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 Laughing Gull at IPL ponds, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-08-27	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at the IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on August 27, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Laughing Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power & Light Settling Pond, south pond, Pottawattamie Co.		The documentation form by Babs & Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: At rest, the bird had a very slender and streamlined appearance, not stocky like that of a Franklin's Gull. The head had no trace of a dark hood. The head was the same color as the rest of the body except for lighter areas around bill, on forehead and top of the head. The bill seemed longer and more curved than a Franklin's, but difficult to say with no Franklin's for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/11:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Iowa Birdline update, August 28, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Parulidae \| Warblers Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-08-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for August 28, 1989. Highlights include the continued presence of a Laughing Gull and a lot of Warbler movement.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Red Knot Buff-breasted Sandpiper Laughing Gull American Golden Plover	Coralville Lake Indianola Lake Red Rock Sandpiper Recreation Area Granger				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-08-31	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on August 31, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Red Knot	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Sl. Nat. Wild Refuge north of Titonka Blacktop	mudflats with puddles + pools	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird had a different bill than any shorebird - I've ever seen. No other shore bird has a red breast. (Ok - curlew sand.) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Field reports, Ramona R. Sommerlot, fall 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification	1989-08-31	1989-09-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field reports submitted by Ramona R. Sommerlot for fall 1989 with detailed descriptions. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1989.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Wood Thrush Black-throated Blue Warbler Canada Warbler Mourning Warbler	Union Bangor Township				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	1
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 24, Number 1, September 1989	Newsletters	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings Societies--History, organization, etc	1989-09-01	1989-09-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 24, Number 1, September 1989. Highlights of the newsletter include the 1989-1990 society event schedule with program topics and speakers as well as field trips, an introduction and brief history of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society, and the 1989-1990 budget of the society.	Edwards, David C. Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)		Ames				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-03	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 3, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Knot	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Beach area of Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	sandy/rocky beach	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Bob Myers, Robert Cecil, Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Michael K. Thomas, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Dennis Thompson, Betsy Myers, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size should eliminate all peeps. The bird was also larger than Sanderlings in direct comparison. Otherwise, the bill shape and dull yellow legs would eliminate Sanderling and Dunlin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:53:00/07:41:00 and 08:15:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Iowa Birdline update, September 4, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-09-04	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for September 4, 1989. Highlights include the sighting of a Harris' Hawk, Laughing Gulls and Red Knots.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Golden-winged Warbler Harris's Hawk Red Knot Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Baird's Sandpiper Connecticut Warbler Cape May Warbler Laughing Gull	Blairstown Burlington Lake Red Rock Perry Saylorville Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Field reports, Michael K. Thomas, fall 1989	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Identification	1989-09-05	1989-11-22	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field reports submitted by Michael Thomas for fall 1989. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1989.	Thomas, Michael K.	American Avocet Carolina Wren Red Knot Ruddy Turnstone Sanderling Brown Creeper	Des Moines Sandpiper Recreation Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Laughing Gull at Mississippi River Pool 18 in Des Moines County, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-09	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Laughing Gulls at Mississippi River Pool 18 in Des Moines County, IA on September 9, 1989. Includes one record review document with votes, two photographs, analysis of the photograph, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Laughing Gull	Pool 18	Mississippi River, 2 south and 5 east of Kingston, Des Moines Co., Iowa.	Mississippi River several miles above dam.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Louise Augustine and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The juvenile bird is distinctive and I was able to pick it out quickly. When we first saw the second-year bird, we considered both Franklin's and Laughing gulls. A juvenile or first-winter Franklin's would not have uniform gray in the wing coverts. A second-summer or second-winter Franklin's Gull would not have a full tail band. The bill shape also favors Laughing Gull. The bird appears to be in second-winter plumage, except for the tail band which fits better with first-summer plumage. I was impressed with the soft grayness of the bird and its similarity the birds I photographed recently in North Carolina. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Harris's Hawk at South of Blairstown, 1989	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-10	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Harris's Hawk at South of Blairstown in Benton County, IA on September 10, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Harris's Hawk	Blairstown	2 1/2 miles South of Blairstown (Benton Co.) along I-56	Feedlot and open grazing land (hilly)	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 were submitted later. Other observers include Keith Carris, Carl Bendorf, Jim Fuller, and Ken Lowder. \| Elimination of similar species: Hawk at one time - appeared to be about the same size. White-tailed hawk has similar shoulder patch but breast is light. Dark phase Swainson's or red tail do not have white undertail or this tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	30
