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 Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park in Washington County, IA on September 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in the Iowa Bird Life, an article from the Loon, correspondence by mail and e-mail, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Anhinga	Lake Darling State Park	Lake Darling S.P., Washington Co.	soaring high over lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorants are the only birds likely to be confused with an Anhinga. I have seen thousands of Double-crested Cormorants and I have never seen one soar in this manner. Also, a Double-created Cormorant has a neck which is always longer than the tail (in flight) and looks conspicuously large-headed and thick-necked when seen overhead. Neotropic Cormorant is much smaller and, although it is longer-tailed than a Double-crested, the tail is still shorter than the neck in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:42:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ancient Murrelet at Crystal Lake, 1987	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-10-28	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Ancient Murrelet at Crystal Lake in Hancock County, IA on October 28, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Ancient Murrelet	Crystal Lake	Crystal Lake (1/2 mi. N of town of Crystal Lake, Hancock Co.)	open, shallow lake	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other murrelets and similar water birds were ruled out by the head pattern and the pink bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Yellow Grosbeak near Elkhart, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-02	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow Grosbeak south of Elkhart in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Stephen Bailey to Tim Schantz, two notes from Tim Schantz to the Iowa Records Committee, e-mails between Jim Fuller, Paula Saba, John Saba, Chuck Williamson, and Paul DeBenedictis, an article in Bird Watcher's Digest, an article in Des Moines Register, a letter from Gary Rosenberg to Carl Bendorf, a letter from Kenn Kaufman to Carl Bendorf, a letter from Leo Galloway, Dave Eastrela, and Jack Hilsobeck to Dean Mosman, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Grosbeak	Elkhart	Backyard of Dean and Diane Mosman; Two and half miles southeast of Elkhart (Polk County Iowa)	Backyard and adjacent wooded ravine	The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms were submitted by Tim Schantz, Ken Lowder, Ann Johnson, Thomas Kent, Robert Cecil, Ross Silcock, Diane Porter, and Carl Bendorf. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Jim Scheib, Dean Mosman, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Diane Mosman, Tom Schantz, Cecile Thompson, Dennis Thompson, and John Daniel. \| Elimination of similar species: Pine grosbeak is not lemon yellow in any plumage, and has a smaller bill with hooked upper mandible. Evening grosbeak has black wings and tail and light colored bill in all plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Whooping Crane southwest of Jester Park, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-11-12	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Whooping Crane southwest of Jester Park in Polk County, IA on November 12, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Keys, Jerry	Whooping Crane	Jester Park	Keith Curtis farm southwest of Jester Park in Polk County, Iowa.		The documentation letter by Jerry Keys is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chad Loreth and Randy Cook. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird's long neck and trailing legs led us to assume it was a Sandhall Crane (many had been spotted in the area yesterday). Chad started to imitate a Sandhill Crane, but when we heard the bird calling, it 'purred' and 'yelped,' it did not sound like a Sandhill. [...] Also, it was bigger than a Sandhill Crane. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
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 White-winged Dove at Le Grand, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-28	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-winged Dove at Le Grand in Marshall County, IA on April 28, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	White-winged Dove	Le Grand	in Legrand - Marshall County	Residential area by school and a church	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Chris Edwards, Peter C. Petersen, and Ann Johnson were submitted later. Other observers include Russ Widner, Kelly McKay, Jim Dinsmore, Beth Proescholdt, Dick Tetrault, Hank Zaletel, Chris Caster, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: No other dove looks like this one. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:15:00/15:17:00 on April 28, 1997.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-tailed Kite at Otter Creek Marsh, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents) Maps (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-18	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-tailed Kite at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on September 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration, map, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee. Within the original documentation, the bird is identified as a Black-shouldered Kite.	Petersen, Peter C.	White-tailed Kite	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	S.E. corner Otter Creek marsh, near Chelsea, Ia.	rather dry marsh, some wooded margins	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The only similar raptor would be an Osprey which is much larger, has a black mask, elbow with large black area, mottled gray underwing and on tail and dark on upper surface of wing. Gulls are closer, but wings with dark area at tips of wings on top side, shorter tail, different flight, not pursued by small birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-06-21	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake in Wright County, IA on June 21, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, an excerpt from Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Western Wood-Pewee	Elm Lake	Elm Lake, near Belmond, Wright County	The bird was found in a narrow grove of mature Cottonwood surrounding Elm Lake, the lake is in the mist of farmland with a small pasture on the north.