Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Elk Rock State Park, 1991
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Administrative records Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1991-05-07
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1993-07-17
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on May 7, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph with a report, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Johnson, Ann
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Western Tanager
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Elk Rock State Park
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South Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., Iowa
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Soft deciduous and brushy area near water
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The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Dennis Thompson, and Beth Brown. | Elimination of similar species: The combination of red face and yellow body eliminated all other tanagers. Females of other species would not show red on the face, and young males going into first alternate plumage would not have the red coloration restricted to the head. | The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/17:30:00 with bird seen three times for a total of 25-30 minutes.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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13
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29
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1992
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Administrative records Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1992-07-21
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1994-10-18
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on July 21, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
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Laughing Gull
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Red Rock Dam
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Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA
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spillway and river below dam
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The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Pam Allen, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Russ Widner, David Arbour, Reid Allen, Tim Schantz, Jane Fuller, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: The bird was smaller and more brown than the ring-bills of the year. The other features noted above make the juvenile Laughing Gull an easy identification. | The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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10
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18
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at the riverfront of Davenport, 1991
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Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1991-10-13
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1994-02-27
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for two Sabine's Gull at the riverfront of Davenport in Scott County, IA on October 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Meadowlark, excerpts from American Birds, article and front page from Iowa Bird Life, seven photographs, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Peiser, Richard H.
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Sabine's Gull
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Davenport
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Riverfront, Davenport, IA
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Stone embankment + river
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The documentation form by Richard H. Peiser forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Reid Allen, Peter C. Petersen, James Fuller, Randall Pinkston, and Ann Johnson were submitted. Other observers include John King, Dick Tetrault, Tim Schantz, Brian Blevins, Ann Barker, Jim Scheib, Mary Lou Peterson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Pam Allen, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: The upperwing pattern is so striking as to eliminate other gull species, even in the Juvenile Black hood of adult, slight fork of tail + black band on imm. tail band helped. Yellow tip of bill on adult clincher | The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/18:00:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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11
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9
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Iowa City, 1985
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Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1985-03-28
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1996-04-24
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for a House Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 28, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, request for reconsideration, summary of review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Fuller, James L
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House Finch
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Iowa City
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Home north of Iowa City
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Sunflower feeder in suburban yard
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The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Thomas Staudt were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Jim Sandrock, and Johanna Sandrock. | Elimination of similar species: Purple finch - no ear patch. Back was only finely streaked, and breast and belly streaking much less prominent. | The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/17:10:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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14
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15
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1991
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Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1991-08-04
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1996-01-25
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on August 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence from Stephen J. Dinsmore to the IOU committee, two photographs with two photocopies of them, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
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Dinsmore, Stephen J.
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Red Phalarope
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Saylorville Dam
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Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA-above dam
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swimming on lake near rocky dam face
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The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: The general body shape and swimming behavior identified the bird as a phalarope. The unstreaked, gray mantle, thicker, bicolored bill, and buffy wash on the underparts eliminates Red-necked and Wilson's phalaropes. | The original documentation form event lasted from 10:38:00/10:52:00 and 10:59:00/11:14:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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10
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12
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover east of Black Hawk Lake, 1997
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Administrative records Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1997-06-14
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2000-11-24
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover east of Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on June 14, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Allen, Pam
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Snowy Plover
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Black Hawk Lake
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Sac County, in a dredge pond just east of the most easterly edge of Black Hawk Lake.
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The bird was observed feeding quite near the edge of water and near shore area of the dredge pond which was mostly gumbo-like mudflats with some grassy patches.
