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 Black-headed Grosbeak at Decorah, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-29	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on July 29, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a letter from Jeri McMahon to Tom Kent.	McMahon, Jeri	Black-headed Grosbeak	Decorah	Trout River, near Decorah		A letter from Jeri McMahon to Tom Kent forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The female rose-breasted grosbeak, plus juveniles, were also present that day, so I could compare the 2 species very well. It was not an im. male rose-breasted, although I saw several of those.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
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 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 House Finch at Davenport, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-06-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a House Finch at Davenport in Scott County, IA on June 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review and a letter from Ann Barker to Tom Kent containing a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Barker, Ann M. Barker, William S.	House Finch	Davenport	in yard around feeder	our yard is at the edge of a suburban neighborhood with 30 or so houses, with cultivated fields immediately adjacent on 2 sides.	The documentation form by Bill and Ann Barker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A finch, slightly larger than Goldfinches concurrently at feeder. A thinner or less puffy appearance than Purple Finch, with brighter more orange red color. Shape of head may be flatter than Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Mason City, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-09-01	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on September 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of the review, a letter from Mildred Moore to Ross Silcock, and another letter from Mildred Moore to Ross Silcock forwarded to Tom Kent.	Moore, Mildred L.	House Finch	Mason City	1225 N. Jefferson Ave., Mason City, Iowa		A letter from Mildred Moore to Ross Silcock forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Ottumwa, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-26	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on June 26, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a field report, a letter from Don Johnson to Tom Kent, and a draft of the field report.	Johnson, Donald G.	House Finch	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Iowa		The field report by Don Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Elaine Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Grosbeak at Holstein, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-11-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pine Grosbeak at Holstein in Ida County, IA on November 5, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a letter from Curtis Rector to Tom Kent with Pete Ernzen and James Dinsmore copied.	Rector, Curtis L.	Pine Grosbeak	Holstein	near Somerset Apartments in Holstein, Iowa		A letter from Curtis L. Rector to Tom Kent forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:16:00 on November 5, 1997, and 14:10:00/14:15:00, 15:45:00, and 16:15:00/16:25:00 on November 6, 1997 .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	13
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 for Lazuli Bunting at George Wyth State Park, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-05-14	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on May 14, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, request for reconsideration, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Lazuli Bunting	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	Marginal woodland with small stream bordered with, Hedgerows, scrub growth, and wild patches.	The documentation form by Tom Stone Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird - has slender bill and no wingbars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Woodpecker Marsh, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-07	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Woodpecker Marsh in Wayne County, IA on September 7, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, two letters from Charlotte Scott to Thomas Kent, and a letter from Thomas Kent to Charlotte Scott.	Scott, Charlotte	Black-headed Grosbeak	Woodpecker Marsh	on a country road near Woodpecker Marsh			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
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 for Black-headed Grosbeak at Marble Rock, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-09	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Marble Rock in Floyd County, IA on May 9, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Knoop, Pearl	Black-headed Grosbeak	Marble Rock	Floyd county, about a mile south of Marble Rock, along river	Narrow tree and shrubby area along the Shellrock. This type of habitat extends along the river on both sides. More bushy in some places than others. There are nearby cultivated fields and tree areas.	The documentation form by Pearl Knoop is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: female rose-breased [sic] grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Elkhart, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-11-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Elkhart in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Mosman, Dean	Black-headed Grosbeak	Elkhart	2 M.E. Elkhart, IA	in wooded area	The documentation form by Darwin (Dean) Mosman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Mosman and Diane Mosman. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak only species close to same appearance. No voice heard, behavior and habitat the same. Color and streaking only difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:15:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Summer Tanager at Pleasant Valley, 1990	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-02	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Summer Tanager at Pleasant Valley in Scott County, IA on December 2, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, a request for reconsideration, letter from Gary H. Rosenberg to Carl J. Bendorf and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The species is recorded as Hepatic Tanager on the documentation, but confirmed as Summer Tanager by the IOU Records Committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Summer Tanager	Pleasant Valley	244-56 Valley Dr. Pleasant Valley, Scott Co., Iowa	Feeder situation where it was eating berries, suet and bed water in heated bath	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Summer, Scarlet, Western Tanager. Scarlet Tanager was eliminated by the lack of dark wing and the orange-green instead of yellow-green. Western Tanager