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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Cedar Rapids, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on April 23, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, correspondence about bird sightings, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walton, Robert	Mississippi Kite	Cedar Rapids	2.3 miles west of junction 218 on hiway 30 ( approx. 24 miles west of Cedar Rapids)	wet cropland (corn stubble field with water puddles)	The documentation form by Randy Walton is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sandy Walton. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape and size of bird was similar to prairie and peregrine falcons. The lack of any facial markings, the grayish coloration and presence of the black dorsal wing tips eliminate the falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:15:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
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 of Sharp-shinned Hawk at Jackson Township, 1989	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-07-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-shinned Hawk at Jackson Township in Hardin County on July 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting by David Conrads to Carl Bendorf, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Conrads, David J.	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Jackson Township	NE 1/4 of NE 1/4 SEC 13 T-88N R-20W Jackson Twp Hardin Co.	Upland forest, steep ravine	The documentation form by David J. Conrads is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Keith Franzen and Nixon Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Due to its significantly smaller size than a Cooper's Hawk, we concluded that it was a HY male Sharp-shinned Hawk. We also listened to "A Field Guide to Bird Songs" and although the Sharp-shinned recording was that of 175 "kek-kek-kek" warning/alarm call, the Cooper's Hawk recording was that of a food begging call which was very similar but of a significantly lower pitch than that of the bird we observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	27
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Waterman Prairie, 1997	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-03-20	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for eighteen Rose-breasted Grosbeaks at Waterman Prairie in O'Brien County, IA on March 20, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Tom Kent to Ed Thelen, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Waltz, Tim J.	Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Waterman Prairie Wildlife Management Area	Waterman Prairie - 5 miles S.E. of Sutherland, IA	Timber Ridges with interspersed native prairie knobs	The documentation form by Tim Waltz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maury Muhm and Gary Wee. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	2
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 of a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Resevoir, 1987	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-11-05	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 5, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence with the California Bird Records Committee between from Don Roberson and Ronald E. Goetz to Thomas H. Kent, and two documentation forms.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Jester Park	swimming on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt was submitted later. Other observers were Beth Proescholdt, Dennis Thompson, and Berry Engebretson. \| Elimination of similar species: The slimmer, shorter bill, rounded head, and sharp contrast between the neck and the back eliminates Common and Yellow-billed loons. The shorter, straight bill and unmarked back eliminates Red-throated Loon. \| The original documentation event lasted from 11:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
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 House Finch at Iowa City, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-28	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 28, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, request for reconsideration, summary of review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	House Finch	Iowa City	Home north of Iowa City	Sunflower feeder in suburban yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Thomas Staudt were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Jim Sandrock, and Johanna Sandrock. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple finch - no ear patch. Back was only finely streaked, and breast and belly streaking much less prominent. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Gray Jay at Mason City, 1976	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1976-11-01	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Gray Jay at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA in early November 1976. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life as well as a letter and documentation form submitted to the committee.	Tanner, Fern L.	Gray Jay	Mason City	415 N. Jeff Mason City Iowa	spotted in Spruce tree several times - also once on small bush.	The documentation form by Fern L. Tanner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marvin Tanner, Luella Olsen, and Albert Ewers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Looked larger than Blue Jay that was 18 in. away at time. Little shorter beak than Blue Jay. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	41
Records Committee review for Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park in Washington County, IA on September 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in the Iowa Bird Life, an article from the Loon, correspondence by mail and e-mail, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Anhinga	Lake Darling State Park	Lake Darling S.P., Washington Co.	soaring high over lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorants are the only birds likely to be confused with an Anhinga. I have seen thousands of Double-crested Cormorants and I have never seen one soar in this manner. Also, a Double-created Cormorant has a neck which is always longer than the tail (in flight) and looks conspicuously large-headed and thick-necked when seen overhead. Neotropic Cormorant is much smaller and, although it is longer-tailed than a Double-crested, the tail is still shorter than the neck in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:42:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
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 Whooping Crane east of Davenport, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whooping Crane east of Davenport in Scott County, IA on April 10, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, correspondence about bird sightings from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Lorenzen, Frederick J. Lorenzen, Ted	Whooping Crane	Davenport	just E. of Davenport John Deere Plant. N. of IPO and W of Jersey Ridge Road	small lake	The documentation form by Bruce Peterjohn is relaying a report by Fred and Ted Lorenzen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: G. Egret - black wing tips, Am. White Pelican- long legs, Sandhill Crane - white plumage, Swan - long legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Warren County Conservation Board Headquarters, 1996	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-12	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Conservation Board Headquarters in Warren County, IA on May 12, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Ken Brock to Tom Kent and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Black-headed Grosbeak	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Warrren Co. Conservation Board Headquarters	small deciduous trees	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Several [female symbol] Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were present for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-07	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 7, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting and a request for re-evaluation of sighting, summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	California Gull	Cherry Glen Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (Cherry Glen Recreation Area)	sitting on ice with other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull eliminated by larger size, lighter mantle color, lack of black and red spots on bill, and wrong leg color (pink, although a very few Herring Gull show yellowish legs). Ring-billed Gull eliminated by smaller size, lighter mantle