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 Garganey at IPS Fly Ash Pits, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Garganey at IPS Fly Ash Pits, Woodbury County, IA on May 11, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Probst, Jerry	Garganey	New Lake	IPS Fly Ash Pits	Open pond flyash shore	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Bill Huser was submitted later. Other observers include Bob Livermore, Dave Stage, Bob Moritz, and Art Huser. \| Elimination of similar species: The eyebrow stripe eliminated bluewing teal also the other field marks did not indicate a hybrid. Direct size comparison with other ducks in area eliminated all other ducks and geese. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smew at Pool #13 in Clinton County, 1990	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-04-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smew at Pool #13 in Clinton County, IA and Carrol County, IL on April 22, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Smew	Pool 13	Pool 13 on Mississippi River (Gomer's Lake, Potter's Marsh) Clinton County, Ia Carrol County, Ill.	The bird was in a big river pool situation with hundreds of other divers mostly comprising of Redheads, Scaup, Buffleheads, and Goldeneyes. This particular area offers large extensive flats adjacent to both sides of the channel.	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: About the only thing that is close is the Bufflehead and they were feeding with this bird, thus contrasting them was easy. The head difference was unmistakable with the buffs having an all dark head with a white spot, where as the smew had a white head with a black patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:13:00/15:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	22
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park, 1990	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on May 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Mississippi Kite	Ledges State Park	Ledges St. Pk. - Pea's Creek	wooded valley	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large and uniform in color for a kestrel or merlin. Wings and tail too broad for one of the larger falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hickory Hill Park, 1990	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-06-24	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on June 24, 1990. Includes one record review document with votes and a documentation form.	Schulein, Thomas M., 1945-	Mississippi Kite	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City	Woodland edge, on a dead branch at the top of a tree next to a trail	The documentation form by Thomas M. Schulein is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: 1. Cooper's Hawk, but this bird has a barred breast and no eye patches and a dark and light head pattern. 2. White-tailed Kite, but this bird has dark wing patches. 3. Osprey, but this bird is larger and is brown and white, even though it has dark eye patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Port Neal, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Port Neal in Woodbury County, IA on May 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Mississippi Kite	Sioux City	Iowa Public Service Port Neal Woodbury County, IA	non climax riparian woodland	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Art Huser, Bill Vust, and Bob Moritz. \| Elimination of similar species: N. Harrier Male - broader, more rounded wings. More predominate head. Rather labored wing beats. More buteo-like shape. This bird very un-buteo-like. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at East of Randall, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at east of Randall in Hamilton County, IA on May 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Randall	Hamilton County just east of Randall	along Skunk River Valley - wooded river - open area near bridge	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Beth Proescholdt were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Harrier - tail was not right and long enough for harrier and bird was not right color underneath. Nighthawk - Our bird was much bigger than Nighhawk and had no white patches in its wings. Turkey Vulture or Eagle - Our bird was much smaller and had long, narrow pointed wings. Accipiters - Body shape was wrong and did not have extra long tail -look like accipiters have. Osprey - Wrong body shape for osprey and no white markings on our bird. Buteos - Wrong body shape again even for Swainson's Hawk which can appear to have pointed wings when seen overhead. Buteos have much broader wings and should show some white contrasting colors underneath. Falcons - Our bird was too big for a Kestrel or Merlin. I don't think Merlins ever have leisurely, slow flapping flight. This bird didn't fly right for a Peregrine and the body proportions were not right for a Peregrine. I've seen Peregrines fly in a slow, leisurely manner and this did not seem to suggest a Peregrine at all. A Peregrine or Prairie Falcon should show some light-colored areas underneath. Also, a Peregrine's tail tapers down to a rounded end and is not squared off and flared at the end. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:35:00/19:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park, 1991	Administrative reports Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park in Plymouth County, IA on December 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Williams, Randall D.	Swainson's Hawk	Stone State Park	1 mile north of west entrance to Stone State Park on highway 12	hovering above loess bluff; overlooking Big Sioux River Floodplain	The documentation form by Randall D. Williams is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Franken. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk: wings held flat when soaring; presence of red tail patagial patches present, no bib. Rough-legged Hawk: dark belly-band or girdle. carpal wing patches present. Dark band on trailing edge of wing (immature). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Riverton Area, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-03-06	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on March 6, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Eurasian Wigeon	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.A., Fremont Co., IA		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Eugene Armstrong was submitted later. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong, and Ross Silcock \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of reddish head with buffy crown, gray mantle and flanks, black rump and undertail, and stubby, bluish-gray bill eliminates other waterfowl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:35:00/11:05:00, 12:05:00/12:25:00, and 16:40:00/17:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Four Mile Lake, 1993	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-09	1993-06-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Grebes at Four Mile Lake in Emmet County, IA on June 9, 1993.	Ehresman, Bruce Flaherty, Molly	Red-necked Grebe	Four Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area	T99N, R34W, Sec 8 SE 1/4 at Four Mile Lake Restored Area. ~150 yds NW of NW corner of furthest east parking lot along County Rd. A22.	Restored wetland w/ emergent vegetation - surrounded by grassland	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman and Molly Flaherty is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Head similar to Western Grebe, but this grebe's neck is rusty red color. Body also smaller than western grebe, and bill not as long and pointed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Lock 15, 1992	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Lock 15 near Rock Island, IL on December 20, 1992.	McIlwuain, Bob	Turkey Vulture	Lock and Dam 15	Lock 15 - Rock Island, IL (island, not city)	wooded island along Mississippi	The documentation form by Bob McIlwuain is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include two out of town birders, Brian Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Vulture-head not pink. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 27, Numbers 4/5, December 1991/January 1992	Forms (documents) Newsletters	Bird feeders Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Natural areas Waterfowl Books--Reviews Prairie restoration	1991-12-01	1992-01-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Highlights of the newsletter include a report from a waterfowl field trip, an appeal to society members to help with fundraising efforts for the Paul Errington Marsh Project thereby protecting and restoring a 200 acre prairie pothole, and details of upcoming Christmas Bird Counts. Also included is the 1992 Winter Bird Feeder Survey with instructions and a documentation form to complete.	Edwards, David C. Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)	Bald Eagle Snow Goose	Ames Riverton Wildlife Management Area Waubonsie State Park Paul Errington Wildlife Management Area Mound City				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	4
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Mississippi River in Davenport, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-12-06	1991-12-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Trumpeter Swans at Mississippi River near Enchanted Island in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 6, 1991.	Petersen, Peter C.	Trumpeter Swan	Horse Island	Miss. River along S. Concord St. near Enchanted Island on Davenport, IA	Miss River + adjacent shore	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kelly McKay, Weir Nelson, Jim Durbin, Joyce Durbin, and Dawn Fisher. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra Swan - would have yellow area between eye & bill. In addition these birds were marked & from a known Trumpeter population. \| The original documentation form event occurred in various times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-11	1991-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, IA on August 11, 1991.	Dankert, David L.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Hawkeye Wildlife Ref., Coralville Res., Johnson Co., 0.5 mi sw Hwy 218	Reservoir floodplain, shallow water, mudflat w/o vegetation	The documentation form by David L. Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jeffrey B. Dankert. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-crowned Night Heron (imm) has larger light spots on back and its bill is less stout. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at east of Jewell and south of Anderson Lake, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-08	1991-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species east of Jewell and south of Anderson Lake in Hamilton County, IA on May 8, 1991.	Proescholdt, Mark	Glossy Ibises	Anderson Goose Lake	East of Jewell and south of Anderson Lake - (Hamilton co.)	small pond in a corn field	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ramona Sommerlot, Ann Johnson, Tim Schantz, Beth Brown, and Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: This was a white-faced Ibis or a Glossy Ibis. A first spring white ibis would show lots of white in its plumage colorations. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/18:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Zirbel Slough, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-22	1991-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 22, 1991.	Pinneke, Kim	White-faced Ibis	Zirbel Slough	Zirbel Slough, Clear Lake Iowa	Slough/Marsh	The documentation form by Kim L. Pinneke is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis was ruled out due to the white patch noticed. Cormorant ruled out by bill shape and position of legs in flight. Mergansers ruled out by their lack of uniform coloring and bill shape. American Coot ruled out by bill shape. Night Herons ruled out by coloring, bill shape and length of neck in flight. Other herons ruled out by the same criteria. Stilts and Dowitchers ruled out by bill shape. Whimbrel and Curlew ruled out by size, coloring, by their lack of prominent white face spot, and neck length. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 19:30:00/19:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Zirbel Slough, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-07	1991-05-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Zirbel Slough in Clear Lake, IA on May 7, 1991.	Pinneke, Kim	Red-necked Grebe	Zirbel Slough	Zirbel Slough, Clear Lake, Iowa, Southeast part of southern pond	Slough/marshland with adjoining pond	The documentation form by Kim L. Pinneke is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned Grebe eliminated by size, lack of white face patch in breeding plumage. Eared Grebe eliminated by size, lack of white face patch in breeding plumage, overall color. Pied-billed Grebe eliminated by overall color, size, lack of "bump" on back of head and lack of face pattern. Western Grebe eliminated by lack of reddish-brown neck and breast color. Canada Goose eliminated by neck coloration and lack of "bump" on back of head. Mallard, Canvasback, Pintail, Oldsquaw, Redhead, Bufflehead and Ruddy Duck all eliminated by overall appearance and lack of conformity to the major details of the species in question. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:55:00/17:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 25, Number 4, December 1990	Forms (documents) Newsletters	Bird feeders Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Counting Local government and environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Acid rain	1990-12-01	1990-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 25, Number 4, December 1990. Highlights of the newsletter include details on the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts, a review of a field trip to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, a report on the Story County Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) five-year plan from Mike Meetz, and an update on acid rain samples monitored by Meetz. Also included is the 1991 Winter Bird Feeder Survey with instructions and a documentation form to complete.	Edwards, David C. Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)	Bald Eagle Snow Goose	Ames Saylorville Lake DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Boone County				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	4
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Huxley, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-09-09	1990-09-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Huxley in Story County, IA on September 9, 1990.	Cecil, Robert I.	Glossy Ibises	Huxley	About 1 mile west of Huxley in Story County, Iowa	Shallow pond	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-06	1990-05-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch in Gurthrie County, IA on May 6, 1990.	Proescholdt, Mark	White-faced Ibis	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch - (Guthrie County)	Lake area with mud flat edges	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol McMillan, Russ Widner, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis does not have a large, noticeable white strip completely about the base of the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Woodbury County, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-26	1990-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Port Neal - Iowa Public Service in Woodbury County, IA on April 26, 1990.	Huser, Bill F.	White-faced Ibis	Woodbury County	Port Neal - Iowa Public Service, Woodbury County	shallow lake with sandbars & sandy shores	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: decurved bill eliminates all waders, & shorebirds except curlews, limpkin & whimbrel. Dark plumage -blackish wings back ;dark (reddish) head, shoulders, neck - eliminated these. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose near Cone Marsh, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-15	1990-03-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese near Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 15, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Ross' Goose	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Northern Louisa County - 1 mile west of Cone Marsh	Farm field - corn stubble	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger with larger head and neck and bill, and has grin patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-02	1990-03-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 2, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Ross' Goose	Coralville Dam	Coralville Reservoir	Shoreline - near west overlook	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Randy Pinkston and Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose - size, neck and bill length smaller than would be expected in Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:40:00 on March 2 and 12:10:00/12:30:00 on March 4.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Jackson Township in Calhoun County, 1989	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	1990-01-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Turkey Vultures at Jackson Township in Calhoun County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Seeck, Margaret	Turkey Vulture	Jackson Township	Calhoun Co., Sect. 32, Jackson Twp.	Open fields and over the road.	The documentation form by Margaret Seeck is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bea Bliss, Eva Wiedemeyer, Ron Harms, & Judy Carlson. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Instructional materials and reporting forms for the Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas Project	Forms (documents) Instructional materials Maps (documents)	Bird populations Bird surveys Birds--Geographical distribution Ornithology--Methodology	1980-01-01	1989-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Instructional materials for the Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas Project containing information on how to survey an atlas block, how to report the data gathered, data reporting forms, list of atlas blocks to be surveyed and a list of participants. Data is reported via four different forms: the checklist, the documentation form, the special sighting report, and the nest card. The purpose of the Atlas project is to map the breeding distribution of all species of birds that nest in Iowa.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Breeding Bird Atlas Committee		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	1	3
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at the Mehaffey Bridge area at Coralville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-19	1989-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Mehaffey Bridge area at the Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 19, 1986.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Red-necked Grebe	Mehaffey Bridge	Coralville Reservoir - Mehaffey Br. Area - Johnson Co.	lake	The documentation form by Richard Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Carol Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: After ruling out Horned & Eared Grebes due to bill size & color & shape the only possibilities for this bird are Western Grebe and smaller loons. 1. Red-throated loon seems ruled out by shape of bill. 2. In fact all loons & W. Grebe seem ruled out by bicolored bill. 3. Posture & Build were slimmer than most loons I've seen. 4. Neck which definitely was grey (in past) all the way around in front also seems to rule out there. I am puzzled by 2 things & although I'm sure it is a RN Grebe I wonder if it is in some intermediate plummage [sic]. 1 White patch at waterline in front. I saw this distinctly & sketched it on 11/9 as well as on a brief look at the bird on 11/16. 2 Dark cap seems to extend farther down the head than any of the plates would lead me to expect. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13