was eliminated by the lack of wing bars. Summer Tanager: this was the closest of the three especially considering the cooperi form found in the southwest. The large bill in common to both species if we consider the cooper form of the summer, however, the color of the mandible overall more dark than light lends the pull towards hepatic. The dark, brown orange-green also pulled me over to the hepatics in respect to the ones I have observed in Arizona. Call note also differs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Little Swan Lake, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-14	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Little Swan Lake in Dickinson County, IA on July 14, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Christopherson Slough / Little Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area	Woods, N. edge Little Swan Lake, Dickinson Co., Iowa (near Superior)	General: woodlands near lakeshore. Specific: bare branch understory of plum thicket (deep shade), at edge of planting of 25 ft. Austrian pines and black walnut trees.	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rose-breasted grosbeak (female)--little or no yellow-tan color to breast & more heavily spotted or streaked. Blue Grosbeak (female)--a more uniform, unstreaked brown or tan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:22:00/13:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Rush Lake, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-20	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Rush Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on May 20, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Ann Sernett to Thomas Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Ronald	Black-headed Grosbeak	Rush Lake	South side Rush Lake, Palo Alto Co. and Mable [sic] Grous grove, Pocahontas Co.	Open woods	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers were Ann Luther, Mabel Grous, Ken Sernett and Ann Sernett. \| Elimination of similar species: there were many [female symbol] Rose-brested [sic] around to compare.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Amana Woods, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Amana Woods in Iowa County, IA on May 10, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Black-headed Grosbeak	Amana Woods	Amana Woods	Deciduous woods. Trail through woods along ridge.	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas Kent was submitted later. Other observers include Tom Staudt and Carl Bendorf. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
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 for Yellow Grosbeak near Elkhart, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-02	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow Grosbeak south of Elkhart in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Stephen Bailey to Tim Schantz, two notes from Tim Schantz to the Iowa Records Committee, e-mails between Jim Fuller, Paula Saba, John Saba, Chuck Williamson, and Paul DeBenedictis, an article in Bird Watcher's Digest, an article in Des Moines Register, a letter from Gary Rosenberg to Carl Bendorf, a letter from Kenn Kaufman to Carl Bendorf, a letter from Leo Galloway, Dave Eastrela, and Jack Hilsobeck to Dean Mosman, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Grosbeak	Elkhart	Backyard of Dean and Diane Mosman; Two and half miles southeast of Elkhart (Polk County Iowa)	Backyard and adjacent wooded ravine	The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms were submitted by Tim Schantz, Ken Lowder, Ann Johnson, Thomas Kent, Robert Cecil, Ross Silcock, Diane Porter, and Carl Bendorf. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Jim Scheib, Dean Mosman, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Diane Mosman, Tom Schantz, Cecile Thompson, Dennis Thompson, and John Daniel. \| Elimination of similar species: Pine grosbeak is not lemon yellow in any plumage, and has a smaller bill with hooked upper mandible. Evening grosbeak has black wings and tail and light colored bill in all plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-17	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on December 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of record, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, a photograph, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Smith's Longspur	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA.	General: Back yard opening to a 100 acre farm field. Evergreens, bushes, trees. Specific: Foot of tray feeder beside tree.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Ronald Harms and Rita DeWall were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Golden-crowned Sparrow east of Little Wall Lake, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-04	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for at least three Golden-crowned Sparrows east of Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on May 4, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about the sighting and documentation, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilcox, Dorothy	Golden-crowned Sparrow	Little Wall Lake	At platform feeder and on the ground	Lg. oak trees, shrubs (Rural)	The documentation form by Dorothy Wilcox is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include family and friends. \| Elimination of similar species: white crowned and white throat, definite difference in eye line and crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sharp-tailed Sparrow near Lost Lake, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-05-23	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow near Lost Lake in Boone County, IA on May 23, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence regarding the review and sighting, a request for reconsideration of record, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Gordon	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Lost Lake	Upper ledges at Lost Lake		The documentation form by Gordon Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was George Brown.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-06-06	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton in Greene County, IA on June 6, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail correspondence about the documentation, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Lark Bunting	Scranton	Greene County,1 mile south of Scranton on Highway 25 ,then 3/4 mile east.	Pasture with cows on South side, Row crops on North side	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: I don't know of any other bird of this size that has white wing patches. I couldn't find any other info in any of my bird guides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:00:06.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
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 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