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 Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve in Clinton County, IA on December 20, 1996.	McKay, Kelly	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve	Mockridge	large pine grove surrounded by deciduous woodlots	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ulf Konig. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden-crowned Kinglet - has golden crown patch, eye lines, and a 2 or 3 note call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at State Forest Nursery, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-15	1986-09-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two House Finches at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on September 15, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	House Finch	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	large pine planting	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The lack of a facial pattern eliminated a female Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at State Forest Nursery in Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-15	1986-10-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on September 15, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pine Warbler	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	large pine planting	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bay-breasted Warbler was eliminated by the unstreaked back, the pronounced eyering, the large bill, and very brown underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds), 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-12	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight or more Greater Scaups at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds) in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 12, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power + Light Settling ponds	Large pond	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, and BJ Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup has square to slightly crested head. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-14	1999-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on May 14, 1999.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry, Story Co., Iowa	large quarry pond	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner and the Birdline. \| Elimination of similar species: see above. The bird was not small enough for a Red-throated and did not hold the bill pointing up. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	1999-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pacific Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County) - Whitebreast Area	Large reservoir	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and reported on the Birdline. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loons have massive bills, are much larger, and have a jagged look to their sides of the neck between dark and light colors. Red-throated Loons are paler in color and do not have that sharp dividing line on its neck but a more gradual merging of colors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Barn Swallow at Red Rock Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Barn Swallow at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 13, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Barn Swallow	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Res. #14 bridge, Marion Co. IA	Large Reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Behavior and landing place clearly made it a swallow. Red on throat and forked tail, eliminate all other species. Only tree swallow would be likely at this date. Actually, I knew what the bird was as soon as I got my binoculars on it. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:48:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	87
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-30	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1986 and December 1, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (near visitors center)	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Second winter Herring Gull eliminated by size, bill size, lack of a gray mantle, lack of streaking on the head and underparts, lack of a window on the upperwing, by the all white tail with a dark band at the tip, and by the very dark underside of the primaries. Second winter Lesser Black-backed Gull eliminated by smaller size, browner uppertail, and heavily streaked head and underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00 on November 30, 1986 and 15:55:00/16:08:00 on December 1, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three White-winged Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 13, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Cherry Glen boat access, Polk Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck is all dark with white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-21	1985-10-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 21, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res. (Polk Co.), Ia.	Large reservoir - bird was way out but I don't know how deep water is there as there were also pied-billed grebes & cormorants present also. May be fairly shallow at that point.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small and short necked for Western grebe and to [sic] big with much too big of a bill for horned grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-27	1984-10-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Surf Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 27, 1984.	Dixon, Mark D.	Surf Scoter	Saylorville Lake	near the dam at Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	Large reservoir, seen near rock dam	The documentation form by Mark D. Dixon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from Black Scoter female or immature by two distinct white face spots. Distinguished from White-winged Scoter primarily by lack of white in secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-10	1981-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rae bird documentation for a Western Grebe at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 10, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Western Grebe	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Sandy Beach, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co. IA	large reservoir, surrendered by forest and cropland	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Long neck & pointed bill indicate a grebe: large size & color patterns eliminate other grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-24	1981-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 24, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Lake Manawa	L. Manawa, Pottawattamie Co. IA	Large round lake in Missouri River bottoms at south edge of Council Bluffs - Lake Manawa	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup--head shape and wing stripe were the differential features noted. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-13	1981-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for fourteen White-faced Ibises at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 13, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-faced Ibis	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie Co, IA	large round lake, southwest corner of L. Manawa near point with parking area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis - all had red face patch and complete white outline of white-faced. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at North Elk Rock State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at North Elk Rock State Park at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on October 9, 1981.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Merlin	Elk Rock State Park	North Elk Rock State Park - Red Rock Reservoir Marion County, Iowa	large scattered trees along a bluff near the lake front. Dead branches of a red oak.	