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 Tanager at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-03	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on May 3, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Western Tanager	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Near Ely Ford (Van Buren County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Karole Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The two yellow wing bars and red on head eliminate any other tanager. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Frank Starr Park, 1969	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1969-05-08	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Frank Starr Park in Buena Vista County, IA on May 8, 1969. Includes one record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Crocker, Virginia R.	Western Tanager	Frank Starr Park	[...] West Park is a state-owned 13 acre strip of land between Storm Lake and Little Storm Lake on the west side of Iowa 110.		The article by Virginia Crocker is the only one reviewed and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ruth Thornton. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Many insects were flying, and we were watching the large number of Myrtle Warblers feeding on the insects when Ruth exclaimed, "What is that bird with the bright red head?--I've never seen one like it before." Then the bird came into full view. The brilliant colors were breath-taking, and we had little trouble identifying it as a male Western Tanager. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Forney Lake, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-04-26	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 26, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Western Tanager	Forneys Lake	Forney lake, Fremont Co., Iowa	Cottonwood Belt near Forney Lake - Riparian Island in Missouri River Bottom Farmland	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Myers was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellowthroated Vireo - Red Head, bill not 'hooked', more active. Northern Oriole (1st Yr Male) - Yellow coloration contrasting with red head [rather distinctive species]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Engineer's Cantonment circa 1819	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1823-01-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Western Tanagers at Engineer's Cantonment, IA circa 1819. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Account of an Expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains Performed in the Years 1819 and 1820 by Edwin James seen by Thomas Say, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Western Tanager	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Des Moines, 1971	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1971-11-04	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1971. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Western Tanager	Des Moines	Des Moines, IA	Well-kept back yard of apartment in the heart of Des Moines	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mary Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for goldfinch, wing bars eliminate Summer or Scarlet Tanagers which would not be here at this time. Bill obviously not oriole or finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted briefly, mid-afternnon [sic].	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1969	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1969-06-22	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on June 22, 1969. Includes a record review document with votes and an article reviewed by the committee.	Bramel, Grover C.	Western Tanager	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge		The article by Grover C. Bramel forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It was identified as a male Western Tanager in full breeding plumage, by the following: Size; comparable to more common Scarlet Tanager or Baltimore Oriole; [...] At about the same time and location a bird of similar appearance except for the red face, was seen flying between trees, and may have been the female Western Tanager. \| The original documentation form event lasted around a minute.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
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 for Western Bluebird near Cedar Rapids in 1903	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1907-03-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Western Bluebird near Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA in spring 1903. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by George H. Berry, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Western Bluebird	Cedar Rapids				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Bluebird in western Iowa before 1875	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1874-01-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Western Bluebirds in western Iowa before 1875. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of North America in Land Birds, Vol. 3 by S.F. Baird, T.M. Brewer, and R. Ridgway seen by Mr. Atkinson, and referenced by six other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Western Bluebird	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Bluebird at western Iowa before 1889	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1889-02-01	1994-02-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Western Bluebirds at western Iowa before 1889. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Preliminary Annotated Catalogue of the Birds of Iowa in the Proceedings of the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences 5:113-161 by Charles R. Keyes and H.S. Williams also seen by Mr. Atkinson, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Western Bluebird	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermillion Flycatcher at Carter Lake in 1954	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1955-04-01	1996-04-25	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Vermillion Flycatcher at Carter Lake in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 21, 1954. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication The Vermilion Flycatcher in Nebraska in Nebraska Bird Review 23:28-29 by W.F. Rapp, Jr. seen by R.G. and Grace Cortelyou.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Vermilion Flycatcher	Carter Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	22
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher near Holstein, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-24	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher near Holstein in Ida County, IA on May 24, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Rector, Curtis L.	Vermilion Flycatcher	Holstein	1531 Harvest Avenue Holstein, Iowa 51025-8117		The documentation letter by Curtis L. Rector is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his parents and nephew. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] But I could see right away that it wasn't a cardinal, as it lacked a crest, and it had dark feathers. [...] At this point, I thought it could be a Scarlet Tanager. [...] As I watched it, the bird was taking off from the grass, flying into the air to snatch an insect, then landing on a nearby fence. From this, I could tell it had to be a species of Flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Sioux Center, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-06	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on May 6, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Vermilion Flycatcher	Sioux Center	In approximately the center of Harry Kuhl's farm, located at the east end of Sioux Center, Sioux Co., Iowa. The specific area in which we found the bird consists of wet bottomlands with creek and tall willows and many broken branches, snags, and stumps. The bird used snags and branches near and over the creek as perch. The lighting, provided by partly cloudy skies which gradually clouded over completely as the afternoon wore on, was excellent, as the sun was largely behind us. We observed the bird from distances varying between 20 feet and 60 yards.	