Report of the Records Committee for 1994

Thomas H. Kent

The Records Committee reviewed 51 records from 1994. Of these, 41 were accepted and 10 were not. No new species for the state were discovered in 1994, except for Fulvous Whistling-Duck, which was of uncertain origin (A-O). Black-bellied Whistling-Duck was added to the state list based on two 1993 specimens and three older records that were re-reviewed in light of new information on the pattern of vagrancy of this species. A Trumpeter Swan was accepted in the category A-D. Based on this record and one from 1993 (Kent 1994), the committee voted to change the status of this species from Extirpated to Regular based on a pattern of migrants and winter visitants over the last ten years. Individual birds must be judged, however, based on whether they were raised in captivity.

One old sighting was submitted for review (not accepted) and six previously unreviewed literature citations were reviewed (one accepted). Re-review of four old records was requested by the original observer: 1 was changed from NA to AD, 2 were changed from A-D to A-P, and one remained NA.

The category A-E was changed to A-O to better reflect the meaning of this category -- origin uncertain. This category means that the identification is acceptable, but the committee does not know whether the bird occurred naturally or was assisted by man. The 1994 sighting of Fulvous Whistling-Duck is an example of a bird placed in this category.

The committee voted on status changes for species in anticipation of the publication of a new edition of the Official Checklist of Iowa Birds. One species was removed from the list (Sprague's Pipit) based on re-review of the only previously accepted record.

At its meeting of 14 Aug 1994, a new Operating Procedures Manual was reviewed and minor alterations made. This manual tells how the committee is organized and how it reviews records, archives records and photographs, and updates official lists. The committee decided to request documentations of and review all records of Casual as well as Accidental species. In the past Casual species were inconsistently reviewed. Rare regular birds, birds seen at very unusual times, and birds in unusual plumages (e.g., immature Lesser Black-backed Gull, adult Thayer's Gull) should also be documented and will be reviewed at the discretion of the Field Reports Editors and the committee. As of 1995, Casual species, which should all be documented, are Red-throated Loon, Pacific Loon, White-faced Ibis, Mississippi Kite, Black-necked Stilt, Whimbrel, Red Knot, Laughing Gull, California Gull, Iceland Gull, Black-legged Kittiwake, Sabine's Gull, Rock Wren, Mountain Bluebird, Bohemian Waxwing, Western Tanager, and Pine Grosbeak.

Committee members for 1994 with years in which their terms expire were: Robert I. Cecil (1995), Tanya E. Bray (1996), Raymond L. Cummins (1997), Francis L. Moore (1998), Ann M. Johnson (1999), W. Ross Silcock (2000), and Thomas H. Kent (secretary, appointed by the committee).

The four-digit number (year and sequence number) assigned to each record reviewed by the Records Committee is included for future reference. For old records not previously reviewed, the year is the year of first review and the sequence number is two letters. Records are classified as follows: A = Accepted (-S = specimen, -P = photograph, -R = recording, -D = documentation, -O = origin uncertain) and NA = Not Accepted. In order to be Accepted, a record must receive 7 votes on the initial review or 6 votes on a subsequent review. The subcategories A-S, A-P, and A-R indicate that physical evidence supports the identification, and records are subclassified based on a majority vote. References to IBL are the page of the Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life where the record is cited. P- numbers refer to the IOU Photo File entry number. Published notes and previous citations may contain more details. An * indicates a previously uncited documentation .

1994 RECORDS ACCEPTED

Red-throated Loon: One was at Silver L. in Worth Co. on 7 May (94-06, IBL 64:72), and another was at L. Manawa in Pottawattamie Co. on 29 Nov (94-29, IBL 65:10).

Pacific Loon: One mostly in basic plumage summered at Anderson L. in Hamilton Co. from 13 Jul to 16 Sep (94-21, IBL 64:107, 65:10, Dinsmore 1995a). Another was at Black Hawk L. in Sac Co. on 7 Nov (94:30, IBL 65:10).

