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 Mountain Bluebird at Big Sioux River in Western Sioux County, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-07	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Big Sioux River in Western Sioux County in Sioux County, IA on April 7, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Mountain Bluebird	Garfield Township	Along dirt road through dry hilly fields bordering the Big Sioux River in extreme western Sioux Co., appoximately 1 1/2 miles south-east of Hudson, S.D., and approximately 2 1/2 miles north of junction of Big Sioux and Rock Rivers.	Area of open dry rolling hills between Big Sioux and Rock Rivers.	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mike Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: The blue of Eastern and Western Bluebird is much deeper than of this bird. Both these species show reddish or rusty on breast, and both exhibit a distinctive hunched position. There is no possibility of confusion with Blue Grosbeak (which occurs in our area in summer): its large conical beak and blue underparts exclude it. The Indigo Bunting is dark blue all over and has a sparrow-like bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Audubon field notes contributed by Woodward H. Brown, August 16, 1966	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Accipitridae \| Hawks and Eagles Ciconiiformes \| Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, Ibises, and Storks Ornithology--Methodology Parulidae \| Warblers	1966-08-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Audubon field notes contributed by Woodward H. Brown include sightings of a Common Loon, Hooded Merganser, Red-headed Woodpecker and Wilson's Phalarope. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer 1966.	Brown, Woodward H.	Red-headed Woodpecker Wilson's Phalarope Common Loon Hooded Merganser Red-eyed Vireo Great Blue Heron	Polk County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	5
Audubon field notes contributed by Woodward H. Brown, June 6, 1966	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Tyrannidae \| Flycatchers Ornithology--Methodology Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Vireonidae \| Vireos Parulidae \| Warblers Weather	1966-06-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Audubon field notes were contributed by Woodward H. Brown. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of spring 1966.	Brown, Woodward H.	Gray-cheeked Thrush Wood Thrush Purple Finch Veery Swainson's Thrush Pine Siskin	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	5
Field notes contributed by Frederick W. Kent for spring 1966	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Ornithology--Methodology Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Parulidae \| Warblers Weather	1966-03-01	1966-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes were contributed by Frederick W. Kent. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of spring 1966.	Kent, Frederick W. (Frederick Wallace), 1894-1984	White-eyed Vireo Mourning Dove	Conesville Iowa City Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	5
Woodward H. Brown letter to Peter C. Petersen regarding winter migration, April 2, 1966	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1966-04-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes contributed by Woodward H. Brown in a letter to Peter C. Petersen about the sighting of Blue and Snow Geese, Pine Siskins, and the House Sparrow. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1966.	Brown, Woodward H.	House Sparrow Pine Siskin Snow Goose	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	5
Woodward H. Brown letter to Peter C. Petersen regarding winter migration, March 19, 1966	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Columbiformes \| Doves and Pigeons Sittidae \| Nuthatches Ornithology--Methodology	1966-03-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Report contributed by Woodward H. Brown in a letter to Peter C. Petersen regarding winter migration and his Audubon Field Notes. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1966.	Brown, Woodward H.	White-winged Crossbill Common Redpoll Pine Siskin	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	5
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, winter 1966	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1966-12-01	1967-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the winter of 1966. It is published in Iowa Bird Life 36:21-24, 1966. The report is a draft with manual annotations.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Brown, Woodward H.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Painted Bunting at Bettendorf, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-06	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Painted Bunting at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on January 6, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Painted Bunting	Bettendorf	1213 Broadlawn, Bettendorf, Scott Co. IA	urban yard near woods	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ann Barker was submitted later. Other observers include Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, Betty Hunt, Gil Sandvick, and Leah Levin. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing is similar in anyway. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Hill Lookout on Sioux River in O'Brien County, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-02-07	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Hill Lookout on Sioux River in O'Brien County, IA on February 7, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, a letter documenting a related sighting, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Mountain Bluebird	Hill Little Sioux Overlook	Hill Tree Farm lookout on Waterman Blvd, O'Brien Co.	Hilly river valley	The documentation form by Lee Schoenewe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ed Thelen, Thomas H. Kent, and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Nancy Schoenewe, Rob Thelen, Matt Thelen, Marty Thelen, and Gary Grange. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern and Western bluebirds have rust color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:40:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-03-12	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area in Lyon County, IA on March 12, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area	Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area - Lyon County	Bluffs overlooking River Valley - Scattered trees + shrubs - fenceline	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: - Eastern + Western bluebird were eliminated by the blue on the breast - shape, color, size and habits eliminated indigo bunting. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Bluebird east of Sutherland, 1995	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-04-12	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird east of Sutherland in O'Brien County, IA on April 12, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Koenig, Darwin	Mountain Bluebird	Sutherland	3 miles east of Sutherland, O'Brien County, Iowa		The documentation form by Darwin Koenig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] with 8-10 Eastern Bluebirds; [...] Size of Eastern Bluebird; \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-24	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on March 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Swan Enclosure in Dickinson County - west of Big Spirit Lake	Open - praire [sic] pothole - fenced	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maury Muhm, Gary Wee, Tim Waltz, and Bryan Hellier. \| Elimination of similar species: - Eastern + Western bluebird were eliminated by the blue on breast - shape, color, size and habits eliminated indigo bunting \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird west of Squirrel Hollow County Park, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-03-06	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds west of Squirrel Hollow County Park in Greene County, IA on March 6, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Mountain Bluebird	Squirrel Hollow County Park	Greene Co. 2 1/2 m. N of Int. P30 + E57, then 1/4 m W.	River bottom, pasture hillside with scattered Shrubs	The documentation form by Rob Thelen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, and Ed Thelen were submitted. