|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at the riverfront of Davenport, 1991
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1991-10-13
|
1994-02-27
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for two Sabine's Gull at the riverfront of Davenport in Scott County, IA on October 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Meadowlark, excerpts from American Birds, article and front page from Iowa Bird Life, seven photographs, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Peiser, Richard H.
|
Sabine's Gull
|
Davenport
|
Riverfront, Davenport, IA
|
Stone embankment + river
|
The documentation form by Richard H. Peiser forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Reid Allen, Peter C. Petersen, James Fuller, Randall Pinkston, and Ann Johnson were submitted. Other observers include John King, Dick Tetrault, Tim Schantz, Brian Blevins, Ann Barker, Jim Scheib, Mary Lou Peterson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Pam Allen, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: The upperwing pattern is so striking as to eliminate other gull species, even in the Juvenile Black hood of adult, slight fork of tail + black band on imm. tail band helped. Yellow tip of bill on adult clincher | The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/18:00:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
9
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Spirit Lake, 1996
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1996-05-23
|
2000-11-22
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on May 23, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Thelen, Ed
|
Western Tanager
|
Spirit Lake
|
My backyard birdbath - East edge of Spirit Lake
|
Suburban - edge of farmland
|
The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: Female oriole - size, shape and color of beak, length of tail and color of chin. Imm. Scarlet tanager - According to Master Guide to birding Vol 3 p. 196, juvenal [sic] Scarlet tanagers resemble the female but are more variable and have bright yellow wing bars. Also according to National Geographic Bird Guide it states that the immature scarlet tanager has faint wing bars. I don't think it was an immature scarlet tanager because this time of year the bird is not in juvenal [sic] plumage and the bird I saw had prominent and strong wing bars. Also the bird I saw had a very light colored rump and also its nape was a shade lighter than its back giving the birds upper part the light-dark light sequence for its nape-back-rump. This is a characteristic of the Western Tanager. This is what Bent (1958) p 472 has to say about the plumages of the 1st year male western tanager. "There is considerable variation among individuals, these one-year old males are as a whole somewhat less brilliant than the adults. The black of the upper part is duller and more or less intermixed with greenish. The red on the head paler, less intense and more restricted in area; and the yellows decidedly duller and less brilliant." | The original documentation form event lasted from 19:15:00/19:18:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
13
|
29
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1988-09-30
|
1993-08-04
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Dinsmore, Stephen J.
|
Red Phalarope
|
Saylorville Lake
|
north end of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.
|
swimming and wading in shallow water adjacent to large mudflat
|
The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bery Engebretsen, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Andrew S. Fix, Jim Sinclair, James Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Ann Johnson, and Mike Thomas were submitted. Other observers includes David Youngblut and Larry Morris. | Elimination of similar species: The posture, behavior, and black and white color pattern rule out all shorebirds except phalaropes. The size, "hunchbacked" appearance, bill shape, head pattern, and unstreaked, gray upperparts eliminates Red-necked and Wilson's phalaropes. | The original documentation form event lasted from 16:46:00/17:05:00 on September 30, 1988 and 14:12:00/16:05:00 on October 1, 1988.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
|
12
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1991
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1991-08-04
|
1996-01-25
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on August 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence from Stephen J. Dinsmore to the IOU committee, two photographs with two photocopies of them, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Dinsmore, Stephen J.
|
Red Phalarope
|
Saylorville Dam
|
Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA-above dam
|
swimming on lake near rocky dam face
|
The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: The general body shape and swimming behavior identified the bird as a phalarope. The unstreaked, gray mantle, thicker, bicolored bill, and buffy wash on the underparts eliminates Red-necked and Wilson's phalaropes. | The original documentation form event lasted from 10:38:00/10:52:00 and 10:59:00/11:14:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
10
|
12
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake, 1979
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1979-06-21
|
1993-08-26
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake in Wright County, IA on June 21, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, an excerpt from Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.
|
Western Wood-Pewee
|
Elm Lake
|
Elm Lake, near Belmond, Wright County
|
The bird was found in a narrow grove of mature Cottonwood surrounding Elm Lake, the lake is in the mist of farmland with a small pasture on the north.
|
The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe is larger and wags its tail. Empidonaxes are smaller with shorter wings and tail. Confusion with the Eastern Pewee is certain if plumage is used. Subtle differences in plumage were noted in my observation of the Western Pewee, when compared to my experience with the Eastern Pewee. The throat appeared whiter and contrasted more with the breast and head than a Eastern, also, as mentioned before, the color of the upper-parts appeared more grayish and not as green. Since the call was heard at close range, and having seen the vocalizing bird as well as my familiarity with the Western Pewee's call I believe the identification totally on voice is a valid one. | The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:12:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
12
|
31
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Sweet Marsh, 1978
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1978-04-26
|
1993-08-26
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of six birds (Ibis species) at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.
