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 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 of Anhinga at Little Sioux River, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-16	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of an Anhinga at the old channel of the Little Sioux River in Monona County, IA, northwest of Turin, on May 16, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kelly, Liesl	Anhinga	Turin	084N044W 08	closed channel of Little SIoux, surrounded by 10m wide area of trees; water with snags	The documentation form by Liesl Kelly is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Laura M. Myers was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Other colored heron species were possible but the bird sighted had \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-20	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on December 20, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, e-mail correspondence between Jon Dunn, Jim Fuller, James Rising, David Sibley, and Paul Lehman, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Bullock's Oriole	Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls, Iowa - Black Hawk County	coming to feeder in residential area	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers includes Don Irwin and Paulina Irwin. \| Elimination of similar species: The 'Baltimore' subspecies has the yellow-orange on breast going down the breast thru belly and has a more yellowish back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Glossy Ibis at Riverton Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-18	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Glossy Ibis at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 18, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White Ibis	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton A., Fremont Co., IA	Controlled water area long Nishnabotna River and flooded fields.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, and Ross Silcock were submitted later. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, B.J. Rose, and Doug Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: An immature White-faced Ibis could lack the red eye, red legs, and white facial feathering of an adult and be confused with a Glossy Ibis. An immature white-faced would lack the blue facial skin and would likely show some brownish feathers. The color differences were clear-cut and observed under identical viewing condition. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00, 14:20:00/15:25:00, and, on May 19 from 08:40:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Long-billed Curlew at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-07-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Long-billed Curlew at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on July 4, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, notes about the sighting, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Long-billed Curlew	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Ponds, Pottawattamie Co.	Cooling ponds for power plant; gravel banks.	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tanya Bray were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Possibilities are Whimbrel, eliminated by absence of head striping and presence of cinnamon wing linings and distinctive call; Marbled Godwit, eliminated by strongly decurved bill and call; and other rarer curlews, all eliminated by the combination of field characters noted above (Bristle-Thighed eliminated by absence of rufous rump). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur west of Colo, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-04-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for thirty or more Smith's Longspurs west of Colo in Story County, IA on April 22, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Brown, Gordon	Smith's Longspur	Colo	2 miles w of colo, story county on old Highway 30	Corn field	The documentation form by Gordon Brown forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Steve Dinsmore was submitted. Other observers include Hank Zalatel and John Hoogerheide. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was brown the other longspurs by its buffy brest, [sic] the pattern on the head, the white stripes on the tail, and its call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brant at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, IA, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-11-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Brant north of Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on November 18, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Wildlife Notes, internal correspondence, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Priebe, Don	Brant	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	6 mi. N of Riverton on No. 2	Corn field	The documentation form by Don Priebe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Benson, Carl Priebe, and Jim Priebe.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Rough-legged Hawk south of Liscomb, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-30	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Rough-legged Hawk south of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on May 30 and 31, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Rough-legged Hawk	Liscomb	South of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	corn field with new corn coming up and large field pond	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt at the May 30. 1996 sighting. \| Elimination of similar species: I can't think of other buteos it could be with its tail pattern, head coloration, and broad dark band across belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:50:00 on May 30, 1996 and 08:10:00/08:11:00 on May 31, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	2
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 of Ibis species at Churdan, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-04-21	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of an Ibis (species unknown) at Churdan in Greene County, IA on April 21, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Towan, Dan	Glossy Ibises	Churdan	1 mile North, 2 1/4 miles past of Churdan, Iowa	creek pasture, non-timbered, no trees for 1/4 mile. Creek bayou (old bed), some vegetation [... illegible]	The documentation form by Dan Towan is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron ; the Great Blue Heron is the only [... illegible] it's not even close. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
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
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville on edge of Louisa and Muscatine County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ferruginous Hawk	Conesville	1 mi. W. conesville edge of Muscatine and Louise Cos., IA	cultivated fields	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian, Corey, and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged hawk - underwing would show more dark in the underwing coverts, well defined tail band. Kriders Red-tail - has a very light head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1996	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on April 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about bird sightings, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	below dam at Red Rock, Marion Co.	