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

Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Babcock Access at Coralville Lake, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Babcock Access at Coralville Lake in Johnson County, IA on July 28, 1979.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Golden Eagle	Babcock Access	n. of Babcock L. access, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co.	reservoir tail waters after dead trees in west and of Coralville Reservoir floodplain	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteo: size, profile. Bald Eagle, imm: distribution of white feathers, notably white tail base much more distinct and [illegible] in golden. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Thayer's Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir	reservoir with ice and open water.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull --see above. [...] The bird is not any larger than some of the ring-bills--some of the ring-bills are smaller. The larger ring-bills are almost as big as this bird, and it is distinctly smaller than a number of Herring Gulls in the same field. The bill is much smaller and thinner; the head is small. [...] The striking thing about this bird is the size, bill shape and head shape compared to the nearby herrings and very distinct smudge through the eye." \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:10:00 for several minutes and 15:55:00 for many minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-09-12	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 12, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res.	reservoir, bordered by wide grassy flats	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: dark tail, lack of face pattern elim. sparrow hawk. Small size + falcon build (long pointed wings, long squared-off tail) rule out other hawks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Sandy Beach, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Sandy Beach in Johnson County, IA on August 20, 1991.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Least Tern	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Sandy Beach, Johnson Co, IA	reservoir, flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, shape, and features diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-11-07	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on November 7, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Res. Dam, west overlook, Johnson Co. Iowa	Reservoir, just above dam, in water and on swimming beach	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Mike Newlon, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Photographs taken at the first encounter with a Celestron 750 mm lens demonstrate the size difference, the bill and head shape difference, the lighter overall color, and the window in the wing. An adult Herring was in the photo with the Thayer's on 7 Nov and imm Herring were photographed on 10 Nov for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:50:00 and 11:00:00/11:20:00 on November 7, 1981 and 07:30:00/08:30:00 on November 8, 1981.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 3, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Res., Marion Co., Iowa	reservoir, partly frozen	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt, Steve Dinsmore, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniform coloration and lack of dark wing tips were the main marks used to separate it from Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Red-breasted Merganser at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-breasted Merganser at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 1, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-breasted Merganser	Coralville Lake	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	Reservoir, shallow water	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill and general shape identified the bird as a merganser. The bill was much too long and big for a hooded. The head size, shape, and crest; white throat and breast and wing bar; and size are that of red-breasted rather than Common Merganser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	17
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren near the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren near the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 18, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Bewick's Wren	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Near Croton Unit - Shimek State Forest	Residence & Barnyard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil and Charles Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: House Wren - Tail + back darker + white breast + eye line. Side-to-side tail movement. Song not like House Wren. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rock Wren near Indianola, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-04-25	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rock Wren near Indianola in Warren County, IA on April 25, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an American Birds article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Rock Wren	Indianola	Home of David Youngblut, 957 Fillmore, Indianola, Warren Co., IA	Residential acreage with flower beds constructed of railroad ties	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was larger and grayer than the usual Iowa wrens. The western sub-species of Bewick's Wren is gray but is also much smaller with a strong superciliary. Canyon Wren would be browner with white, unstreaked throat and breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	1
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Fairfield, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-13	1999-06-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Bewick's Wrens at Fairfield in Jefferson County, IA on April 13, 1999.	Porter, Diane C.	Bewick's Wren	Fairfield	City: Fairfield Co: Jefferson St/Prov: IA Nation: USA	Residential area	The documentation form by Diane Porter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: One of them was almost as red on top as a Carolina Wren. Breast and throat were dirty white. Belly grayish, not rusty. Tail was long, loosely wagging from side to side, and bearing white patches in outer corners. \| The original documentation form event lasted from April 13, 1999 to June 4, 1999.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for House Finches at Corydon, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-07-12	1986-07-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three House Finches at Corydon in Wayne County, IA on July 12, 1986.	Proescholdt, Mark	House Finch	Corydon	Corydon , (Wayne County)	Residential area - (Apple Tree, Wires, Tube Feeders)	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Jim Fuller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Dennis Thompson, and Dorothy Clayton Pohl. \| Elimination of similar species: A female Purple Finch has the distinctive dark ear patch and light eyebrow stripe which these did not. A Pine Siskin has a different look and is smaller, slimmer, and has a thin bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for White-winged Dove at Le Grand, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-28	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-winged Dove at Le Grand in Marshall County, IA on April 28, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	White-winged Dove	Le Grand	in Legrand - Marshall County	Residential area by school and a church	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Chris Edwards, Peter C. Petersen, and Ann Johnson were submitted later. Other observers include Russ Widner, Kelly McKay, Jim Dinsmore, Beth Proescholdt, Dick Tetrault, Hank Zaletel, Chris Caster, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: No other dove looks like this one. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:15:00/15:17:00 on April 28, 1997.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	10