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe is larger and wags its tail. Empidonaxes are smaller with shorter wings and tail. Confusion with the Eastern Pewee is certain if plumage is used. Subtle differences in plumage were noted in my observation of the Western Pewee, when compared to my experience with the Eastern Pewee. The throat appeared whiter and contrasted more with the breast and head than a Eastern, also, as mentioned before, the color of the upper-parts appeared more grayish and not as green. Since the call was heard at close range, and having seen the vocalizing bird as well as my familiarity with the Western Pewee's call I believe the identification totally on voice is a valid one. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager near Swan Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-25	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager near Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on April 25, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dankert, David L.	Western Tanager	Swan Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County	river bottomland	The documentation form by David L. Dankert forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by James Fuller and Thomas Kent were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: NONE \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:50:08.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager near Ames, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-07	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager near Ames in Story County, IA on May 7, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Niyo, Kayleen	Western Tanager	Ames	Dr. Kevin Healy's home, Ames, IA	Mature oak/hickory subdivision	The documentation form by Kayleen A. Niyo forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore and Kevin Healy were submitted. Other observers include Rosanne Healy, Mary Jane Hatfield, and Lucy Rimler. \| Elimination of similar species: I have seen Western Tanagers in Wyoming and Idaho, so I knew that was what it was. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Spirit Lake, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-23	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on May 23, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Western Tanager	Spirit Lake	My backyard birdbath - East edge of Spirit Lake	Suburban - edge of farmland	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female oriole - size, shape and color of beak, length of tail and color of chin. Imm. Scarlet tanager - According to Master Guide to birding Vol 3 p. 196, juvenal [sic] Scarlet tanagers resemble the female but are more variable and have bright yellow wing bars. Also according to National Geographic Bird Guide it states that the immature scarlet tanager has faint wing bars. I don't think it was an immature scarlet tanager because this time of year the bird is not in juvenal [sic] plumage and the bird I saw had prominent and strong wing bars. Also the bird I saw had a very light colored rump and also its nape was a shade lighter than its back giving the birds upper part the light-dark light sequence for its nape-back-rump. This is a characteristic of the Western Tanager. This is what Bent (1958) p 472 has to say about the plumages of the 1st year male western tanager. "There is considerable variation among individuals, these one-year old males are as a whole somewhat less brilliant than the adults. The black of the upper part is duller and more or less intermixed with greenish. The red on the head paler, less intense and more restricted in area; and the yellows decidedly duller and less brilliant." \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:15:00/19:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-03	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on May 3, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Western Tanager	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Near Ely Ford (Van Buren County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Karole Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The two yellow wing bars and red on head eliminate any other tanager. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
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 Western Tanager at Forney Lake, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-04-26	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 26, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Western Tanager	Forneys Lake	Forney lake, Fremont Co., Iowa	Cottonwood Belt near Forney Lake - Riparian Island in Missouri River Bottom Farmland	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Myers was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellowthroated Vireo - Red Head, bill not 'hooked', more active. Northern Oriole (1st Yr Male) - Yellow coloration contrasting with red head [rather distinctive species]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Des Moines, 1971	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1971-11-04	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1971. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Western Tanager	Des Moines	Des Moines, IA	Well-kept back yard of apartment in the heart of Des Moines	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mary Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for goldfinch, wing bars eliminate Summer or Scarlet Tanagers which would not be here at this time. Bill obviously not oriole or finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted briefly, mid-afternnon [sic].	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
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 Western Gull near Ben Butterworth Parkway, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Charts (graphic documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-01-15	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Gull near Ben Butterworth Parkway in Rock Island County, IL on January 15, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, comparisons of different gull observations, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Western Gull	Ben Butterworth Parkway	Butterworth Parkway, Moline, Rock Isl. Co, IL	Ice on Mississippi River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Barker, Brian Blevins, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed Gull - this bird much too small Lesser Black-backed Gull - Too heavily built, tail band very broad, no yellowish colour on legs. Slaty-backed Gull - The biggest problem - I felt this bird was not dark mantled enough was too heavily bodied + too much of a domed forehead. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:35:00/09:45:00, 10:35:00/11:00:00, 12:40:00/12:52:00 on January 15, 1991 and 09:25:00/09:35:00 on January 16, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	7
