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 Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-07	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County, IA on November 7, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red-throated Loon	Roberts Creek Park	Red Rock Reservoir - Roberts Creek area - (Marion Co.)	Large water area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Diane Porter, Thomas H. Kent, Ray Cummins, and Jim Fuller. Other observers include Ann Barker, Ann Johnson, Matt Keene, Jim Sinclair, Tim Schantz, Harold White, Hank Zalatel, Beth Proescholdt, Loren Padelford, Diane Porter, David Youngblut, Tom Klein, Francis Moore, and Ray Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill size and small size of the loon helps eliminate a Common Loon. A Pacific Loon would have a sharp contrast on the side of the neck between light and dark colors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:45:00 and 16:30:00/16:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Rathbun Reservoir, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-08	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on November 8, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red Phalarope	Rathbun Lake	Rathbun Reservoir, Appanoose Co., IA	On the inner edge of a peninsula in a ditch of a recently flooded roadway.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Raymond Cummins and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Tom Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniform forewing and back and the thickness of the bill separate this species from Red-necked Phalarope. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:55:00/08:00:00, 08:15:00/08:20:00, and 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-14	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on November 14, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, excerpts from Western Birds, articles in Pennsylvania birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, eight photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Empidonax Flycatchers	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi State Park, Warren County, IOWA	Woodland edge consisting primarily of honeysuckle and junipers	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Brian Blevins were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Peter Petersen, Kelly McKay, Corey Blevins, Jim Scheib, Jim Sinclair, John Daniel, Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, David Youngblut, Beth Brown, Sherry Dragula, Bill Overland, Jane Overland, John Miller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The date of observation is historically good for a vagrant western flycatcher species, so this was in the back of my mind in assessing the characteristics observed. The presence of both eye ring and wing bars, in addition to size and shape, indicate that the bird fits the Empidonax complex. The combination of green back, yellow throat and pure orange lower mandible with no markings would eliminate Least, Hammond's, Dusky, Gray, Buff-breasted, Alder, and Willow Flycatchers. A juvenile Acadian can be eliminated by the short primary extension, color of the wings, size and shape of the eye ring, and active behavior. Only three species are indicated by the green upper parts and yellow under parts. Two are separable only by voice. The choices were between Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Western (Cordilleran and Pacific-slope) Flycatcher. Back color is greener in Yellow-bellied and more olive in Western. Although the back looked olive, this was rather subjective. According to the Audubon Master Guide, behavior would be more indicative of a Yellow-bellied in that the bird was not flicking both tail and wings. According to Kaufman, however, behavior is quite variable. Three characteristics made me lean more toward Western complex. They were peaked appearance to the head (usually smooth and rounded in Yellow-bellied); almond-shaped eye ring (round, narrow, and more even in Yellow-bellied); and browner wings than eastern Empidonax. The color of the wings is again subjective, but the contrast between wing color and wing bars was less than the black/white (or even black/buff in fall birds) of eastern birds. Even with the variability that may occur in any Empidonax, it is unlikely that these three characteristics, which are common to the Western Flycatcher, would appear simultaneously in a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Further support is found in the Audubon Master Guide to Birding where it states in the description of Western Flycatcher, "...olive wash on the breast, flanks, and especially the sides tends to highlight a midventral yellow stripe" - one of the more obvious characteristics when viewed at close range from the front. IF the call notes heard belonged to this bird, it would indicate a Cordilleran Flycatacher, the most likely vagrant. None of us were able, however, to get the bird to call as we were observing it. Cal Knight played a tape and the bird became very agitated but did not call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/14:00:00 on November 14, 1992 and 11:30:00/13:45:00 on November 15, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Warbler at Hancher Auditorium at Iowa City, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-12-20	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Pine Warblers at Hancher Auditorium at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 20, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, three photographs, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Pine Warbler	Hancher Auditorium	Under white and scotch pines at edge of Hancher Auditorium parking lot, University of Iowa, Iowa City (Johnson County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Randall Pinkston were submitted. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Dick Teterault, Jim Scheib, Matt Prather, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of light eye ring, whitish wingbars, unstreaked back, and light belly and vent should separate this species from any other warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:55:00/09:20:00 and 12:55:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-throated Sparrow at Waterloo, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-03-17	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-throated Sparrow at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on March 17, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in American Birds, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Black-throated Sparrow	Waterloo	Feeder of Maurice and Ruby Hanson, 1262 Ackermant, Waterloo (Black Hawk County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter C. Petersen, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, James Scheib, Randy Pinkston, and Ray Cummins were submitted. Other observers include Francis Moore, Ken Lowder, Maurice Hanson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Dick Tetrault, Rita Goranson, Jan Walters, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Curt Nelson, Marty Pauley, Carolyn Fischer, Beth McBride, Tim Fallon, Pat Hanson, Hank Zaletel, Tim Schantz, Tom Stone, Ruby Hanson, and Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The black bib in combination with the wide white face stripes is distinctive. No other sparrow-like bird has these features. The other desert southwest birds which are similar are Sage and Five-striped Sparrows, both of which have white throats and a dark stickpin on the breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:44:00/07:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	33
