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 Caribbean Coot at Burr Oak Lake, 1992	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-26	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Caribbean Coot at Burr Oak Lake in Emmett County, IA on April 26, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Harold White to Tom Kent regarding the sighting, and a documentation letter with a supplement submitted to the committee via Thomas Kent.	White, Harold W.	Caribbean Coot	Burr Oak Lake Wildlife Management Area	lake access to Burr Oak Lake, located in section 21 of High Lake Township, Emmet County.		The documentation letter by Harold L. White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Sallie White. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Unlike the expected American Coot, this coot had a large and circular raised forehead which was yellow. The yellow was restricted to the raised portion. [...] This coot lacked the reddish circular protrusion at the top base of the bill. This coot was otherwise undistinguisable [sic] from the American Coots.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-necked Stilt north of Round Lake in 1991	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Photography of birds Rare birds	1991-05-25	2000-11-22	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Black-necked Stilt north of Round Lake in Harrison County, IA on May 25, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the letter with a photograph from Joel Jorgensen about the bird sighting with an account of a Prairie Warbler sighting.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black-necked Stilt	Round Lake State Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Greater Prairie-Chicken in the Ocheyedan Township in Osceola County in 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1984-01-05	1993-09-01	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Greater Prairie-Chicken in the Ocheyedan Township in Osceola County, IA on January 2, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Ron Spengler to Doug Harr reporting the sighting on January 5, 1984, the published sighting record found in the publication Greater Prairie Chicken in Osceola County in Iowa Bird Life 54:21 by Ron Spengler, and a summary of the review.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Ocheyedan Township				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Gyrfalcon at Iowa Lake Wildlife Management Area in 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Photography of birds Rare birds	1992-03-27	1994-10-18	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Gyrfalcon at Iowa Lake Wildlife Management Area Kossuth Counties, IA on March 27, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, eight photographs of the bird, letters between Brad Bolduan, Peder H. Svingen, and Thomas Kent, and the published and approved sighting record found in the publication Gyrfalcon in Kossuth County in Iowa Bird Life 64:1 by Brad Bolduan.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Gyrfalcon	Iowa Lake Marsh State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ferruginous Hawk north of Pocahontas in 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds Zoological specimens	1985-06-04	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Ferruginous Hawk north of Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on October 27, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, letters about the bird sighting between James Dinsmore and David Gilmer, the original sighting record found in the publication Recoveries of Ferruginous Hawks banded in south-central North Dakota in the Journal of Field Ornithology 56:184-187 by D.S. Gilmer, D.L. Evans, P.M. Konrad, and R.E. Stewart, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ferruginous Hawk	Pocahontas				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ferruginous Hawk at Cedar Falls in 1901	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Zoological specimens	1907-03-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Ferruginous Hawks at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on June 25, 1901. Includes a record review document with votes, letter from Dave Conrads to Barb Wilson, the original sighting record found in the publication The Birds of Iowa published by Davenport Academy of Science by Rudolph M. Anderson in 1907 seen by G.W. Walters, and referenced by three other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ferruginous Hawk	Cedar Falls				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Wood Duck nesting records, volume two, 1954-1966	Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Nests Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Birdhouses Eggs--Incubation Ducks--Counting Ducklings Wood duck--Behavior	1954-01-01	1966-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Wood Duck nesting records covering the years 1954-1966 compiled by Frederic Leopold. The mostly handwritten volume contains Leopold's detailed notes on the nesting habits of Wood Ducks, including the following: nest site selection, egg laying, incubation, hatching, and departure from the nest. Also included in this volume are newspaper clippings, correspondence, Clemson Agricultural College Leaflet No. 20 on the Wood Duck written by Robert E. Ware, instructions on how to build a Wood Duck nesting box, and an article from National Wildlife titled "Of spring and an egg" written by Jean George.	Leopold, Frederic, 1895-1989	Wood Duck	Burlington				Frederic Leopold Papers \| MS 113	9	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Alleman, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-09-21	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Prairie Falcon north of Alleman in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent about the documentation forms, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Munson, Erik	Prairie Falcon	Alleman	4 mi. north of Alleman, IA	cropland	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin by size, habitat, paleness, tail; kestrel by size, back color, imm. peregrine by lack of black head, paleness, tail , etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whooping Crane east of Davenport, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whooping Crane east of Davenport in Scott County, IA on April 10, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, correspondence about bird sightings from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Lorenzen, Frederick J. Lorenzen, Ted	Whooping Crane	Davenport	just E. of Davenport John Deere Plant. N. of IPO and W of Jersey Ridge Road	small lake	The documentation form by Bruce Peterjohn is relaying a report by Fred and Ted Lorenzen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: G. Egret - black wing tips, Am. White Pelican- long legs, Sandhill Crane - white plumage, Swan - long legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Whooping Crane southwest of Jester Park, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-11-12	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Whooping Crane southwest of Jester Park in Polk County, IA on November 12, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Keys, Jerry	Whooping Crane	Jester Park	Keith Curtis farm southwest of Jester Park in Polk County, Iowa.		