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 Lake Rathbun, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-06-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	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.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Laughing Gull	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Appanoose Co.	Lake and shore.	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.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 13, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Lock and Dam 13 in Clinton County, IA on December 28, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 13	Lock + Dam 13 on Mississippi River	Mississippi River Flyway just Below the Dam	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and Jennifer Anderson. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull -> eliminated by the light brown color continuous all the way throughout the wingtips, thus there was not a darkening towards the wing tips. The mantle was also lighter than those of the nearby Herring Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-15	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 15, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock + Dam 15 on Mississippi River	Mississippi River Flyway just below the Dam	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull -> Immature - eliminated by the light brown color continuous all the way throughout the wingtips, thus there was not a darkening towards the wing tips. Adult - eliminated by the light mantle getting lighter towards the wingtips, with just a few grey spots on the primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-07	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 7, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Res., Marion Co., IA	below dam on river	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include around twenty unidentified observers on IOU field trip. \| Elimination of similar species: Much lighter and more uniform than 1st winter Herring Gulls flying in area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Gray's Lake, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-30	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Gray's Lake in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Grays Lake	Gray's Lake, Des Moines, Polk County, IA	Lake with some open water	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Mary Michelle Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring much more "contrasty", including dark secondary bar, dark tail band, very dark towards ends of primaries. This bird was smaller than 1st wither [sic] Herring, as well as paler brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-25	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 25, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Gravel bar and open river	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H. Kent was submitted. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Dick Tetrault, and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by the light and uniform body color, pale gray primaries, secondaries and tailband, lack of a window from above, and lack of any color to the underside of the primaries. The bird certainly had the overall coloration of a first year Iceland Gull. However, Iceland Gull was eliminated based on the darker secondaries, complete gray tail band, and the darker webs to the outer primaries from above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:10:00/16:50:00 on November 25, 1991 and 13:50:00/14:05:00 on November 28, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-10-24	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on October 24, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Gravel bar and open river	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by the light and uniform body color, brown as opposed to blackish primaries and tail band, lack of a window from above, and lack of any color to the underside of the primaries. Iceland Gull was eliminated based on the darker secondaries and wide, brown tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:50:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-03-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on March 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Gravel bar and open river	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Diane Porter was submitted. Other observers include Beth Brown and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by the light and uniform body color, brown as opposed to blackish primaries and tail band, bill and head structure, and lack of any color to the underside of the primaries. Iceland Gull was eliminated based on the darker secondaries and wide, brown tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-02-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on February 16, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Allen, Reid I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock Number 19	Lock & Dam #19 - Keokuk, Iowa	River channel with open water below dam extending 3/4 mile from dam	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: First-winter Herring gulls (many were present) had blackish wingtips. Juvenile Iceland gull wingtips lack dark edging on primaries as do those on Glaucous-winged Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:30:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-11-21	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 21, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below Red Rock Dam- Marion County	River	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson, Chuck Fuller, and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull (first winter) compared above. [...] I first saw this bird flying, and the underwing was translucent throughout the primaries to the end of the wing (Herring Gull had dark outer primaries, although most also had a lighter window type area medial to this dark area). The bird was about the same size or a little smaller than the Herrings. The upperwing in flight was much lighter in the primaries than the first winter herrings. [...] It had a more rounded head than the herrings. [...] It's color was more uniform than the herrings and also lighter- a brownish color. There was a dark smudge around the eye. The feather edging (whitish) provided more contrast with the brown on the back than in the herrings, and the folded tail was brownish, not black. When in flight the tail band was brownish not blackish like the herrings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-10-27	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 27, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	California Gull	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, Iowa	shallow, open area of reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, Carol Thompson, and Carl J. Bendorf were submitted later. Other observers include Timothy Dwyer, John Cordell, James Huntington, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Rick Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: First-year Ring-billed