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull south of Saylorville, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-04-24	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull south of Saylorville in Polk County, IA on April 24, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Passenger Pigeon, an article in Illinois Audubon Bulletin, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Laughing Gull	Saylorville	South of Saylorville	Flooded bean field (Des Moines River bottom land)	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird flew & sat on ground next to Franklin's Gulls, and Bonaparte's gulls. Did not have white wedge of Bonapartes, Blackheaded or Sabine's Gull's. The other black-headed gull, the Little Gull, has no black at all on wing tips. See above for comparison to Franklin's. [...] Larger bill, compared to adjacent Franklin's, was not pure red, partially black. Eye ring smaller, less conspicuous, again, than adjacent Franklins. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rock Wren near Indianola, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-04-25	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rock Wren near Indianola in Warren County, IA on April 25, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an American Birds article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Rock Wren	Indianola	Home of David Youngblut, 957 Fillmore, Indianola, Warren Co., IA	Residential acreage with flower beds constructed of railroad ties	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was larger and grayer than the usual Iowa wrens. The western sub-species of Bewick's Wren is gray but is also much smaller with a strong superciliary. Canyon Wren would be browner with white, unstreaked throat and breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Amana Lake, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-05-20	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Black-necked Stilts at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on May 20, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-necked Stilt	Lily Pond	Amana Lake, Iowa County, Iowa	artificial, shallow lake with low water and extensive mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas Staudt and Randall Pinkston were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for bird sighting of Brown Pelican at Rathbun Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-05-30	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Brown Pelican at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on May 30, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an American Birds article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Brown Pelican	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Island West Boat Ramp	Open water	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld, Marj Heusinkveld, Tom Johnson, and Mary Montog. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing I know of. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:00:00/20:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Reddish Egret at Colfax, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-05	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Reddish Egret at Colfax in Jasper County, IA on September 5, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Reddish Egret	Colfax	1 mi. west of Colfax IA. Jasper Co.	Flood water pool of the Skunk River	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tim Schantz, Peter C. Petersen, Ann Johnson, Gerald White, Ross Silcock, Thomas H. Kent, Pam Allen, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jim Scheib, Kelly McKay, Dan Dorrance, Jim Sinclair, Hank Zaletel, Reid Allen, Dick Tetrault, D. Thompson, D. and V. Hendrickson, Ella Moeller and Jean Moeller, Kenneth R. Nelson, Rita Goranson, Carolyn Fisher, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Blue Heron adult would have darker body and neck with no brown tones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Gyrfalcon at Kettleson Hogsback, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-25	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Gyrfalcon at Kettleson Hogsback in Dickinson County, IA on September 25, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schantz, Tim	Gyrfalcon	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	East of Kettleson Hogback entrance, Dickenson [sic] Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Tim Schantz is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Maridel Jackson, Ross Silcock, Jane R. Clark, and Jim Sinclair were submitted later. Other observers include John Cecil, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Northern Goshawk- Although Goshawks have been known to show pointed wings, they are never as pointed as a Falcon's. I have seen many Northern Goshawks and jizz alone would rule this one out. I saw no barring on the tail. One of the prime field marks on a Goshawk are the bright white undertail coverts which this bird did not have. The bird in question also lacked a dark crown. Peregrine Falcon- Size. No dark helmet. Jizz (mentioned above). The bird lacked overall contrast of a Peregrine Falcon. Juveniles would be brown. Prairie Falcon- Color. Prairies are a brown bird in all plumages. The underwing was uniform with no black axillaries. Habitat. Prairies feed almost exclusively on small mammals. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull near Whitebreast Park at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-10-23	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull near Whitebreast Park at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on October 23, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Sabine's Gull	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion Co.)	Large lake - near Whitebreast Area on South side	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Ann Johnson, Tim Schantz, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: A Black-legged Kittiwake 1st winter bird is vaguely similar, but it does not have the three-triangle look on its wing and does not have a brownish back and neck \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:45:00/09:50:00 and 10:15:00/10:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ross's Gull in Red Rock Dam, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-10-31	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ross's Gull in Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on October 31, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, six photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in American Birds, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Ross's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below the Red Rock Reservoir Dam (Marion County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Thomas H. Kent, Mark Proescholdt, Randy Pinkston, Peter C. Petersen, Pam Allen, and Raymond Cummins were submitted. Other observers include Pete Wickham, Dick Tetrault, Beth Brown, Tom Johnson, Jim Sinclair, Jim Durbin, Joyce Durbin, Gladys Black, Russ Widner, Ken Lowder, Brian Blevins, Kelly McKay, Reid Allen, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: No other small gull has the combination of a pink wash on underparts and head, orange-red legs, very small black bill, nape line, and wedge-shaped tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:35:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	11
