Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

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

Rare bird documentation form for Pectoral Sandpiper at Cone Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-02-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pectoral Sandpiper at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on February 19, 1983.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pectoral Sandpiper	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co., Iowa	Mud flat and marsh edge near spring-fed inlet	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, bib, leg color, and bill shape exclude other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:50:00/09:00:00 and 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	23
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Cone Marsh, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 2, 1980.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co Iowa	mud flat at marsh near long dike at Cone M.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Semipalmated and Pectoral in same field, least 10 ft. away, but had yellow-leg, dirty brown back + bib. Semipalmated had short uniform bill, overall gray with no detail in back feathers, gray bib, no eyeline. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:50:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Dowitcher species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Dowitchers at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 13, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Dowitchers	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir at #14, Marion Co. IA	mud flat on large reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lack of stripes and upright posture eliminate Common Snipe. Typical dowitcher profile. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Credit Island, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on September 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Credit Island	Credit Island Harbor seen from S. Concord St., Davenport, Scott Co	mud flat on Miss.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Brian Blevins was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Pectoral Sandpipers, available side-by-side, were slightly larger, legs & bill a bit longer than Sharp-tailed. White eyebrow on Pectorals did not broaden behind eye cap not as richly colored in Pectorals. Pectorals had streaking across buff breast wash uniformly to lower edge of buff. Back of Sharp-tailed seemed more uniformly rich brown than those of the Pectorals. Birds all departed downstream on Miss. before photos could be attempted. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-10	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on May 10, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Rose, Douglas L.	Snowy Plover	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.M.A, Fremont County Iowa	Mud Flats	The documentation form by Doug Rose is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by B.J. Rose, Pam Allen, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Ross Silcock, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, and Richard Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Semi-Palm + Piping - Both have crane legs This bird had all blk all black bill smaller size \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Rare bird documentation form for Dunlin at Babcock Access in Coralville Reservoir, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-07-30	1995-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dunlin at Babcock Access in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on July 30, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Dunlin	Babcock Access	Coralville Res., Babcock Access, Johnson Co., Iowa	mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill and body proportions were those of a Dunlin, but the date and plumage were new for me. The streaks on the underparts, worn edging on some wing feathers, and eye line appear to be retained alternate features, while the lack of black on belly and rufous in wing are features of basic plumage. I assume that this was an adult partially molted to basic plumage. Although Dunlin is usually a late fall migrant, both Iowa and Minnesota have a few July records. According to Prater et al. (1977), nearctic birds molt before migrating; therefore, a bird in mostly basic plumage would not be unusual. White-rumped Sandpiper is exclude [sic] by the tail pattern, body proportions and bill length. Baird's Sandpiper has a shorter bill, longer tail/wing extension, slimmer profile, and browner and scaly upperparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:45:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	24
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Runnells Wildlife Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-14	1991-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Peregrine Falcons at Runnells Wildlife Area in Warren County, IA on September 14, 1991.	Porter, Diane C.	Peregrine Falcon	Runnells Overlook	Runnells Wildlife Area	Mud flats	The documentation form by Diane Porter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Jim Fuller, Peter Petersen, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Birds were too big and grey for kestrels; too big and too much face pattern for merlins; no black axillaries and too dark for prairie falcons; too small, slim, and dark for gyrfalcons. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the mid morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for White-rumped Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-08-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-rumped Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 10, 1999.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-rumped Sandpiper	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, shape, colors, and wings all indicate this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff at Coralville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-21	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 21, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an Iowa Bird Life article, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ruff	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, Iowa	mud flats on old oxbow	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Jane Fuller, Chris Caster, Carl Bendorf, John Rutenbeck, Ken Lowder, Jim Durbin, Joyce Durbin, and Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Stilt Sandpiper were present for comparison. This bird was quite distinctive in terms of the orange legs, black smudge across the breast, blackness of the upper parts, and white V in the tail. I judged the sex as a female based on size and plumage, and the plumage as alternate based on the distribution of black and the feather wear. More black on the underparts might be expected in fresh spring plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:40:00 and 16:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-10-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Western Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co. Iowa.	mud flats with shallow pools	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and shape in comparison with Baird's Sandpiper establish this bird as a peep. The black legs, gray color, and lack of bib exclude Least Sandpiper (several of which were seen earlier). The distinction from Semipalmated Sandpiper is based on the bill and apparent molt to basic plumage. Five minutes earlier I had seen two Semipalmated Sandpipers running on the other side of the area; they had short straight bills and had all feathers of the upper parts edged with buff (juvenile plumage). I had seen a number of Semipalmated Sandpipers with longer and slightly drooped bills this fall, but none approached the length, thinness, and droop seen on the current bird. According to Kenn Kaufman's Advanced Birding, Semipalmated Sandpipers wear their juvenile plumage until they reach wintering grounds, and juvenile Western Sandpipers gradually molt from juvenile to basic plumage from August to October with some retaining rusty scapulars. I assume, based on date, that this bird was probably a first-year bird, and that it had either completely molted to basic plumage or had some rusty scapulars that I did not see. I did not consider any of the Eurasian stints, which would be exceeding unlikely and have bills more like a semipalmated or have yellow legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	3
Rare bird documentation form for Short-billed Dowitcher at Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-03	1985-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Short-billed Dowitchers at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 3, 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Short-billed Dowitcher	Coralville Lake	DuPont Rd, Coralville Res, Johnson Co, IA	mud flats, backwater	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Juveniles distinguished by internal marking on wing feathers and buffy neck. Adult by mixed white and red on underparts with dots on sides of breast and probably by call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Rare bird documentation form for Semipalmated Sandpiper at Red Rock Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for sixteen Semipalmated Sandpipers at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 13, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Semipalmated Sandpiper	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Res, Marion Co, IA	mud flats, large reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I judged birds to be small peeps. Too small and gray to be Pectorals. Dunlin would be more likely, but bills not long enough or droopy + body too small. Did not have brown color on bill to suggest Least. Date would be second latest for Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	17