Clark's Grebe: One was at Trumbull L. in Clay Co. on 13 May (94-07, Brewer 1995). Another was photographed at South Twin L. in Calhoun Co. on 25 Nov (94-31, P-0433, IBL 65:11, Dinsmore 1995b

Fulvous Whistling-Duck: One was at Goose L. in Clinton Co. from 17 Jul to 8 Sep (95-22, IBL 64:107; 65:11). This species is kept in captivity in lowa and unmarked and uncaged birds were observed at another location by a committee member. The origin of the bird at Goose L. was judged as uncertain (A-O).

Trumpeter Swan: A first-year bird was at Blue L. in Monona Co. on 10 Apr (94-08, IBL 64:73). Other records of this species were not reviewed, and the committee will not routinely review future records of this species. Observers are asked, however, to continue to send documentations and details about the origin of birds to Field Reports editors so that we can monitor the status of this species in Iowa. "Countability" is left to individual birders, but should be based on American Birding Association guidelines.

Barrow's Goldeneye: A male was photographed at Terra L. in Polk Co. on 28 Nov (94-46, P-0434, IBL 65:12).

Mississippi Kite: There were four records: 17 May at lowa City in Johnson Co. (94-09, IBL 64:74), 22 May at Peterson Pits in Story Co. (94-10, IBL 64:74), 22 Sep at Hitchcock N.A. in Pottawattamie Co. (94-32, IBL 65:13), and 26 Sep at Grammer Grove W.A. in Marshall Co. (94-33, IBL 65:13). The spring birds were adults (or possible subadults) and the fall birds were first-year birds.

Greater Prairie-Chicken: One wintered at Cherokee in Cherokee Co. from 6 Jan to 7 Apr and was photographed (94-01, P-0416, P-0417, Bierman 1994).

Black Rail: One was seen and heard at State Line M. in Kossuth Co. on 12 Jul (94-23, IBL 64:108).

Purple Gallinule: One was at Sweet M. in Bremer Co. from 24 to 30 May (94-11, IBL 64:74, Stone 1995).

Black-necked Stilt: Two were at Storm L. in Buena Vista Co. on 5 Sep (94-34, IBL 65:14).

Whimbrel: One was at Coralville Res. in Johnson Co. on 27 May (94-12, Edwards 1994).

Red Knot: One was at Blue L. in Monona Co. on 12 May (94-13, Ernzen 1994).

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper: Iowa's first spring bird was seen and tape recorded at Riverton A in Fremont Co. on 15 May (94-25, P-0439).

Red Phalarope: One was photographed at Spirit L. in Dickinson Co. on 29 Nov (94-35, P-0421, IBL 65:15).

Jaeger species: A jaeger, probably a Parasitic, was at Saylorville Res. in Polk Co. On 22 Sep (94-36, IBL 65:15).

Long-tailed Jaeger: Iowa's second record of this species, an adult, was at Tomahawk M. and Black Hawk L. in Sac Co. from 4 to 13 Sep and was photographed (94-37, P-0422, P-0423, IBL 65:15).

Laughing Gull: There were three records: A second-year bird was at Keokuk in Lee Co. on 8 and 9 Jul (94-24, IBL 64:110), a juvenile was photographed at Rathbun Res. in Appanoose Co. on 6 Aug (94-38, P-0424, IBL 65:15), and a first-winter bird was at Midwest Power Ponds in Pottawattamie Co. on 19, 24, and 29 Oct (94-27, IBL 65:15).

Little Gull: One in basic plumage was at Big Creek S.P. in Polk Co. from 14 to 20 Nov and was photographed (94-39, P-0432, IBL 65:15, Dinsmore 1995c).

Common Black-headed Gull: An adult was at Spirit L. in Dickinson Co. on 2 Aug and another adult was feeding a juvenile nearby at Kettleson Hogsback A. (94-40, P-0429, P-0431, IBL 65:15). The juvenile was photographed end at least one adult was present until 12 Aug. The only other nesting records for North America are from eastern Canada and New England (Kaufman 1995). Another bird in basic plumage was at Big Creek S. P. in Polk Co. on 17, 21, and 23 Nov (94-41, IBL 65:15)

Mew Gull: A first-winter bird was at Red Rock Res. in Marion Co. from 11 Dec to 1 Jan 1995 (94-48, IBL 65:42, 49).