|
Glossy Ibises
|
Sweet Marsh
|
Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer Co., Iowa
|
The ibis settled down in a cattail marsh which covered several hundred acres. Apparently they prefered shallow water openings in the cattails. Sweet Marsh has a variety of habitats including open water, grassy marsh and cattail marsh.
|
The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Farmer. | Elimination of similar species: None of the herons or cranes has a curved beak, and none as far as I know exhibit the alternately flapping and gliding flight. | The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/19:00:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
7
|
21
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Credit Island, 1989
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1989-11-23
|
1993-07-21
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a California Gull at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on November 23, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about the sighting from Louise Augustine to Carl Bendorf, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Augustine, Louise
|
California Gull
|
Credit Island
|
Credit Island - Davenport, Iowa - Scott County
|
This is an unfamiliar Area for me - I have never birded there before - The Place Credit Island - Backwater of Mississippi River - There was some ICE and open water - Many Gulls were in this Backwater area - on ice and in water. Probably around 1,500 Gulls -
|
The documentation form by Louise Augustine forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter C. Petersen and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Randy Pinkston, Mary Lou Petersen, Jerome Augustine, David Augustine, and Julie Augustine. | Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - darker mantle - Dark eye - Leg Color - ashy-green gray not Pink - smaller size - slimmer build Ring-billed Gull - mantle too dark - dark eye - Bill had only a spot Leg Color not yellow - This bird larger than Ring-billed gulls - | The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/13:00:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
11
|
1
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Summer Tanager at Iowa City, 1998
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1998-01-11
|
2000-11-24
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Summer Tanager at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Field Notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an e-mail from Mary E. Noble to Jim Fuller, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
|
Summer Tanager
|
Iowa City
|
315 S. 7th Ave. Iowa City, Iowa
|
Urban area, small back yard with several feeders and brush cover.
|
The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent 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 Noble and Dick Tetrault. | Elimination of similar species: The overall coloration and plainness indicate a female or immature bird. The lack of prominent gray in the auriculars and light bill color argue against Hepatic Tanager. The bill length, head shape, and relative paleness of the wings favor Summer Tanager over Scarlet Tanager. The lack of prominent wing bars appears to exclude Western Tanager. The apparent lack of orange tint suggest a bird from the West or perhaps an immature. The Summer Tanager photographed at Pleasant Valley in Scott County on 2 December 1990 was more orange-yellow than the Iowa City bird. The latest Midwest record for Scarlet Tanager in books of these states was 26 Nov in Minnesota. There are a few winter records of Summer Tanager: in Tennessee (4) 5, 18, 21 Dec and 2 Feb-15 Mar; in Michigan 1 Dec; in Missouri 3-10 Jan 1987. There are also winter records from Florida and the Texas Coast. This does not constitute an exhaustive search for winter records. | The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:15:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
13
|
28
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Des Moines, 1971
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1971-11-04
|
1999-04-02
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1971. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Brown, Woodward H.
|
Western Tanager
|
Des Moines
|
Des Moines, IA
|
Well-kept back yard of apartment in the heart of Des Moines
|
The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mary Brown. | Elimination of similar species: Too large for goldfinch, wing bars eliminate Summer or Scarlet Tanagers which would not be here at this time. Bill obviously not oriole or finch. | The original documentation form event lasted briefly, mid-afternnon [sic].
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
13
|
29
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt south of Ainsworth, 1996
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1996-05-18
|
2000-11-22
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of three Black-necked Stilts south of Ainsworth in Washington County, IA on May 18, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Field Notes, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Proescholdt, Mark
|
Black-necked Stilt
|
Ainsworth
|
Washington County - south of #92 about 1/2 mile on #218
|
Wet areas in field after flooded creek spilled out into fields
|
The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Dinsmore, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Richard Tetrault, Peter Petersen, Francis Moore, Ann Johnson, Hank Zalatel, Beth Proescholdt, and Russ Widner. | Elimination of similar species: There are no similar species that come to mind. | The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:10:00 on May 18, 1996 and 15:00:00/15:10:00 on May 19th, 1996.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
9
|
20
|
|
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 Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir, 1990
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1990-05-19
|
1993-07-17
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 19, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.