Gulls were all in first winter plumage with gray mantle and were much lighter overall. The only other species considered is juvenile Herring Gull. The size is small for Herring Gull. The elongated appearance and short legs fit California Gull. Most young Herrings that I see in early fall have mostly dark bills that are larger than that of this bird. The double inner wing bar and lighter tertial tips fit California Gull. The overall relatively uniform and relatively light brown color without windows in the inner primaries also made this bird look different from Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/16:55:00 on October 27, 1990 and from 19:10:00/22:30:00 and 15:00:00/16:00:00 on October 28, 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-09-08	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 8, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and the article California Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Iowa Bird Life 61:20 by Stephen Dinsmore reviewed by the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	California Gull	Oak Grove Recreation Area	[...] Oak Grove Beach Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County.		The article by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...]The bird was similar in size to the largest Ring-billed Gulls, but slightly larger than others. I approached closer and noted that, when compared to a Ring-billed Gull, the bird had duller yellow legs, a stouter bill with black and red spots near the tip of the lower mandible, and a darker gray mantle. [...] The bird was slightly larger than most of the Ring-billed Gulls, although one or two of the biggest Ring-billed Gulls were as large as the bird I was studying. Proportionately, the bird was heavier and larger-headed than a Ring-billed Gull. [...] I estimated the mantle color to be about midway between those of Ring-billed Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. [...] The bill was heavier than the bill of a Ring-billed Gull and had a distinct gonys. The legs were pale gray-green, unlike the bright yellow legs of a Ring-billed Gull. Leg length appeared similar to a Ring-billed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-10-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Lowder, Ken	Mew Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Rec. Area, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA.	Sand spit	The documentation form by Ken Lowder is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter Wickham and John Daniel. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring billed Gull (second winter) - light iris & yellow legs; head shape; white in primaries \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Snyders Bend Lake, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-04-06	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-necked Stilt at Snyders Bend Lake in Woodbury County, IA on April 6, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Black-necked Stilt	Snyder Bend Park	Snyder's Bend Lake, Woodbury County, IA	Mudflats with mats of vegetation near old cattails	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bill Huser (additional sightings), Tanya Bray and Ross Silcock, Jim Fuller, and Babs and Loren Padelford were submitted later. Other observers include John Van Dyke, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Bob Livermore, Bob Moritz, and Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: Phalaropes - smaller, not as distinct black + white pattern or as long legs. Am. Avocet: upturned bill, white or tawny head + necks - not black over white \| The original documentation form event occurred from 10:45:00/11:10:00, from 11:25:00/11:55:00, and around 13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
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 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 Parasitic Jaeger at the Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-09-03	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Parasitic Jaeger at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 3, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Parasitic Jaeger	Cherry Glen Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Cherry Glen Recreation Area		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Scott Rolfes. \| Elimination of similar species: The color and wing crescent eliminates all larids except skuas and Pomarine and Long-tailed jaegers. Skuas are easily eliminated by their larger size, heavier bill, and more prominent white patches on the wings. Long-tailed Jaeger is eliminated by the presence of a white crescent on the upper surface of the wing. Pomarine Jaeger can be eliminated by its larger, heavier body size, more prominent white crescent on the wing, presence of white greater underprimary coverts, larger-headed appearance, heavier bill, and general lack of rufous color on the body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:22:00/16:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-10-26	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Red Phalarope at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 26, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red Phalarope	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Beach - Saylorville Reservoir - (Polk Co.)	Sandy beach at water's edge	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Strohmeyer, Beth Proescholdt, Rita Goranson, Russ Widner, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Maridel Jackson, and Jane Clark. \| Elimination of similar species: A Red-necked Phalarope would have distinctive zig-zag lines on its back and a longer, thinner bill which our bird did not show. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:30:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-09-25	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 25, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, articles in Iowa Bird Life and American Birds, three photos, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red Phalarope	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Beach - Saylorville Reservoir	Small little bay along a sandy shore	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Robert Cecil, Ann Johnson, Randall Pinkston, Jim Fuller, Reid Allen, Jim Dinsmore, Gerald White, Ray Cummins, Tim Schantz, and Peter C. Petersen were submitted later. Other observers include Denny Thompson, Jim Sinclair, Bery Engebretson, Jim Scheib, Chuck Fuller, Pam Allen, Bob Myers, Hank Zalatel, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: A Sanderling lacks the black bar through the eye and does not have a grayish back. A Red-Necked Phalarope has vivid streaks on its back and a longer, thinner bill. A Wilson's Phalarope has no wing stripe and has a long, thin bill and is a paler bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 17:30:00/19:07:00 or sunset.