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 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
Audubon field notes, Spring 1969	Field notes	Bird watching	1969-03-01	1969-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Report was created on June 10, 1969 for the Audubon field notes, summarizing bird sightings in Iowa during spring 1969. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of spring 1969.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Brown, Woodward H.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	8
Dorothy Franek letter to Peter C. Peterson regarding her first winter bird population study, March 10, 1969	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1969-01-01	1969-03-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Dorothy Franek to Peter C. Peterson, March 10, 1969, covered her first winter bird population study. She listed the birds she saw on her property, which she called the Franek Forty, during January 1-March 31, 1969. The letter included locations, weather conditions, and new plantings on the property. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1968-1969.	Franek, Dorothy	Northern Bobwhite	Montgomery County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	8
Dorothy Franek letter to Frances Braley regarding her activities with birds, January 17, 1969	Correspondence Maps (documents)	Bird banding Bird watching Birds--Habitat Birds--Identification	1969-01-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Dorothy Franek to Frances Braley, dated January 17, 1969, discussed birds identified on her property in Grant Township, Montgomery County, near Red Oak, Iowa, bird feeders created, and the need for help in identifying some birds and banding some in the spring. Included were lists of the birds seen and a description of the location including a map of the acreage. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1968-1969.	Franek, Dorothy		Grant Township				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	8
Dorothy Franek letter to Peter C. Petersen regarding bird sightings records, January 18, 1969	Correspondence	Bird watching	1969-01-18	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Dorothy Franek to Peter C. Petersen discussed her record keeping of bird sightings and contributions to the Audubon Society. Enclosed in this letter was the document separately described as "Dorothy Franek letter to Frances Braley regarding her activities with birds, January 17, 1969" (https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/1694/view.) This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1968-1969.	Franek, Dorothy		Red Oak				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	8
Audubon field notes, winter 1968-1969	Field notes	Bird watching	1968-12-01	1969-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Report titled "A.F.N. Winter 1968-69" was submitted by Woodward H. Brown to Audubon field notes. Circled in blue were parts about a Saw-whet Owl, Red-breasted Nuthatches and Evening Grosbeaks. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1968-1969.	Brown, Woodward H.	Evening Grosbeak Northern Saw-whet Owl Red-breasted Nuthatch	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	8
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, winter 1968-1969	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching	1968-12-01	1969-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the winter of 1968-1969 titled "Field reports, winter season 1968-69" It is published in Iowa bird life 39: 18-20, 1969. The report is a draft with manual annotations. Attached to the report there is a letter from Woodward Brown to Peter C. Peterson regarding a bird sighting and membership dues.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Brown, Woodward H.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Brewer's Blackbird at Zirbel Slough, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-08	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Brewer's Blackbird at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on September 8, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Brewer's Blackbird	Zirbel Slough	Zirbel Slough, Cerro Gordo Co., IA	Marsh	The documentation form by Jim Bangma and Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rusty Blackbird ruled out by solid black color, deeper call note, bill shape. Grackles ruled out by tail length, bill size and shape and call note. Cowbirds ruled out by eye color, tail length and head/bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-18	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge in Clinton County, IA on December 18, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kaufman, Sharon	Wood Thrush	Eden Valley County Refuge	West Valley at Eden Valley Refuge (Lost Nation CBC)	Shrubs at hardwood timber edge	The documentation form by Sharon Kaufman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Jack Wohlstadter. \| Elimination of similar species: Hermit and Grey Cheeked Thrush. This bird had more conspicuous eye, larger and more numerous breast spots. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Great Black-backed Gull	White Breast Creek	Whitebreast Point, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Flying over open water and ice	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size (larger than Herring) eliminated most others. White head and black and white checkering eliminate Lesser Black-backed and Herring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-10-23	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on October 23, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Great Black-backed Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Black hawk Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Because I did not see the bird from front I could not eliminate other species - However due to its extreme size I eliminated all other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:34:00/10:34:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	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 Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at Cone Marsh, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-03-29	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 29, 1996 Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh (Louisa County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Comparisons to Pectoral and Baird's Sandpipers have been made during description. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	8
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
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