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 Laughing Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-08-06	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Laughing Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on August 6, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co.	large mudflat along lakeshore	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species similar to a Laughing Gull is Franklin's Gull. This species was eliminated on the basis of size, bill size and shape, leg length, and wing and tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:21:00/13:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-08-04	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on August 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence from Stephen J. Dinsmore to the IOU committee, two photographs with two photocopies of them, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Phalarope	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA-above dam	swimming on lake near rocky dam face	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The general body shape and swimming behavior identified the bird as a phalarope. The unstreaked, gray mantle, thicker, bicolored bill, and buffy wash on the underparts eliminates Red-necked and Wilson's phalaropes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:38:00/10:52:00 and 10:59:00/11:14:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-07-17	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on July 17, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photocopy of a photograph, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Laughing Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion Co.)	Mudflats near retreating water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Tanya E. Bray, Barbara L. Wilson, and Randall Pinkston were submitted. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Tim Schantz, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: A Franklin's Gull juvenile or first-winter bird has a clear-cut blackish half-hood, a smaller bill, smaller size, and a white forehead. A juvenile Mew gull is much darker, has a thin bill, and light grayish legs. Juvenile Herring and California Gulls are much larger - larger than Ring-Billed Gulls - and lack the bright white at the base of the tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:15:00 and 11:00:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
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 Tricolored Heron at IPL Ponds, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tricolored Heron at the Iowa Power and Light settling ponds, in Council Bluffs, IA on May 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Greer, Janet	Tricolored Heron	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power and Light settling ponds, Council Bluffs, IA	lakeshore	The documentation form by Janet Greer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marge Graf, Dutch Graf, and Mary Jo Harlow. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron: Eliminated by bill color, rusty feathers on the breast, white belly and leg color, and dark face and crown. Little Blue Heron: Eliminated by size, rusty wing coverts, and white chin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Snyders Bend Lake, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-04-06	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-necked Stilt at Snyders Bend Lake in Woodbury County, IA on April 6, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Black-necked Stilt	Snyder Bend Park	Snyder's Bend Lake, Woodbury County, IA	Mudflats with mats of vegetation near old cattails	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bill Huser (additional sightings), Tanya Bray and Ross Silcock, Jim Fuller, and Babs and Loren Padelford were submitted later. Other observers include John Van Dyke, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Bob Livermore, Bob Moritz, and Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: Phalaropes - smaller, not as distinct black + white pattern or as long legs. Am. Avocet: upturned bill, white or tawny head + necks - not black over white \| The original documentation form event occurred from 10:45:00/11:10:00, from 11:25:00/11:55:00, and around 13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-03-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on March 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, seven photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about bird sighting and review, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schantz, Tim	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below Red Rock Dam, Marion County, Iowa		The documentation form by Tim Schantz is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Ann Johnson, Thomas H. Kent, Diane Porter, Jim Sinclair, Stephen Dinsmore, James Dinsmore, Beth Proescholdt, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Dawn DeVore, Dick Tetrault, Jim Scheib, Beth Brown, Michael Porter, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Iowa Birds mentions that there is a problem separating Iceland with Thayers. If there was any problem with this bird being anything it was a Glaucous Gull of the same age. However the bird was smaller than the Herring Gulls that were on the roost. Long wings will rule out the rare small race of Glaucous Gull. There are not to [sic] many birds that have primaries lighter than the mantle in the sitting bird.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at South Sabula Lakes County Park, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-03-10	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at South Sabula Lakes County Park in Jackson County, IA on March 10, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Karole Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	South Sabula Lakes Park	South Sabula Lakes County Park, Sabula, Jackson County	Mississippi River backwater/harbor	The documentation form by Jim and Karole Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other adult dark mantled gulls have pink legs, except the Yellow-footed gull which is seen at the Salton Sea, and extreme southwest California. That bird has never been seen away from that area, and should be noticeably larger than a Lesser black backed gull. The European race of the Herring gull has yellow legs, and one has been seen on the east coast the past two winters. That bird should be larger, and does not have a dark mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:03:00/14:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-02-07	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on February 7, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, comparison of different gull sightings, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock Number 19	Lock 19, Keokuk, Lee Co.		The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ann Johnson was submitted. Another observer was Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The black mantle really eliminates most other gulls. Western Gull, a remote possibility, is smaller and has a slightly paler mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/15:40:00 on February 7, 1991 and 13:32:00/14:20:00 on February 8, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Davenport, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Charts (graphic documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-01-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 16, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, comparisons of different gull sightings, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Davenport	Sand Bar, Center Mississippi river Davenport	River Partly Frozen	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen, Tom Kent, and James Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring - slightly smaller than herring Ring billed - larger than ring billed Glaucous - much larger than bird seen Great Black Backed - much smaller than great Black Backed Bird was standing + sitting with Ring Bill on left and Herring on right \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
