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 Tufted Duck at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-06-30	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tufted Duck at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on June 30, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, correspondence about the sighting, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Tufted Duck	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh (Tom Stone, Jr. & I first found bird)	marshy area near cattails	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis L. Moore were submitted . Other observers include Russell Hays, Tom Stone, and Tom Stone, Jr. \| Elimination of similar species: May be a ring-neck female or scaup but doesn't look right- probably a hybrid. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:45:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-20	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on December 20, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, e-mail correspondence between Jon Dunn, Jim Fuller, James Rising, David Sibley, and Paul Lehman, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Bullock's Oriole	Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls, Iowa - Black Hawk County	coming to feeder in residential area	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers includes Don Irwin and Paulina Irwin. \| Elimination of similar species: The 'Baltimore' subspecies has the yellow-orange on breast going down the breast thru belly and has a more yellowish back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-02	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Black-necked Stilts at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on June 2, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a photocopy of a photo, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Black-necked Stilt	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge - Kossuth County, Iowa	General: Large cattail marsh. Specific: Shallow muddy pool on north edge of Refuge.	The documentation form by Robert Myers forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted. Other observers include Russell Hays and several unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing really is similar. American Avocet has upturned bill and shows much white in wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:58:00/08:00:00 and 08:30:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Barrow's Goldeneye at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-01-02	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on January 2, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs of the bird, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Barrow's Goldeneye	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto NWR	Oxbow Lake, Partly open	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Ann Johnson, Ruth Green, and Tanya Bray. \| Elimination of similar species: See above - all features eliminate Common Goldeneye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, 1994	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-15	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on May 15, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, seven photographs and photocopies of them, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont County		The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Roger Rose, and Doug Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It resembled a Pectoral Sandpiper, but differed in the following ways: the crown was streaked, and showed noticeable rufous coloration in the feathering; the off-white superciliary stripe was lengthy and broadened towards the rear; the breast markings were dense as in a Pectoral but did not show a clearcut ending at the whitish belly, but instead ended indeterminately by gradually fading out. [...] Once ready to record, we flushed the bird and it gave a soft series of notes, somewhat like a Lesser Yellowlegs, but rather flat and unmelodious. This call was most unlike the harsh, grating call of a Pectoral Sandpiper. [...] Plumage, time of year, call upon flushing, and key plumage differences from Pectoral Sandpiper, cited above, led us to identify this bird as an adult Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Maps (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-04-10	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County on April 10, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a map of one of the sightings, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Reisz, Russell	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh, Sac County, Iowa	marsh, wetland	The documentation form by Russell Reisz is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter Ernzen, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Dick Tetrault, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling-duck is the most similar species. This species was eliminated because it has a different bill color and a different leg color than the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. The Fulvous Whistling-duck also lacks the white wing patch and the dark belly of the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. These were all points of identification for the species seen at Tomahawk Marsh. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:58:00/19:58:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Cedar Rapids, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-12-01	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 1, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Millikin, Sara L.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Cedar Rapids	Usually on the ground where I had thrown seed	along railway right of way near my home and on ground near house and feeders	The documentation form by Sara L. Millikin is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Wickham, Lillian Serbousek, Roberta Appedahl, Fred Nissen, Weir Nelson, Karl Goellner, and Lucile Liljedahl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from at daylight to 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Spirit Lake and Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-08-02	1998-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Spirit Lake and Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area in Dickinson County, IA on August 2, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and thirteen documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-headed Gull	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area Spirit Lake	n. end of Spirit L., Dickinson Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore for the 11:25 AM sighting forms the basis of this record. A second form by Stephen J. Dinsmore for the 12:12 PM and 5:40PM sighting was submitted as well. Other documentation forms by Lee A. Schoenewe, Pete