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 Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-03	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Res., Marion Co. Iowa.	Des Moines River below Red Rock Reservoir dam.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis L. Moore, Robert K. Myers, Beth Proescholdt, Thomas J. Staudt, Peter C. Petersen, Dennis Thompson, Carl J. Bendorf, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Hank Zaletel, Phyllis Harris, Gil Sandvick, Carol McMillen, Pauline Mairs, Gladys Black, Jim Fuller, Darwin Koenig, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, John Bowles, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and yellow legs exclude Great Black-backed, Western, and Slaty-backed Gulls. Size excludes Yellow-footed Gull. Mantle to [sic] dark for California Gull and leg color too yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at South Sabula Lakes County Park, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-03-10	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at South Sabula Lakes County Park in Jackson County, IA on March 10, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Karole Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	South Sabula Lakes Park	South Sabula Lakes County Park, Sabula, Jackson County	Mississippi River backwater/harbor	The documentation form by Jim and Karole Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other adult dark mantled gulls have pink legs, except the Yellow-footed gull which is seen at the Salton Sea, and extreme southwest California. That bird has never been seen away from that area, and should be noticeably larger than a Lesser black backed gull. The European race of the Herring gull has yellow legs, and one has been seen on the east coast the past two winters. That bird should be larger, and does not have a dark mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:03:00/14:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull at Big Creek Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-14	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on November 14, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Little Gull	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Lake	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Ray Cummins, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Bob Myers, Chris Caster, Carol Thompson, Jim Sandrock, Tim Schantz, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Fred Brink, Phil Walsh, Dick Tetrault, Hank Zaletel, Dennis Thompson, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Jane Clark, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: gulls. The black underwings eliminated all other gulls except Ross', which has a smaller bill and an obvious wedge-shaped tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:52:00/13:08:00 and 16:20:00/16:44:00 on November 14, 1994.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
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 Little Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-08	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 8, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the request for reevaluation of record, a photograph, photocopy of two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Little Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-seen off Sandpiper Beach Recreation Area	seen flying over large reservoir with several Ring-billed Gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Pam Allen and Reid Allen were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was obviously too small to be one of the larger gulls, like a Ring-billed or a Herring gull. The very pale mantle, dark spot behind each eye, and lack of black on the top of the primaries eliminates Franklin's and Laughing gulls. The black underside of the flight feathers, pale gray mantle and wings, white wingtips, and rounded wings eliminates Bonaparte's and Sabine's gulls and kittiwakes. The square tail and wing pattern eliminates Ross' Gull. The smaller size, black underside of the flight feathers, lack of a white "wedge" on the upper surface of the outer primaries, rounder wings, and lack of black on the upper surface of the primaries eliminates Common Black-headed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull near Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-27	1997-10-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull near Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 27, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence requesting reevaluation of record, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Little Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-near Jester Park	flying and feeding over reservoir with other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ann Johnson was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, black "W" across the back of the wings, lack of a lighter "window" on the inner primaries, and slightly blunter wingtips eliminates all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:22:00/18:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull south of Council Bluffs, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-23	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull south of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 23, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, three photographs, articles in Iowa Bird Life and American Birds, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Rose, B.J.	Little Gull	Council Bluffs	Approximately 2 miles south of Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. It was about 1/2 mile north of the turn-off to the North Settling Pond of Iowa Power Plant, on the west side of highway L-31 (gravel).	Flooded fields.	The documentation form by B.J. Rose forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Babs Padelford was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's Gull is larger with longer, black-tipped primaries; has a shorter hood on back of head and neck and has white underside of wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
