Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Remarks

Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull southeast of Jolly Roger Marina at Coralville Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull southeast of Jolly Roger Marina at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Thayer's Gull	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Reservoir (1/4 - 1/2 mile southeast of Jolly Roger Marina), Johnson County, Iowa	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Contrasted with first-winter Herring Gull above. First-winter Iceland typically much paler, especially the uppersurface of the primaries which are paler than the rest of the mantle, and Iceland should show mottling in the tertials and tail band. I suppose I cannot exclude a heavily-pigmented 'Kumlien's' Gull or an Iceland-Thayer's intergrade as described in Kevin Zimmer's Birding article. Both species are apparently highly variable. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-30	1988-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 30, 1988.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir tailwater area in Marion Co.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: I put my scope on the bird and saw it was noticeably smaller than the Ring-bills next to it in body bulk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
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 Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 25, 1987.	Martsching, Paul	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co, Iowa	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: Was much larger than immature Little Gull. Sabine's doesn't have black bar on inner half of wings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-02	1995-02-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: No other first-winter gull has the large size, the large all-black bill, and in particular the black and white checkered pattern of the mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Moline, IL and Bettendorf, IA, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-01	1992-02-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Moline in Rock Island County, IL and Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on February 1, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf Moline	Mississippi River between Moline, Illinois and Bettendorf, Iowa.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller, Jane Fuller, Jim Scheib, Randy Pinkston, John Daniel, and Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Size alone should eliminate all other dark mantled gulls. In addition, all of the other adult dark grey mantled gulls have a wing tip that is black, and darker than the rest of the upperwing and back, while this bird had a uniformly black upperwing and back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Glaucous Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than Ring-billed gulls. Bill was also much larger than the bills of the Ring-billed gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1999.	Brees, Aaron	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Jester Park	Jester Park, Campground 4	The documentation form by Aaron Brees is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by structure, wing pattern, and tail pattern. California Gull was eliminated by bill coloration and tail pattern. Thayers Gull was eliminated by wing pattern, structure, and over all color.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 21, 1999.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Manhattan Point	West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson Co., 21 Nov 1999	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was standing on Manhattan Point with several Herring Gulls of various ages and many more Ring-billed Gulls, facing quarter-on towards Lee Schoenewe and I. It was a dark 1st year gull, similar to, but slightly smaller than, other 1st year Herring Gulls present. It had an all black bill that was smaller than the other Herrings. [...] Lee and I waited for about 10 minutes for the bird to turn to the side, showing us blackish wingtips and dark tertials, eliminating the Thayer's Gull possbility we had been considering. The wing tips extended farther beyond the body than on the Herring Gulls. [...] There was no pale 'window' in the inner primaries as in a Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the early afternoon for approximately 10 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-05	1995-02-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 5, 1995 and February 12, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)	The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib, Thomas Kent, Dan Dorrance, Barker, Peter C. Petersen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other dark mantled gull with yellow legs is the Yellow-footed Gull. That bird has never been seen away from the extreme southwest portion of the country, and it should be much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00 on February 5, 1995 and 11:40:00/11:55:00 on February 12, 1995.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Bettendorf, IA and Moline, IL, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-31	1992-02-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Bettendorf in Scott County, IA and Moline in Rock Island County, IL on January 31, 1992 and February 1, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf Moline	Mississippi River between Moline, Illinois and Bettendorf, Iowa.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other dark mantled gull with yellow legs is Yellow-footed Gull, which has never been seen outside of the extreme southwestern part of the country. Yellow-footed gull is also larger than the Herring gull, but this bird was smaller in general size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:45:00 on January 31, 1992 and 09:50:00/10:00:00 on February 1, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull south of Muscatine, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull south of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 28, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	Thayer's Gull	Muscatine	just south of Muscatine, IA., Muscatine county standing on ice shelves.	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gerry White. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was about the size of a herring gull (slightly smaller), but much paler.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-11-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on November 14, 1996.	Fuller, James L	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock & Dam #15 of Mississippi River, Davenport (Scott County)	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The amount of black and white in the outer primary tips (both upper and underwing) is much less than would be expected in Ring-billed or Herring. Ring-billed is smaller with a dark ring on bill of adult. Although a few Herrings have somewhat bright pink legs, most are a dull pink. An Iceland adult should have a lighter mantle and upperwing, and less gray (not black) on the outer primary tips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:50:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Dunlin at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Dunlins at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1990.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Dunlin	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-Oak Grove 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 gray and white color, bill size and shape, leg color, and wing and tail pattern eliminates all other shorebirds, especially Red Knot(basic plumage), Purple Sandpiper, and Sanderling. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	24