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Pocahontas, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-07-03	1981-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on July 3, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, Iowa	residential area of Pocahontas	The documentation form by Raymond L Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine and Larry Braby. \| Elimination of similar species: Although the bill shape, eye color, and long neck support the ID. The longer or at least less firsthand. Upper-legs and leg-feet external during flight are less subjective. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Records Committee review for bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Clear Lake, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-25	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Clear Lake in Gordo County, IA on September 25, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, articles from American Birds and Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Magnificent Frigatebird	Clear Lake	Crane Street on south shore of Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa	Residential area on wooded lakeshore	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, Peter Petersen, Beth Proescholdt, Mark Proescholdt, Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, and Mike Thomas were submitted later. Other observers include Joel Hanes, Daryl Hansen, Patricia Hansen, Jim Walter, Mary Lou Petersen, Ann Barker, Francis Moore, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Bob Myers, Jim Sinclair, and Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, wing length and shape, long forked tail, white breast on an otherwise all black bird are diagnostic of female Magnificent Frigatebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:26:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Waterloo, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on April 11, 1982.	Myers, Robert K.	Varied Thrush	Waterloo	1640 Cornwall, Waterloo, Iowa	Residential area with several feeders	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore, Russell Hays, Thomas Stone, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin does not have dark breast band or orange eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:20:00/06:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Fairfield, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-01-18	1991-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Fairfield in Jefferson County, IA on January 18, 1991.	Alexander, Carol Ann	Peregrine Falcon	Fairfield	Jefferson County, Fairfield, IA - Adema St., Jefferson St, & "D" St.	Residential area, 30 degrees, snow on ground.	The documentation form by Carol Ann Alexander is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Richard M. Alexander. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel and Merlin. Both too small (about 6 inches smaller). Also no other bird could dive at that speed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:35:35.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Cherokee, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-22	1985-10-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on October 22, 1985.	Huber, James E.	Varied Thrush	Cherokee	Backyard - 810 Walnut Street - Cherokee, IA	Residential backyard which joins a city park.	The documentation form by James E. Huber is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-26	1986-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Ames in Story County, IA on August 26, 1986.	Munson, Erik	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Ames	Ames, IA	Residential district bordering open golf course; powerlines	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: purple martin by tail length, call. Magpie by size, call, flight, behavior \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:10:00/19:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Waterloo, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-12-27	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on December 27, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Tom Kent to Kim Eckert, a letter from Kim Eckert to Tom Kent, a letter from the IOU Records Committee to Francis Moore, Tom Stone Jr., Tom Stone, and Bob Myers, a Christmas Bird Count compilation, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom	Hoary Redpoll	Waterloo	1727 Plymouth St. Waterloo	Residential neighborhood white birtch tree		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Gyrfalcon at Bettendorf, 1992.	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-01-20	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Gyrfalcon at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on January 20, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Timper, Edward	Gyrfalcon	Bettendorf	Devils Glen & Middle Road, Bettendorf, Hwy Z30 & Indiana Ave, Rural Scott Cty.	Residential with fields, and rural farm area with picked fields	The documentation form by Edward Timper is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I am a master falconer, and have handled and flown many large falcons, including gyrfalcons, peregrines, prairie falcons, and large exotics such as saker falcons and lanners. I am positive that this is a gerfalcon [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	4
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Shenandoah, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-08	1991-05-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Shenandoah in Page County, IA on May 8, 1991.	Braley, Jean B.	Bewick's Wren	Shenandoah	209 W. Thomas Ave., Shenandoah, IA.	Residential yard; large trees, variety of shrubs	The documentation form by Jean Bordner Braley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include F.M. Braley. \| Elimination of similar species: Carolina Wren: I observed the bird was white on breast + throat; tail different; have not heard Carolina sing the way Bewick's did; tailflicking/switching sideways not noticed in Carolina. \| The original documentation form event occurred on and off from 07:30:00/10:00:00 .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Iowa State University, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-08-31	1983-09-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Iowa State University in Ames in Story County, IA on August 31, 1983.	Mulder, Phil	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Iowa State University	Ames, Iowa - Iowa State University near Hawthorn Ct.	Residential-near railroad tracks on telephone wire	The documentation form by Phillip Mulder is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Obvious tail feathers eliminated any similar species \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Marshalltown, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-07-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on July 4, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Bewick's Wren	Marshalltown	In city of Marshalltown, Marshall Co., Ia. Jct. of Forest Blvd + Pope Blvd.	Residential; nearby shrubby fence rows; tall pine and deciduous mix	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Joe Schaufenbuel, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: House Wren is darker brown with brown throat and belly and lacks white fringing on outer tail feathers, song is also completely different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pomarine Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-28	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Pomarine Jaegers at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 28, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pomarine Jaeger	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-south end of lake	resting and feeding on 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, Thomas H. Kent, Peter C. Petersen, Beth Proescholdt, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Jim Sinclair, Bery Engebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Jim Dinsmore, Jim Fuller, Brian Blevins, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The gull-like shape, dark color, and white wing patches eliminate all birds except Jaegers. The large size compared to Ring-billed Gulls, heavy build, large, thick bill, prominent white patches on the upper and under surface on the wings, and the presence of a second white "crescent" on the underwing at the base of the primary coverts eliminate both Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:24:00/14:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-07-08	1997-10-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Lock 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on July 8, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Lock Number 19	above Lock 19, Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	resting on a log in river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's Gull is the only species this bird was likely to be confused with. The larger size, longer, more pointed wings, lack of white color in the primaries, longer, larger bill, dark legs and bill, and gray wash on nape (rather than a more distinct half-hood) are sufficient to eliminate Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:05:00/16:30:00 on July 8, 1994 and 06:15:00/06:28:00 on July 9, 1994.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18