Lesser Black-backed Gull: An adult was at Red Rock Res. in Marion Co. on 11, 17, and 21 Dec (94-49, IBL 65:42, 49).

Great Black-backed Gull: A first-winter bird was at Red Rock Res. in Marion Co. on 17 Dec (94-50, IBL 65:42, 49).

Sabine's Gull: A juvenile at Black Hawk L. in Sac Co. from 5 to 13 Sep was photographed (94-44, P-0425, IBL 65:15).

Say’s Phoebe: One found in Appanoose Co. on 17 Dec (94-51, IBL 65:42, 50) was lowa's second winter record.

Mountain Bluebird: One or two males were near Jefferson in Greene Co. from 6 to 13 Mar (94-15, IBL 64:77).

Common Yellowthroat: One was photographed at Forney L in Fremont Co. on 2 Jan (94-05, P-0418, IBL 64:44,50).

Western Tanager: A male was near Swan L. in Johnson Co. on 25 and 26 Apr (94-18, Dankert 1995).

Black-headed Grosbeak: A male was at Big Creek S.P. in Polk Co. on 15 May (94-19, IBL 64:79). An immature female was near Marquette in Clayton Co. on 1 Oct (94-28, IBL 65:18).

Lark Bunting: A female was north of Burlington in Des Moines Co. on 30 Apr (94-20, Fuller 1995).

Eurasian Tree Sparrow: One in western Johnson Co. on 9 Jan was a first county record (94-04, IBL 64:52).

1994 RECORDS NOT ACCEPTED

Lesser Black-backed Gull: The details for an immature bird that was not seen in flight were suggestive but not conclusive (94-42, IBL 65:15).

Great Black-backed Gull: A bird was seen only briefly from behind (94-42, IBL 65:15).

Steller's Jay: There was no description of this extremely unlikely vagrant (94-45, IBL 65:16).

Fish Crow: The committee felt that a bird heard at Big Timber in Louisa Co. on 25 Apr was likely a Fish Crow, but also felt that additional confirmation (recordings if possible) should be obtained before adding this species to the state list (94-14, IBL 64:77).

Marsh Wren: A wren at Brown's L. in Woodbury Co. on a Christmas Bird Count on 2 Jan defied a perfect look (9403, IBL 44,50). Because Sedge Wren is also possible in winter, a minority of the committee felt that this record should be left as Wren species.

Sprague's Pipit: Although features suggested this species, the committee was not sure that this was a pipit from the description and behavior (94-16, IBL 64:77).

Swainson's Warbler: The description of a bird seen in atypical habitat was not convincing to the committee (94-17, IBL 64: 78) .

OLD RECORDS REVIEWED FOR FIRST TIME

Red-throated Loon: One reported at Folsom L. in Mills Co. on 13 May 1972 (Nebraska Bird Review 40:85) lacked a description of the bird (94-AC). Another at De Soto N.W.R. on 3 Nov 1977 (Nebraska Bird Review 45:19) may have been in Nebraska.

Arctic Loon: A sight record from 1989 was submitted (94-AB). Some of the features suggested this species, but the much more likely Common Loon could mimic these features.

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: A bird shot at Big M. in Butler Co. on 1 Nov 1993 is now at lowa State University (94-M, ISU #2612, P-0457). The committee decided to treat this record and previously well-substantiated records as natural vagrants, i.e., A-S, A-P, or A-D rather than A-O.

American Swallow-tailed Kite: The committee did not accept a secondhand report of an old specimen pending direct confimation that the specimen exists and is adequately labeled (94-AE).

Eskimo Curlew: In a letter to Hough (1901), John Smith describes thousands of "dough birds on the burnt prairie with golden plover in the spring of 1886, presumably near Algona in Kossuth Co., where he lived (94-AF). The committee felt that the description of the behavior and the observers familiarity with the species in New England warranted acceptance of this record (A-D) as one of the few substantiated ones describing Eskimo Curlew in lowa at the time of settlement.