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Jane Fuller, Alicia Thelen, Melinda Thelen, Natasha Thelen, Gordon Thelen, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird, Mt. Bluebird is all Blue \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed at Red Rock Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-10-29	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Lake in Marion County, IA on October 29, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eugene	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Maridel Jackson, and Barb Bettis. \| Elimination of similar species: Ringbills never have a scaly pattern over the back or an all black bill. Smaller than a herring gull. Herrings only have a black bill when they are in brown juvenile plumage. 1st summer herring has a 2/3rds pink bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Bluebird at Black Hawk Park, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1975-04-10	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Black Hawk Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 10, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Dowell, Virgil Eugene	Mountain Bluebird	Black Hawk Park	[...] we observed a Mountain Bluebird just after crossing Snag Creek near the entrance to Black Hawk Park. This is a county park located at the northwest edge of Cedar Falls adjoining the Cedar River and is in the Cedar River floodplain.		The documentation article by Virgil E. Dowell forms the basis of this record. Other observers include fourteen students in the Field Zoology of Vertebrates class at University of Northern Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:20:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Big Creek State Park, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-01-04	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on January 4, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Gordon	Mountain Bluebird	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park	Prairie, lined by rows of Pine tree + berry bushes		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Ames, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-17	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Ames in Story County, IA on March 17, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Patterson, Matthew	Mountain Bluebird	Ames	South Ames- one quarter mile south of highway 30	Riparian woodland with frequent openings	The documentation form by Matthew Patterson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Breast color and body posture easily differentiated the Mountain from the Eastern Bluebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-03-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County, IA on March 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Emmetsburg	North of Emmetsburg on blacktop N-40 in Palo Alto County	Along roadside- cultivated field, brushy tile nearby	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Linda Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird and Western Bluebird have rust on breast; this bird was all blue. Indigo Bunting- size is smaller and doesn't have white under the tail. Also a darker blue color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Lake Anita State Park, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-03-07	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven Mountain Bluebirds at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on March 7, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Mountain Bluebird	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park	Hilly, grassy lake shore with red cedar	The documentation form by Bob Myers forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore, Ann Johnson, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Beth Brown, James Dinsmore, L. Paul Hertzel, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern bluebird would show reddish on throat and breast. Western bluebirds would be darker and also have chestnut on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird northeast of Lamoni, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird northeast of Lamoni in Decatur County, IA on December 22, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Livingston, Jeffrey R.	Mountain Bluebird	Lamoni	1 mile east and 3 miles north of Lamoni Iowa	A small grove of cedar trees around a farmhouse and a mostly frozen pond in a pasture across the road. The cedar trees have many berries.	The documentation form by Jeffrey R. Livingston forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis L. Moore, Thomas H. Kent, Eugene Armstrong, Robert K. Myers, Peter C. Petersen, Jim Fuller, Carl J. Bendorf, Raymond Cummins, and Barbara L. Wilson were submitted. Other observers include Tom Johnson, Don Gillaspey, Eloise Armstrong, Betsy Myers, Dennis Thompson, Jim Gillaspey, Dan Long, Mary Lou Petersen, Corey Blevins, Brian Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird at one glance was definitely a bluebird. The Eastern and Western Bluebirds both have rust markings on their breast and neck. The Eastern Bluebird has a more stocky shape than the Mountain Bluebird. I had a chance to compare as I had just seen a flock of Easterns about 5 min. before. The immature Eastern has a soeckled breast, this bird had none. The long thin bill eliminates the Shrikes as does the bright blue and the small size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Marbled Murrelet at Whitebreast Cove at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-12	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Marbled Murrelet at Whitebreast Cove at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 12, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Marbled Murrelet	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co.-off Whitebreast Cove	large patch of open water on reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Brian Warson. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was clearly an alcid. The small size rules out the murres, Razorbill, and guillemots (see earlier discussion). The long, thin bill eliminates Dovekie, Ancient Murrelet, and all of the auklets. The bill shape, dark cap that included the eye, and presence of two white patches on each side eliminates all other murrelets, especially Kittlitz's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Dam, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-10-08	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on October 8, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Coralville Dam	Beach at West Overlook Area just above the Coralville Reservoir Dam (Johnson County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Chris Edwards were submitted. Other observers include James Huntington, Jim Huntington, and Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: All other dark mantled gulls in this plumage that are possible are larger and should show pinkish legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:30:00 on October 8, 1997, 07:05:00/07:15:00 and 16:20:00/16:30:00 on October 9, 1997, and 07:01:00/07:14:00 on October 10, 1997.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-27	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	below Red Rock dam, Marion Co., IA	dam tailwaters	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The most similar-appearing species is first-basic Herring Gull. The combination of slightly smaller size, longer wings, whiter rump, more speckled mantle, contrast between the darker mantle and lighter head, and darker upperwings lacking a pale "window" eliminated Herring Gull in first-basic plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:22:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Full at Lock 13, 1995	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock 13 in Clinton County, IA on October 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter with field notes submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 13	Lock 13		The documentation letter and field notes by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Dorrance, Kelly McKay, Mary Lou Petersen, and Dennis Carter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-11	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 11, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	below Red Rock Reservoir dam, Marion Co., IA	spillway below dam		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5