Ernzen, Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Peter C. Petersen, Ed Thelen, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Beth Proescholdt, and Mark Proescholdt (two separate forms) were submitted later. Other observers include LaVonne Foote, Nancy Schoenewe, Beth Brown, Tim Schantz, Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, Bob Livermore, Roland Barth, Kim Eckert, Russ Widner, Phil McFadden, Bill Huser, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of red bill and legs, brown hood, size, very pale gray mantle and upperwings, and black undersides to the inner primaries eliminates several similar species, including Franklin's, Laughing, Little, Bonaparte's, and Ross' gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-03	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area in Marion County, IA on September 3, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Red Rock Wildlife Area	1 mi e. of Swan, Marion Co. (Runnells W.A.)	shallow pool of water	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Sinclair and Thomas H. Kent were submitted. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species this bird could be confused with was Franklin's Gull. The larger size, bill size, and head and wing patterns all eliminated Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/12:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-04	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area in Decatur County, IA on May 4, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Neotropic Cormorant	Little River Recreation Area	Little River Rec. Area	large reservoir with numerous dead snags	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: My only concern was to adequately eliminate Double-crested Cormorant, many of which were available for direct comparisons. The size, tail length, and throat patch pattern all eliminate this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:25:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pomarine Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Pomarine Jaegers at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, five photographs, an article in Iowa Bird life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pomarine Jaeger	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res. Polk Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by James J. Dinsmore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark coloration, gull-like shape, and white color in the primary shafts identified both birds as jaegers. Initially, I thought the bird I saw on the 10th was a Parasitic, mainly because of the size and seemingly bright, rust-colored underparts. However, better viewing conditions later showed that the underparts were instead a pale brown color and lacked any hint of rusty color. Long-tailed Jaeger was easily eliminated by size, shape of the central rectrices, and the greater amount of white in the wing. Parasitic Jaeger was more difficult to rule out. The combination of size, wing shape, amount of white in the wing, shape of the central rectrices, and bill size was used to rule out juvenile Parasitic Jaeger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:35:00/12:33:00 on November 10, 1996 and 10:55:00/16:05:00 on November 11, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Runnells Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-08-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area in Marion County, IA on August 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells W.A., Marion Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ray Cummins was submitted later. Other observers include Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, brown coloration, and bill and leg color eliminated other gull species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull at Big Creek Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-14	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on November 14, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Little Gull	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Lake	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Ray Cummins, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Bob Myers, Chris Caster, Carol Thompson, Jim Sandrock, Tim Schantz, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Fred Brink, Phil Walsh, Dick Tetrault, Hank Zaletel, Dennis Thompson, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Jane Clark, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: gulls. The black underwings eliminated all other gulls except Ross', which has a smaller bill and an obvious wedge-shaped tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:52:00/13:08:00 and 16:20:00/16:44:00 on November 14, 1994.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Eider at Red Rock Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-01-27	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Common Eider at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 27, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence over the sighting, photos, drawings of the bird sighting, articles in Iowa Bird Life, Field Notes, and other publications, and twelve documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Common Eider	Red Rock Dam	Des Moines River below Red Rock dam - Marion Co., Iowa	open stretch of river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, Mark Proescholdt, Chris Edwards, Peter C. Petersen, Ray Cummins, Robert Cecil, and Diane Porter were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: See above discussion (Description). Steller's Eider eliminated by size. Female and immature King Eider eliminated by pattern of barring on flanks, size of bill, position of eye, faint white supercilium, and pattern of feathering on bill. Spectacled Eider eliminated by facial pattern and bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Roseate Spoonbill at Waubonsie Wildlife Area, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Roseate Spoonbill at Waubonsie Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on August 4, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article from Iowa Bird Life, an article from North American Birds, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Roseate Spoonbill	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie W.A., Fremont Co., IA	roosting in willows in flooded bottomland	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Michael D. Overton were submitted later. Other observers include Dixie Overton, Ann Johnson, James Scheib, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Peter Ernzen, Dick Tetrault, Beth Proescholdt, Dennis Henrickson, John Sullivan, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, B.J. Rose, Ross Silcock, James Dinsmore, Babs Padelford, and Loren Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: The heron shape, pink body color, and bill shape are unique to this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:13:00/19:51:00 on August 4, 05:53:00/06:15:00 on August 5, and 18:44:00/19:47:00 on 13 August.