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

Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Rathbun Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-18	1988-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Tundra Swans at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on November 18, 1988.	Cornett, Dorothy M.	Tundra Swan	Rolling Cove Park	Rolling Cove Rathbun Lake	Water Birds with R.B. Gulls at Edge of Lake Shore.	The documentation form by Dorothy M. Cornett is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marge Heusinkveld and Richard Boedy. \| Elimination of similar species: Mute Swan: Smaller: Knob on bill; neck held differently. Trumpeter Swan: Black base at tip of bill, flatter head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-16	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 16, 1988. Includes a record review document and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Jester Park	Jester Park area of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	swimming and diving on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The body shape, posture, and black-and-white coloration identified the bird as loon. Although some Common Loons may be quite small. I think this bird was too small for even a very small Common Loon. Otherwise, the slender, upturned bill, the head posture, the contrast between the back and the neck, and the gray neck and white throat eliminated Pacific and Common Loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:46:00/15:43:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull near Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-15	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull near Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 15, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-near Jester Park	resting on mud bar with thousands of other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The size (larger than Ring-billed Gull, smaller than Herring Gull) eliminates all Gulls except Herring, California, and Lesser Black-backed gulls. The mantle was much too dark for a Herring Gull. Separation from California Gull is much more difficult. Obviously, the mantle color of this bird was much too dark for a California Gull, and the legs were more yellow than the legs of a California Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:44:00/16:38:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Yellow-billed Loon	Clear Lake	West end of Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo Co. Ia off Harbor Inn parking lot	Sheltered, shallow end of large lake	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Walter and Curt Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Large bill, thicker at the base, and painted, not hooked at the tip eliminated immature Double-crested Cormorant. Larger size, bill shape and absence of white crescent from white chin to behind eye eliminated winter plumage Red-necked Grebe. Larger size and bill size, shape, and color eliminated winter plumage Pacific and Red-throated Loons. Heavy yellow bill, head paler than back, narrow area of crown and nape color, and brown appearance eliminated Common Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	8
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Phoebe at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-12	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Phoebe at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on November 12, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Eastern Phoebe	Cherry Glen Recreation Area	Cherry Glen, Saylorville Lake, Polk Co., IA	Edge of woods near open field along lakeshore	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow wash, lack of wing bars, and tail bobbing eliminated the eastern wood-pewee. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:51:00/08:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	69
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Portland Township in Cerro Gordo County, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-11	1988-12-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Portland Township in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 11, 1998.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Portland Township	Cerro Gordo County, Portland township Sec 31 (13675 Spruce Ave Mason City IA 50401)	deciduous wood edge	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other species considered, unmistakable \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rock Wren at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-08	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rock Wren at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 8, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Rock Wren	Cherry Glen Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-Cherry Glen Rec. Area	hopping around in rock rip-rap along lakeshore	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Michael and Diane Porter, Ray Cummins, Robert Cecil, Jim Fuller, Ann Johnson, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Thomas Kent, John Cecil, Tom Johnson, Beth Proescholdt, Francis Moore, Beth Brown, Cal or Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, behavior, gray upperparts and buffy tail, light eyeline, and call eliminate other wrens. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:08:00/15:20:00 on November 8, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Marshalltown, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-06	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon north of Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on November 6, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Prairie Falcon	Marshalltown	one-half mile north of Marshalltown	open farmland, approaching Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel & Merlin - this bird much too large for that. Peregrine - this bird was too light colored to be a Peregrine & it had no helmet \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Harrier at Brenton Slough, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Harrier at Brenton Slough in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1988.	Sinclair, Jim	Northern Harrier	Brenton Slough	Brenton Slough		The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: First impression was of a first year ring-bill gull! \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	22
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull near Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-27	1997-10-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull near Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 27, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence requesting reevaluation of record, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Little Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-near Jester Park	flying and feeding over reservoir with other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ann Johnson was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, black "W" across the back of the wings, lack of a lighter "window" on the inner primaries, and slightly blunter wingtips eliminates all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:22:00/18:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Manawa, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 24, 1988.	Padelford, Babs	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Alan Grenon, Betty Grenon, Sandy Kovanda, and Jim Kovanda. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger size and black bar on nape of neck separate this species from Sabine's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Manawa in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-24	1988-10-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 24, 1988.	Grenon, Alan G.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Manawa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Lake Manawa, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-24	1988-10-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 24, 1988.	Grenon, Alan G.	