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 Rufous Hummingbird at McClelland Beach at Spirit Lake, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-08-21	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rufous Hummingbird at McClelland Beach at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on August 21, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and four documentations submitted to the committee.	Winebrinner, Ruth L. Winebrinner, Edward Calvin	Rufous Hummingbird	McClelland Beach	We are on the north shore of Spirit Lake, Ia.		The documentation by Ed and Ruth Winebrinner forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Ed Thelen, Lee A. Schoenewe, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Another observer is LaVonne Foote. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Brown? Imature [sic] ruby-throats aren't brown, are they? About then a hummer flew by. It was brown!! \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning and afternoon of August 21, 1996 until 10:00:00 on August 23, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	24
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 of Roseate Spoonbill at Waubonsie Wildlife Area, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Roseate Spoonbill at Waubonsie Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on August 4, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article from Iowa Bird Life, an article from North American Birds, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Roseate Spoonbill	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie W.A., Fremont Co., IA	roosting in willows in flooded bottomland	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Michael D. Overton were submitted later. Other observers include Dixie Overton, Ann Johnson, James Scheib, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Peter Ernzen, Dick Tetrault, Beth Proescholdt, Dennis Henrickson, John Sullivan, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, B.J. Rose, Ross Silcock, James Dinsmore, Babs Padelford, and Loren Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: The heron shape, pink body color, and bill shape are unique to this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:13:00/19:51:00 on August 4, 05:53:00/06:15:00 on August 5, and 18:44:00/19:47:00 on 13 August.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for MacGillivray's Warbler at Eagle City County Park, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-06-02	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a MacGillivray's Warbler at Eagle City County Park in northern Hardin County, IA on June 2, 1995. Includes two record review documents with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Illinois Birds, an article in Birds of Missouri, two articles from The Auk, an article in Meadowlark, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	MacGillivray's Warbler	Eagle City Park	Eagle City Co. Park - (North Hardin County)	Brushy tangle along park's edge up the hill from Iowa River Greenbelt	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In "Spring" this should not be mistaken for any other warbler. A ♂ Mourning Warbler lacks the vivid eye crescents. A Connecticut Warbler has a complete white eyering and no black smudge on the upper breast and the gray head is a lighter gray color. In "fall" the female and immature Mourning Warblers may show a thin, nearly complete eyering (which I have seen on Mournings in the fall), but this could not be mistaken for the vivid white eye crescents of this breeding-plumaged male MacGillivray's Warbler along with its very noticeable black smudge on its upper breast below its gray hood. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:15:00/11:15:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Cardinal Marsh, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-05-29	1993-08-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mississippi Kite at Cardinal Marsh in Winneshiek County, IA on May 29, 1978. Includes two record review documents with votes, two documentation forms, an Iowa Bird Life article, additional notes on the bird, and internal correspondence submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Mississippi Kite	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	Cardinal Marsh	Edge of woods near open cattail marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tom Stone, Jr. and Sr. were submitted later. Other observers include Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed Kite does not have as dark a back as this bird ha and is also too light below. This bird definately [sic] did not have a deeply forked tail as a Swallow-tailed Kite would have had. \| The original event lasted from 11:15:00 to 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-12	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 12, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, correspondence about bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr. Stone, Tom	Mississippi Kite	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	Lowland river bottoms with Deciduous Woodland	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone Sr. \| Elimination of similar species: Like Marsh Hawk which has a white rump patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Dudgeon Lake area, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-06-06	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Dudgeon Lake in Benton County, IA on June 6, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, three photographs, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Dudgeon Lake State Wildlife Mgt Area	Dudgeon Lake area - N. of Vinton - (Benton Co.)	Riverbottom woods along Cedar River with pond and power line cut	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Carl J. Bendorf, Beth Proescholdt, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, Peter C. Petersen, and Diane Porter were submitted later .Other observers include Brian Blevins, Phyllis Harris, Jim Sinclair, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Marc Phelps, Dave Conrads, Anne Barker, and Steve Poe. \| Elimination of similar species: There really are no similar species. An adult Black-shouldered Kite is very distinctive and the immature does not have a barred tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:33:00/07:45:00 and 11:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-19	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 19, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Babcock Access	Coraville Reservoir, Babcock Access, Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir with open mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings