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 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
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Jester Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1990-11-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1990.	Johnson, Ann	Surf Scoter	Jester Park	Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	Open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engrebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and others from the Des Moines Audubon. \| Elimination of similar species: Most ducks were eliminated by the angle/slope of the head and bill and the size of the bill. Although there was a similarity of head profile to the Common Eider, the facial spots eliminated any eider. Black Scoter would have a more rounded head with a uniform lighter cheek area as opposed to the spots on this bird. White-winged Scoter should have shown more rounded angle form the top of the head to the bill, generally would have less distinct facial spots, and definitely would have had white wing patches when the bird raised its wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Great Black-backed Gull	White Breast Creek	Whitebreast Point, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Flying over open water and ice	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size (larger than Herring) eliminated most others. White head and black and white checkering eliminate Lesser Black-backed and Herring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Warbler at Greenfield Township in Warren County, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-02	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pine Warbler at Greenfield Township in Warren County, IA on September 2, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form with an addendum submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Pine Warbler	Greenfield Township	My Yard - small acreage in northern Warren County, IA	Mixed open woods and field edge with creek and many shrubs	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo - warbler bill; light streaking on sides; light eyering evident as opposed to spectacles Blackburnian Warbler - face pattern wrong Blackpoll - no distinct eyeline; head and back more olive Other warblers - combination of field marks \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Red Rock Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-02	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 2, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Ferruginous Hawk	Lake Red Rock	Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	pasture with wooded draw to the south	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was a classic case of delayed reaction as I began sorting through in my mind as I drove down the road. The large size and bulk of the bird, plus the broad, rounded tail made it an obvious buteo. After double-checking all phases of the rough-legged hawk in Clark's Hawks, I once again eliminated rough-leg because of the nearly all white underparts. However, redtail wasn't fitting either, even a light phase, and a few miles down the road the ferruginous crossed my mind. I pulled off the road, made a few notes, and began researching with the guides at hand. The most troublesome field mark was the 'white tail with gray band.' I have seen numerous redtails give the white rump appearance but none have had the distinctive white tail/gray terminal band. There was absolutely no dark patagial marking on the underwing. The combination of field marks (or lack thereof) would seem to approach an immature Krider's redtail. I eliminated this bird because of the appearance of one, wide gray tail band and the more uniform coloring of the body - very little white mottling. Although I wish I'd had a longer look, I came to the conclusion that the combination of what I had observed pointed toward an immature ferruginous hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Bettendorf, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-02-18	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on February 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Bettendorf	Mississippi River, Bettendorf, Scott Co., IA	seen from shore just south of I80 in area of cabins	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. The bird was lighter in color than the first-winter herring gulls in the same area and the wing pattern on both upper and lower sides eliminated herring, ring-billed and Iceland gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:42:00/12:42:00.	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 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 Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1993	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-18	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on September 18, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Dam	Below Saylorville Dam, Polk County, IA	Fast moving river with many small fish	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The body and bill structure eliminated all but hooded gulls and the brown plumage indicated a first year bird. Size close to Ring-billed, in addition to plumage already described, eliminated some of the smaller hooded gulls. The most likely candidate for confusion would be the Franklin's Gull. Juvenile Franklin's shows a hooded pattern early in development rather than a brown wash on the head. Franklin's tail band would also be incomplete with white feathers showing on the outer edge. It would also show fewer dark primaries, with the inner flight feathers more approximating the mantle and inner wing color. No other small gull has this characteristic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:10:00 and 15:30:00/14:00:00 [sic].	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-tailed Kite at Norwalk, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-13	2000-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-tailed Kite at Norwalk in Warren County, IA on May 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The original documentation reports the bird as a Black-shouldered Kite	Johnson, Ann	White-tailed Kite	Norwalk	My home in northern Warren County, Iowa	Agricultural area with some riparian edges	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, shape and flight pattern initially eliminated buteos and accipiters. I seriously considered both Northern Harrier and Peregrine Falcon. Until the bird got close enough to see the underparts, Peregrine was the most likely candidate based on the straight trailing edge of the wing, although I have never seen a Peregrine glide so effortlessly with few wing strokes taken. The flight pattern and white head made me aware that this was probably a kite. Of the other possibilities for this bird, all were eliminated by the white tail with no markings. Only a Ferruginous Hawk would share this characteristic. The black carpal spots on white wing linings were somewhat reminiscent of an Osprey, but other patterns, size, and flight pattern are not consistent. Although Northern Harrier males look very white from below, their heads are dark not white, and only the outer primary tips are dark as opposed to this bird's entire primary area. The tundra race of the Peregrine Falcon would appear light colored on the head, but would also show more dark markings underneath than this bird had. Mississippi Kite looks fairly white headed at a distance, but the underparts and tail are gray. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:05:00/18:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	25
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 Black-headed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Black-headed Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Large lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Only one other North American gull has a leading white edge to the upperwing- Bonaparte's. Size and jizz helped differentiate this bird from the Bonaparte's, but the dark underwing eliminated the smaller species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-06	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 6, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	North Overlook Park	North Overlook Beach, Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	Sandy beach on man-made reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Iceland Gull - basically eliminated by darker color and narrow chocolate edges to outer primaries. Kumlien's - presence of tail band would seem to eliminate Herring - eliminated by combination of: structure and size of body and bill; shape of head; more uniform coloration above, especially lighter colored primaries; light flight feathers from below contrasting with darker wing lining; lighter color of tail band \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-10-24	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on October 24, 1991. 