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The documentation form by Pam Allen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Peter Ernzen was submitted later. Other observers include Reid Allen, Rob Thelen, and Joe Clark. | Elimination of similar species: See above description. [...] It was about one-third the size of a Kildeer, with a short, thin pointed black bill (longer, however, than a Piping Plover's stubbier short bill). [...] Also conspicuous was the black patch which was located just at the top of the 'shoulder' where the wing joined the body and extending a little ways toward the mid-breast area (but nowhere extending as far as the complete or semi-complete breastband common on the Piping Plover). The legs and feet were a dull dark slate grey (with no hint of the orange/pink coloration indicative of a Piping Plover). | The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/13:20:00 and 14:00:00/14:15:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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9
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18
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Lake City, 1993
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Administrative records Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1993-07-07
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1995-07-08
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at Lake City in Calhoun County, IA on July 7, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
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Lazuli Bunting
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Lake City
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My kitchen window Still, 4 1/2 NW Lake City, IA Calhoun County Sec 26 Elm Grove
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There are Juniper spreaders, below kitchen windows
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The documentation form by Mary Ellis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: I thought it might be an eastern bluebird, but this bird had wing bars, broad bill. | The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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14
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4
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Summer Tanager at Iowa City, 1998
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Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1998-01-11
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2000-11-24
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for a Summer Tanager at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Field Notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an e-mail from Mary E. Noble to Jim Fuller, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
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Summer Tanager
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Iowa City
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315 S. 7th Ave. Iowa City, Iowa
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Urban area, small back yard with several feeders and brush cover.
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The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted later. Other observers include Mary Noble and Dick Tetrault. | Elimination of similar species: The overall coloration and plainness indicate a female or immature bird. The lack of prominent gray in the auriculars and light bill color argue against Hepatic Tanager. The bill length, head shape, and relative paleness of the wings favor Summer Tanager over Scarlet Tanager. The lack of prominent wing bars appears to exclude Western Tanager. The apparent lack of orange tint suggest a bird from the West or perhaps an immature. The Summer Tanager photographed at Pleasant Valley in Scott County on 2 December 1990 was more orange-yellow than the Iowa City bird. The latest Midwest record for Scarlet Tanager in books of these states was 26 Nov in Minnesota. There are a few winter records of Summer Tanager: in Tennessee (4) 5, 18, 21 Dec and 2 Feb-15 Mar; in Michigan 1 Dec; in Missouri 3-10 Jan 1987. There are also winter records from Florida and the Texas Coast. This does not constitute an exhaustive search for winter records. | The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:15:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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13
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28
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Atlantic, 1992
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Administrative records Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1992-11-28
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1994-10-18
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Atlantic in Cass County, IA on November 28, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
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Rose-breasted Grosbeak
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Atlantic
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Atlantic, Cass Co., Iowa
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Urban yard with feeders.
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The documentation form by Thomas Kent forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Donna Rourick, Ann Johnson, and Sharron Steffens. | Elimination of similar species: The red on the breast and axillaries [sic] and the degree of streaking led us to identifying this bird as a first-year male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. | The original documentation form event lasted from 13:20:00/13:40:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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14
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2
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt south of Ainsworth, 1996
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Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1996-05-18
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2000-11-22
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of three Black-necked Stilts south of Ainsworth in Washington County, IA on May 18, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Field Notes, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Proescholdt, Mark
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Black-necked Stilt
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Ainsworth
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Washington County - south of #92 about 1/2 mile on #218
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Wet areas in field after flooded creek spilled out into fields
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The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Dinsmore, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Richard Tetrault, Peter Petersen, Francis Moore, Ann Johnson, Hank Zalatel, Beth Proescholdt, and Russ Widner. | Elimination of similar species: There are no similar species that come to mind. | The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:10:00 on May 18, 1996 and 15:00:00/15:10:00 on May 19th, 1996.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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9
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20
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at suburban Des Moines, 1991
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Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1991-06-22
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1993-07-17
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of two Mississippi Kites at suburban Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopy of an Iowa Bird Life magazine cover page photograph, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Cecil, Robert I.
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Mississippi Kite
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Des Moines
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Suburban Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
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Wooded residential
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The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim and Jane Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Ann Johnson, and Barbara L. Wilson were submitted later. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Dennis Thompson, Cecile Thompson, Ross Silcock, Tanya Bray, Beth Proescholdt, Ann Crane, Fred Crane, Jim Dinsmore, Sue Spieker, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Brown, John Cecil, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: White-tailed kite has white tail, black shoulder patches. | The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:10:00 on June 22, 1991.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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8
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26
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1992
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Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1992-11-14
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1999-10-15
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Rare birds documentation form
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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.
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Johnson, Ann
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Empidonax Flycatchers
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Lake Ahquabi State Park
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Lake Ahquabi State Park, Warren County, IOWA
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Woodland edge consisting primarily of honeysuckle and junipers
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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.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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12
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35
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