Long-tailed Duck	Lake Manawa	west-central part of Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	open water and the air over open water	The documentation form by Alan Grenon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Ruth Green, Betty Grenon, and Bruce Wetteroth. \| Elimination of similar species: This duck was similar in size or slightly larger than nearby Lesser Scaup; most of the bird was a brown slightly lighter than female Lesser Scaup, and without mottling patters. Among ducks that have considerable white on the face, few have white around the eye and extending back to the nape. This eliminates the scoters (also, the bill did not seem large or deep enough for most scoters), Harlequin Duck, Bufflehead, goldeneyes, Smew, scaup, and Northern Pintail (which might have a similar plumage, but with white lower on the neck and side of neck, patterning on the body, speculum, and more differences). Unmarked bill and wing eliminate aberrant Ring-necked Duck and scaup, respectively, and also other divers with contrasting wing markings (including Bufflehead, goldeneyes). The possibility of an aberrant Harlequin Duck exists, but that seems less likely than a young Long-tailed Duck at this location. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/11:15:00 and 17:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Lake Manawa, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-23	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 23, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Pacific Loon	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa State Park, Pottawattamie Co. Southwest corner of lake, in a cove east of Boy Scout Island.		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Alan G. Grenon and Tanya Bray were submitted later. Other observers include Mark Brogie, Ed Brogie, Elizabeth Grenon, Ruth Green, Dave Starr, Jim, Kovanda, Sandra Kovanda, Clyde Johnson, Emma Johnson, and Bruce Wetteroth. \| Elimination of similar species: Was smaller and overall not as massive as Common Loon. Bill was smaller and thinner, and head more rounded than Common Loon. The straight bill and lack of white spotting on back rule out Red-throated Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Irvington, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Irvington in Kossuth County, IA on October 23, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Prairie Falcon	Irvington	2 mi E of Irvington, Kossuth Co. Ia	open, harvested fields	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karla Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird did not have dark color of Peregrine's back, dark cap, or heavy 'sideburns'. Did not have the heavy barring on the underside of the tail like the Merlin. Dark axillaries and dark bar on underwing are features of no other raptor, falcon or other wise. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Ingham Lake, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-23	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Ingham Lake in Emmet County on October 23, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hartwig, Thomas P.	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Ingham Lake State Game Management Area	Ingham lake, Emmet County - on Refuge	Duck was seen standing on a rock and then it went into the water for a little while, then back on the rock	The documentation form by Tom Hartwig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Doug Lemke. \| Elimination of similar species: Left unmolested.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull near Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-20	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull near Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 20, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Sabine's Gull	Jester Park	near the Jester Park area of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	resting on large mud bar on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Myers was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, grayish upperparts, and striking wing pattern eliminate all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:05:00/17:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Smith's Slough, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-16	1988-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Smith's Slough in Clay County, IA on October 16, 1988.	Kanago, Dixie	Barn Owl	Smiths Slough	Smith's Slough - clay [sic] County - Dewey Pasture Area	Forest-edge-slough near by lake within 1/4 mi.	The documentation form by Dixie Kanago is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Judy Knight, Alice Kehoe, and Wayne Souer. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] An owl - larger than screech - but smaller than gt. horned owl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-14	1988-10-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 14, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Prairie Falcon	Jester Park Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-along river channel north of Jester Park	flying back and forth along river channel	The documentation form by Steve 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, wing shape, and dark axillaries eliminates all other falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
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
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Dan Green Slough at Clay County, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Dan Green Slough at Clay County, IA on October 5, 1988.	Brewer, Marion M.	Glossy Ibises	Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area	Dan Green Slough, Clay Co.	Marsh, shallow water, mud edge	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I could not tell whether glossy or white-faced Ibis. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1988-10-03	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on October 3, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article Iowa Bird Life, two pages from Iowa Birdlife by Gladys Black, internal correspondence on the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Youngblut, David	Magnificent Frigatebird	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir	Lake	The documentation form by David Youngblut is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gladys Black. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1988-10-02	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County on October 2, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, an introductory letter from Ann Johnson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	DeVore, Dawn L.	Magnificent Frigatebird	Lake Red Rock	Behind Visitor Center at Lake Red Rock, Marion Co., IA	Freshwater lake shore	The documentation form by Dawn L. DeVore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: After getting the bird book, I took my knowledge of the birds in the area and my mental picture and went to work. I ruled out the turkey vulture because the bird was too streamlined like a tern. I looked at the terns, soon realizing that there were no almost completely black terns. Thus I turned to the gulls. I knew it had to be a water area type bird because of its body and bill shape. Remembering the bill I quickly ruled out the gulls. Thus I turned to the cormorants but the tail was wrong, the neck was too long and more so the cormorant was out of the picture. Thinking I recalled hearing about a sighting of a rare bird in Iowa, only the night before had I looked at an outline of its body shape. Bingo! That was it! The shapes matched but what was the name? I went through the bird section page by page. Then there it was - the Magnificent Frigatebird. This was it; almost all black, large yet streamlined, "forked" or V shaped "tail", and that unique bill. Then the fact that the bird I saw had no red and two side by side white breast areas confirmed that it was a female Magnificent Frigatebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Credit Island, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on September 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Credit Island	Credit Island Harbor seen from S. Concord St., Davenport, Scott Co	mud flat on Miss.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Brian Blevins was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Pectoral Sandpipers, available side-by-side, were slightly larger, legs & bill a bit longer than Sharp-tailed. White eyebrow on Pectorals did not broaden behind eye cap not as richly colored in Pectorals. Pectorals had streaking across buff breast wash uniformly to lower edge of buff. Back of Sharp-tailed seemed more uniformly rich brown than those of the Pectorals. Birds all departed downstream on Miss. before photos could be attempted. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4