The documentation letter by Jerry Keys is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chad Loreth and Randy Cook. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird's long neck and trailing legs led us to assume it was a Sandhall Crane (many had been spotted in the area yesterday). Chad started to imitate a Sandhill Crane, but when we heard the bird calling, it 'purred' and 'yelped,' it did not sound like a Sandhill. [...] Also, it was bigger than a Sandhill Crane. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Whooping Crane southeast of Plainfield, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-11-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven to eight Whooping Cranes southeast of Plainfield in Bremer County, IA on November 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Dinnes, Dana	Whooping Crane	Plainfield	About 3 miles southeast of Plainfield, Ia. along a creek		The documentation letter by Dana Dinnes is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Larry Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The neck was too thin to be that of a pelican. The necks and legs were too long, and the call was much different, than that of snow geese. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whooping Crane north of Essex, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-11	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Whooping Cranes north of Essex in Page County, IA on April 11, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Edwards, Chris	Whooping Crane	Essex	North of Essex in northwestern Page County Iowa	Flooded agricultural field	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Edwards. \| Elimination of similar species: Sandhill Cranes are smaller, gray, and lack a moustachial stripe and black primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-07-09	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on July 9, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, numerous correspondence about the bird sighting, an outside review of the sighting from Don Roberson, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Mountain Plover	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	3 miles east of Colo, County Road E-41, 1/2 mile north, section 1 T83N R21W, Story County.	General: Recently plowed field with several pothole ponds Specific: The bird stayed in the waterways that led to the ponds. These areas were wet and contained no vegetation.	The documentation form by Hank Zalatel is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, Tom Staudt, and Paul Martsching were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Steve Dinsmore, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden and Black-bellied plovershave [sic] gray-white and brown-gold scaly backs, this bird's back was brown and was unmarked. These two plovers have streaked throats which this bird did not have. These two plovers have streaked breasts which this bird did not have. The white above the eye of this bird was clear and contained no streaking as does the Black-bellied Plover. The bird associated with Golden Plovers in breeding plumage and one that was not so that comparison could be made on the spot for the two plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:55:00 July 9, 1986 and 18:45:00 - 19:15:00 on July 10, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Marbled Godwit at Cherokee, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of forty-six Marbled Godwits at Cherokee Airport in Cherokee, Cherokee County, IA on May 17 and 19, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting and others, summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Marbled Godwit	Cherokee Municipal Airport	Cherokee Airport	General: flooded corn field Specific: Waters Edge	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian which was also in the field. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:45:00/20:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-09-25	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 25, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, articles in Iowa Bird Life and American Birds, three photos, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red Phalarope	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Beach - Saylorville Reservoir	Small little bay along a sandy shore	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Robert Cecil, Ann Johnson, Randall Pinkston, Jim Fuller, Reid Allen, Jim Dinsmore, Gerald White, Ray Cummins, Tim Schantz, and Peter C. Petersen were submitted later. Other observers include Denny Thompson, Jim Sinclair, Bery Engebretson, Jim Scheib, Chuck Fuller, Pam Allen, Bob Myers, Hank Zalatel, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: A Sanderling lacks the black bar through the eye and does not have a grayish back. A Red-Necked Phalarope has vivid streaks on its back and a longer, thinner bill. A Wilson's Phalarope has no wing stripe and has a long, thin bill and is a paler bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 17:30:00/19:07:00 or sunset.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of South Polar Skua at Credit Island, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-04-02	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a South Polar Skua at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on April 2, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, three different copies of a photograph, an article in American Birds, an article in Birds of Missouri, correspondence about the sighting, a documentation form, and an audiotape transcription submitted to the committee.	Hodges, Herbert James	South Polar Skua	Credit Island	Credit Island, Davenport, IA.	frozen harbor off Miss. River	The documentation form by Jim Hodges is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No Jaeger or Gull has a comparable white streak down the primary bases into the secondaries. Lack of a dorsal view made species id. impossible. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Saylorville Lake, 1988	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-19	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Jaeger species at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Fix, Andrew S.	Jaegers	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake		The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I ruled out other gulls, especially A [sic] young Herring Gull (1st yr) because of the location of the white (belly & wings) as well as the deep rowing flight. In addition, I had the opportunity to observe the Pomarine Jaegers earlier this fall at the same location and the markings were similar, except this bird was darker with a white belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/14:40:25.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