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Fulvous Whistling-Duck at Goose Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-07-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Fulvous Whistling-Duck at Goose Lake in Clinton County, IA on July 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Fulvous Whistling-Duck	Goose Lake	Goose Lake, Clinton Co., IA	shallow marsh	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Susan Barrell Grove, Peter C. Petersen, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Pam Allen and Reid Allen, Jeff Dankert, and Ann Johnson were submitted later. Other observers include Russ Widner, Kelly McKay, Tim Schantz, Gerald White, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, and Fred Lesher. \| Elimination of similar species: The long legs, upright posture, and long neck were clearly features of a whistling-duck. The extensive rufous color on the belly, dark back edged with tawny, lack of any white on the upperwing, and dark bill and legs eliminate Black-bellied Whistling-Duck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-17	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Iceland Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Another observer includes Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The three most similar species are Herring, Thayer's, and Glaucous gulls in first-basic plumage. The latter was eliminated by its larger size and longer, heavier, bicolored bill. First-basic Herring Gull is much darker overall with primaries darker than the upperwing coverts, a pale window on the inner primaries, and rectrices that are all black. First-basic Thayer's Gull is the hardest to eliminate. Thayer's always show primaries that are as dark or darker than the rest of the wing. The dark tail band of Thayer's is always darker than the mantle and apparently matches the color of the wingtips (Kaufman 1990). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 10, 1996. Includes one record review document with votes, a photograph, correspondence about bird sighting, an Iowa Bird Life Article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	resting on beach with other gulls	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was clearly one of the "hooded" gulls. The combination of size, mantle color, and upperwing pattern eliminates all of the hooded gulls except for Franklin's Gull. The larger size, less obvious white eye crescents, larger and longer bill, and extensively dark tips to the underwings eliminated Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of 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 of Snowy Plover at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records committee review of a Snowy Plover at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Plover	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Saylorville Res., Polk Co., IA-Oak Grove Beach	sandy beach	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The plover shape, size, and overall color were enough to eliminate all shorebirds except Piping. [sic] Plover. Piping Plover was eliminated by the dark legs and bill, pattern of black on the head, and bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at South Twin Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-25	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at South Twin Lake in Calhoun County, IA on November 25, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Clark's Grebe	South Twin Lake	South Twin L., Calhoun Co., IA	shallow lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Susan B. Grove. \| Elimination of similar species: The short body, longer neck, and bright orange bill color eliminates all species of loons. The only other similar species is Western Grebe, which has a dulller yellowish bill and dark lores and dark color around the eyes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:25:00/08:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
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 Arctic Tern at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-18	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Arctic Tern at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 18, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, four photographs, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Arctic Tern	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, Iowa	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by James J. Dinsmore and Ann Johnson were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, bill shape and color, white cheek, dark gray underparts, leg length, and wing pattern eliminate other species of Sterna. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Black-headed Gull at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-02	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Black-headed Gull at Cherry Glen Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 2, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, photocopies of four photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-headed Gull	Cherry Glen Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Cherry Glen Rec. Area	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by B.J. Rose was submitted later. Other observers include Doug Rose, Roger Rose, and Ken Lowder. \| Elimination of similar species: Because of the fairly small size and conspicuous dark spot behind each eye, the bird must have been a Bonaparte's, Little, Common Black-headed, or Ross' gull, or a kittiwake. Separation from Bonaparte's Gull is discussed above. Little Gull eliminated by its smaller size, dark bill, lack of any black color on the upperwing, and uniformly dark underside to the flight feathers. Ross' Gull eliminated by tail shape, bill size and color, and darker underwing. Both kittiwakes eliminated by bill color, lighter mantle color, and differences in wing pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:17:00/16:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-22	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 22, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a print with three photos and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off dam and Cherry Glen Rec. Area	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bob Myers, Ann Johnson, and Ray Cummins were submitted later. Other observers include Becky Myers, Pam Allen, Reed Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of smaller size, short, straight bill, neck pattern, and contrast between the head and rest of the upperparts eliminates other loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:46:00/11:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7