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff northwest of Bayard, 1991	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-26	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff northwest of Bayard in Greene County, IA on May 26, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Ruff	Bayard	approx 1 1/2 miles northwest of Bayard, Iowa	Flooded field	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Maridel Jackson was submitted. Other observers include Walt Jackson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I first noticed this bird as we were scanning a bunch of dunlin and this bird "stuck out." [...] The bird was about the size of a lesser yellowlegs (also present) but was of different proportions. The body was too heavy (chunky) for a yellowlegs - being more dowitcher like. The neck was fairly long - more so than a dowticher but maybe a little shorter than lesser yellowlegs. The head was defnitely small for the size of the bird. The legs were also fairly long (knobby knees) and again probably a little shorter than a lesser yellowlegs. These basic proportions helped at once to eliminate many species. [..] The bird's head and upper neck were very tawny (similar to buff breasted sandpiper) [...] Tail - This is the one feature along with the basic shape that convinced me. [...] If the bird would have had no color at all I still would have called it a ruff from the proportions. Ruff plumage is variable to say the least. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-10-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 14, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	w. of Greencastle corner, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	wet marshy area with low vegetation and mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Carol Thompson, and Randy Pinkston were submitted. Other observers include Jane Huntington, James Huntington, Jim Sandrock, John Cordell, John Daniel, Mary Noble, Ken Lowder, and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other species worthy of consideration is Pectoral Sandpiper. The most distinctive feature is the plain, cinnamon-buff breast without bib line or streaking centrally. The soft breast color shaded off evenly to the lower belly and throat. Some pectorals had very week [sic] breast markings, but on close inspection all had streaks and a sharp bib line. The solid rusty cap differed from any pectorals; some pectorals appeared a bit rusty on the cap, but some streaking was seen on such individuals. The eye line appeared white, and it dropped and widened posteriorly. Some pectorals had light eye lines but they were off-white, less distinct, and straighter. The juvenile feathers of the upper parts were edged with rufous; this was especially prominent on the tertials. Some pectorals appeared to have rusty edging on the tertials, but this was dependent on lighting and at least one rufous appearing pectoral had the color more in the center of the feathers with grayer edging. The gray smudging on the undertail coverts I saw once and only had a glance at a nearby pectoral for comparison, so I am not very confident of this mark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:25:00, 09:55:00/10:00:00, and intermittently 16:15:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-10-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Western Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co. Iowa.	mud flats with shallow pools	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and shape in comparison with Baird's Sandpiper establish this bird as a peep. The black legs, gray color, and lack of bib exclude Least Sandpiper (several of which were seen earlier). The distinction from Semipalmated Sandpiper is based on the bill and apparent molt to basic plumage. Five minutes earlier I had seen two Semipalmated Sandpipers running on the other side of the area; they had short straight bills and had all feathers of the upper parts edged with buff (juvenile plumage). I had seen a number of Semipalmated Sandpipers with longer and slightly drooped bills this fall, but none approached the length, thinness, and droop seen on the current bird. According to Kenn Kaufman's Advanced Birding, Semipalmated Sandpipers wear their juvenile plumage until they reach wintering grounds, and juvenile Western Sandpipers gradually molt from juvenile to basic plumage from August to October with some retaining rusty scapulars. I assume, based on date, that this bird was probably a first-year bird, and that it had either completely molted to basic plumage or had some rusty scapulars that I did not see. I did not consider any of the Eurasian stints, which would be exceeding unlikely and have bills more like a semipalmated or have yellow legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot west of Huxley, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-09-03	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red Knots west of Huxley in Story County, IA on September 3, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Knot	Huxley	flooded field 1.2 mi. west of Huxley, Story Co.		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, Jim Dinsmore (2x), Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, and Tim Schantz were submitted later. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Ann Johnson, Reid Allen, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The fairly large size and gray and white plumage eliminates all shorebirds except Sanderling and winter-plumaged Dunlin. Sanderling is eliminated by smaller size and different bill shape. Winter-plumaged Dunlin is eliminated by different bill shape, slightly smaller size, and different tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/18:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Long-billed Curlew at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-07-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Long-billed Curlew at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on July 4, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, notes about the sighting, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Long-billed Curlew	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Ponds, Pottawattamie Co.	Cooling ponds for power plant; gravel banks.	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tanya Bray were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Possibilities are Whimbrel, eliminated by absence of head striping and presence of cinnamon wing linings and distinctive call; Marbled Godwit, eliminated by strongly decurved bill and call; and other rarer curlews, all eliminated by the combination of field characters noted above (Bristle-Thighed eliminated by absence of rufous rump). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Woodbury County, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Woodbury County, IA on May 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Probst, Jerry	Whimbrel	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPS Flyash Pits Woodbury Co	Open Pond Flyash Shore	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Boots. \| Elimination of similar species: Long Billed Curlew - head pattern Eskimo Curlew - size + bill shape + size. All other shorebirds don't have radical decurved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23