Iowa Birdline update, September 12, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-09-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for September 12, 1989. Highlights include continued sightings of a Harris' Hawk, and the sightings of a Golden Eagle and Buff-breasted Sandpiper.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Ruby-throated Hummingbird Yellow-throated Warbler Snowy Egret Harris's Hawk Golden Eagle Ruddy Turnstone Red-breasted Nuthatch Buff-breasted Sandpiper Laughing Gull	Blairstown Burlington Kingston Grand Junction Sandpiper Recreation Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Iowa Birdline update, September 18, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-09-18	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for September 18, 1989. Highlights include the sighting of a Black-shouldered Kite and reports from the Iowa Ornithologists' Union fall meeting.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	White-tailed Kite Red-shouldered Hawk Snowy Egret Harris's Hawk Herring Gull Black-crowned Night Heron Red-necked Phalarope Sedge Wren Laughing Gull	Blairstown Burlington Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge Spirit Lake Sandpiper Recreation Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-tailed Kite at Otter Creek Marsh, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents) Maps (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-18	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-tailed Kite at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on September 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration, map, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee. Within the original documentation, the bird is identified as a Black-shouldered Kite.	Petersen, Peter C.	White-tailed Kite	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	S.E. corner Otter Creek marsh, near Chelsea, Ia.	rather dry marsh, some wooded margins	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The only similar raptor would be an Osprey which is much larger, has a black mask, elbow with large black area, mottled gray underwing and on tail and dark on upper surface of wing. Gulls are closer, but wings with dark area at tips of wings on top side, shorter tail, different flight, not pursued by small birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	25
Iowa RBA, September 21, 1998	Field notes	Bird watching Birds of prey Birds--Migration Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-09-21	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa RBA for September 21, 1998. Highlights include reports on the raptor migration and an early Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Rough-legged Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Summer Tanager Eurasian Collared Dove Merlin Pine Warbler	Ledges State Park Starr's Cave Nature Center Grinnell Country Club Macbride Nature Recreation Area Hiawatha				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	44	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull north of Farragut, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-24	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull north of Farragut in Fremont County, IA on September 24, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Braley, Jean B.	Sabine's Gull	Farragut	Hiway #2, North of Farragut, IA c 1 mile E of Co. Rd. M16 to 1 mile W.	State highway - Nishna Botna River parallel to road 1/8 to 1/4 mile so[...]	The documentation form by Jean B. Braley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Francis M. Braley. \| Elimination of similar species: Felt sure it was not a familiar species (to me) although I thought about Bl Kittiwake (R. Tridacryla) but wings too black + white without black band to body; smaller size; no black band across neck \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Diamond Lake County Park, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-25	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull at Diamond Lake County Park in Poweshiek County, IA on September 25, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Koenig, Darwin	Sabine's Gull	Diamond Lake County Park	Diamond Lake County Park, Poweshiek County		The documentation form by Darwin Koenig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: 1. Black-legged Kittiwake - larger, no forked tail, lacks bold black, white, greyish-brown triangular wing pattern, has a dark diagonal bar in wings, has dark bar on hind neck and dark ear spot. 2. Little Gull - smaller, dark cap and ear spot, dark diagonal bar across wing, no forked tail, lacks bold black, white and greyish brown triangular wing pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Iowa Birdline update, September 28, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Emberizidae \| Sparrows Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-09-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for September 28, 1989. Highlights include Water Pipits, a Merlin, and several Sparrow species.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Chimney Swift Snowy Egret Merlin Le Conte's Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Peregrine Falcon Water Pipit Common Tern Sandhill Crane	Burlington Coralville Lake Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge Saylorville Lake Fairfield Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 24, Number 2, October 1989	Newsletters	Bird watching Habitat (Ecology) Ornithology--Societies, etc Natural areas Acid rain Vegetation management	1989-10-01	1989-10-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 24, Number 2, October 1989. Highlights of the newsletter include details on upcoming field trips for a Hawk watch and waterfowl watches, a report of a field trip to Doolittle Prairie in which 20 species of birds and 25 species of prairie plants were observed, an update on acid rain samples by Mike Meetz, and an article on roadside vegetation management.	Edwards, David C. Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)	White-throated Sparrow	Ames Doolittle Prairie State Preserve				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	4
