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 Great Black-backed Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-02-07	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on February 7, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, comparison of different gull sightings, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock Number 19	Lock 19, Keokuk, Lee Co.		The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ann Johnson was submitted. Another observer was Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The black mantle really eliminates most other gulls. Western Gull, a remote possibility, is smaller and has a slightly paler mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/15:40:00 on February 7, 1991 and 13:32:00/14:20:00 on February 8, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Sioux Center, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-06-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on June 8 ,1997.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Swainson's Thrush	Sioux Center	Sioux Center		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wendy and Susan Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: Gray-cheeked Thrush: The eye-ring and buff on face and upper breast were unmistakable. Veery: The spots on the breast were bold and clear, and the upper parts showed no tan or reddish hue. Wood Thrush: The upperparts were clear -- no heavy round spots like the Wood thrush, and no reddish upperparts. Hermit Thrush: No reddish tail, and no sign of the characteristic tail-wagging. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Des Moines, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-11-14	1996-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 14, 1996.	Cecil, Robert I.	Swainson's Thrush	Des Moines	1315 41st St. Des Moines, IA	Urban Residential	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniformity of color on the bird's upper parts in conjunction with the conspicuous eyering [sic] eliminates all other thrushes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Laurens, 1985	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Carlson, Judith	Swainson's Thrush	Laurens	318 W. Garfield - Laurens	Town yard - many high bush Canberry [sic] bushes	The documentation form by Judith Carlson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Harms. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
Bill Youngworth letter to Woodward Hart Brown regarding general bird notes, May 17, 1963	Correspondence	Bird kills Bird watching Tyrannidae \| Flycatchers Ornithology--Periodicals Parulidae \| Warblers Periodical editors	1963-05-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Bill Youngworth to Woodward Hart Brown dated May 17, 1963. Youngworth states that publishing general bird notes is a good way for people who don't write full articles to get a byline in ornithology periodicals. He laments that the current editor of Iowa Bird Life does not publish as many as the previous editor did, and that the Wilson Bulletin no longer publishes any at all. Youngworth also discusses the ebb of native bird life.	Youngworth, William	Red-headed Woodpecker Burrowing Owl	Iowa				Woodward Hart Brown Papers \| MS 502	2	8
Bill Youngworth letter to Woodward Hart Brown regarding a new editor for Iowa Bird Life, January 10, 1961	Correspondence	Bird watching Ornithology--Periodicals Periodical editors	1961-01-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Bill Youngworth to Woodward Hart Brown dated January 10, 1961. Youngworth congratulates Brown for his work on the five year index for Iowa Bird Life (vol. 30, no. 4) and says that he hopes that Brown will become the new editor of Iowa Bird Life. Youngworth also discusses his winter field work and describes his search for Red Crossbills.	Youngworth, William	Rough-legged Hawk Red Crossbill	Sioux City Storm Lake				Woodward Hart Brown Papers \| MS 502	2	8
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-25	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on November 25, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats at end of freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unknown number with unknown names. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, yellow/orange legs eliminated most other shorebirds. In order to differentiate from the greater yellowlegs, I compared body size to the killdeer with which it was feeding and the bill size to the head. Both field marks eliminated the greater and confirmed the lesser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek S.P., Polk Co.-north end	feeding in shallow water adjacent to large mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The body shape, yellow legs, small, slender, straight bill, and small size compared to Dunlin eliminates Greater Yellowlegs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Lantern slide and photograph of Walter Rosene on a ladder attached to a tree	Lantern slides Photographs	Bird watchers Birds--Nests Ornithology--Methodology	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Walter Rosene sitting on a ladder that is attached to tree trunk. Rosene is attached to the tree via a pulley system in order to create a swinging scaffold which was used to reach and photograph the nest of a Great Horned Owl, located 37 feet up in the top of hollow tree. Slide originally titled "Ladder to Nest." Rosene provides details on photograph and type-written note.		Great Horned Owl					Walter M. Rosene, Sr. Papers \| MS 589	1	8
Form for reporting Iowa Christmas bird counts to Iowa Bird Life, Beth Brown, December 17, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1988-12-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa Christmas bird counts of species found in Lucas contributed by Beth Brown, December 17, 1988. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1988-1989.	Brown, Beth	Red-headed Woodpecker Northern Flicker Rough-legged Hawk American Crow House Sparrow Great Horned Owl Evening Grosbeak Barred Owl American Tree Sparrow Canada Goose Hairy Woodpecker Black-capped Chickadee Wild Turkey Dark-eyed Junco Mourning Dove Northern Harrier Brown Creeper Common Starling	Lucas				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Black-backed Gull near the Keokuk Wastewater Treatment Plant, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-25	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed near the Keokuk Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lee County, IA on December 25, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Great Black-backed Gull	Keokuk Wastewater Plant	Near Sewage treatment plant, Mississippi River, Keokuk, Lee Co. IA	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: All other gulls eliminated based upon size alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 and around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-02-28	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on February 28, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Ben Butterworth Parkway	Mississippi River between Bettendorf, Iowa and Moline, Illinois (Scott Co.).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] In the middle of the group was a gull that was darker than any of the other birds, even the immature Herring Gulls. [...] In general size, this bird appeared almost twice the size of the Ring-billed Gulls, and considerably larger than the Herring Gulls, maybe 25%. It also had a massive bill compared to either of those species. [...] The legs were a dull gray-pink, and they were noticeably thicker than those of the Herring or Ring-billed Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-07	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on March 7, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Great Black-backed Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Beach ,Saylorville Lake	Beach	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only gull which approaches the Gr. Bl-backed in size is the Glaucous Gull - this species would not have a dark tail band or dark secondaries or an all dark bill \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Iowa Ornitholgists' Union code of ethics	Administrative records	Ornithology--Societies, etc	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa Ornithologists' Union code of ethics adapted from the RSPB Code.