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 Brown Pelican at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-22	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records committee review of a Brown Pelican at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 22, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Brown Pelican	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, off Campground #4 of Jester Park (Polk Co.)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, James Dinsmore, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Tom Staudt, James Huntington, Aaron Brees, Eloise Armstrong, Chris Caster, and Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Only other North American pelican is White, and size, body color, and bill color alone eliminate it. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Saylorville Marina, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-21	1986-08-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Saylorville Marina in Polk County, IA on August 21, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Least Tern	Saylorville Marina	Saylorville Reservoir-near marina	resting on sandy beach	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other tern shows the combination of yellow bill and legs, small size, white forehead, and dark outer primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation forms for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir near Jester Park in Polk County, IA on September 29, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir-near Jester Park	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of large size, buffy color on the neck and breast, white throat, and yellowish bill eliminates all other grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:05:00/17:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
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
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-28	1987-10-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 28, 1987.	Myers, Robert K.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir (Polk Co.) - from Jester Park	Large, man-made lake	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark bar on nape of neck would eliminate imm. Bonaparte's Gull. (and Little + Ross' for that matter) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-27	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 27, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir - Polk Co., Iowa (at the dam)		The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - this bird had no rust or rufous on back, wings, or tail; or blue in wings like a male Kestrel. And did not have strong face pattern of Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the AM.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-04-30	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 30, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Great Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir - Polk Co.	Large, man-made lake - sandy beaches	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The gull was too big and had too large of a bill for herring gull. The checkered back + very contrasty head + upper breast with lower are not consistent with herring. Basically size of bird + its bill eliminated most everything. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-09	1988-02-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 9, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Black-legged Kittiwake	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir - N. end of Jester Park	Wide River area - tree branch for perching	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore and Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: An immature Bonaparte's Gull lacks the dark black bar across the nape and the dark lines on its back are lighter than a Kittiwake. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:40:00/13:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Peregrine Falcon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir	Large timber lined lake. This area seems to be a good migratory path for raptors.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was too big for Merlin and too dark above for Prairie Falcon and basic shape, color and head pattern eliminates other possible hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-13	1986-09-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 13, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Western Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All loons were eliminated by the long neck, unmarked back, bill shape and color, and white flanks. Clark's Grebe was eliminated by the darker back and dark cheek which included the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:20:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-10-13	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 13, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir	Saylorville reservoir, v Went alone, 1 mi north of Dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller, bill decidedly smaller than common. Bill was not upturned as Red-throated would be. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records committee review of a Snowy Plover at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Plover	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Saylorville Res., Polk Co., IA-Oak Grove Beach	sandy beach	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The plover shape, size, and overall color were enough to eliminate all shorebirds except Piping. [sic] Plover. Piping Plover was eliminated by the dark legs and bill, pattern of black on the head, and bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and bill color and size all eliminate other grebes. Note that we had just seen another Red-necked Grebe on nearby Big Creek L. 2 hours earlier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:05:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-14	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for one to two Sabine's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 14, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Sabine's Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Chris Edwards were submitted. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Chris Caster, James Huntington, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The distinctive wing pattern eliminates other gull species, especially Black-legged Kittiwake. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-16	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 16-17, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller size, neck pattern, and bill shape and size eliminated other species of loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:48:00/16:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-legged Kittiwake in Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-19	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-legged Kittiwake in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Dinsmore was submitted. Other observers include Dennis Thompson, Bery Engebretsen, Bob Myers, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and Maridel Jackson. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, striking wing and tail patterns, black half-collar, and dark bill and legs are distinctive of this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-17	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Iceland Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Another observer includes Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The three most similar species are Herring, Thayer's, and Glaucous gulls in first-basic plumage. The latter was eliminated by its larger size and longer, heavier, bicolored bill. First-basic Herring Gull is much darker overall with primaries darker than the upperwing coverts, a pale window on the inner primaries, and rectrices that are all black. First-basic Thayer's Gull is the hardest to eliminate. Thayer's always show primaries that are as dark or darker than the rest of the wing. The dark tail band of Thayer's is always darker than the mantle and apparently matches the color of the wingtips (Kaufman 1990). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-29	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 29, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis "Denny" Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller size, slimmer appearances, and bill size and shape eliminate other loon species, especially Pacific and Common. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:55:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-13	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 13, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and two copies of a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	Beaches at Oak Grove & Sandpiper	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than a Franklin's Gull. In direct comparison with Ring-billed, only slightly smaller. No white in the primaries. Bill probably longer. Do Franklin's ever have a broken tail band? \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Phalarope	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large mudflat at north end of reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: There are very few shorebirds that are this pale. Compared directly to a Sanderling, this bird had a longer neck, a dark cap, a black spot around the eye, and darker upperwings which were particularly visible in flight. Red-necked Phalarope (which would be even more unusual at this date) was eliminated by bill size and shape and unstreaked mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:35:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-19	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 19, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Phalarope	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large mudflat at north end of reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only similar species is Red-necked Phalarope, which was eliminated by bill size and shape, larger body size, and mantle pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-29	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 29, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Knot	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large mudflat at north end of reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Chris Edwards was submitted. Other observers include James Huntington, Chris Caster, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Sanderling was eliminated by size and wing and tail patterns, all of which were compared directly in the field. No other shorebird is likely to be confused with this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-01	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 1, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Knot	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large mudflat	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, bill shape, and wing and tail patterns eliminates all other shorebirds. The most similar species would probably be Sanderling and Dunlin, both of which would be much smaller than this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:55:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-27	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 27, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Whimbrel	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large mudflat	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and bill shape eliminates all shorebirds except Long-billed Curlew. This species was eliminated by the head pattern and shorter bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three White-winged Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 13, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Cherry Glen boat access, Polk Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck is all dark with white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12