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 Pomarine Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Pomarine Jaegers at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, five photographs, an article in Iowa Bird life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pomarine Jaeger	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res. Polk Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by James J. Dinsmore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark coloration, gull-like shape, and white color in the primary shafts identified both birds as jaegers. Initially, I thought the bird I saw on the 10th was a Parasitic, mainly because of the size and seemingly bright, rust-colored underparts. However, better viewing conditions later showed that the underparts were instead a pale brown color and lacked any hint of rusty color. Long-tailed Jaeger was easily eliminated by size, shape of the central rectrices, and the greater amount of white in the wing. Parasitic Jaeger was more difficult to rule out. The combination of size, wing shape, amount of white in the wing, shape of the central rectrices, and bill size was used to rule out juvenile Parasitic Jaeger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:35:00/12:33:00 on November 10, 1996 and 10:55:00/16:05:00 on November 11, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pomarine Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-28	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Pomarine Jaegers at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 28, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pomarine Jaeger	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-south end of lake	resting and feeding on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bob Myers, Thomas H. Kent, Peter C. Petersen, Beth Proescholdt, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Jim Sinclair, Bery Engebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Jim Dinsmore, Jim Fuller, Brian Blevins, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The gull-like shape, dark color, and white wing patches eliminate all birds except Jaegers. The large size compared to Ring-billed Gulls, heavy build, large, thick bill, prominent white patches on the upper and under surface on the wings, and the presence of a second white "crescent" on the underwing at the base of the primary coverts eliminate both Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:24:00/14:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pomarine Jaeger at Red Rock Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-16	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for one to two Pomarine Jaegers at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 16, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pomarine Jaeger	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Res., Marion Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Chris Edwards, and Ray Cummins were submitted. Other observers include Tom Johnson, Dennis Henrickson, Jim Sinclair, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, shape, and white in the primaries ruled out all gull species. The combination of size, the large bill, large amount of white on the upperwing, white color in the underpirimary coverts, and blunt-tipped central rectrices rule out juvenile Long-tailed and Parasitic jaegers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:12:00/13:55:00 on November 16, 1996 and 15:40:00/16:30:00 on November 27, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Parasitic Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-10-14	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Parasitic Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 14, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Parasitic Jaeger	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., Iowa	General: Saylorville Reservoir- large impoundment on DesMoines [sic] River. Specific: Always out in main deeper part of lake.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Stephen Dinsmore, Francis L. Moore, Carl J. Bendorf, Thomas H. Kent, and Bery Engebretsen were submitted. Other observers include Dennis Thompson, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Tom Staudt, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Pomarine Jaeger and Long-tailed Jaeger are possible. See explanation on back as to why I believe this was Parasitic Jaeger. [...] A juvenile dark phase Pomarine would also show much white in the base of primaries (top and bottom) and the tail wouldn't have any long streamers. The Pomarine should however be a larger bird (Herring Gull size). The Pomarine's flight should be slower and more labored than this bird was. A juvenile dark phase Long-tailed Jaeger would not show as much white on dorsal side of primaries as this bird did and the flight pattern should be almost tern-like which it was not. Long-tailed Jaegers should also appear to be more grayish than the bird in question- even in dark phase. Further note on size-- As the jaeger rested on the water, double-crested cormorants would sometimes swim into the field of view and they appeared to be at least one-third larger than the jaeger. A pied-billed grebe also swam near once and the jaeger was probably 1/4 again longer than the grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:40:00 and seen several times after that for a total of sixty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at West Okoboji, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-15	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at West Okoboji in Dickinson County, IA on April 15, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Pacific Loon	West Okoboji Lake	N. End of West Okoboji - Dickinson County	3800 Natural Lake with developed shoreline	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Lee Schonewe, and Douglas Harr were submitted later. Other observers included Tim Waltz. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loons were also nearby and were larger with a flatter head, no chin strap and also white above the eye. Saw Loon fly only once. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1986-11-01	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 1, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, revotes on sighting, correspondence regarding sighting from Ronald E. Goetz to Thomas H. Kent, article from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Prairie Flower Recreation Area, Saylorville Reservoir	large body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by the more rounded forehead, the smaller, darker bill, the paler nape and crown, the gray necklace on the throat, and by the overall smaller size(a small Common Loon should still show the features of a normal Common Loon). Red-throated Loon was separated by the straight (not upturned) bill, the dark, unspeckled [sic] back, and the gray necklace. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-22	1994-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 22, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a reconsideration of bird sighting record, summary of review of records, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren Padelford, Babs Padelford, and Bob Myers were submitted later. Other observers include Bob Myers, B.J. Rose, Jim Dinsmore, Gene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by the small bill, rounded forehead, clear separation between the throat and back of neck, smaller size, chin strap, and dark, mostly unmarked back. Red-throated Loon eliminated by thicker, straighter bill, dark back, chin strap, and 3-toned neck pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00 - 11:30:00 and 11:45:00.