Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Whooping Crane southeast of Plainfield, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-11-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven to eight Whooping Cranes southeast of Plainfield in Bremer County, IA on November 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Dinnes, Dana	Whooping Crane	Plainfield	About 3 miles southeast of Plainfield, Ia. along a creek		The documentation letter by Dana Dinnes is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Larry Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The neck was too thin to be that of a pelican. The necks and legs were too long, and the call was much different, than that of snow geese. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
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 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 of a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-11-30	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	open patch of water on large, frozen reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation form by Robert K. "Bob" Myers were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by overall size, bill shape and size, and white spots on back. Arctic Loon eliminated by bill shape and black of crown not reaching eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/13:00:00 and 13:45:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-10	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 10, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Res. Tailwater		The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Francis L. Moore, Bob Myers, Beth Proescholdt and Mark Proescholdt, and Dennis Thompson were submitted. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel, Darwin Koenig, Steve Dinsmore, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Thayer's Gull is a difficult bird to identify. In researching this problem, I have found several helpful sources in addition to the standard field guides and I have tried to understand what it takes to know a Thayer's Gull when you see one. Nearly every reference makes it clear that Thayer's cannot be identified on the basis of one or two positive field marks. It takes a combination of characters to come to a conclusion of any certainty. In discussing this particular observation, I will examine each of the fieldmarks and compare and contrast to similar species with liberal reference to the literature, especially Lehman (1980). The most likely similar gulls in this case are 1st winter Herring and 1st winter Iceland (Kumlien's). The Kumlien's form is the darker form of the Iceland Gull and is the form that breeds in the Baffin Island area and winters mainly on the Atlantic coast. Lehman's article deals mainly with Kumlien's. Several similarly sized and possible but unlikely candidates can be eliminated rather quickly. A 1st winter California should not have an all dark bill and would show much darkening in the primaries in flight. Lesser Black-backed Gull could be about the right size, but in flight a 1st winter bird should show darker primary and secondary coverts, more extensively dark primaries, even compared to Herring Gull. A 1st summer Slaty-backed Gull is also light uniform brown with an all dark bill, but it should exhibit extensive darkening in the primaries on the upper wing. A 1st winter Glaucous-winged Gull would be very similar to Thayer's but should be larger, with a larger bill, and less mottling to the body color. Except for the first two, one would probably not consider the likelihood of their occurrence in Iowa to be very great. One hybrid, Glaucous-winged X Western, might be similar but should have a quite heavy bill. [...] Summary: Of the most likely similar species, 1st winter Herring Gull and 1st winter Kumlien's Iceland Gull, each is eliminated by one or more of the features discussed above. The wing pattern is especially damaging to the possibility of Herring, along with the bill shape and size. Iceland is ruled out by the presence of the noticeable tail band and by the darker secondaries on the upper wing. To identify a Thayer's Gull, one must see a combination of field marks. I feel that the bird I saw at Red Rock is consistent on every point.\| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Trumpeter Swan at Le Claire, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-09	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Trumpeter Swan at Le Claire in Scott County, IA on January 9, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, three photocopied photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Trumpeter Swan	Le Claire	Channel of Miss. River 1 mi. N. Le Claire IA & Pt Byron IL, Scott & Rock Isl Co	Open pool in main channel of Missippi River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Diane Porter was submitted from February 25, 1989. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Don Moeller, and Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra swan- Bill very dark near base in this bird, would be light in Tundra, slope of top of head to bill tip wrong for Tundra, brownish tinge to plumage wrong for Tundra, also long bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:45:00 and 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Band-tailed Pigeon west of Fort Dodge, 1970	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1970-09-05	1995-02-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Band-tailed Pigeon west of Fort Dodge in Webster County, IA on September 5, 1970. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Crawford, John	Band-tailed Pigeon	Fort Dodge	[...] seven miles West of Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa on the farm of Joseph R. Crawford.		The documentation article by John A. Crawford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joseph R. Crawford. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] This bird first caught my attention by the fact that it lacked the typical white rump of a Rock Dove.