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 Long-billed Curlew south of Black Hawk Lake, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-22	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Long-billed Curlew south of Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on May 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Long-billed Curlew	Black Hawk Lake	dredge pond area southeast of Blackhawk Lake in Sac Co.		The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joshua Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Whimbrel was eliminated by size, color and bill size. The whimbrel should have been slightly smaller to about the same size as the marbled godwits. The brown body and cinnamon wing linings did not fit whimbrel either. The bill size is variable with shorebirds, however the great length of the bill was more suggestive of the long billed curlew. The call heard does not fit the description for whimbrel in my National Geographics [sic] Field guide to Birds of North America. Three outside possibilities the far Eastern curlew, Eurasian curlew, and bristle thighed curlew were eliminated as well. The far Eastern curlew size is about the same as that of the marbled godwit. The bird also has white wing linings with dark barring. The barring would be hard to see, however the lighter color would be distinguishable. The Eurasion [sic] curlew was eliminated because this bird would have a white rump, and white wing linings. The bird I saw in flight turned and twisted. I did not notice any white markings on the rump. The bristle thighed curlew is much more similar to the smaller whimbrel and would be eliminated by small size, shorter bill and call - "chu-a-wut". \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:50:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Long-tailed Jaeger at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-04	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Long-tailed Jaeger at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on September 4, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photocopy of two photos, field notes of the sighting, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Long-tailed Jaeger	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh - Sac Co about 2 1/2 miles N of Lake View on M68. West sided of Hiway.	Marsh.	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford, Ross Silcock, Harold White, Lee A Schoenewe, Peter C. Petersen, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Don Poggensee, Mark Proescholdt, and Beth Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Joshua Ernzen, Nancy Shoenewe, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, Pam Poggensee, Dan Smith, Bob Livermore, Jim Sinclair, Bill Huser, Dick Tetrault, Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, Kelly McKay, Roland Barth, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Jaeggers [sic] - Long tail & no brown on chest. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1988-10-03	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on October 3, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article Iowa Bird Life, two pages from Iowa Birdlife by Gladys Black, internal correspondence on the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Youngblut, David	Magnificent Frigatebird	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir	Lake	The documentation form by David Youngblut is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gladys Black. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1988-10-02	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County on October 2, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, an introductory letter from Ann Johnson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	DeVore, Dawn L.	Magnificent Frigatebird	Lake Red Rock	Behind Visitor Center at Lake Red Rock, Marion Co., IA	Freshwater lake shore	The documentation form by Dawn L. DeVore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: After getting the bird book, I took my knowledge of the birds in the area and my mental picture and went to work. I ruled out the turkey vulture because the bird was too streamlined like a tern. I looked at the terns, soon realizing that there were no almost completely black terns. Thus I turned to the gulls. I knew it had to be a water area type bird because of its body and bill shape. Remembering the bill I quickly ruled out the gulls. Thus I turned to the cormorants but the tail was wrong, the neck was too long and more so the cormorant was out of the picture. Thinking I recalled hearing about a sighting of a rare bird in Iowa, only the night before had I looked at an outline of its body shape. Bingo! That was it! The shapes matched but what was the name? I went through the bird section page by page. Then there it was - the Magnificent Frigatebird. This was it; almost all black, large yet streamlined, "forked" or V shaped "tail", and that unique bill. Then the fact that the bird I saw had no red and two side by side white breast areas confirmed that it was a female Magnificent Frigatebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Marbled Murrelet at Whitebreast Cove at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-12	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Marbled Murrelet at Whitebreast Cove at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 12, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Marbled Murrelet	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co.-off Whitebreast Cove	large patch of open water on reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Brian Warson. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was clearly an alcid. The small size rules out the murres, Razorbill, and guillemots (see earlier discussion). The long, thin bill eliminates Dovekie, Ancient Murrelet, and all of the auklets. The bill shape, dark cap that included the eye, and presence of two white patches on each side eliminates all other murrelets, especially Kittlitz's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Lakeview Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-20	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Lakeview Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 20, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Lakeview Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA-on jetty at Lakeview Rec. Area	perched on jetty with other gulls	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Susan Grove, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: On the basis of size and general plumage characters, this species could only be confused with Ring-billed Gull, hundreds of which were available for direct comparison. The combination of slightly smaller size, distinct head shape, bill color and shape, dark eye, and slightly darker mantle and upperwings are sufficient to eliminate Ring-billed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:42:00/16:53:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Lock and Dam 14, 1982	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-12-19	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Lock and Dam 14 in Scott County, IA on December 19, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, comments and correspondence on the sighting, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Laughing Gull	Lock and Dam 14	Lock and Dam 14, Scott