|
Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-
|
Mississippi Kite
|
Babcock Access
|
Coraville Reservoir, Babcock Access, Johnson Co., IA
|
wide part of reservoir with open mud flats
|
The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. | Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings indicate a kite or falcon. The gliding flight was that of a kite not a falcon. The white body and head also eliminates all falcons. The lack of white rump as well as the flight pattern eliminate Northern Harrier. Swallow-tailed Kite would have a forked tail and different flight pattern. Black-shouldered Kite has a white and black shoulder. The lack of white patches in the secondaries and brownish tail indicate a subadult (first year bird). I looked for bands in the tail, but could not appreciate them. Failure to see bands could be due to the lighting and distance or, as noted by Clark and Wheeler, to the fact that "A few immatures have solid, unbanded dark brown tails." The prominent light and dark underwing puzzled me, but Dunne says that "Immature has body and underwing coverts buffy, with dark streaking and spotting of variable density; may be lighter or darker than illustrated." The underwing coverts and body appeared about the same shade to me. The lighting and distance may have precluded my appreciating any streaking. This bird appeared lighter than the bird I saw at Dudgeon Lake last year, especially the underwing coverts. The profile and flight characteristics allowed me to immediately recognize the bird as a Mississippi Kite. | The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:36:00.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
8
|
26
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at suburban Des Moines, 1991
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1991-06-22
|
1993-07-17
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review of two Mississippi Kites at suburban Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopy of an Iowa Bird Life magazine cover page photograph, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Cecil, Robert I.
|
Mississippi Kite
|
Des Moines
|
Suburban Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa
|
Wooded residential
|
The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim and Jane Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Ann Johnson, and Barbara L. Wilson were submitted later. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Dennis Thompson, Cecile Thompson, Ross Silcock, Tanya Bray, Beth Proescholdt, Ann Crane, Fred Crane, Jim Dinsmore, Sue Spieker, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Brown, John Cecil, and many unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: White-tailed kite has white tail, black shoulder patches. | The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:10:00 on June 22, 1991.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
8
|
26
|
|
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1992
|
Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs
|
Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc
|
1992-11-14
|
1999-10-15
|
Rare birds documentation form
|
Records Committee review for a Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on November 14, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, excerpts from Western Birds, articles in Pennsylvania birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, eight photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.
|
Johnson, Ann
|
Empidonax Flycatchers
|
Lake Ahquabi State Park
|
Lake Ahquabi State Park, Warren County, IOWA
|
Woodland edge consisting primarily of honeysuckle and junipers
|
The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Brian Blevins were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Peter Petersen, Kelly McKay, Corey Blevins, Jim Scheib, Jim Sinclair, John Daniel, Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, David Youngblut, Beth Brown, Sherry Dragula, Bill Overland, Jane Overland, John Miller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified other observers. | Elimination of similar species: The date of observation is historically good for a vagrant western flycatcher species, so this was in the back of my mind in assessing the characteristics observed. The presence of both eye ring and wing bars, in addition to size and shape, indicate that the bird fits the Empidonax complex. The combination of green back, yellow throat and pure orange lower mandible with no markings would eliminate Least, Hammond's, Dusky, Gray, Buff-breasted, Alder, and Willow Flycatchers. A juvenile Acadian can be eliminated by the short primary extension, color of the wings, size and shape of the eye ring, and active behavior. Only three species are indicated by the green upper parts and yellow under parts. Two are separable only by voice. The choices were between Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Western (Cordilleran and Pacific-slope) Flycatcher. Back color is greener in Yellow-bellied and more olive in Western. Although the back looked olive, this was rather subjective. According to the Audubon Master Guide, behavior would be more indicative of a Yellow-bellied in that the bird was not flicking both tail and wings. According to Kaufman, however, behavior is quite variable. Three characteristics made me lean more toward Western complex. They were peaked appearance to the head (usually smooth and rounded in Yellow-bellied); almond-shaped eye ring (round, narrow, and more even in Yellow-bellied); and browner wings than eastern Empidonax. The color of the wings is again subjective, but the contrast between wing color and wing bars was less than the black/white (or even black/buff in fall birds) of eastern birds. Even with the variability that may occur in any Empidonax, it is unlikely that these three characteristics, which are common to the Western Flycatcher, would appear simultaneously in a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Further support is found in the Audubon Master Guide to Birding where it states in the description of Western Flycatcher, "...olive wash on the breast, flanks, and especially the sides tends to highlight a midventral yellow stripe" - one of the more obvious characteristics when viewed at close range from the front. IF the call notes heard belonged to this bird, it would indicate a Cordilleran Flycatacher, the most likely vagrant. None of us were able, however, to get the bird to call as we were observing it. Cal Knight played a tape and the bird became very agitated but did not call. | The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/14:00:00 on November 14, 1992 and 11:30:00/13:45:00 on November 15, 1992.
|
Iowa Ornithologists' Union | MS 166
|
12
|
35
|