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 Ruff northwest of Bayard, 1991	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-26	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff northwest of Bayard in Greene County, IA on May 26, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Ruff	Bayard	approx 1 1/2 miles northwest of Bayard, Iowa	Flooded field	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Maridel Jackson was submitted. Other observers include Walt Jackson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I first noticed this bird as we were scanning a bunch of dunlin and this bird "stuck out." [...] The bird was about the size of a lesser yellowlegs (also present) but was of different proportions. The body was too heavy (chunky) for a yellowlegs - being more dowitcher like. The neck was fairly long - more so than a dowticher but maybe a little shorter than lesser yellowlegs. The head was defnitely small for the size of the bird. The legs were also fairly long (knobby knees) and again probably a little shorter than a lesser yellowlegs. These basic proportions helped at once to eliminate many species. [..] The bird's head and upper neck were very tawny (similar to buff breasted sandpiper) [...] Tail - This is the one feature along with the basic shape that convinced me. [...] If the bird would have had no color at all I still would have called it a ruff from the proportions. Ruff plumage is variable to say the least. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens, 1979	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-30	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on April 30, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting from Claudia Wilds to Mike Newlon, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Purple Sandpiper	Laurens	7 miles south of Laurens, Iowa	large farm mud puddle with corn stubble.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Dick Bierman was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Short bright yellow legs eliminates all similar species, except the Wander [sic] Tattler which has a barred belly \| The original documentation form event occurred from 09:00:00/19:00:00 at the times of 09:00:00, 13:00:00, and 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, 1994	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-15	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on May 15, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, seven photographs and photocopies of them, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont County		The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Roger Rose, and Doug Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It resembled a Pectoral Sandpiper, but differed in the following ways: the crown was streaked, and showed noticeable rufous coloration in the feathering; the off-white superciliary stripe was lengthy and broadened towards the rear; the breast markings were dense as in a Pectoral but did not show a clearcut ending at the whitish belly, but instead ended indeterminately by gradually fading out. [...] Once ready to record, we flushed the bird and it gave a soft series of notes, somewhat like a Lesser Yellowlegs, but rather flat and unmelodious. This call was most unlike the harsh, grating call of a Pectoral Sandpiper. [...] Plumage, time of year, call upon flushing, and key plumage differences from Pectoral Sandpiper, cited above, led us to identify this bird as an adult Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper northwest of Iowa City, 1974	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1974-10-03	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper northwest of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on October 3, 1974. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Johnson County	County road 0, about 15 miles NWW of Iowa City, Iowa	General: puddle in mudflat Specific: shallow water and mud, with sparse clumps of grass	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Pectoral Sandpiper. good juxtaposition. Diff.: chestnut crown, breast spotting much finer, mostly on sides only, no sharp line of demarcation downwards \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Big Creek Lake, 1988	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-09	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Sandpiper at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on October 9, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting by Guy McCaskie, Kim Eckert, and Bruce Peterjohn, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Western Sandpiper	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats from low water on freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Thomas. \| Elimination of similar species: Although I understand the difficulty in identification of fall western sandpipers, the Baird's and white-rumped were eliminated because of wing length. The least sandpiper was eliminated by leg color and bill shape/size. The most difficult elimination was that of the semipalmateds, especially since other semipals were present in the area. After careful observation and comparison, however, the prototypical western sandpiper bill was too obvious to make the bird into a semipalmated. The bill was enough longer and had an obvious droop. The others in the area had varying bill sizes but none had the general shape of this bird. Consequently, I believe this was a late date western sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-08	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Western Sandpiper at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 8, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Western Sandpiper	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-north end of reservoir	feeding in shallow water adjacent to mudflat with other shorebirds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andy Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: see above [...] The bird was roughly 25% smaller than a Pectoral Sandpiper. [...] Note that we saw a single Semipalmated Sandpiper in the same flock of shorebirds. The Semipalmated Sandpiper had a shorter, thicker bill, more of a brown wash on the breast, and frequented the edge of the mudflat rather than wading in the water. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Semipalmated Sandpiper at Riverton Wildlife Area, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-03-27	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Semipalmated Sandpiper at Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on March 27, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting, entries in an unidentified field guide, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Semipalmated Sandpiper	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.A., Fremont Co.	feeding with other shorebirds on large mudflat area	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Anotther documentation form by Ross Silcock was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: similar species eliminated above [...] This bird was slightly bigger than a Least and was much chunkier. The bird had dark legs, seen in direct comparison with the dark legs of Baird's Sandpipers and the yellowish legs of the Least Sandpipers. This bird was also still in basic plumage, making it much paler in color than the other peeps. [...] The bill was straight, dark, and much thicker at the base and the tip than the bill of a Baird's or Least sandpiper [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	2