Vermilion Flycatcher: A bird at Carter L. on 21 Nov 1954 (94-AG, Rapp 1955) was determined from the original observer to be in Nebraska.

OLD RECORDS RECONSIDERED -- CHANGED TO ACCEPTED

Little Gull: A first-winter bird at Saylorville Res. in Polk Co. on 27 Oct and 1 Nov 1988 (88-26, *Stephen J. Dinsmore, * Ann M. Johnson, IBL 59:14,77) was re-reviewed at the request of the first observer. This represents the first record for lowa.

OLD RECORDS RECONSIDERED -- STATUS CHANGED

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: As mentioned in the report for 1993 (Kent 1994), several previous records of this species that were considered to be of uncertain origin were upgraded based on vagrancy data that show a spring and fall pattern of records in the central part of United States and the relative rarity (compared to Fulvous Whistling-Duck) of this species in captivity. The status d the following records was changed: 8 May 1977 at Zirbel Sl. in Cerro Gordo Co. (82-AC, P-0169, Barratt 1977, changed to A-P); 29 May 1987 near Boone in Boone Co. (87-13, P-0223, IBL 57:119 58:75, changed to A-P); 23 Oct 1988 at Ingham L. in Emmet Co. (88-14, *Tom Hartwig, IBL 59:10, 76, changed to A-D); and 24 Oct 1993 at Blue L. in Monona Co. (93-21, ISU #2611, P-0409, P-0456, IBL 64:11,68, changed to A-S).

Red Phalarope: New prints from the original slides resulted in change from A-D to A-P for a previously reported adult mostly in basic plumage at Saylorville Res. in Polk Co. on 4 Aug 1991 (91 -27 P-0308, Dinsmore 1992).

Little Gull: New copies from an original print along with a explanation of the viewing angle resulted in change from A-D to A-P for a previously reported adult at Saylorville Res. in Polk Co. on 8 Oct 1989 (89-38, P-0369, Dinsmore et al.1990).

OLD RECORDS RECONSIDERED -- STATUS UNCHANGED

California Gull: At the request of the observer, a potential first state record of this species (86-21, IBL 57:78) was re-reviewed and remained Not Accepted on a split vote.

LITERATURE CITED

Barratt, B. 1977. Black-bellied Whistling Duck, a new species for Iowa. Iowa Bird Life 47:104-106.

Bierman, D. 1994. Greater Prairie-Chicken in Cherokee County. Iowa Bird Life 64:115.

Brewer, M. M. 1995. Clark's Grebe in Clay County. Iowa Bird Life 65:23.

Dankert, D. L. 1994. Western Tanager in eastern Iowa. Iowa Bird Life 65:21-22.

Dinsmore, S. J. 1992. A second Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir. Iowa Bird Life 62:86-87.

Dinsmore, S. J. 1995a. First summer record of a Pacific/Arctic Loon for Iowa. Iowa Bird Life 65:55-56.

Dinsmore, S. J. 1995b. Clark's Grebe in Calhoun County. Iowa Bird Life 65:86-87.

Dinsmore, S. J. 1995c. Little Gull at Big Creek Lake. Iowa Bird Life 65:85-86.

Dinsmore, S. J., P. Allen, and R. Allen. 1990. Little Gull at Saylorville Reservoir. Iowa Bird Life 60:77.

Edwards, C. 1994. Whimbrel at Coralville Reservoir. Iowa Bird Life 64:118-119.

Ernzen, P. 1994. Red Knot in Monona County. Iowa Bird Life 64:85.

Fuller, C. 1995. Lark Bunting in Des Moines County. Iowa Bird Life 65:22.

Hough, E. 1901. The dough bird again. Forest and Stream 56:146.

Kaufman, K. 1995. Changing seasons. Fieldnotes 49:8-11.

Kent, T. H. 1994. Report of the Records Committee for 1993. Iowa Bird Life 64: 67-70.

Rapp, W. F. 1955. The Vermilion Flycatcher in Nebraska. Nebraska Bird Review 23:29.

Stone, T. 1995. Purple Gallinule in Bremer County. Iowa Bird Life 65:52.

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