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-07-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on July 20, 1991.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	mud pools	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bill and marks on sides unlike Least or Semipalmated sandpipers. Lack of white rump eliminated White-rumped. Rufous feathers supports identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Long-billed Dowitcher at Big Creek State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-billed Dowitcher at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Long-billed Dowitcher	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park-north end	muddy area along lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Short-billed Dowitcher eliminated by the birds call note (should be softer notes for Short-bill) and by the combination of gray/brown underparts, gray back with light feather edgings, and barred undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:05:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at Hendrickson Marsh, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-04	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on May 4, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Whimbrel	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendrickson's Marsh, s.e. Story Co., Iowa	muddy clover field, vegetation only few inches, some water	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt, Romona R. Sommerlot, Paul Martsching, Hank Zaletel, Joe Schaufenbuel, and James Dinsmore were submitted later. Other observers include Phyllis Harris, Ed Savage, Betty Savage, Jim Maish, Dorothy Maish, Dick Mooney, Ted LaGrange, Eugene Armstrong, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit (this had decurved bill, no rusty breast & no white & black flight pattern); Long-billed Curlew (much shorter bill & prominent stripes on crown); Willet (different flight colors in wings & much browner & also decurved bill). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Rare bird documentation form for Long-billed Dowitcher at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-23	1984-09-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten Long-billed Dowitchers at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on September 23, 1984.	Newlon, Michael C.	Long-billed Dowitcher	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	pond E of Dupont Br. Rd, Hawkeye WA Johnson Co IA	muddy pool on reservoir floodplain	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: scapular pattern, blurry chest markings (rather than 'speckles'), soft edges to side-bars, tail pattern, date, indicate long-bills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 16:00:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White Ibis at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, 1995.	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-05	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of an White Ibis at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, IA on September 5, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article from North American Birds, an article from Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Edwards, Chris	White Ibis	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Hawkeye Wildlife Area (Coralville Reservoir), Johnson Co.	Muddy shoreline.	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Stephen J. Dinsmore, and Peter C. Petersen were submitted later. Other observers include Tim Schantz, James Huntington, Jim Scheib, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis and White-faced Ibis have dark underparts and dark bills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	22
Rare bird documentation form for Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 1, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lapland Longspur	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	mudflat	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The face pattern made me think of Smith's Longspur, but the chestnut color and black bib excluded this. Chestnut-colored Longspur has a yellow or buff throat and more extensive black on front. The color and face pattern do not fit Horned Lark or American Pipit. Horned Larks were present on the flats and I saw pipits later at another location. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/17:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	66
Rare bird documentation form for Pectoral Sandpiper at Big Creek State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-01	1987-12-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pectoral Sandpiper at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on December 1, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pectoral Sandpiper	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	mudflat area at north end of lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bart Ballard. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, yellowish legs, and well defined 'necklace' eliminates all other shorebirds except Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. The fact the the [sic] eyeline did not broaden behind the eye and the streaked rather than buffy breast eliminates Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on September 15, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Knot	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	mudflat area in drained section of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Hank Zaletal, Jim Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, and Paul Martsching were submitted later. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: peeps sp. because of smaller size, lack of gray scaly back, lack of white stripe above eye and lack of black wing tips with white wing stripe. Sanderling was eliminated by smaller size, unscaly back, larger amount of black on wings and lack of necklace on breast. Eliminated from other shore birds by combination of chunky short legged appearance, white wing stripe, necklace on breast and grayish, scaly appearance. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-21	1985-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on April 21, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Elk Rock State Park	Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County	mudflat area on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Richards and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Other egrets by size combined with dark bill and black legs with yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Cone Marsh, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-07-22	1980-08-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on July 22, 1980.	Newlon, Carol S.	Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh (south bridge)	mudflat next to open water -	The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Small round head, appearance of long neck and even color eliminate Bairds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-16	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Red Knot at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 16, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Newlon, Michael C.	Red Knot	Sand Point	Sand Point, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	mudflats	The documentation form with an attachment by Michael Newlon is the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and two documentation forms for two separate sightings by Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Build, pale wings + color pattern, feather pattern on back/coverts distinctive. [...] No other calidrine sandpiper likely to be found in Iowa combines the coloration, size, and proportions of the Knot. The only species that combine the overall grey coloration and the heavy straight bill are Sanderling, much smaller, and Willet, much larger and longer-legged, with blue-grey rather than black bill and legs. The other shorebirds that are remotely similar are the Tattlers, which have more slender bills and paler legs; basic-plumaged Surfbird, which has a shorter, thicker bill, yellow at base, pale legs, and less-distinct face-pattern (but similar pattern on coverts/ scapulars/tertials); Great knot, which is supposed to lack a distinct supercilium, have round black spots on chest and flanks, black upperparts, a longer, more slender bill. .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Rare bird documentation form for Ruddy Turnstone at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruddy Turnstone at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 30, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ruddy Turnstone	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough	mudflats at edge of what water remains in the slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tayce Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing looks like a breeding-plumage Ruddy Turnstone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:45:00/19:00:00 and other times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	15
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