Iowa Birdline update, October 2, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Migratory birds Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-10-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for October 2, 1989. Highlights include reports of migrants of all sizes. Sightings include Sharp-tailed Sparrows, a Golden Eagle and Black-bellied Plovers.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Merlin Greater Yellowlegs Golden Eagle Peregrine Falcon Sora Black-bellied Plover American Golden Plover Sharp-shinned Hawk	Burlington Clear Lake Coralville Lake Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area Spirit Lake Badger Creek State Recreation Area Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-05	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on October 5, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below Red Rock Dam, near Pella, Marion Co., IA	River with numerous sand and gravel bars	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair, Raymond Cummins, and James Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Marlys Huff, David Youngblut, Pete Wickham, John Daniel, and Ken Lowder. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed Gull- The bird was not large enough nor was the bill as massive. The great black-backed should also show a whiter head and lighter inner primaries and the back would be more of a checkerboard than the scaliness of this bird. Herring Gull- Because of variability, eliminating the herring was more problematic. Size was not particularly helpful initially in that this bird was near the second-year herring gull for such a brief time that I really couldn't make comparison. The variable sizes of ring-bills were of no help because next to some it looked huge and next to others it was only some larger. Some subtle differences were helpful in making this bird "look different" but I don't believe they could be considered sufficient. The checkered, scaly look was more pronounced than most juvenile herrings. The wings seemed long as they extended beyond the tail. The bill was entirely black and the tail band more distinct than most juvenile herrings. The color distinction between the head/tail and body from a distance were also helpful. The clincher, however, was during flight when no "windows" were visible on the inner primaries and the dark secondary coverts created a wide, dark trailing edge to the wing. These flight indicators, as well as size differential, were confirmed on the 23 October sighting. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/16:00:00 and 16:15:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Field reports, Jon Stravers, fall 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Weather	1989-10-07	1989-10-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field reports submitted by Jon Stravers for the fall of 1989 with detailed descriptions of the sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1989.	Stravers, Jon	Double-crested Cormorant Peregrine Falcon	Grinnell Lake Red Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-08	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 8, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the request for reevaluation of record, a photograph, photocopy of two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Little Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-seen off Sandpiper Beach Recreation Area	seen flying over large reservoir with several Ring-billed Gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Pam Allen and Reid Allen were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was obviously too small to be one of the larger gulls, like a Ring-billed or a Herring gull. The very pale mantle, dark spot behind each eye, and lack of black on the top of the primaries eliminates Franklin's and Laughing gulls. The black underside of the flight feathers, pale gray mantle and wings, white wingtips, and rounded wings eliminates Bonaparte's and Sabine's gulls and kittiwakes. The square tail and wing pattern eliminates Ross' Gull. The smaller size, black underside of the flight feathers, lack of a white "wedge" on the upper surface of the outer primaries, rounder wings, and lack of black on the upper surface of the primaries eliminates Common Black-headed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-08	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on October 8, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Black Rail	McBreen Marsh	South end of a restored wetland on the north side of the McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 4 mi. NW of Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	Was in 3 20-30' diam. clumps of river bulrush surrounded by mudflats	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jeffrey K. Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora and Virginia Rail - was smaller and different color (black) than these. Yellow rail - wrong color, also \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Iowa Birdline update, October 9, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-10-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for October 9, 1989. Highlights include a Little Gull, Surf Scoters and a Prairie Falcon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon Northern Goshawk Surf Scoter Osprey Peregrine Falcon Common Snipe Black-billed Cuckoo Orange-crowned Warbler Little Gull	Laurens Saylorville Lake Fairfield Badger Creek State Recreation Area Palo Marsh County Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Iowa Birdline update, October 16, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-10-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for October 16, 1989. Highlights include a winter plumaged Lesser Black-backed Gull standing with Herring Gulls.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon Western Grebe Merlin Herring Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Semipalmated Plover Buff-breasted Sandpiper American Golden Plover Eastern Screech-Owl	Big Creek Lake Des Moines Red Rock Dam Sandpiper Recreation Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2