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Bean Goose at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-29	1994-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Bean Goose at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County on December 29, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles from bird publications, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G. Wright, Rick	Bean Goose	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	In air over DeSoto Lake, east of Wood Duck Nature Trail, Washington Cty., NE, and Pottowatomie Cty., IA, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge		The documentation form by Alan Grenon and Rick Wright is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren Padelford and Babs Padelford, Tanya Bray, Francis L. Moore, Thomas H. Kent, Ross Silcock, Barbara L. Wilson, and Steve Dinsmore were submitted later. Other observers include Jim Dinsmore, Betty Grenon, Graham Chisholm, David Starr, B.J. Rose, Duane Bright, Nancy Curry, Al Werthman, and Melba Wigg. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was noticed flying with seven greater white-fronted geese (A. albifrons), first noticed as significantly larger than accompanying A. albifrons, flew pas several times at distances greater than 200m. Some primaries were damaged. The A. albifrons all had visible pink bills, white faces, and speckled bellies (all adults) The A. fabalis was ca. 125% the size of A. albifrons, with a longer neck, longer bill, and a swan-like profile. Underside plain, grading from the dark brown at chin to white at the vent. Gray-brown above, back feathers with contrasting light edges, primaries dark. Bill: significantly longer than A. albifrons, dark with light area near or at tip, long head profile. Feet: orange. White above and at tip of tail as in A. albifrons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at Carney Marsh in Ankeny, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-26	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Black Rails at Carney Marsh in Ankeny in Polk County, IA on April 26, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, field notes of the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Miller, Barb	Black Rail	Carney Marsh	1/2 mile East of N.E. 14th St. (Hwy 69) on N.E. 70th Ave - Also known as Carney Marsh	Shallow Marsh w/ Dead Cattails, some short green marsh grass	The documentation form by Barb Miller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Dick Kraemer. \| Elimination of similar species: There really aren't other small black birds matching our description found poking around in the cattails. Peterson's mentioned other young rails are also black - this bird acted like a "mature adult bird, immature Rails from Petersons lack the white speckles on the back & rusty nape patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Scoter at Le Claire, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-10-26	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of six Black Scoters at Le Claire in Scott County, IA on October 26, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Black Scoter	Le Claire	1 mi. N. of LeClaire	In Mississippi River. Few other live birds in area, but many decoys set out by hunters.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, and Gerald White were submitted later. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Surf Scoter is another all dark bird, but it would have a much larger bill that extends on the same angle as a flattened forehead. The definite gray cheek and throat are not present on Surf Scoter. Female Ruddy ducks should be much browner and again have a flattened forehead in line with a larger bill. Black wings eliminate White-winged Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-11-01	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on November 1, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, two photographs, an article in The Southwestern Naturalist, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, James J.	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh	freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rodney Steere. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing it could be confused with	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Maps (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-04-10	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County on April 10, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a map of one of the sightings, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Reisz, Russell	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh, Sac County, Iowa	marsh, wetland	The documentation form by Russell Reisz is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter Ernzen, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Dick Tetrault, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling-duck is the most similar species. This species was eliminated because it has a different bill color and a different leg color than the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. The Fulvous Whistling-duck also lacks the white wing patch and the dark belly of the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. These were all points of identification for the species seen at Tomahawk Marsh. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:58:00/19:58:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Big Creek State Park, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-17	1998-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Black-headed Gull	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek State Park Polk Co.	Open water	The documentation form by Ray Cummins forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Stephen J. Dinsmore and Jim Dinsmore were submitted. Other observers include Dennis Thompson and Susan B. Grove. \| Elimination of similar species: see above [...] The setting gull in direct comparison to the two Bonaparte's was lighter mantled, larger, whiter headed, the bill was longer and heavier, and the bill was reddish black not pure black like the Bonaparte's. In flight the gull had the same upper wing pattern as the Bonaparte's. [...] The underwing was not totally black like the Little Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-07-16	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-headed Gull at Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area in Dickinson County, IA on July 16, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Black-headed Gull	Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area	Jemmerson Slough area - Dickinson County	Small water area with land for gulls to roost on	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer is Ed Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: No other gull quite like this one. A Bonaparte's Gull is smaller, has a black bill, and lacks the dark smudge on the underwings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:20:00/11:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21