|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Full at Lock 13, 1995
|
Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1995-10-22
|
2000-11-20
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock 13 in Clinton County, IA on October 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter with field notes submitted to the committee.
|
Petersen, Peter C.
|
Lesser Black-backed Gull
|
Lock and Dam 13
|
Lock 13
|
|
The documentation letter and field notes by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Dorrance, Kelly McKay, Mary Lou Petersen, and Dennis Carter. | The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:15:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
5
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1994
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1994-12-11
|
1996-04-25
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 11, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Dinsmore, Stephen J.
|
Lesser Black-backed Gull
|
Red Rock Dam
|
below Red Rock Reservoir dam, Marion Co., IA
|
spillway below dam
|
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
5
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed at Red Rock Lake, 1994
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1994-10-29
|
1996-04-25
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Lake in Marion County, IA on October 29, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Armstrong, Eugene
|
Lesser Black-backed Gull
|
Lake Red Rock
|
Red Rock Lake
|
Lake
|
The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Maridel Jackson, and Barb Bettis. | Elimination of similar species: Ringbills never have a scaly pattern over the back or an all black bill. Smaller than a herring gull. Herrings only have a black bill when they are in brown juvenile plumage. 1st summer herring has a 2/3rds pink bill. | The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:35:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
5
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Least Tern at Cone Marsh, 1984
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1984-05-19
|
1993-09-01
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Least Tern at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 19, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of a review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Bendorf, Carl J.
|
Least Tern
|
Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area
|
Cone Marsh
|
State owned marsh of about 700 Acres.
|
The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt was submitted. | Elimination of similar species: The obvious possibilities are both Common or Forsters' Terns. At the very most, this bird was perhaps half the size of the gulls. This would put the body length in the general range of 8" long with a wingspread of 24" (according to size of Ring bills in the Natl. Geo. Guide) The Natl. Geo. Guide gives the general size range of Least Tern as 9" long with a wingspread of 20 ". The sizes of the other terns are given as Common L 14 1/2', W 30", and Forsters' L 14 1/2, W=31". Thus on size alone, Least Tern seems to be the only reasonable choice. The short but deeply forked tail also indicates Least Tern. Harrison's SEABIRDS says, on page 182, "Size and hurried flight,..., usually sufficient to clinch identification in northern hemisphere". The flight of this bird was much quicker and fluttery compared to my experience with the slower, deeper, and more deliberate flight of Common and Forster's Terns. | The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
12
|
3
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull south of Saylorville, 1993
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1993-04-24
|
1995-07-08
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull south of Saylorville in Polk County, IA on April 24, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Passenger Pigeon, an article in Illinois Audubon Bulletin, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Engebretsen, Bery
|
Laughing Gull
|
Saylorville
|
South of Saylorville
|
Flooded bean field (Des Moines River bottom land)
|
The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. | Elimination of similar species: Bird flew & sat on ground next to Franklin's Gulls, and Bonaparte's gulls. Did not have white wedge of Bonapartes, Blackheaded or Sabine's Gull's. The other black-headed gull, the Little Gull, has no black at all on wing tips. See above for comparison to Franklin's. [...] Larger bill, compared to adjacent Franklin's, was not pure red, partially black. Eye ring smaller, less conspicuous, again, than adjacent Franklins. | The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:40:00.
|
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 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 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
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1993
|
Administrative records Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1993-09-18
|
1995-07-08
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on September 18, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Johnson, Ann
|
Laughing Gull
|
Saylorville Dam
|
Below Saylorville Dam, Polk County, IA
|
Fast moving river with many small fish
|
The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: The body and bill structure eliminated all but hooded gulls and the brown plumage indicated a first year bird. Size close to Ring-billed, in addition to plumage already described, eliminated some of the smaller hooded gulls. The most likely candidate for confusion would be the Franklin's Gull. Juvenile Franklin's shows a hooded pattern early in development rather than a brown wash on the head. Franklin's tail band would also be incomplete with white feathers showing on the outer edge. It would also show fewer dark primaries, with the inner flight feathers more approximating the mantle and inner wing color. No other small gull has this characteristic. | The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:10:00 and 15:30:00/14:00:00 [sic].