[...] a section of tall trees, extensive shrub area, open fields, and in the center, surrounded by pasture land and agricultural fields, an area of wet bottomlands transversed by a creek (beaver occurs here) through a fairly open stand of tall black willows; broken limbs and snags are scattered throughout the area (see enclosed photographs).	The documentation form by John Van Dyk forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Gordon Brown was submitted. Other observers include Ken Venhuizen, Mike Van Dyk, Jan Van Dyk, and John Kevin Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: This category hardly applies since a male Vermilion Flycatcher is quite unmistakable. If there is any bird with which it might possibly be confused -- perhaps at great distance -- it would be a Scarlet Tanager. However, our bird was much smaller, had no red on its back, had black patchy line through its eye, had a thin dark flycatcher bill instead of a light-colored tanager bill, and behaved like a flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/17:00:00 on May 6, 1983 and 06:30:00/07:00:00 on May 7, 1983.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake in Worth County, IA on May 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Anderson, Gerald	Vermilion Flycatcher	Rice Lake	Worth County North Shore Rice Lake	Edge of Timber and marsh	The documentation form by Gerald Anderson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Curt Rector. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Smaller than cardinal \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Island View Park at Rathbun Lake, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-10-25	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Island View Park at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on October 25, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, excerpts from Iowa Bird Life, an article in American Birds, two photographs, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Vermilion Flycatcher	Island View Park	Island View Park, Rathbun Resevoir, [sic] Appanoose Co.	open parkland, scattered trees along beach front	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tom Johnson, Ray Cummins, Thomas H. Kent, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dot Cornett, Tim Schantz, Mary Montgomery, and many unidentified other observers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Varied Thrush southeast of Monticello, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-02-09	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Varied Thrush southeast of Monticello in Jones County, IA on February 9, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Fred K.	Varied Thrush	Monticello	Paul Whear's Home Monticello, Ia	Home and feeder located in large Cedar Grove	The documentation form by Fred Thompson 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 Pete Wickham, Tim Gates, Paul Whear, Michael Newlon, Thomas Shires, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - Eating bird seed (8) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan near Charles City in 1887	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Hunting	1916-09-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Trumpeter Swan near Charles City in Floyd County, IA in 1887. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Preliminary list of the birds of Floyd Count Iowa in Wilson Bull 28:130-138 by C.L. Fenton seen by Webster, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Charles City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan in Newton in 1871	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Breeding Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Rare birds	1871-01-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Trumpeter Swan near Newton in Poweshiek and Jasper Counties, IA on 1871. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Iowa birds in The American Naturalist 5:169 in H.W. Parker, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Newton				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan in Iowa in 1820	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1823-01-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Trumpeter Swan in Iowa in 1820. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Account of an Expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains in the Years 1819, 1820 by E. James.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan in Iowa before 1870	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1870-01-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Trumpeter Swan in Iowa before 1870. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication A Catalogue of the Birds of Iowa by J.A. Allen.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan at Webster County before 1907	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1884-01-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Trumpeter Swans at Webster County, IA before 1907. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by M.P. Somes, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Webster County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan at the headwaters of Des Moines River in 1875	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birds--Migration Birds--Nests Rare birds	1907-01-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for several Trumpeter Swans at the headwaters of Des Moines River in IA during 1875. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by J.W. Preston.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Des Moines River				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan at Sioux County before 1907	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Migration Rare birds	1907-01-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Trumpeter Swans at Sioux County, IA before 1907. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by Johnson.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Sioux County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan at Sac County in 1870	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1917-09-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Trumpeter Swan at Sac County, IA around 1870. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Annotated list of the water birds and game birds and birds of prey of Sac County Iowa in Wilson Bull 29:141-160 by J.A. Spurrell seen by Shelt Tiberghien.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Sac County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan at Sac County before 1917	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Rare birds Zoological specimens	1917-09-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Trumpeter Swan at Sac County, IA before 1917. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs of the specimen, the original sighting record found in the publication Annotated list of the water birds, game birds and birds of prey of Sac County Iowa in Wilson Bull 29:141-160 by J.A. Spurrell seen by H.B. Smith, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Sac County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12