D.M. River	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird did not have the large headed, large billed 'predatory' look of a Glaucous Gull. The overall lightness and the lack of dark primaries and no tail band would eliminate Thayers Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:54:00/10:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Lake, Polk Co., IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The primary identification was done through the size and shape of the head. Other similar gulls do not share this "dove head." The adult was confirmed by the silvery underwings, not shared by similarly gray-mantled gulls, and the first year bird was confirmed by the uniformity of its body color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:40:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-28	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on January 28, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Lake, Polk Co., IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The primary identification was done through the size and shape of the head. Other similar gulls do not share this "dove head." The bird was confirmed by the silvery underwings and very little dark coloring on the upper side of the primaries, characteristics not shared by similarly gray-mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	below dam - Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir; open river with islands	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring-billed eliminated by size and leg color. Herring eliminated by head shape and eye color. Iceland eliminated by eye color, mantle color, and size and shape of head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:01:00/15:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-27	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	below Red Rock dam, Marion Co., IA	dam tailwaters	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The most similar-appearing species is first-basic Herring Gull. The combination of slightly smaller size, longer wings, whiter rump, more speckled mantle, contrast between the darker mantle and lighter head, and darker upperwings lacking a pale "window" eliminated Herring Gull in first-basic plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:22:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow south of Riverton, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-01-04	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow south of Riverton in Fremont County, IA on January 4, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Jacqueline M.	Lark Sparrow	Riverton	1 mile south of Riverton, IA	deciduous edge woods adjacent to corn field	The documentation form by Jacqueline M. Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jarrett Harms, Joe Worthington, Marla Worthington, Larry Falk, and Derry Wolford. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - no face pattern Juncos - wrong color Amer. tree Sparrow - no white outer tail feathers \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Stone State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-24	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 24, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Holloway, Jack A.	Lazuli Bunting	Stone State Park	Stone State Park Sioux City, Iowa	Deciduous Forest	The documentation form by Jack Holloway is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird. Lazuli Bunting was darker in the wings and back than the blue bird and there was a white wingbar visible on the 'shoulder'. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great-tailed Grackle at Mills County, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great-tailed Grackle in Mills County, IA on December 22, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Loren	Great-tailed Grackle	Mills County	2.8 miles south of the intersection of Iowa 370 and U.S. 275. Mills Co., Iowa.	Deciduous trees near farmstead.	The documentation form by Loren J. Padelford is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ross Silcock was submitted later. Another observer was Jerry Toll. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other species similar in appearances the boat-tailed grackle. I was not close enough to observe eye color but the length of the tail in relation to body length rules out that species. The great-tailed grackle has been expanding its range into southern Iowa and Nebraska in recent years with documented nesting success in both states. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Mason City, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-18	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 18, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Lazuli Bunting	Mason City	Cerro Gordo County, Portland Township, Sec 31 (13675 Spruce Ave Mason City IA)	Deciduous woodland edge	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Steve A. Olson. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller than Eastern Bluebird. Had blue throat and wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:25:00 on May 18th, 08:30:00/08:40:00 on May 19th, 07:20:00/07:25:00 and 18:25:00/18:28:00 on May 20th, 07:30:00/07:35:00 on May 21, and 07:00:00/07:06:00 on May 22.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Amana Woods, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Amana Woods in Iowa County, IA on May 10, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Black-headed Grosbeak	Amana Woods	Amana Woods	Deciduous woods. Trail through woods along ridge.	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas Kent was submitted later. Other observers include Tom Staudt and Carl Bendorf. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek State Park, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-09	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on November 9, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, pages from an issue of Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek State Park, Linn Co., IA.	Deep artificial lake with many ducks.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, David L. Dankert, Randall Pinkston, Carl J. Bendorf, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Pete Wickham, John Daniel, Jeffrey B. Dankert, Beth Proescholdt, Pam Allen and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: No Common Loons present for comparison, but several were seen earlier in day at Lake Macbride. Bill thinner and straighter than Common Loon. No white around eye. Very sharp demarcation down neck. Neck mark was very thin and faint to me. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-11-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 4, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Coralville Lake	deep part of reservoir at West Overlook (just above dam) and at Mehaffy Bridge. Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, Iowa	deep part of reservoir at West Overlook (just above dam) and at Mehaffy Bridge	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Ann Johnson, and Carol Thompson. Other observers include Ken Lowder, Jim Scheib, Bud Goode, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The head posture resembled a cormorant, but the bill, overall coloration, and behavior quickly excluded that possibility. The size and bill led me to an immediate identification. I was puzzled about the plumage. I expected to see a juvenile or basic-plumaged bird, but the distribution of dark coloration was that of alternate plumage. I assume that the red/black throat, lines of neck, and gray tones had faded to give one rather uniform color. The drab light may have contributed some to the failure to see color differences, but the last observation was relatively close and the texture of the feathers could be seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00-08:30:00 and 12:20:00-12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee Review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-31	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee of a Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County on October 31, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek L., Linn Co., IA	deep-water, artificial lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jane Fuller, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: I studied the Common Loons seen earlier in the morning. They presented a wide spectrum of face patterns and size. I based the identification of Pacific Loon subjective evaluation of size, bill shape and size, sharp line of separation of black and white on the neck, and chin strap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7