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	1	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Charts (graphic documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-01-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull near Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on January 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, appraisal and comparison of relevant bird sightings, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf	Mississippi River between Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, Illinois. The bird was at times in both states.	Ice floes and open water of Mississippi River.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H. Kent was submitted. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Peter Petersen, Ann Barker, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Western gull is the same size as herring gull, as is slaty backed gull and lesser black backed gull is smaller than herring. The very large legs and bill would also speak against lesser black-backed and slaty-backed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:40:00 on January 14, 1991 and 07:41:00/07:48:00 and 08:12:00/08:28:00 on January 17, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-13	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 13, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great Black-backed Gull	Davenport	Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa	Mississippi River north of Credit Is.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, all black upper wing and back, large head and bill, pink legs eliminate all other black-backed gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:40:00/13:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Black-backed Gull east of Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-18	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 18, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Missisippi River just E (upstream) of Lock 15 in Davenport	river ice	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen 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 Lou Petersen, Walter Zuurdeeg, Ann Barker, and Don Moeller. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Black-backed Gull - this bird too large, mantle color too dark, legs color was pink, not yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:50:00 and 13:00:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-10	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 10, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Great Black-backed Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville	Specific: Big end of Saylorville Specific: off Sandpiper Beach, half in ice, half open	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than Herring gull would seem to eliminate Lesser BB, also, only one dark secondary band on wing white head + large size unlike immature Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-11-07	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great Black-backed Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Jester Park	feeding with other gulls on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Andy Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and dark wingtips eliminates all gulls except Western and Yellow-footed. The massive, dark bill, tail pattern, and pale body color eliminates these. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:15:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull near the Ben Butterworth Parkway in Moline, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-21	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull near the Ben Butterworth Parkway in Moline in Rock Island County, IL on December 21, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, and six documentations submitted to the committee.	Sandvick, Gil	Great Black-backed Gull	Ben Butterworth Parkway	Ben Butterworth Parkway Miss. River - Il. side		The documentation by Gil Sandvick is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Thomas H. Kent, James Fuller, Carl Bendorf, Mary Lou Petersen and Peter C. Petersen, and Francis Moore were submitted later. Other observers include Doris Sandvick, Carol Rogers, Tim Dwyer, Al Hahn, Cal Knight, Ann Barker, Betty Hunt, Kelly McKay, Lewis Blevins, Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It was standing with approx eight Herring gulls. "It really stood out." [...] 1. Using Robbins + Peterson books confirming Herring. Great Black-Backed and Lesser Black Gull we eliminated by size to 24"-26". 2. His overall appearance including bill, head and body seemed much larger and fuller than the Herring gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/16:05:00 on December 21, 1986 and 10:00:00/11:00:00 on December 23, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Great Black-backed Gull	Lake Red Rock	Seen from Hwy 14 bridge across Red Rock Res.		The documentation by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Gil Sandvick. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Herring Gull eliminated by large size, small amount of dark brown on tail, light head + rump. Also lacked light area on inner primaries noted in the nearby Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:35:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Triboji Beach at West Okoboji Lake, 1982	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-14	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Triboji Beach at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on July 14, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Hinshaw, Linda	Great Black-backed Gull	Triboji Beach	N. end of West Okoboji Lake in an area called Triboji Beach on the end of the dock of Earl Rose 1/2 block east of Lee's Resort. Saw same bird fly out into the water.	Large fresh water "blue lake" with sandy shore. Shoreline all developed in housing + resorts.	The documentation form by Linda Hinshaw forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Douglas Harr was submitted. Other observers include Earl Rose, Fleta Rose, Robert Hinshaw, Gwen Hedin, Curt Hedin, Loraine Wallace, Pearle Osher, LaVonne Foote, and Nina Loehr. \| Elimination of similar species: It was too large to be a lesser Black Backed Gull + legs were flesh colored, not yellow. Also much too large to be the Western Gull listed in the Golden Field Guide - 'Birds of North America." \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:50:00 and 19:30:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Lake Manawa, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-12-06	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 6, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, articles in Nebraska Bird Review, Iowa Bird Life, and American Birds, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Green, Ruth	Great Black-backed Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, Iowa	Most of Lake Manawa was frozen over at this time but there were small patches of open water. The bird was standing on the ice at the edge of one of these patches.	The documentation form by Ruth Green forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Sandra S. Kovanda and James Kovanda, Jr. was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: There were only two gulls at this time there--this bird and the glaucous. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Black-backed Gull at George Wyth State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-04-03	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Greater Black-backed Gull at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 3, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Great Black-backed Gull	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth S.P.	Wooded area and open lakes, river. Specific - George wyth lake about 10 acres marshy nearby ponds and lakes, and the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: second year Herring Gull is alot smaller and has a two-tone coloring of the beak. And beak is not as heavily built. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 17:00:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Draft Iowa Ornithologists' Union code of ethics	Administrative records	Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-05-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Draft of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union code of ethics modeled after the American Birding Association code of ethics. Draft dated May 15, 1993.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	1	8