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 of Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Charts (graphic documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-01-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on January 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, appraisal and comparison of relevant bird sightings, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf	Mississippi River between Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, Illinois. The bird was at times in both states.	Ice floes and open water of Mississippi River.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H. Kent was submitted. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Peter Petersen, Ann Barker, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Western gull is the same size as herring gull, as is slaty backed gull and lesser black backed gull is smaller than herring. The very large legs and bill would also speak against lesser black-backed and slaty-backed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:40:00 on January 14, 1991 and 07:41:00/07:48:00 and 08:12:00/08:28:00 on January 17, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ivory Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-24	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Ivory Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 24, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article and front page, a page from American Birds, an article in Knoxville Journal Express, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ivory Gull	Red Rock Dam	below Red Rock Reservoir dam, Marion Co., IA		The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Mark Proescholdt, Randall Pinkston, Thomas H. Kent, Raymond Cummins, Jim Fuller, Carl Bendorf, Tanya Bray, Peter Petersen, and Diane Porter were submitted. Other observers include James Huntington, Alan Grenon, Rick Wright, Jim Scheib, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Bob Myers, B.J. Rose, Ken Lowder, John Daniel, Carol Thompson, Tim Schantz, Reid Allen, Pam Allen, Beth Proescholdt, Beth Brown, Curt Nelson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Dick Tetrault, Jim Dinsmore, Kelly McKay, Mary Lou Petersen, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was really quite distinctive and not likely to be confused with any other gull. The white plumage, black legs, bill shape and color, dark area at base of bill, and pattern of black spots on wings and body eliminates all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:02:00/16:54:00 on December 24, 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 16, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Least Flycatcher	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Primarily open edge and grassy area with pine tree plantings	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tim Schantz was submitted. Other observers include Roy Godwin and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Body and bill shape and behavior identified this bird as a flycatcher. The size, eye-ring and wing bars eliminated all but Empidonax flycatchers. Because of the late date on this bird, it is difficult to get an understanding of molt sequences which may or may not be helpful. From what I can find on molts, however, the following is based on best available information. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:55:00 and approximately 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting 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 Red-throated Loon at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-11-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 4, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Coralville Lake	deep part of reservoir at West Overlook (just above dam) and at Mehaffy Bridge. Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, Iowa	deep part of reservoir at West Overlook (just above dam) and at Mehaffy Bridge	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, Ann Johnson, and Carol Thompson. Other observers include Ken Lowder, Jim Scheib, Bud Goode, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The head posture resembled a cormorant, but the bill, overall coloration, and behavior quickly excluded that possibility. The size and bill led me to an immediate identification. I was puzzled about the plumage. I expected to see a juvenile or basic-plumaged bird, but the distribution of dark coloration was that of alternate plumage. I assume that the red/black throat, lines of neck, and gray tones had faded to give one rather uniform color. The drab light may have contributed some to the failure to see color differences, but the last observation was relatively close and the texture of the feathers could be seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00-08:30:00 and 12:20:00-12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-10-27	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 27, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	California Gull	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, Iowa	shallow, open area of reservoir	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, Randy Pinkston, Carol Thompson, and Carl J. Bendorf were submitted later. Other observers include Timothy Dwyer, John Cordell, James Huntington, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Rick Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: First-year Ring-billed Gulls were all in first winter plumage with gray mantle and were much lighter overall. The only other species considered is juvenile Herring Gull. The size is small for Herring Gull. The elongated appearance and short legs fit California Gull. Most young Herrings that I see in early fall have mostly dark bills that are larger than that of this bird. The double inner wing bar and lighter tertial tips fit California Gull. The overall relatively uniform and relatively light brown color without windows in the inner primaries also made this bird look different from Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/16:55:00 on October 27, 1990 and from 19:10:00/22:30:00 and 15:00:00/16:00:00 on October 28, 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-10-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 14, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	w. of Greencastle corner, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	wet marshy area with low vegetation and mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Carol Thompson, and Randy Pinkston were submitted. Other observers include Jane Huntington, James Huntington, Jim Sandrock, John Cordell, John Daniel, Mary