Co. Iowa	Mississippi River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas J. Staudt, Peter C. Petersen, Tim Dwyer, and Francis L. Moore were submitted. Other observers include Don Moeller, Jean Moeller, Mary Lou Petersen, Bob Linden, Clark Scott, and Larry Linder. \| Elimination of similar species: Separated from Ring-bill by gray head and mantle, wing-tip, size, character of terminal tail band, and bill color and shape. Separated from Franklin's by wing tip pattern (in face of nearly white tail, ie 2nd year bird) \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:40:00/09:50:00 and 14:15:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-11	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 11, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Red Rock Dam	below Red Rock Reservoir dam, Marion Co., IA	spillway	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair, Ray Cummins, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Jim Fuller, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species with which this bird could be confused is Ring-billed Gull. The tail and wing patterns, generally darker coloration, large eye, and smaller bill all eliminate first-winter Ring-billed Gull. Identification to subspecies was based on tail pattern and more extensive dark color on head and underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-29	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 29, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The wing pattern, size, and lack of black marks on the face eliminated any of the smaller gulls (i.e. Bonaparte's). The small size and smaller bill size eliminated California Gull. Ring-billed Gull was eliminated on the basis of the darker mantle and upperwings, large, dark eye, and bill color and shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:03:00/16:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
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 Mississippi Kite at Cardinal Marsh, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-05-29	1993-08-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mississippi Kite at Cardinal Marsh in Winneshiek County, IA on May 29, 1978. Includes two record review documents with votes, two documentation forms, an Iowa Bird Life article, additional notes on the bird, and internal correspondence submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Mississippi Kite	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	Cardinal Marsh	Edge of woods near open cattail marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tom Stone, Jr. and Sr. were submitted later. Other observers include Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed Kite does not have as dark a back as this bird ha and is also too light below. This bird definately [sic] did not have a deeply forked tail as a Swallow-tailed Kite would have had. \| The original event lasted from 11:15:00 to 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-19	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 19, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Babcock Access	Coraville Reservoir, Babcock Access, Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir with open mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings indicate a kite or falcon. The gliding flight was that of a kite not a falcon. The white body and head also eliminates all falcons. The lack of white rump as well as the flight pattern eliminate Northern Harrier. Swallow-tailed Kite would have a forked tail and different flight pattern. Black-shouldered Kite has a white and black shoulder. The lack of white patches in the secondaries and brownish tail indicate a subadult (first year bird). I looked for bands in the tail, but could not appreciate them. Failure to see bands could be due to the lighting and distance or, as noted by Clark and Wheeler, to the fact that "A few immatures have solid, unbanded dark brown tails." The prominent light and dark underwing puzzled me, but Dunne says that "Immature has body and underwing coverts buffy, with dark streaking and spotting of variable density; may be lighter or darker than illustrated." The underwing coverts and body appeared about the same shade to me. The lighting and distance may have precluded my appreciating any streaking. This bird appeared lighter than the bird I saw at Dudgeon Lake last year, especially the underwing coverts. The profile and flight characteristics allowed me to immediately recognize the bird as a Mississippi Kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Des Moines, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Mississippi Kites in the Des Moines Area in Polk County, IA on August 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Olivet Baptist Church - Des Moines area	Church parking lot with large trees and open spaces and creek	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner and Phil McFadden. \| Elimination of similar species: It's quite distinctive. A white-tailed Kite has black shoulders and a white tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
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 Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-12	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 12, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, correspondence about bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr. Stone, Tom	Mississippi Kite	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	Lowland river bottoms with Deciduous Woodland	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone Sr. \| Elimination of similar species: Like Marsh Hawk which has a white rump patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at suburban Des Moines, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-06-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Mississippi Kites at suburban Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopy of an Iowa Bird Life magazine cover page photograph, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Suburban Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa	Wooded residential	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim and Jane Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Ann Johnson, and Barbara L. Wilson were submitted later. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Dennis Thompson, Cecile Thompson, Ross Silcock, Tanya Bray, Beth Proescholdt, Ann Crane, Fred Crane, Jim Dinsmore, Sue Spieker, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Brown, John Cecil, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed kite has white tail, black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:10:00 on June 22, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
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