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, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Gravel bar and open river	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by the light and uniform body color, brown as opposed to blackish primaries and tail band, lack of a window from above, and lack of any color to the underside of the primaries. Iceland Gull was eliminated based on the darker secondaries and wide, brown tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:50:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Credit Island, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-02-14	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on February 14, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Iceland Gull	Credit Island	Credit Island, Davenport, Scott County, IA	Frozen lagoon with small amount of open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Although the duskiness on the face had somewhat of a "hooded" effect, any of the hooded gulls could be eliminated by the bill structure. The pale primaries eliminated all but the white-winged gulls - Glaucous, Iceland, and possibly Thayer's. Glaucous can be eliminated by size and bill color. Thayer's was eliminated because of: 1) overall gray-white appearance; 2) the lack of any secondary bar; and 3) the checkered tertials. Problems with the record are the duskiness on the face and the narrow dark edging to the outer primaries from below. These two characteristics may well indicate an Iceland/Thayer's intergrade. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-03-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on March 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Gravel bar and open river	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Diane Porter was submitted. Other observers include Beth Brown and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by the light and uniform body color, brown as opposed to blackish primaries and tail band, bill and head structure, and lack of any color to the underside of the primaries. Iceland Gull was eliminated based on the darker secondaries and wide, brown tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Norwalk, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Norwalk in Warren County, IA on February 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, several photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Hoary Redpoll	Norwalk	Feeding station at 532 120th Avenue, Norwalk, Warren County, IA		The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and thels, one an adult male and the other a probable adult female, were present on the same day. Oftentimes all three birds were on the feeder concurrently which allowed for a number of comparisons. Characteristics which differentiated this bird from the Common Redpolls and identified it as a Hoary Redpoll: underlying color was lighter than the warmer, darker brown of the Commons, More extensive white feather edgings to the secondaries, tertials, and scapulars than shown on Commons, Broad white edge to the greater coverts, Buffy face and strong white supercilliary, Smaller red cap, Broken and shorter flank streaking, Short, triangular bill with resulting pushed in face, Nearly white undertail covers (Although brightly colored adult male Common Redpolls may have diminished markings on their undertail coverts, this bird had no red except for the cap.) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00 and periodically throughout the day. one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair, Stephen Dinsmore, and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Rick Trieff and Jane Fuller . \| Elimination of similar species: The only species this bird could be confused with is Common Redpoll. Two individua	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-11-10	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Pacific Loon	Jester Park	Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	Open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen, Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-throated and Yellow-billed Loons could both be eliminated by the horizontal head and bill. This bird also showed a more rounded head and definite black/white contrast which was lacking in the Red-throated Loon I had observed six days earlier. Common Loon was eliminated by combination of size, smaller bill, distinct line separating white and black feathers, and ultimately by the chinstrap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:10:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird Sighting of Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Pacific Loon	Lake Red Rock	Whitebreast Boat Ramp, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Open lake	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 Chris Edwards were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The apparent size differential, bill size and clean line to the neck eliminated Common and Yellow-billed Loon. Red-throated is approximately the same size but the bill appears upturned because of the angular shape of the lower edge. Red-throated also has a head lighter than the body. A chinstrap would not be seen on any other species. Grebes were eliminated by thickness of neck and general jizz. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
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 of Black-necked Stilt at Riverton Area, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-12	1996-01-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-necked Stilt at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 12, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photo, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Black-necked Stilt	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton Wildlife Area, Fremont Co., IOWA	Broad expanse of mud flats	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Pam Allen and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Reid Allen, W. Ross Silcock, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Identification of a Black-necked Stilt is straight forward. The only other bird in North America which is even remotely similar is the American Avocet. It can be eliminated by the black feathering on the head and neck, straight bill, and pink legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:55:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa State Park, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-11-12	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa State Park in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 12, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa State Park, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	Open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tanya E. Bray was submitted later. Other observers include Babs Padelford, BJ Rose, Ross Silcock, and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorants could be eliminated by bill shape, among other characteristics. The bird had some similarities to a Western Grebe, but the grebe would hold its head parallel to the water, has a longer neck, and does not show the contrast between head/nape and back. Common Loon was eliminated by posture, size and shape of bill, contrast of lighter head and darker back, and more diffuse separation of upper and underparts. Pacific Loon was eliminated by the grayer underparts, diffuse separation of upper and underparts, posture, and sharp upward angle on lower mandible. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:50:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tundra Swan at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-18	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tundra Swan at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 18, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Tundra Swan	Red Rock Dam	Des Moines River below Red Rock Dam - Marion Co., Iowa	river with sandbars	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Steve Dinsmore was submitted later on Jan 6, 1989. Other observers include Erik Munson, Wyman Borts, and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Mute swan immature eliminated by bill color. Trumpeter swan eliminated by the presence of many white feathers at this date and concave bill shape. Unable to determine size difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Stone State Park, 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 Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 18, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Lazuli Bunting	Stone State Park	Stone State Park, Woodbury Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Kenn Kaufman was submitted later. Other observers includes Mike Overton and several others. \| Elimination of similar species: The identification is straightforward. The turquoise color, breast band, and wing bars eliminate a molting Indigo Bunting. Bill shape and size eliminate any of the bluebirds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00 and 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-crowned Night-Heron at Polk City, 1997	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-crowned Night-Heron at Polk City Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Black-crowned Night Heron	Polk City Wildlife Area	Polk City Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA		The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore was submitted later. Other observers include Aaron Brees and Phil Walsh. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was eliminated by the boldness of the markings on both the upper and underparts of the body and by the leg extension in flight. \| The documentation form event occurred at approximately 09:30:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	20