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 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 rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-17	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on December 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of record, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, a photograph, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Smith's Longspur	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA.	General: Back yard opening to a 100 acre farm field. Evergreens, bushes, trees. Specific: Foot of tray feeder beside tree.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Ronald Harms and Rita DeWall were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-03	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on June 3, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	House Finch	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA Rt 2 Box 9 50574	Backyard. Trees, shrubs, bird baths, feeders, etc.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Betty Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00 and 18:00:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-12	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on November 12, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Edwards, Chris	Clark's Grebe	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, Linn Co.	Lake	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Alan Martin, Pete Wickham, John Daniel, Dick Tetrault, Dale Fye, Jim Scheib, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, and Helen Fye. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe has a dull greenish yellow bill; black or gray lores; black or gray surrounding the eye; and a more uniformly dark back and flanks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:30:00, 12:30:00/13:15:00, and 13:45:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-11-16	1991-11-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area in Linn County, IA on November 16, 1991.	Proescholdt, Mark	Black-legged Kittiwake	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area - (Linn Co.)	artificial medium-sized lake	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: A Bonaparte's Gull lacks the black bar on its nape and does not have as much black in its wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:25:00/14:40:00 and 16:00:00/16:20:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek State Park, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-09	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on November 9, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, pages from an issue of Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek State Park, Linn Co., IA.	Deep artificial lake with many ducks.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, David L. Dankert, Randall Pinkston, Carl J. Bendorf, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Pete Wickham, John Daniel, Jeffrey B. Dankert, Beth Proescholdt, Pam Allen and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: No Common Loons present for comparison, but several were seen earlier in day at Lake Macbride. Bill thinner and straighter than Common Loon. No white around eye. Very sharp demarcation down neck. Neck mark was very thin and faint to me. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on October 24, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black Scoter	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek S.P.	lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Wickham. \| Elimination of similar species: A rather distinctive bird, easily separated from Ruddy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on April 13, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Recreation Area (Linn County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include John Daniel, Ken Lowder, and Dale Fye. \| Elimination of similar species: The other smaller loon, Pacific has darker gray upperparts and minimal white marks on the back, gray surrounding the eye, a straight bill, black eye, a more rounded top of the head, and often displays a chin strap, all features which differ from Red-throated Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:37:00/14:54:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-03-17	1996-06-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on March 17, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Greater Scaup	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn County	Lake	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Dankert. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser, as described above. I watched the birds for several minutes, making sure that they weren't changing crown feathers and 'hiding' the peak characteristic of L. Scaup.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on October 25, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Black Scoter	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randy Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill and Daniel Pinkston. \| Elimination of similar species: Among ducks, only scoters are so thoroughly black. Only Black Scoter shows uniformly pale face and foreneck. No white in wing. American Coot smaller, has white chicken-like bill. \| The original documentation form event occurred around midday.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-01	1991-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park in Linn County, IA on April 1, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Red-necked Grebe	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, Linn County		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Keith Carris. \| Elimination of similar species: The red neck and white face patch eliminate any of the other larger or smaller grebes. The ruddy duck has a white face patch (of different shape) but has a much rounder head and very different shaped ducklike bill, and is smaller in general size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:43:00/18:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-24	1992-10-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park in Linn County, IA on October 24, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Black Scoter	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, Linn County		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Wickham, John Daniel, Tom Kent, and Randy Pinkston. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other waterfowl with a white pattern on the side of face and neck is a Ruddy Duck, and a male of that species was always within a few feet during the observation. Differences between the two were general size, relative bill size, tail in the air, white pattern that didn't extend nearly as far down the neck, and generally lighter coloration of the ruddy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:29:00/10:43:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on November 19, 1989.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	White-winged Scoter	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake north of Palo, Linn Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White wing patches and typical facial pattern of young White-winged rule out other scoters. Large size, large bill, dual facial patches eliminate female Bufflehead. White wing patches and large bill eliminate female Harlequin Duck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Records Committee Review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-31	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee of a Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County on October 31, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek L., Linn Co., IA	deep-water, artificial lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jane Fuller, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: I studied the Common Loons seen earlier in the morning. They presented a wide spectrum of face patterns and size. I based the identification of Pacific Loon subjective evaluation of size, bill shape and size, sharp line of separation of black and white on the neck, and chin strap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-11	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on November 11, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek L.	artificial, deep-water lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size of the bird, shape of the bill, and contrast between light and dark argued against Common Loon. Pacific Loon would have a straight bill and darker top of head and back of neck. I did not see any chin strap, but this would have been difficult to see. The fact that I saw the eye in the white area appears to exclude Pacific Loon. The upper parts were lighter than in the two Pacific Loons that I saw this fall. The relatively white fore-neck and face suggests an adult. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-and-white Warbler at Ames, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-02-19	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-and-white Warbler at Ames in Story County, IA on February 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Nuss, Richard F.	Black-and-white Warbler	Ames	Pine trees behind Old Botany Building I.S.U. Ames, Iowa	in pine tree.	The documentation form by Richard Nuss forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Margaret Oard was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Black poll - streaked with white on head Magnolia warb - no yellow Yellow rumped - no yellow Pine siskin - beak no right and coloration was black + white not brown + white. No yellow \| The original documentation form event occurred lasted from 09:50:00/09:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	24
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Pine Lake State Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	1996-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to three Pine Warblers at Pine Lake State Park in Hardin County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pine Warbler	Pine Lake State Park	Pine Lake S.P. - (Hardin County)	Wooded area with some big white pines around and other pines, too	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Russ Widner. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has yellow spectacles, a gray rump, and an entirely different song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Rough-legged Hawk at Pilot Creek County Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Rough-legged Hawk at Pilot Creek County Park in Pocahontas County, IA on June 13, 1982.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Rough-legged Hawk	Pilot Creek Wildlife Area	Pilot Creek Co. Park (Pocahontas Co.)	Rolling pasture next wooded creek. Pasture with 1' to 2' weeds with grazed areas.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawk immature. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	30
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Peterson Pits, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Peterson Pits in Story County, IA on May 8, 1982.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Little Blue Heron	Peterson Pits Recreation Area	Peterson Pits, Story County, Iowa	Riparian area with sparse vegetation and several large dug-out pits, most of which held variable amounts of water.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Green Heron is smaller, has orange legs, a stouter neck and white areas on its ventral surface. Louisiana Heron shows conspicuous white areas on the ventral surface. Great Blue Heron is much larger, with a two-tone coloration in the wings, a slower wingbeat , and white areas on the upper neck and head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Peterson Pits Recreation Area, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush at Peterson Pits Recreation Area in Story County, IA on May 11, 1995. The document also contains information about other Hermit Thrush sightings in May that year.	Proescholdt, Mark	Hermit Thrush	Peterson Pits Recreation Area	Peterson Pits Co. Area in Story Co.		The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Russ Widner. \| Elimination of similar species: There was no doubt at all that we saw a Hermit Thrush. \| The original documentation form event lasted for about 15-20 seconds.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Perry, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-27	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Perry in Dallas County, IA on July 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eugene	House Finch	Perry	Perry, Iowa	urban dwelling, niger feeder	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, W. Ross Silcock, Raymond Cummins, Peter C. Petersen, Francis L. Moore, and Joe Schaufenbuel were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Larry Linder, Wallace Jardine, Eloise Armstrong, Dick Mooney, and Paley Mooney. \| Elimination of similar species: purple finch - smaller bodied, less coloring; house sparrow - no pinkish coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur southwest of Percival, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-12	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Chestnut-collared Longspurs southwest of Percival in Fremont County, IA on April 12, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Percival	Percival Road, approximately one half mile north of Highway 2, Fremont County, Iowa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Two males in breeding plumage were seen with about 45 Lapland Longspurs. The birds were the size of the Lapland Longspurs with sparrow-like conical bills. [...] The black tails had more white on the sides than the Lapland Longspurs had. \| The original documentation form event lasted approximately 10 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Pellet Wildlife Refuge, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-15	1982-08-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Hooded Warblers at Pellet Wildlife Refuge in Cass County, IA on May 15, 1982.	Hensley, R. Craig	Hooded Warbler	Pellet Memorial Woods State Preserve	Pellett [sic] Wildlife Refuge - Cass County	Bottomland wooded area - dominant trees included silver maple, basswood, slippery elm and hackberry; understory partial.	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bachman's warbler and the Kentucky warbler are somewhat similar, however, neither species has the distinct hood and yellow face, therefore, I ruled these species out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Collared Dove at Mason City, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-20	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eurasian Collared Dove at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on August 20, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Eurasian Collared Dove	Mason City	Paulette Lugg 12 ST. N.W. Mason City	Backyard with many feeders -	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter, Paulette Lugg, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning Dove - long pointed tail, darker gray-brown wings lacking in this dove Ringed Turtle Dove - lacking dark tail, darker overall + white patches + black stripes on neck -	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Varied Thrush southeast of Monticello, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-02-09	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Varied Thrush southeast of Monticello in Jones County, IA on February 9, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Fred K.	Varied Thrush	Monticello	Paul Whear's Home Monticello, Ia	Home and feeder located in large Cedar Grove	The documentation form by Fred Thompson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas Kent was submitted later. Other observers include Pete Wickham, Tim Gates, Paul Whear, Michael Newlon, Thomas Shires, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - Eating bird seed (8) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	9