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
|
18
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandy Beach at Coraville Reservoir, 1977
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1977-03-26
|
1999-04-02
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 26, 1977. Includes two record review documents with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Halmi, Nicholas S.
|
Laughing Gull
|
Sandy Beach Public Use Area
|
Sandy Beach, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co.
|
sandy shore of reservoir and flying out over lake
|
The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull: lack of white band separating black on wing tip from mantle; size difference from Ring bill in this case not as obvious as for Franklin's. | The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
|
18
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987
|
Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1987-06-29
|
1993-09-07
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on June 29, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Thompson, Dennis
|
Laughing Gull
|
Sandpiper Recreation Area
|
New Beach (sw of marina) Saylorville Lake Polk Co Ia
|
Sandy beach.
|
The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull - bird had a completely different build. I had the advantage of a direct comparison with ring-billed. This bird was smaller, but still larger than a Franklin's. I would say it was half-way between a Ring-bill + Franklin's in size. White was almost non existent in the wingtips, both at rest + in flight. The most obvious difference was the structure of the bird. As soon as I saw it, I knew it wasn't a Franklin's. The long neck, size, long legs, long bill, + "pot-bellied" look caught my eye immediately. I guess another way to describe it was upright-looking. | The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:35:00.
|
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 Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1991
|
Administrative records Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1991-07-15
|
1993-07-17
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on July 15, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Engebretsen, Bery
|
Laughing Gull
|
Sandpiper Recreation Area
|
Saylorville
|
General: Saylorville lake Specific: parking lot (closed) at Sandpiper Beach
|
The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: large bill, no suggestion of a hood, scaled back & complete, broad dark tail band suggest Laughing, rather than Franklin's. | The original documentation form event lasted from 19:50:00/20:05:00.
|
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 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 Red Rock Reservoir, 1991
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1991-08-06
|
1995-07-08
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for two Laughing Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on August 6, 1991. 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
|
Lake Red Rock
|
Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co.
|
large mudflat along lakeshore
|
The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and many unidentified observers. | Elimination of similar species: The only species similar to a Laughing Gull is Franklin's Gull. This species was eliminated on the basis of size, bill size and shape, leg length, and wing and tail pattern. | The original documentation form event lasted from 07:21:00/13:56:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
|
18
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1991-07-17
|
1995-07-08
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on July 17, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photocopy of a photograph, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Proescholdt, Mark
|
Laughing Gull
|
Lake Red Rock
|
Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion Co.)
|
Mudflats near retreating water
|
The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Tanya E. Bray, Barbara L. Wilson, and Randall Pinkston were submitted. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Tim Schantz, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: A Franklin's Gull juvenile or first-winter bird has a clear-cut blackish half-hood, a smaller bill, smaller size, and a white forehead. A juvenile Mew gull is much darker, has a thin bill, and light grayish legs. Juvenile Herring and California Gulls are much larger - larger than Ring-Billed Gulls - and lack the bright white at the base of the tail. | The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:15:00 and 11:00:00/12:10:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
|
18
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1992
|
Administrative records Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1992-07-21
|
1994-10-18
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on July 21, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
|
Laughing Gull
|
Red Rock Dam
|
Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA
|
spillway and river below dam
|
The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Pam Allen, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Russ Widner, David Arbour, Reid Allen, Tim Schantz, Jane Fuller, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: The bird was smaller and more brown than the ring-bills of the year. The other features noted above make the juvenile Laughing Gull an easy identification. | The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
|
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
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990
|
Administrative records Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1990-04-13
|
1993-07-17
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, a photocopy of a photo, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Dinsmore, Stephen J.