- 12:30:00 on November 22 and 08:00:00/08:35:00 on November 23.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-30	1994-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA, on November 30, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a request of the reconsideration of sight records, an Iowa Bird Life article, a summary of review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (Cherry Glen Recreation Area)	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Paul Martsching was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon was eliminated by bill size, more rounded forehead, unspeckled back, and by the neck pattern. Red-throated Loon was eliminated by bill shape, lack of speckling on the back, and three-toned neck pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:43:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek State Park, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-09	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on November 9, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, pages from an issue of Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek State Park, Linn Co., IA.	Deep artificial lake with many ducks.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, David L. Dankert, Randall Pinkston, Carl J. Bendorf, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Pete Wickham, John Daniel, Jeffrey B. Dankert, Beth Proescholdt, Pam Allen and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: No Common Loons present for comparison, but several were seen earlier in day at Lake Macbride. Bill thinner and straighter than Common Loon. No white around eye. Very sharp demarcation down neck. Neck mark was very thin and faint to me. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Anderson Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-07-13	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Anderson Lake in Hamilton County, IA on July 13, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article from Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Anderson Goose Lake	Anderson L., Hamilton Co., IA	shallow marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt, James Dinsmore, Thomas Kent, and Beth Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and shape of the bird were those of a loon. The lack of a dark auricular patch, contrasting neck pattern, dark back and upperwings, and dark bill color all ruled out Yellow-billed Loon. Red-throated Loon was eliminated by bill shape, neck pattern, the dark back and upperwings, and dark area around the eye. Common Loon was eliminated by the dark back and upperwings, shorter, thicker bill, dark area around the eye, evidence of a chinstrap, neck pattern, and contrast between the pale nape and dark back. The bird was clearly a Pacific or Arctic Loon, but which one? Unfortunately, exact identification was not possible, though it was likely a Pacific Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:25:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee Review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Amana Lake, 1981	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-04-28	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on April 28, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee. The bird was initially reported as an Arctic Loon but was found to be a Pacific Loon.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Pacific Loon	Lily Pond	Amana Lake-- near Amana, IA. in Iowa County	On water of Amana Lake. Man-made lake and very shallow-less than four feet anywhere.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Michael C. Newlon and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Tom Staudt, James Huntington, Carl Bendorf, James Sandrock, Lanny Haldy, Tom Shires, and Carol Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon is eliminated. No neck ring was present. Distinct lighter color on back on head and upper neck is not like solid head color of loon. Red-throated Loon is eliminated by presence of distinctive light patches on back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-04	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area in Decatur County, IA on May 4, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Neotropic Cormorant	Little River Recreation Area	Little River Rec. Area	large reservoir with numerous dead snags	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: My only concern was to adequately eliminate Double-crested Cormorant, many of which were available for direct comparisons. The size, tail length, and throat patch pattern all eliminate this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:25:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mute Swan at South Clay County, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-08	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a a Mute Swan at South Clay County, IA on April 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a page of copied photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, internal correspondence, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Mute Swan	Clay County	5 East of 71 on 374	Large farm pond, rolling hills most of which were in cultavation [sic]	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Beirman. \| Elimination of similar species: Was from the mute swan because of the straight neck and the Tundra swan because of the dark base of the bill. The wings were not held high like on the Mute swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-07-09	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on July 9, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, numerous correspondence about the bird sighting, an outside review of the sighting from Don Roberson, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Mountain Plover	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	3 miles east of Colo, County Road E-41, 1/2 mile north, section 1 T83N R21W, Story County.	General: Recently plowed field with several pothole ponds Specific: The bird stayed in the waterways that led to the ponds. These areas were wet and contained no vegetation.	The documentation form by Hank Zalatel is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, Tom Staudt, and Paul Martsching were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Steve Dinsmore, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden and Black-bellied plovershave [sic] gray-white and brown-gold scaly backs, this bird's back was brown and was unmarked. These two plovers have streaked throats which this bird did not have. These two plovers have streaked breasts which this bird did not have. The white above the eye of this bird was clear and contained no streaking as does the Black-bellied Plover. The bird associated with Golden Plovers in breeding plumage and one that was not so that comparison could be made on the spot for the two plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:55:00 July 9, 1986 and 18:45:00 - 19:15:00 on July 10, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	19
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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