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 California Gull at Carter Lake, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-11-21	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Carter Lake in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 21, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	California Gull	Carter Lake	Carter Lake, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya Bray forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren and Babs Padelford, and Ross Silcock were submitted. Other observers include Jerry Toll and B.J. Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Both Ring-billed and Herring Gulls are eliminated by bill coloration, size, slightly darker mantle, and eye color. Western, Lesser-black backed would be darker mantled, different bill coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:58:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-06	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	California Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir dam, Polk County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randy Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore was submitted later. Another observer includes Susan Grove. \| Elimination of similar species: I am uncomfortable committing to California Gull given the brief and distant view I had, and my limited past experience with the species. My fear is that this was just a small Herring Gull. Herring can be quite variable in overall size, bill size, and in terms of color and shade of the first-winter plumage. Supposedly 10-15% of first-winter Herrings' can have a "dipped-in-ink" bill in the fall (Harrison 1983 or Grant 1986?). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-19	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Nashville Warbler	Hancher Auditorium	Hancher Auditorium Parking Lot, University of Iowa Campus, Iowa City (Johnson City).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by James Scheib was submitted. Other observers include John McClure, Tom Kent, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The three warblers with which this species might be confused are Mourning, Connecticut, and MacGillivray's. All three have much more extensive gray on the head and upper breast, including the throat. All three also have light colored legs. No one disagreed with the identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-19	1995-07-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 19, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Mew Gull	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Sandy area at edge of open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Russ Widner and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dick Tetrault and Roy Godwin. \| Elimination of similar species: Size eliminated any gull larger than a Ring-billed. Although structurally the bird more closely represented one of the larger hooded gulls, they were eliminated by the lack of any hood or auricular spot. Furthermore, most hooded gulls with a tail band would also show a strong carpal bar. Laughing Gull could be eliminated by the more diminuative [sic] bill and leg color. Although some individuals seem to carry a vestige of their more motley juvenile plumage into first winter, Ring-billed Gull was eliminated by size, head and bill structure, and clear-cut as opposed to more diffuse tail band. I originally identified this bird as a Mew Gull based on my experience studying structural differences between Ring-billed and Mew gulls on the west coast. I have never seen a first-year Mew Gull, however. In researching the Mew on my return home, I concluded that the bird in question was not dark enough, nor brown enough, to be of the west coast sub-species. By virtue of its strong similarity to a Ring-billed Gull, this bird was most likely the European sub-species known as the Common Gull. Although according to Grant the bill description comes closer to L.c. brachyrhynchus, I assume that this bird's bill coloration was still changing from juvenile plumage. Apparently the Common Gull appears on occasion on the east coast and is therefore probably as likely a vagrant to Iowa as is the western form. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Lakeview Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-20	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Lakeview Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 20, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Lakeview Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA-on jetty at Lakeview Rec. Area	perched on jetty with other gulls	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Susan Grove, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: On the basis of size and general plumage characters, this species could only be confused with Ring-billed Gull, hundreds of which were available for direct comparison. The combination of slightly smaller size, distinct head shape, bill color and shape, dark eye, and slightly darker mantle and upperwings are sufficient to eliminate Ring-billed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:42:00/16:53:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Cherokee, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-01-06	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Greater Prairie-Chicken at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on January 6, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, three photos of the bird, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Field Notes, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Cherokee Municipal Airport	Cherokee Airport	open, grassy, few weed patches	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Marion Brewer, Dennis Henrickson, Don Poggensee, Jim Fuller, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Jeff Brown, and Jerry Fifield. \| Elimination of similar species: Hen Pheasant, sharptailed grouse. They have longer pointed tails. Gray partridge has a redish [sic] tail and is smaller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
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 Lark Bunting north of Burlington, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-30	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 30, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Lark Bunting	Burlington	North of Burlington off Highway 99	Farm land--freshly plowed field, low hedge rows	The documentation form by Charles Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The Bird sighted on a dirt road feeding with a Vesper Sparrow--within 3 feet for comparison. The most conspicuous field mark were the large creamy white wing patches (Not bars). The bird was slightly larger than the Vesper Sparrow with heavy sparrow bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Blue Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-12	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on May 12, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird life, field notes from the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The date is incorrectly recorded on the documentation form as April 12, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Red Knot	Blue Lake	South Blue Lake in Monona County	marshy shoreine [sic]	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Closest similar species would be Dunlin?, eliminated by Dunlins pronounced downcurved bill, blue gray color was dissimilar to the pronounced gray and white of the observed bird. See attached documents. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Trumbull Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-13	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Trumbull Lake in Clay County, IA on May 13, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Clark's Grebe	Trumbull Lake	Trumble Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Marion W. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Western, White in front, over & behind eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:50:00 and 13:15:00/13:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Purple Gallinule at Sweet Marsh, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-24	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Purple Gallinule at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 24 and 29, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Scheib, James	Purple Gallinule	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh W. of Tripoli	marsh	The documentation form by James Scheib is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Tom Stone, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Tim Schantz, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Sharon Scheib, Jane Fuller, Jim Durbin, Joyce Durbin, Tom Stone, Sr. and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Moorhen has white along lower edge of wing when wings are folded; does not have purple body or light blue forehead patch.. [sic] \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00 and 18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	14