The documentation form by Robert E. Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The American Kestrel is of a similar shape, but is smaller and usually has some reddish plumage on the back or tail. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is similar in size and color especially the immature. The long-pointed wings of the Merlin differ from the wings of the Sharp-shinned Hawk. The overall posture of the bird did not suggest an accipiter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Hudsonian Godwit at Amana Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hudsonian Godwit at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on October 28, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Hudsonian Godwit	Lily Pond	Amana L., Iowa Co., IA	large shallow lake at low water with extensive mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Marbled Godwit is eliminated by the white rump, wing stripe, and lack of cinnamon or brownish coloration. Black-tailed Godwit is eliminated by the contrasting and dark underwing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	13
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on October 28, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Lily Pond	Amana L., Iowa Co., IA.	large shallow lake with low water and extensive mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Separation from Semipalmated Sandpiper rests on the bill. The behavior is a bit supportive. Based on records for Iowa, we do not yet know which species is more likely. Having to travel to South America, it would seem that semipalmateds would pass through Iowa earlier, but pectorals go just as far south and some are late migrants. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for American White Pelican at Oakville, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-23	1998-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American White Pelican at Oakville in Louisa County, IA on December 23, 1997.	Ohde, Bill	American White Pelican	Oakville	Iowa River, 1 mile NW of Oakville, Louisa County, Iowa	large shallow river with sandbars, forested shorelines.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Cross. \| Elimination of similar species: Our first thought was swan when we saw the the [sic] large white bird in the water. We first used binoculars and immediately saw the huge orange bill. Then I got out the spotting scope to take a close look. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-13	1978-08-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 13, 1978	Newlon, Michael C.	Little Blue Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co, IA	large shallow, algae-filled pond; part of a much larger area of marsh, ponds, river bottom woods and fields.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rich DeCoster. \| Elimination of similar species: Small size, bill & leg color rule out great egret (large, yellow bill, black legs); Snowy egret (smaller black bill, black legs & yellow feet), cattle egret (thicker neck, yellow bill), great white heron (much larger, yellow bill + legs), white phase reddish egret (bulkier neck, pink bill & dk tip, pink legs). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00 - 10:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Cape May Warbler at Cedar Rapids, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cape May Warbler at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 22, 1999.	Dooley, Michael C.	Cape May Warbler	Cedar Rapids	Feeder in Cedar Rapids, Linn County	Large six-foot high, covered platform feeder in open backyard. Perhaps two inches of snow cover on ground. Neighborhood of single-family homes with yards, in city but outside of inner city. Large park nearby.	The documentation form by Mike Dooley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Scheible, John Havilcek, Joyce Havilcek, and Jim Durbin. \| Elimination of similar species: None eliminated on-site. Possible mis-identifications, given the premium conditions and extended period under which this bird was studied, might be as follows (consulting the National Geographic Society field guide): (1) fall adult Blackburnian Warbler: bird in question was strongly streaked on breast and sides, not just flanks; (2) female Townsend's Warbler: streaking on breast and sides of bird in question did not have semi-necklace effect of Townsend's; olive of head and back much grayer; (3) female Praire [sic] Warbler: bird in question had extended yellow post-occular stripe; streaked breast, not just sides and streaks bolder; had white belly; (4) fall Blackpoll Warbler: bird in question was much more boldly streaked on breast and sides; had extended post-occular yellow stripe, clearly defined cheek patch. All of above eliminated due to bird in question having wings similar to back color and not of a contrasting charcoal, as well as having a bold yellow-olive rump. All but Praire [sic] Warbler eliminated due to bird in question's virtual lack of wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	24
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Peregrine Falcon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir	Large timber lined lake. This area seems to be a good migratory path for raptors.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was too big for Merlin and too dark above for Prairie Falcon and basic shape, color and head pattern eliminates other possible hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Big Creek State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-12	1986-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 12, 1986.	Proescholdt, Mark	Black Scoter	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park - (Polk Co.)	Large to medium-sized Lake with many bays	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Bob Myers, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: A winter Ruddy Duck is much smaller than a scoter, has a different look than a scoter, is lighter in coloration, and the cheek patch is different color or markings of male and female Ruddy than a scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lake Manawa, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 6, 1978.	Bray, Tanya Kovanda, Sandra Padelford, Babs	Glaucous Gull	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa, Iowa	Large, fresh water lake - 3/4 frozen	The documentation form by Tanya Bray, Sandy Kovanda, and Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rushton G. Cortelyou. \| Elimination of similar species: All of us are familiar with herring gulls. The large size, white plumage, and absence of black on wing tips eliminated this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-28	1987-10-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 28, 1987.	Myers, Robert K.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir (Polk Co.) - from Jester Park	Large, man-made lake	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark bar on nape of neck would eliminate imm. Bonaparte's Gull. (and Little + Ross' for that matter) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Eared Grebe at Lake Anita State Park, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-06	1981-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Eared Grebes at Lake Anita State Park in Anita in Cass County, IA on November 6, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	Eared Grebe	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park, located one(1) mile south of Anita	Large, open lake	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pied-billed grebe is the only other relative that is commonly encountered in Cass County. This species was ruled out due to body size and proportions and the different beak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	14