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 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 Western Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-22	1997-10-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on October 22, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Western Sandpiper	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co., south side of B14	mudflats in marsh	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carolyn Fischer and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Semipalmated only true possibilitys [sic] bill difference - long, dropped, tapered call difference rufous scapular edges gray basic plumage in place \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on October 28, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Lily Pond	Amana L., Iowa Co., IA.	large shallow lake with low water and extensive mud flats.	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: Separation from Semipalmated Sandpiper rests on the bill. The behavior is a bit supportive. Based on records for Iowa, we do not yet know which species is more likely. Having to travel to South America, it would seem that semipalmateds would pass through Iowa earlier, but pectorals go just as far south and some are late migrants. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Details on unusual bird sighting by Jim Fuller, July 8	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes for a Western Sandpiper by Jim Fuller. The Sandpiper was seen at Babcock Access in Johnson County, IA on July 8, unknown year.	Fuller, James L	Western Sandpiper	Babcock Access				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
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 Western Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-08-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Western Sandpipers at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 22, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	mud flat along waterway at upper part of reservoir.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The overall color made me think of Least Sandpiper first, but the legs were definitely black and the bill was more decurved than any Least Sandpiper I have seen. I have seen rather rufous appearing Semipalmated Sandpipers, but they looked much more uniform on the upper parts than this bird did. Also the bill was too curved for a semi. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Western Sandpipers at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 1, 1991.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956- Pinkston, Daniel P.	Western Sandpiper	Sand Point	Sand Point on Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston and Daniel Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Some 30+ Semipalmated Sandpipers observed in same area simultaneously: Less robust and proportionately shorter-legged, bills clearly the shorter in all individuals with less distinct or no droop at tip, cold grayish coloration with no hint of rust in scapulars or crown. Sanderling larger with proportionately shorter bill, always shows dark bend of wing in basic plumage. Basic-plumaged Dunlin comparable in size to Pectoral Sandpiper with more substantial and drooped bill, gray wash across entire breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation for Western Sandpiper at Roberts Creek area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-09-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Western Sandpiper at Roberts Creek area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on September 27, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Western Sandpiper	Roberts Creek	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion co.-Roberts Creek area	feeding with other shorebirds on muddy area	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 long, drooped bill, rufous scapulars, and feeding method rules out Semipalmated Sandpiper and other peeps. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:26:00/14:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at east of Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Western Sandpipers east of Ames in Story County, IA on September 30, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Western Sandpiper	Ames	3 miles e. of Ames, Story Co.	flooded field	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: The rusty scapulars and long, dropped bills eliminate Semipalmated Sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper east of Colo, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper east of Colo in Story County, IA on May 14, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Western Sandpiper	Colo	pothole one mile east of Colo, Iowa (on old highway 30)	pothole in plowed field	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sandpiper article in American Birds shows both Semipalm and Western with spooned bills and partial webbing between toes, but Semipalms bill is shorter and doesn't droop at end (except in extreme cases with same Semipalm females) and in any case doesn't have the orangish feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Bays Branch in 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1986-05-03	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Bays Branch, IA on May 3, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	Western Sandpiper	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at the DuPont Bridge in Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Western Sandpipers at the DuPont Bridge in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 3, 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res. (DuPont Bridge A.), Johnson Co, IA	Dry backwater with 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 heavy marking on the underparts would be unusual for any other peep. We usually see Westerns in basic or juvenile plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Sioux-Prome Lagoons in Sioux Center, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-08-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Sioux-Prome Lagoons in Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on August 19, 1983.	Brand, Gordon James	Western Sandpiper	Sioux Center	Sioux-Prome Lagoons, Sioux Center	aerobic waste treatment lagoons with exposed mudflats	The documentation form by Gordon Brand is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tina Van Dyke. \| Elimination of similar species: Noted in the above description. Also I had been daily observing the shorebirds and so could quickly note the difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Rathbun Reservoir, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-08-06	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on August 6, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a photocopy of a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Thomas N.	Laughing Gull	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun	Sandbar	The documentation form by Tom Johnson 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 Dot Cornett, Chuck Fuller, and Mary Montgomery. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Bill was slimmer than ring bill gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Babcock Lake in unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for four Western Sandpipers at Babcock Lake in Johnson County, IA on September 17, unknown year.	Newlon, Michael C.	Western Sandpiper	Babcock Access				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at the Trickle Slough Area of Big Spirit Lake, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a California Gull at the Trickle Slough Area of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 13, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	California Gull	Trickle Slough Area	Trickle Slough Area of Big Spirit Lake	Natural lake with point of land	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Thayer's Gull - head shape, bill size and leg color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:40:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Red Rock Lake, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a California Gull at Red Rock Lake in Marion County, IA on October 5 to November 4, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation submitted to the committee.	Brees, Aaron	California Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock, Marion Co.		The documentation form by Aaron Brees is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] - larger than Ring-billed Gulls [...] - smaller than Herring Gulls - all first year Herrings have 75-100% dark bills - Herrings are thicker, bulkier - California sits more buoyantly on the water with tail and wingtips sitting much higher off the water	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-06-16	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at the southeastern corner of Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on June 16, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, sight record, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Laughing Gull	Black Hawk Lake	spoil area SE of Blackhawk Lake, Sac County, IA	shallow water and sandflats	The documentation form by Bill Huser forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Rob Thelen and Peter Ernzen were submitted. Other observers include Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: the black head eliminated most gulls. Size, and other features, eliminated Little and Bonaparte's Gulls. Size, bill size, leg color and lack of white on primaries eliminated Franklin's Gulls. Common Black-headed Gulls were eliminated by the black, not brown, hood, black legs and lack of white on dorsal wing. Sabine's was eliminated by the bill color, size and lack of white on dorsal wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Runnells Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-08-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area in Marion County, IA on August 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells W.A., Marion Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ray Cummins was submitted later. Other observers include Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, brown coloration, and bill and leg color eliminated other gull species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 10, 1996. Includes one record review document with votes, a photograph, correspondence about bird sighting, an Iowa Bird Life Article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	resting on beach with other gulls	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was clearly one of the "hooded" gulls. The combination of size, mantle color, and upperwing pattern eliminates all of the hooded gulls except for Franklin's Gull. The larger size, less obvious white eye crescents, larger and longer bill, and extensively dark tips to the underwings eliminated Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-03	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area in Marion County, IA on September 3, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Red Rock Wildlife Area	1 mi e. of Swan, Marion Co. (Runnells W.A.)	shallow pool of water	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair and Thomas H. Kent were submitted. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species this bird could be confused with was Franklin's Gull. The larger size, bill size, and head and wing patterns all eliminated Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/12:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-19	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 19, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species of confusion was Franklin's Gull. The larger size, wing pattern, tail pattern, and bill size and shape all eliminated Franklin's Gull, many of which were nearby for comparisons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/10:32:00 and 13:45:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Spencer Creek in Pleasant Valley, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-30	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Spencer Creek in Pleasant Valley in Scott County, IA on September 30, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two copies of a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Laughing Gull	Spencer Creek	mouth of Spencer Creek, Pleasant Valley, Scott Co. + flying down Miss R.	gravel bar at mouth of creek + over river	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include May Lou Petersen and Dan Dorrance. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's Gull - larger, much heavier bill, wider tail band, this bird with much more extensive area of black on primaries. Franklin's were in the area but not standing on same gravel bar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-13	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 13, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and two copies of a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	Beaches at Oak Grove & Sandpiper	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than a Franklin's Gull. In direct comparison with Ring-billed, only slightly smaller. No white in the primaries. Bill probably longer. Do Franklin's ever have a broken tail band? \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-11	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on May 11, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, three photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Dam	Polk Co., below Saylorville Dam Spillway		The documentation form by Pam Allen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H. Kent was submitted. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's Gull is smaller and has white edges to its wing tips. The black cap does not extend as far down the back of the neck like the Laughing Gull. The call is much different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:15:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18