indicate a kite or falcon. The gliding flight was that of a kite not a falcon. The white body and head also eliminates all falcons. The lack of white rump as well as the flight pattern eliminate Northern Harrier. Swallow-tailed Kite would have a forked tail and different flight pattern. Black-shouldered Kite has a white and black shoulder. The lack of white patches in the secondaries and brownish tail indicate a subadult (first year bird). I looked for bands in the tail, but could not appreciate them. Failure to see bands could be due to the lighting and distance or, as noted by Clark and Wheeler, to the fact that "A few immatures have solid, unbanded dark brown tails." The prominent light and dark underwing puzzled me, but Dunne says that "Immature has body and underwing coverts buffy, with dark streaking and spotting of variable density; may be lighter or darker than illustrated." The underwing coverts and body appeared about the same shade to me. The lighting and distance may have precluded my appreciating any streaking. This bird appeared lighter than the bird I saw at Dudgeon Lake last year, especially the underwing coverts. The profile and flight characteristics allowed me to immediately recognize the bird as a Mississippi Kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at suburban Des Moines, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-06-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Mississippi Kites at suburban Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopy of an Iowa Bird Life magazine cover page photograph, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Suburban Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa	Wooded residential	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim and Jane Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Ann Johnson, and Barbara L. Wilson were submitted later. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Dennis Thompson, Cecile Thompson, Ross Silcock, Tanya Bray, Beth Proescholdt, Ann Crane, Fred Crane, Jim Dinsmore, Sue Spieker, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Brown, John Cecil, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed kite has white tail, black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:10:00 on June 22, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Des Moines, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Mississippi Kites in the Des Moines Area in Polk County, IA on August 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Olivet Baptist Church - Des Moines area	Church parking lot with large trees and open spaces and creek	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner and Phil McFadden. \| Elimination of similar species: It's quite distinctive. A white-tailed Kite has black shoulders and a white tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lewis's Woodpecker north of Washta, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-10-16	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lewis's Woodpecker north of Washta in Cherokee County, IA on October 16, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lewis's Woodpecker	Washta	2 mi. N. Washta, Cherokee Co. IA.	border of oak grove, pasture edge.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Dick Bierman, Thomas H. Kent, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Dixie Kanago, Beth Proescholdt, Judy Bierman, Jim Huber, Lee Schoenewe, Nancy Schoenewe, Bill Huser, Tim Schantz, Ann Johnson, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Dick Tetrault, Marion Brewer, Brian Blevins, Kelly McKay, Jerry Probst, Bob Livermore, Wayne Livermore, B.J. Rose, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing is similar \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:50:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	27
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Summer Tanager at Iowa City, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Summer Tanager at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Field Notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an e-mail from Mary E. Noble to Jim Fuller, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Summer Tanager	Iowa City	315 S. 7th Ave. Iowa City, Iowa	Urban area, small back yard with several feeders and brush cover.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted later. Other observers include Mary Noble and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The overall coloration and plainness indicate a female or immature bird. The lack of prominent gray in the auriculars and light bill color argue against Hepatic Tanager. The bill length, head shape, and relative paleness of the wings favor Summer Tanager over Scarlet Tanager. The lack of prominent wing bars appears to exclude Western Tanager. The apparent lack of orange tint suggest a bird from the West or perhaps an immature. The Summer Tanager photographed at Pleasant Valley in Scott County on 2 December 1990 was more orange-yellow than the Iowa City bird. The latest Midwest record for Scarlet Tanager in books of these states was 26 Nov in Minnesota. There are a few winter records of Summer Tanager: in Tennessee (4) 5, 18, 21 Dec and 2 Feb-15 Mar; in Michigan 1 Dec; in Missouri 3-10 Jan 1987. There are also winter records from Florida and the Texas Coast. This does not constitute an exhaustive search for winter records. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	28
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1981	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-03-19	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and comments about the sighting, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Thayer's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Peter C. Petersen, and Robert K. Myers were submitted later. Other observers include Tom Shires, James Kovanda, Sandra Kovanda, Tanya Bray, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, B.J. Rose, and four unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The above description separates by direct comparison first-year Thayer's and Herring Gulls, the most similar species present. Thayer's may be confused in first year plumage with Kumlien's form of Iceland Gull, but the Thayer's had primaries slightly darker than the mantle (from above), whereas the opposite occurs in Iceland Gull (Lehman). Lehman also notes that some first-year Western Gulls may show translucent primaries from below in certain light, but these observations took place in excellent light at fairly close range. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	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-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