color, lack of a black ring on bill, and by yellower leg color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:13:00/14:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-08	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 8, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the request for reevaluation of record, a photograph, photocopy of two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Little Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-seen off Sandpiper Beach Recreation Area	seen flying over large reservoir with several Ring-billed Gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Pam Allen and Reid Allen were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was obviously too small to be one of the larger gulls, like a Ring-billed or a Herring gull. The very pale mantle, dark spot behind each eye, and lack of black on the top of the primaries eliminates Franklin's and Laughing gulls. The black underside of the flight feathers, pale gray mantle and wings, white wingtips, and rounded wings eliminates Bonaparte's and Sabine's gulls and kittiwakes. The square tail and wing pattern eliminates Ross' Gull. The smaller size, black underside of the flight feathers, lack of a white "wedge" on the upper surface of the outer primaries, rounder wings, and lack of black on the upper surface of the primaries eliminates Common Black-headed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of 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 for Sprague's Pipit at Union Hills Wildlife Management Area, 1998	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-04-22	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sprague's Pipit at Union Hills Wildlife Management Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 22, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, amended comments on the review, a memo about bird sighting, e-mail correspondence about the bird sighting, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Sprague's Pipit	Union Hills Wildlife Management Area	Union Hills Waterfowl Production Area So. of Ventura, Cerro Gor[...] Co	Rolling hills, open short grassy area, + cultivated field	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jan L. Walter was submitted. Other observers include Patricia Hansen and Tim Phalen. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruled out Sparrows + Longspurs, this bird did not have a conical beak. American Pipit, this bird did not have dark legs, no tail bobbing, not a heavy ear patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Gull Point at West Okoboji Lake, 1997	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-09-07	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a California Gull at Gull Point at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on September 7, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence from Ken Brock to Thomas Kent, and two copies of a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	California Gull	Gull Point	Gull Point, West Lake Okoboji, Dickinson Co.	Rocky point on natural lake		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-03-19	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on March 19, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopies of three photographs, an article in American Birds, an article in Birding, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about related bird sightings and review, documentation form for a related sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee for this review.	Brees, Aaron	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Dam, Marion County, Iowa	rock bar below dam, in association with Ring-billed and Herring Gulls		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-10-08	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park in Black Hawk County, IA on October 8, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a letter from Bob Myers to Tom Kent, a letter from Francis Moore to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Western Tanager	Hope Martin Memorial Park	Hope Martin Park, Waterloo, Ia. (Part of Waterloo Greenbelt)	Riverbottom Timber on edge of park - brushy area First seen in top of willow thicket, then flew to top of oak in the park.	The documentation form by Robert Myers is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Fall scarlet tanager is possible - see attached page. My first thought was that this was late for a scarlet Tanager and when I looked closer I saw the wing bars. My second thought was that someone told me that one of a hunderd [sic] ♀ scarlets have wing bars. I also knew the Peterson Guide says some scarlets have two wing bars. When I went home that night I was anything but convinced the bird was a western tanager even though most literature states wing bars = western tanager. When I got home I phoned Fancis Moore and he went to the park and was able to relocate the bird. Even though he had never seen western tanagers before, Francis thought this was one. His enthusiasm prompted me to research further. I am now also convinced that this bird was indeed a western tanager no matter how unlikely it seems. Ironically, my first western tanager, a male seen April 26, 1980 at Forney Lake, was also with a mixed flock of yellow-rump + palm warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Slaty-Backed Gull north of Le Claire, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-02-12	1994-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Slaty-backed Gull north of Le Claire in Scott County, IA on February 12, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, excerpt from Illinois Birds and Birding, correspondence and commentary relevant to bird sighting and review, two photographs, photocopy of photographs, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Barker, Ann M.	Slaty-backed Gull	Le Claire	(1) Just north of Le Claire, Ia (2 +3) - Moline, IL. riverfront	river; open water or up on ice shelf or seawall	The documentation form by Ann M. Barker forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Peter C. Petersen, Thomas H. Kent, Gerald White, Tanya E. Bray, Ross Silcock, Carl Bendorf, and Michael J. Baum were submitted. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Tom Rockwell, Lewis Blevins, Brian Blevins, Don Moeller, Walter Zuurdeeg, Daryl Tessen, Doug Rose, Alan Grenon, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: (A) Greater black backed - Gull in question has slaty - gray saddle rather than coal black. And Gull in question is same size as Herring Gulls; Greater black-backed would be much larger. (B) Lesser black backed - Gull in question has pink legs and feet, and has much more white on primaries. (C) Western - Gull in question has considerable white on primaries, and does not show dusky trailing edge to underwing. Also has broader white trailing edge to upperwing than would the Western. (D) Herring Gull - dark race - no experience with this, but those shown in Harrison do not show as dark a saddle as Gull in question, nor as much white on primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00 on February 12, 1989, 12:15:00/12:45:00 and 16:00:00/17:30:00 on February 14, 1989.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	6
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 for Hoary Redpoll at Waterloo, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-12-27	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on December 27, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Tom Kent to Kim Eckert, a letter from Kim Eckert to Tom Kent, a letter from the IOU Records Committee to Francis Moore, Tom Stone Jr., Tom Stone, and Bob Myers, a Christmas Bird Count compilation, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom	Hoary Redpoll	Waterloo	1727 Plymouth St. Waterloo	Residential neighborhood white birtch tree		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-11-07	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on November 7, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Res. Dam, west overlook, Johnson Co. Iowa	Reservoir, just above dam, in water and on swimming beach	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Mike Newlon, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Photographs taken at the first encounter with a Celestron 750 mm lens demonstrate the size difference, the bill and head shape difference, the lighter overall color, and the window in the wing. An adult Herring was in the photo with the Thayer's on 7 Nov and imm Herring were photographed on 10 Nov for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:50:00 and 11:00:00/11:20:00 on November 7, 1981 and 07:30:00/08:30:00 on November 8, 1981.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3