|
Laughing Gull
|
Oak Grove Recreation Area
|
Oak Grove Beach, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA
|
|
The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. | Elimination of similar species: On the basis of the dark hood, size, and dark gray mantle, all gulls except for Laughing and Franklin's gulls can be removed from consideration. I will admit that I was skeptical that a Laughing Gull could show up in Iowa on such an early spring date; most interior records are from May-June. But, given the evidence, I am convinced that this bird was indeed a Laughing Gull. The size of this bird, nearly that of a ring-billed gull, favors Laughing Gull. The bill shape and size, length of the legs, wing pattern, and extent of the eye crescents also favor Laughing Gull. An adult Franklin's Gull can be eliminated by the lack of a white bar separating the gray inner wing from the black wingtip. One year-old Franklin's Gulls, however, may show a wing pattern like that of this bird. But, according to Kaufman (1990), such a Franklin's Gull should show some white flecks on the hood, and would be most likely encountered in late spring and summer. | The original documentation form event lasted from 10:48:00/11:34:00 and 12:26:00/13:20:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
|
18
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Midwest Power Pond, 1994
|
Administrative records Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1994-10-19
|
1996-04-25
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Midwest Power (South) Pond in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 19, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a documentation letter from Paul Lehman to Ross Silcock, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Silcock, W. Ross
|
Laughing Gull
|
MidAmerican Energy Ponds
|
Midwest Power (South) Pond, Pottawattamie Co., IA
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The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Babs and Loren Padelford as well as Paul Lehman were submitted later. | Elimination of similar species: [...] Later it was seen at rest with Ring-billed and Franklin's Gulls, the latter group including a few individuals of the same age as the Laughing Gull, allowing careful comparison. [...] The wings were long and pointed, the overall jizz of the bird more attenuated than a Franklin's. [...] There was a grayish-black wash over the crown and nape, slightly intensified in the upper nuchal area, and a paler grayish wash on the flanks in the area below the bend of the wing, imparting a "dirtier" look to the underparts than on same-age Franklin's Gulls (seen when at rest). At rest, the black primaries extended well past the tail, a feature compared easily with nearby Franklin's, and there were no small white crescents in the primaries of the Laughing Gull, a feature easily seen in same-age Franklin's nearby. The Laughing Gull was almost as big as the Ringbills near it, while it appeared significantly larger than the adjacent Franklin's. | The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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10
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18
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk, 1994
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Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1994-07-08
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1997-10-03
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on July 8, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
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Dinsmore, Stephen J.
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Laughing Gull
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Lock Number 19
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above Lock 19, Keokuk, Lee Co., IA
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resting on a log in river
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The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: Franklin's Gull is the only species this bird was likely to be confused with. The larger size, longer, more pointed wings, lack of white color in the primaries, longer, larger bill, dark legs and bill, and gray wash on nape (rather than a more distinct half-hood) are sufficient to eliminate Franklin's Gull. | The original documentation form event lasted from 16:05:00/16:30:00 on July 8, 1994 and 06:15:00/06:28:00 on July 9, 1994.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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10
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18
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lake Rathbun, 1991
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Administrative records Field notes
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1991-06-04
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1993-07-17
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on June 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
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Cummins, Raymond L.
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Laughing Gull
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Rathbun Lake
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Lake Rathbun Appanoose Co.
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Lake and shore.
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The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: Of the medium sized Gulls only Ring-billed, Franklin's, and Mew Gulls have similar juvenile plumages. The direct size comparison, seen gull being smaller, bill shape and dark color, and lack of white in head eliminates Ring-billed Gull. Mew Gull is eliminated by long dark bill, Ring-billed like jist of bird in flight, and uniform overall color. The long down turned bill and the total improbability of a juvenile Franklin's being in southern Iowa on this date. | The original documentation form event lasted from 10:19:00/10:30:30 on June 4, 1991 and 09:30:00/09:35:00 on June 5, 1991.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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10
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18
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Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lake Manawa, 1990
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Administrative records Field notes
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Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
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1990-09-09
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1994-11-04
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Rare birds documentation form
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Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County in September 9, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.
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Bray, Tanya
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Laughing Gull
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Lake Manawa
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Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County
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The documentation form by Tanya Bray forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ross Silcock was submitted. Other observers include Babs and Loren Padelford. | Elimination of similar species: This bird differed from Franklin's Gull in the following ways: 1. Less extensive black on head. Eye coverts were not immediately noticable [sic] due to white cheek area. 2. Longer legs, more upright posture, and generally a very long, slender bird. 3. In flight, the bird had long slender wings with completely dark primaries; no white dividing the tips of the outer primaries from the rest of wing, and no white tips to outer primaries. Underside of primaries as described above. 4. Bill was long, curved and slightly swollen and hooked at tip. | The original documentation form event lasted from around 07:35:00/07:36:00, 08:45:00, 12:15:00, and 18:30:00.
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Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
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10
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18
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