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 Vermilion Flycatcher near Holstein, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-24	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher near Holstein in Ida County, IA on May 24, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Rector, Curtis L.	Vermilion Flycatcher	Holstein	1531 Harvest Avenue Holstein, Iowa 51025-8117		The documentation letter by Curtis L. Rector is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his parents and nephew. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] But I could see right away that it wasn't a cardinal, as it lacked a crest, and it had dark feathers. [...] At this point, I thought it could be a Scarlet Tanager. [...] As I watched it, the bird was taking off from the grass, flying into the air to snatch an insect, then landing on a nearby fence. From this, I could tell it had to be a species of Flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Sioux Center, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-06	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on May 6, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Vermilion Flycatcher	Sioux Center	In approximately the center of Harry Kuhl's farm, located at the east end of Sioux Center, Sioux Co., Iowa. The specific area in which we found the bird consists of wet bottomlands with creek and tall willows and many broken branches, snags, and stumps. The bird used snags and branches near and over the creek as perch. The lighting, provided by partly cloudy skies which gradually clouded over completely as the afternoon wore on, was excellent, as the sun was largely behind us. We observed the bird from distances varying between 20 feet and 60 yards.	[...] a section of tall trees, extensive shrub area, open fields, and in the center, surrounded by pasture land and agricultural fields, an area of wet bottomlands transversed by a creek (beaver occurs here) through a fairly open stand of tall black willows; broken limbs and snags are scattered throughout the area (see enclosed photographs).	The documentation form by John Van Dyk forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Gordon Brown was submitted. Other observers include Ken Venhuizen, Mike Van Dyk, Jan Van Dyk, and John Kevin Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: This category hardly applies since a male Vermilion Flycatcher is quite unmistakable. If there is any bird with which it might possibly be confused -- perhaps at great distance -- it would be a Scarlet Tanager. However, our bird was much smaller, had no red on its back, had black patchy line through its eye, had a thin dark flycatcher bill instead of a light-colored tanager bill, and behaved like a flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/17:00:00 on May 6, 1983 and 06:30:00/07:00:00 on May 7, 1983.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake in Worth County, IA on May 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Anderson, Gerald	Vermilion Flycatcher	Rice Lake	Worth County North Shore Rice Lake	Edge of Timber and marsh	The documentation form by Gerald Anderson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Curt Rector. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Smaller than cardinal \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Island View Park at Rathbun Lake, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-10-25	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Island View Park at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on October 25, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, excerpts from Iowa Bird Life, an article in American Birds, two photographs, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Vermilion Flycatcher	Island View Park	Island View Park, Rathbun Resevoir, [sic] Appanoose Co.	open parkland, scattered trees along beach front	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tom Johnson, Ray Cummins, Thomas H. Kent, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dot Cornett, Tim Schantz, Mary Montgomery, and many unidentified other observers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Varied Thrush southeast of Monticello, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-02-09	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Varied Thrush southeast of Monticello in Jones County, IA on February 9, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Fred K.	Varied Thrush	Monticello	Paul Whear's Home Monticello, Ia	Home and feeder located in large Cedar Grove	The documentation form by Fred Thompson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas Kent was submitted later. Other observers include Pete Wickham, Tim Gates, Paul Whear, Michael Newlon, Thomas Shires, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - Eating bird seed (8) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-12	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 12, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	White, Gerald	Townsend's Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	[...] At Wild Cat Den State Park in a small area of bottom land of deciduous woods on May 12, 1988 at 7:20 AM, for aproximatly [sic] 45 seconds.		The documentation form by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] When the first look at the head I thought of a possible Blackburnian but when I saw the neck I knew I had a new bird for myself. The most striking features being the head and throat markings. [...] I then checked the rest of the birds listed and made the summation that I had seen the Townsend's. That evening when I returned from work I checked my Golden, Peterson, N.G.S. and Audubon Master Guide for their accounts of the Townsend's and similar species. I eliminated the following; Hermit Warbler - no cheek patch: Blackburnian - dosn't [sic] have a black throat: Black-throated Green - has solid back color and cheek patch not as bold, no black cap. Of the references mentioned, the N.G.S. has the most accurate illustration of the birds head but I can't verify that the bird I saw did or didn't have yellow under the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:20:00/07:20:45.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	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