Noble, Ken Lowder, and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other species worthy of consideration is Pectoral Sandpiper. The most distinctive feature is the plain, cinnamon-buff breast without bib line or streaking centrally. The soft breast color shaded off evenly to the lower belly and throat. Some pectorals had very week [sic] breast markings, but on close inspection all had streaks and a sharp bib line. The solid rusty cap differed from any pectorals; some pectorals appeared a bit rusty on the cap, but some streaking was seen on such individuals. The eye line appeared white, and it dropped and widened posteriorly. Some pectorals had light eye lines but they were off-white, less distinct, and straighter. The juvenile feathers of the upper parts were edged with rufous; this was especially prominent on the tertials. Some pectorals appeared to have rusty edging on the tertials, but this was dependent on lighting and at least one rufous appearing pectoral had the color more in the center of the feathers with grayer edging. The gray smudging on the undertail coverts I saw once and only had a glance at a nearby pectoral for comparison, so I am not very confident of this mark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:25:00, 09:55:00/10:00:00, and intermittently 16:15:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-09-08	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 8, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and the article California Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Iowa Bird Life 61:20 by Stephen Dinsmore reviewed by the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	California Gull	Oak Grove Recreation Area	[...] Oak Grove Beach Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County.		The article by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...]The bird was similar in size to the largest Ring-billed Gulls, but slightly larger than others. I approached closer and noted that, when compared to a Ring-billed Gull, the bird had duller yellow legs, a stouter bill with black and red spots near the tip of the lower mandible, and a darker gray mantle. [...] The bird was slightly larger than most of the Ring-billed Gulls, although one or two of the biggest Ring-billed Gulls were as large as the bird I was studying. Proportionately, the bird was heavier and larger-headed than a Ring-billed Gull. [...] I estimated the mantle color to be about midway between those of Ring-billed Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. [...] The bill was heavier than the bill of a Ring-billed Gull and had a distinct gonys. The legs were pale gray-green, unlike the bright yellow legs of a Ring-billed Gull. Leg length appeared similar to a Ring-billed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA around May 22, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article and cover page from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form with an attachment submitted to the committee.	Quinn, Christine A.	Green-tailed Towhee	West Des Moines	605-5th West Des Moines Iowa (residential city)	Open backyard wildlife habitat- under/around quince bushes	The documentation form by Christine A. Quinn is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Robert J. Naisbitt. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] This cap was quite noticeable & large (much larger than a catbird's cap). The bird seemed to be a little larger than a catbird (I have a pair nesting in my yard to [sic] I seem them a lot) and not as large as a robin. [...] He put me in mind very much of a catbird in size and contours. \| The original documentation form event lasted around "evenings and 1 morning" from around May 22 to the first week of June 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	30
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 Ross' Goose at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-03-02	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ross' Goose at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 2, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross' Goose	Coralville Lake	West overlook, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	reservoir above dam	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, bill shape and size, head shape used to separate from Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-07	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 7, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a photocopy of a photograph on the cover page of Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, uniform body and wing color, pale underside of the flight feathers, and tail band eliminates Herring and Glaucous/Iceland gulls, the most likely candidates for confusion. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:04:00/16:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Credit Island, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-23	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on November 23, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about the sighting from Louise Augustine to Carl Bendorf, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Augustine, Louise	California Gull	Credit Island	Credit Island - Davenport, Iowa - Scott County	This is an unfamiliar Area for me - I have never birded there before - The Place Credit Island - Backwater of Mississippi River - There was some ICE and open water - Many Gulls were in this Backwater area - on ice and in water. Probably around 1,500 Gulls -	The documentation form by Louise Augustine forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter C. Petersen and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Randy Pinkston, Mary Lou Petersen, Jerome Augustine, David Augustine, and Julie Augustine. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - darker mantle - Dark eye - Leg Color - ashy-green gray not Pink - smaller size - slimmer build Ring-billed Gull - mantle too dark - dark eye - Bill had only a spot Leg Color not yellow - This bird larger than Ring-billed gulls - \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Barrow's Goldeneye at IPL Ponds, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-12	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at Iowa Power and Light plant ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 12, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G.	Barrow's Goldeneye	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa, Pottawattamie County, south of Council Bluffs, the south pond of the Iowa Power and Light plant's ponds, two miles north of the county line (three miles north of the Bellevue exit on I-29); also present was Betty Grenon.		The documentation form by Alan G. Grenon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Betty Grenon. \| Elimination of similar species: A large oblong crescent was between the eye and bill, the head was of a different shape than the Commons, being longer behind than they were. The back had more black and less white than the Commons, having a white mark, almost a line, curving up and back from near the shoulder, in an otherwise all-black back (as seen). The eye was light, white to yellow. In flight, its back had more black an less white than nearby flying Common Goldeneye. Other than noted, it was similar to the Common Goldeneye in size, form, and behavior. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21