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 Northern Goshawk at Alden, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-28	1983-02-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Alden in Hardin County, IA on January 28, 1983.	Proescholdt, Mark	Northern Goshawk	Alden	N.W. Hardin Co., Iowa - 2 miles north of Alden at T-intersection	Open corn fields with occasional farmsteads. Perched in a deciduous grove on the edge of a farmstead with house and barn in the distance.	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: was not male Marsh Hawk. Marsh Hawk or Northern Harrier has white rump and wings which are longer and narrower appearing than Goshawk. Coloration was not that of a Marsh Hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon south of New Providence, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-08	1984-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon south of New Providence in Hardin County, IA on May 8, 1984.	Proescholdt, Mark	Peregrine Falcon	New Providence	about 1/2 mile south of New Providence, Iowa - (Hardin County)	open country - farm fields and two farmsteads	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A Merlin is much smaller and lacks the heavy black sideburns. A female Northern Harrier has white rump patch, has a different shape, and does not have heavy black sideburns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:07:00/14:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike west of Spirit Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike west of Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 29, 1978.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Shrike	Spirit Lake	1 mile west of Spirit Lake	Open country 100 yds from farm grove	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Mockingbird, Gray Jay. I am very familiar with both of these. Loggerheaded Shrike. This bird was much lighter, on the back than Loggrehead [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon south of Sheldahl, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-19	1985-09-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon south of Sheldahl in Story County, IA on September 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	Sheldahl	S. of Sheldahl, Story County	open country near town	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, long pointed wings, dark back contrasting with light underparts, and the black hood eliminate all other raptors. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation for Merlin at Calamus, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-02-06	1978-03-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Merlin at Calamus in Clinton County, IA on February 6, 1978.	Bryant, Robert R.	Merlin	Calamus	1/3 mi. north of Calamus, Ia.	open country-cornfields, grass ditches, one wooded ditch. Sitting on wire over fence line between snowcovered road ditch and cornfield.	The documentation form by Bob Bryant is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - eliminated because of size and lack of rufous coloring and black facial pattern. Sharp-shinned Hawk - eliminated because tail not long, not near any large wooded area. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Argyle, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-06	1985-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Argyle in Lee County, IA on April 6, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Golden Eagle	Argyle	Argyle, Iowa, s.w. Lee County	Open country, 2 miles from Des Moines River	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Bald Eagles splotchy white underneath--have seen this many times. Tail pattern similar to Rough-leg, but size, overall profile wrong, as was body coloration (although I've not seen dark phase Rough-leg.) Proportionately small head wrong for all Buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:20:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-08	1981-11-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 8, 1981.	Klaas, Erwin E	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Open Country, Cropfields, scattered trees	The documentation form by Erwin E. Klaas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ben Klaas. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. Presence of dark axillar markings distinguished it from immature peregrine falcon. Underparts were light with a few dark streaks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Palo, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	1988-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Palo in Linn County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Zobac, Aldrich Zobac, Gladys	Turkey Vulture	Palo	Over fields, 2 or 3 miles SE of Palo, Iowa	Open country, near Cedar River, some woodlots.	The documentation form by Aldrich Zobac and Gladys Zobac is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Not a bald eagle, because tail was long and head was small flight not that of a hawk or eagle; much larger than a crow. \| The original documentation form event lasted occurred around 13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Andover, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1998-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Andover in Clinton County, IA on December 27, 1997.	Blevins, Brian L.	Merlin	Andover	Andover, IA. Jackson Co. Iowa	Open country, the bird was in only tree at farm house were he was watching smaller birds at a pole birdfeeder.	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminate Kestrel by size and coloring. Eliminate Peregrine by size and lack of dark head cap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:23:00/09:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike near Gere Creek, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-01-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike in Cherokee County, IA on January 10, 1981.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Shrike	Cedar Township	T93N, R40W, Section 32 Cherokee Co. Iowa	Open cropland and pasture	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Mocking Bird, Loggerheaded Shrike, Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:55:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at George Wyth State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on November 21, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	George Wyth Memorial State Park	approx. .1 mi. E. of entrance to George Wyth State Park along U.S. 20, Black Hawk Co., IA	Open cropland near woods of George Wyth State Park	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk is not this large and does not have as wide and bold a supercilliary line as this bird had, Cooper's also does not have long fluffy undertail coverts as this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:43:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-11-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 22, 1993.	Johnson, Ann	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, IA	Open deep water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, thin neck eliminated ducks and loons and convinced me that the shape of the bird was most certainly a grebe. Western/Clark's shows white rather than gray on the chin, neck, and breast and is larger. Horned Grebes are smaller and also are white on the underparts. Pied-billed could be eliminated by the size and shape of the bill alone. Although fall Eared Grebes are fairly gray, the size equaling Hooded Mergansers and the large bill allowed me to eliminate that species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin east side of Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-16	1983-04-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin east side of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1983.	Moore, Francis L.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	East side of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co.	Open disked field along road, river bottom, mixed deciduous woods near-by	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon is larger with dark facial pattern Peregrine breast is also barred not streaked. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 11, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	King Rail	Sweet Marsh	East of Dike that is an extension of the dead-end road on East side of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., Iowa	Open ditch with a dike on one side with cattail marsh on both sides of ditch.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was about the size of a Blue-winged Teal in body size which eliminates Virginia Rail on size. No other rail in Iowa is this color and size. In some respects it looked like a very large Virginia Rail only brighter cinnamon on the breast, browner on the head and with a darker looking bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:08:00/14:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin between Algona and Burt, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-06-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin along highway 169 between Algona and Burt in Kossuth County, IA on June 4, 1989.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Merlin	Algona Burt	along highway 169 between Algona + Burt, Kossuth Co. Ia	open farm country	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was darker than a Kestrel with no rust or blue on upper surfaces, darker below. It didn't bounce, flutter, or glide (or wander) as a Kestrel does, especially in a light breeze. The dark back half of the tail was different than the Kestrel's light one, and it was thicker + shorter. Kestrels always remind me of a Killdeer, this bird didn't remotely bring one to mind. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:15:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk at Osceola County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Swainson's Hawks at Osceola County, IA on May 16, 1978.	Bierman, Dick	Swainson's Hawk	Osceola County	Osceola County	open farm country, nest in a farm grove	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dean Roosa and Steve Duecker. \| Elimination of similar species: Red Tail, these birds had no red tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted all day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon west of Webb, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-03-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon west of Webb in Clay County, IA on March 7, 1991.	Bierman, Dick	Prairie Falcon	Webb	3 miles west of Webb, Clay County	open farm ground	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jeff Brown and Jerry Fifield. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin - This bird was larger and lighter. Perigrine [sic] - This birds malar was not wide enough. Accipiters - This bird had distinctly pointed wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:10:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon north of Laurens, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon north of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on February 1, 1988.	DeWall, Rita	Prairie Falcon	Laurens	5 miles north of Laurens, Pocahontas County, Iowa	Open farm ground	The documentation form by Rita Dewall is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Judy Carlson, Helen Carlson and Ron Reese. \| Elimination of similar species: More brown than Peregrine Falcon, both female Merlin and Peregrine Falcon lack underwing pattern observed in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Red Crossbill northeast of Iowa City, 1996	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-07-13	1996-07-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten Red Crossbills northeast of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on July 13, 1996.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red Crossbill	Iowa City	farmstead northeast of Iowa City at feeders	Open farm land, multiple feeders, no conifers seen in area.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Conrads and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: None. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:40:00/17:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	83
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Spring Township in Cherokee County, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Spring Township in Cherokee County, IA on October 3, 1980.		Merlin	Spring Township	T93N R39 W Section 23, Spring Township, Cherokee Co. Iowa	Open farm land. Much timber and pasture one mile away.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel, Peregrin Falcon, Broadwinged Hawk, Coopers and Sharpshinned Hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon northeast of Clio, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-01-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon northeast of Clio in Wayne County, IA on January 13 in 1991.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon	Clio	Three-quarters of a mile northeast of Clio, Wayne County.	Open farming area, with a few scattered trees. Mostly grassy fields in surrounding area.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other large falcons are not generally this light in color, and do not display the black underwing areas this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:30:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon north of Laurens, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon north of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on February 4, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon	Laurens	4 miles N of Laurens - Pocahontas & Palo Alto Co. line area	open farmland	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Snyder and Ron Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine - Peregrine darker upperparts & lacks the dark underwing areas. Merlin - size and underwing areas. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:40:45.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture near Donnelson, 1987	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-07	1987-03-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture near Donnelson in Lee County, IA on March 7, 1987.	Pilliod, Christopher	Turkey Vulture	Donnellson	Lee County, north of Donnelson [sic]	open farmland	The documentation form by Christopher F. Pilliod is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Northern Harrier. This bird was too large for a harrier. Wrong underside wing color and pattern for harrier. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Rare bird documentation form for Burrowing Owl at Sioux Center, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-08-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Burrowing Owls at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on August 2, 1982.	Harr, Douglas C.	Burrowing Owl	Sioux Center	SE corner of city of Sioux Center, Iowa, (Sioux County)	open farmland at edge of town. alfalfa field w/numerous perches.	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Stachour. \| Elimination of similar species: screech owl--shorter legs, ear tufts, nocturnal saw whet owl--shorter, forested habitat, nocturnal barn owl--larger, in trees or old buildings; nocturnal short-eared owl--larger, short legs; normally seen only in winter \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	51
Rare bird documentation form for Great Horned Owl northeast of Green Mountain, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-02	1983-03-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Horned Owl northeast of Green Mountain in Marshall County, IA on March 2, 1983.	Proescholdt, Beth	Great Horned Owl	Green Mountain	northeast Marshall County, north + east of Green Mountain	open farmland deciduous grove around farmstead	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Kurtz, Judy Levings, Ramona Sommerlot, Carol McMillan, John King, Mark Proescholdt, and Phyllis Harris. \| Elimination of similar species: Snowy owl - this owl had ear tufts + facial discs making it a Great Horned Owl \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	49