand, George	Whooping Crane	Clinton	[...] about ten miles north of Clinton.		The documentation article in Iowa Bird Life by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. The original observer was George Aurand. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00 for several minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rufous Hummingbird at McClelland Beach at Spirit Lake, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-08-21	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rufous Hummingbird at McClelland Beach at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on August 21, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and four documentations submitted to the committee.	Winebrinner, Ruth L. Winebrinner, Edward Calvin	Rufous Hummingbird	McClelland Beach	We are on the north shore of Spirit Lake, Ia.		The documentation by Ed and Ruth Winebrinner forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Ed Thelen, Lee A. Schoenewe, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Another observer is LaVonne Foote. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Brown? Imature [sic] ruby-throats aren't brown, are they? About then a hummer flew by. It was brown!! \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning and afternoon of August 21, 1996 until 10:00:00 on August 23, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-21	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on April 21, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentations submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Little Gull	Black Hawk Lake	[...] south east corner of Blackhawk Lake in Sac Co.		The documentation by Peter Ernzen forms the basis of this record. A documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The other five hooded gulls were eliminated for a variety of reasons. Franklin's and Laughing Gull would be larger, darker mantled and have a prominent eye ring. Sabine's Gull would've had a bicolored bill, forked tail and different - white triangular - pattern to its wings. The larger Common Black-headed Gull looks like a larger version of a Bonaparte's Gull with a brownish hood and a red bill. The associated Bonaparte's Gulls were darker mantled and larger. The wings were more angular in appearance with a white leading edge and black wing tips. I have observed all but the Laughing Gull - though the Sabine's Gulls were immature, the distinctive wing pattern is present in both adults and immatures - and feel confident in calling this an adult Little Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00 and 11:00:00/11:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Lock 13, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull at Lock 13 in Clinton County, IA on October 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation field report submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Sabine's Gull	Lock and Dam 13	Lock 13 flying over channel near barges		The documentation field report by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen and Dennis Carter. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] much smaller than Ringbills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Selasphorus species at Chester, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Beneficial birds Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-25	2000-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Selasphorus species at Chester in Howard County, IA on September 25, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Tyler, Eleanor Tyler, Sanford	Rufous Hummingbirds	Chester	Feeder at Chester, Iowa home of Sanford + Eleanor Tyler	Bottle feeder + Locust Tree	The documentation form and letter by Eleanor and Sanford Tyler is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis Moore, Robert K. Myers, Beth Proescholdt, Mark Proescholdt, Steve Dinsmore, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Dennis Thompson, Kevin Tyler, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Allen's - eliminated by type of Storm and direction of Storm.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Barrow's Goldeneye at IPL Ponds, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-12	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at Iowa Power and Light plant ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 12, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G.	Barrow's Goldeneye	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa, Pottawattamie County, south of Council Bluffs, the south pond of the Iowa Power and Light plant's ponds, two miles north of the county line (three miles north of the Bellevue exit on I-29); also present was Betty Grenon.		The documentation form by Alan G. Grenon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Betty Grenon. \| Elimination of similar species: A large oblong crescent was between the eye and bill, the head was of a different shape than the Commons, being longer behind than they were. The back had more black and less white than the Commons, having a white mark, almost a line, curving up and back from near the shoulder, in an otherwise all-black back (as seen). The eye was light, white to yellow. In flight, its back had more black an less white than nearby flying Common Goldeneye. Other than noted, it was similar to the Common Goldeneye in size, form, and behavior. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Bean Goose at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-29	1994-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Bean Goose at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County on December 29, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles from bird publications, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G. Wright, Rick	Bean Goose	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	In air over DeSoto Lake, east of Wood Duck Nature Trail, Washington Cty., NE, and Pottowatomie Cty., IA, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge		The documentation form by Alan Grenon and Rick Wright is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren Padelford and Babs Padelford, Tanya Bray, Francis L. Moore, Thomas H. Kent, Ross Silcock, Barbara L. Wilson, and Steve Dinsmore were submitted later. Other observers include Jim Dinsmore, Betty Grenon, Graham Chisholm, David Starr, B.J. Rose, Duane Bright, Nancy Curry, Al Werthman, and Melba Wigg. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was noticed flying with seven greater white-fronted geese (A. albifrons), first noticed as significantly larger than accompanying A. albifrons, flew pas several times at distances greater than 200m. Some primaries were damaged. The A. albifrons all had visible pink bills, white faces, and speckled bellies (all adults) The A. fabalis was ca. 125% the size of A. albifrons, with a longer neck, longer bill, and a swan-like profile. Underside plain, grading from the dark brown at chin to white at the vent. Gray-brown above, back feathers with contrasting light edges, primaries dark. Bill: significantly longer than A. albifrons, dark with light area near or at tip, long head profile. Feet: orange. White above and at tip of tail as in A. albifrons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Dunbar Slough, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-22	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, IA on May 22, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fix, Andrew S.	Snowy Plover	Dunbar Slough	Southwest corner of Dunbar Slough		The documentation form by Andrew Fix is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore and Brian L. Blevins were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] 2) Semipalmated plover - completely banded; darker nape broken by band; dark mantle and wings; light legs; shorter bicolored bill 3) Wilson's plover - larger heavy bill; larger, heavy full band; larger size; no distinct auricular patch; pale legs 4) Killdeer - much larger size; two full bands; large, heavy bill; \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:45:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Boreal Chickadee at Osage, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-11-24	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Boreal Chickadees at Osage in Mitchell County, IA on November 24, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Woolfries, Andy	Boreal Chickadee	Osage	Osage, Iowa Home Feeder board	Home bird feeder - back yard - shrubs and trees.	The documentation form by Andy Woolfries is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Associated with other chickadees but noticable [sic] because of distinctive brown cap. There appeared to be only two. They were positively identified at least 20 times from a distance of about six feet. Reference: "Birds of North America". \| The original documentation form event occurred at least 20 times over November 24 to 26, 1978.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	49
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 16, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Least Flycatcher	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Primarily open edge and grassy area with pine tree plantings	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tim Schantz was submitted. Other observers include Roy Godwin and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Body and bill shape and behavior identified this bird as a flycatcher. The size, eye-ring and wing bars eliminated all but Empidonax flycatchers. Because of the late date on this bird, it is difficult to get an understanding of molt sequences which may or may not be helpful. From what I can find on molts, however, the following is based on best available information. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:55:00 and approximately 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-19	1995-07-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 19, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Mew Gull	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Sandy area at edge of open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Russ Widner and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dick Tetrault and Roy Godwin. \| Elimination of similar species: Size eliminated any gull larger than a Ring-billed. Although structurally the bird more closely represented one of the larger hooded gulls, they were eliminated by the lack of any hood or auricular spot. Furthermore, most hooded gulls with a tail band would also show a strong carpal bar. Laughing Gull could be eliminated by the more diminuative [sic] bill and leg color. Although some individuals seem to carry a vestige of their more motley juvenile plumage into first winter, Ring-billed Gull was eliminated by size, head and bill structure, and clear-cut as opposed to more diffuse tail band. I originally identified this bird as a Mew Gull based on my experience studying structural differences between Ring-billed and Mew gulls on the west coast. I have never seen a first-year Mew Gull, however. In researching the Mew on my return home, I concluded that the bird in question was not dark enough, nor brown enough, to be of the west coast sub-species. By virtue of its strong similarity to a Ring-billed Gull, this bird was most likely the European sub-species known as the Common Gull. Although according to Grant the bill description comes closer to L.c. brachyrhynchus, I assume that this bird's bill coloration was still changing from juvenile plumage. Apparently the Common Gull appears on occasion on the east coast and is therefore probably as likely a vagrant to Iowa as is the western form. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Riverton Area, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-12	1996-01-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-necked Stilt at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 12, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photo, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Black-necked Stilt	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton Wildlife Area, Fremont Co., IOWA	Broad expanse of mud flats	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Pam Allen and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Reid Allen, W. Ross Silcock, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Identification of a Black-necked Stilt is straight forward. The only other bird in North America which is even remotely similar is the American Avocet. It can be eliminated by the black feathering on the head and neck, straight bill, and pink legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:55:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-14	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on November 14, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, excerpts from Western Birds, articles in Pennsylvania birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, eight photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Empidonax Flycatchers	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi State Park, Warren County, IOWA	Woodland edge consisting primarily of honeysuckle and junipers	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Brian Blevins were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Peter Petersen, Kelly McKay, Corey Blevins, Jim Scheib, Jim Sinclair, John Daniel, Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, David Youngblut, Beth Brown, Sherry Dragula, Bill Overland, Jane Overland, John Miller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The date of observation is historically good for a vagrant western flycatcher species, so this was in the back of my mind in assessing the characteristics observed. The presence of both eye ring and wing bars, in addition to size and shape, indicate that the bird fits the Empidonax complex. The combination of green back, yellow throat and pure orange lower mandible with no markings would eliminate Least, Hammond's, Dusky, Gray, Buff-breasted, Alder, and Willow Flycatchers. A juvenile Acadian can be eliminated by the short primary extension, color of the wings, size and shape of the eye ring, and active behavior. Only three species are indicated by the green upper parts and yellow under parts. Two are separable only by voice. The choices were between Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Western (Cordilleran and Pacific-slope) Flycatcher. Back color is greener in Yellow-bellied and more olive in Western. Although the back looked olive, this was rather subjective. According to the Audubon Master Guide, behavior would be more indicative of a Yellow-bellied in that the bird was not flicking both tail and wings. According to Kaufman, however, behavior is quite variable. Three characteristics made me lean more toward Western complex. They were peaked appearance to the head (usually smooth and rounded in Yellow-bellied); almond-shaped eye ring (round, narrow, and more even in Yellow-bellied); and browner wings than eastern Empidonax. The color of the wings is again subjective, but the contrast between wing color and wing bars was less than the black/white (or even black/buff in fall birds) of eastern birds. Even with the variability that may occur in any Empidonax, it is unlikely that these three characteristics, which are common to the Western Flycatcher, would appear simultaneously in a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Further support is found in the Audubon Master Guide to Birding where it states in the description of Western Flycatcher, "...olive wash on the breast, flanks, and especially the sides tends to highlight a midventral yellow stripe" - one of the more obvious characteristics when viewed at close range from the front. IF the call notes heard belonged to this bird, it would indicate a Cordilleran Flycatacher, the most likely vagrant. None of us were able, however, to get the bird to call as we were observing it. Cal Knight played a tape and the bird became very agitated but did not call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/14:00:00 on November 14, 1992 and 11:30:00/13:45:00 on November 15, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Norwalk, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Norwalk in Warren County, IA on February 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, several photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Hoary Redpoll	Norwalk	Feeding station at 532 120th Avenue, Norwalk, Warren County, IA		The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and thels, one an adult male and the other a probable adult female, were present on the same day. Oftentimes all three birds were on the feeder concurrently which allowed for a number of comparisons. Characteristics which differentiated this bird from the Common Redpolls and identified it as a Hoary Redpoll: underlying color was lighter than the warmer, darker brown of the Commons, More extensive white feather edgings to the secondaries, tertials, and scapulars than shown on Commons, Broad white edge to the greater coverts, Buffy face and strong white supercilliary, Smaller red cap, Broken and shorter flank streaking, Short, triangular bill with resulting pushed in face, Nearly white undertail covers (Although brightly colored adult male Common Redpolls may have diminished markings on their undertail coverts, this bird had no red except for the cap.) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00 and periodically throughout the day. one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair, Stephen Dinsmore, and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Rick Trieff and Jane Fuller . \| Elimination of similar species: The only species this bird could be confused with is Common Redpoll. Two individua	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rock Wren near Indianola, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-04-25	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rock Wren near Indianola in Warren County, IA on April 25, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an American Birds article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Rock Wren	Indianola	Home of David Youngblut, 957 Fillmore, Indianola, Warren Co., IA	Residential acreage with flower beds constructed of railroad ties	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was larger and grayer than the usual Iowa wrens. The western sub-species of Bewick's Wren is gray but is also much smaller with a strong superciliary. Canyon Wren would be browner with white, unstreaked throat and breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	1