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 13, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Lake Red Rock dam, Marion County, Iowa	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Compared with first-winter Herring Gull above. Pale Thayer's may be confused with same-aged Iceland Gull, but Iceland typically much paler than this individual. Iceland should also show pale, mottled tertials and tail which are concolor with the upperparts. This bird's tertials and tail were unpatterned (except at the edges of the tertials) and darker than the remainder of the upperparts. Iceland's folded primaries are paler than the remainder of the mantle, not darker as in this bird. Slaty-backed, Glaucous-winged, and Glaucous-winged X Western hybrid Gulls all larger, have more massive bills, less likely in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Herring Gull at MidAmerican Energy Ponds near Council Bluffs, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-24	1985-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Herring Gull at MidAmerican Energy Ponds near Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 24, 1985.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Herring Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Settling Ponds, Council Bluffs, Iowa	The documentation form by Barb L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to most of the other large immature gulls of the world. Mantle too light for Black-backed group. Wingtips, even in their folded condition, too dark for Glaucous, Glaucous-winged, etc. that leaves a whole mess of light-mouthed large gulls with dark wing tips. Description seems to match young Herring Gull (second summer ?) well enough. Eye color would probably be becoming pale in a Herring of this plumage, but perhaps not, + it might not show at the distance. I have trouble eliminating California Gull, but it is even harder to support that species.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	34
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-02-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Franklin's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on February 1, 1991.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Franklin's Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-at spillway below dam	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark gray wings separated from the black wingtip by a white bar, broad white eye crescents, stocky bill lacking a pronounced gonys and rounder wings eliminate Laughing Gull. The combination of the black head and dark gray mantle eliminates other dark-headed gulls such as Bonaparte's and Common Black-headed gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:10:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Franklin's Gull at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1990.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Franklin's Gull	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent, Randy Graesser, John Van Ryebroek, Carol Thompson, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Laughing Gull: White in wingtips of adult gull doesn't fit. Bonaparte's Gull: Mantel color seemed too dark for adult bird and white tertial mark on mantel indicates a white trailing edge to wing which doesn't fit. Common Black-headed Gull: same problems as with Bonaparte's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-16	1999-04-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on April 16, 1999.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Dam	Below Saylorville Dam, Polk Co. Ia	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's + this bird were swimming side by side. Bill longer, bulkier. No white in the wing tips while resting. Stretched its wings once, with no white visible in the primaries nor any white bar separating the gray wing from the black primaries. White spots + bar visible in nearby Franklin's. Direct size comparison noted above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Laughing Gulls at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on May 22, 1999.	Engebretsen, Bery	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville, parking lot at Sandpiper	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I could see both Laughing + Franklin's standing side by side. Laughing were clearly 20-25% larger, as was bill. A more prominent 'gonys' made the bill appear somewhat more hooked. In flight, the wing tips were black + more extensive than Franklins, both above + below. I looked carefully for any trace of white between tip + rest of wing, as well as for any white on the head, and there was none. The eye ring was broken on the front, less so in the back. The Franklin's had a rounder appearance to the head than did the Laughing. In flight, the Laughing's tail was pure white. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-24	1980-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seven Red-necked Phalaropes at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 24, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-necked Phalarope	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The more common Wilson's Phalarope is eliminated by hood pattern, wing stripe, + dark rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Wilson's Phalarope at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-17	1997-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a WIlson's Phalarope at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 17, 1997.	Goranson, Rita	Wilson's Phalarope	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Greencastle ave no. of F28 Johnson Co. Hawkeye Wildlife Area	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Red necked Phalarope has a very distinctive black + gray + white coloring in winter Red Phalarope has a different bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	29
Rare bird documentation form for Wilson's Phalarope at Riverton Wildlife Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-03-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Wilson's Phalarope at Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on March 28, 1991.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Wilson's Phalarope	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.A., Fremont Co., IA	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tanya Bray. \| Elimination of similar species: The body shape, bahavior, [sic] and plumage identify the bird as a phalarope. Bill shape eliminates other phalaropes, which would be even more unlikely on this date. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	29
Rare bird documentation form for Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 25, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Sand Point	Sand Point on Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Really unmistakeable [sic] in spring. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25
Rare bird documentation form for Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Fremont County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-07-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Fremont County, IA on July 26, 1984.	Bray, Tanya	Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Fremont County	Fremont County, Iowa	The documentation form by Tanya E. Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: Also present were Pectoral Sandpipers, Baird's Sandpipers, Killdeer. Near size of Pectoral Sandpipers also present.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25