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 of Sabine's Gull at the riverfront of Davenport, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-10-13	1994-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Sabine's Gull at the riverfront of Davenport in Scott County, IA on October 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Meadowlark, excerpts from American Birds, article and front page from Iowa Bird Life, seven photographs, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Peiser, Richard H.	Sabine's Gull	Davenport	Riverfront, Davenport, IA	Stone embankment + river	The documentation form by Richard H. Peiser forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Reid Allen, Peter C. Petersen, James Fuller, Randall Pinkston, and Ann Johnson were submitted. Other observers include John King, Dick Tetrault, Tim Schantz, Brian Blevins, Ann Barker, Jim Scheib, Mary Lou Peterson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Pam Allen, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The upperwing pattern is so striking as to eliminate other gull species, even in the Juvenile Black hood of adult, slight fork of tail + black band on imm. tail band helped. Yellow tip of bill on adult clincher \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Johnson County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-19	1978-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Johnson County, IA on February 19, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Golden Eagle	Johnson County	4.9 mi west of jct. of F20 and W48 in Johnson Co. Iowa. The bird was in trees between F20 and the Iowa River bed.	The bird was perched on the north edge of a stand of trees bordering the Iowa River. Snow covered cornfields were n. of trees.	The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Michael Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark phased rough-legged hawk lacks the white wing patches on upper wing surface and is not twice the length of common crow. Also usually has dark upper tail surface. Immature Bald Eagle lacks prominent white wing patches and base of bill not yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow near Tiffin, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Field Sparrow near Tiffin in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Field Sparrow	Tiffin	~1/2 mi. s. of Tiffen [sic], Johnson Co., Ia. at Clear Creek Bridge	Creek bed with forested area to north and open field to south. Deep snow covered most of area. South-facing north slope of creek provided open grassy area as snow had mostly melted. Several song sparrows were in same area.	The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: The Tree Sparrow, usually abundant in winter around Iowa City, has a dark upper bill and lacks the white eye ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush near Tiffin, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush near Tiffin in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Hermit Thrush	Tiffin	1/4 mile south of US Rte 6, 1 mi. west of Tiffen [sic], Johnson Co., Iowa	General: Small forested area on hilly terrain with some underbush. Woods cut by country road and interspersed with a few houses. Specific: Bushes growing at bottom of ditch alongside county road. Several of bushes contained berries that the bird was eating.	The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington, Mike Lewis-Beck, and Arline Lewis-Beck. \| Elimination of similar species: Other small brown thrushes do not have reddish-brown tail contrasting with brown back. Tail-pumping and white eye ring also unique to Hermit Thrush. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at MacLean Hall at University of Iowa, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-02-01	1976-02-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at MacLean Hall at University of Iowa in Johnson County, IA on February 1, 1976.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Bohemian Waxwing	MacLean Hall	near the southwest corner of the Physics Building on the University of Iowa Campus.		The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Its large size and large crest made the bird stand out. \| The original documentation form event lasted around three minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-24	1978-02-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Pine Grosbeaks at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines in Polk County, IA on January 24, 1978.	Mooney, Richard D., 1905-1997	Pine Grosbeak	Glendale Cemetery	Glendale Cemetary [sic]-50th St. & University Ave. Des Moines	Cemetary [sic] with numerous assorted evergreen trees and various other trees.	The documentation form by Richard D. Mooney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pauline Mooney, Ruth Binsfeld, Woodward Brown, and Mary Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Evening Grosbeak eliminated by coloration. Purple Finch eliminated by size and coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Garganey at Forney Lake, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-02	2000-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Garganey at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 2, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, photos, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schmid, Rick	Garganey	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake; Fremont County; Iowa, between the towns of Bartlett and Thurman. The bird was seen in the water near the shore closest to the road at a point exactly one mile east of Western Ave. Later, it was seen in flight over the water in the same area.		The documentation form by Rich Shmid is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren & Babs Padelford, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Michael D. Overton, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Edwards, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Dennis Henrickson, Clem Claphake, Jim Kovanda, and Sandy Kovanda. \| Elimination of similar species:From first glance, the Garganey was conspicuously different from other nearby ducks on the lake. It was swimming with a pair of Blue-Winged Teal and appeared about the same size as the teal, but its body was much lighter overall, with contrasting dark head and breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	15
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane east of New Albin, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-30	1986-05-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane east of New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on March 30, 1986.	Zarwell, Ric	Sandhill Crane	New Albin	1/2 mile East of New Albin, Iowa and 1/2 mile south of Minnesota border in extreme northeast Allamakee County, Iowa	Mixed riparian woods and open marsh	The documentation form by Ric Zarwell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Zarwell. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated Whooping Crane at once - due to coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for American Avocet southeast of New Albin, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-27	1986-05-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight American Avocets southeast of New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on April 27, 1986.	Zarwell, Ric	American Avocet	New Albin	3/4 mile southeast of New Albin, Iowa - extreme northeast corner of Allamakee County Iowa	Flooded soybean field	The documentation form by Ric Zarwell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Zarwell. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-necked Stilt does not have brown head/neck and lacks white on upper wing. Ditto oyster catchers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	6
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-25	1980-12-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Ross' Geese at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 25, 1980.	Johnson, Rex R.	Ross's Gull	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge Harrison County, Iowa	Habitat - Cornfield within 30m of refuge lake, near road that runs through refuge.	The documentation form by Rex R. Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Frederick. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Lake Township in Clay County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-12	1982-06-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Lake Township in Clay County, IA on May 12, 1982.	Johnson, Rex R.	King Rail	Lake Township	Sect. 25; Lake Township; Clay Cty, Iowa	Flooded timber adjacent to grass waterway flowing into seasonal massh [sic].	The documentation form by Rex R. Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia rail. Size and call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Palo Alto County, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a White-faced Ibis at Lost Island Township in Palo Alto County on May 15, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Rex R.	White-faced Ibis	Lost Island Township	Sect. 19; Lost Island Township; Palo Alto Cty., Iowa	Flooded Blue Gass Pasture. Seasonal and semipermanent marshes adjacent.	The documentation form by Rex R. Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Michele Connors filled out by James Dinsmore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis. Coloration of soft parts of head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eastern Phoebe east of Lost Nation, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-19	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eastern Phoebe east of Lost Nation in Clinton County, IA on December 19, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dietrich, Renee	Eastern Phoebe	Lost Nation	Five miles East of Lost Nation	Woodland	The documentation form by Renee Dietrich is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karen Brix and Gloria Friederichsen. \| Elimination of similar species: Due to the lack of a black cap the chicadee [sic] was eliminated. Size of the bird also eliminated this possibility as well as coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	36
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire in Pottawattamie County, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-12-15	1995-12-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 16, 1995.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Townsend's Solitaire	Pottawattamie County	Pottawattamie County - .85 mile East on Applewood Drive from junction with Highway 235		The documentation form by Reid and Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Loren and Babs Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: The Northern Mockingbird would be eliminated because of the prominent eyering and larger size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Barrow's Goldeneye at Tera Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-28	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at Tera Lake in Polk County, IA on November 28, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Barrow's Goldeneye	Terra Lake	Tera Lake, IPTV Pond, Johnston, Polk County, Iowa	Enclosed freshwater pond.	The documentation form by Reid and Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Jancik, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, and Maridel Jackson. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Goldeneye eliminated because of head shape, wing and side markings, facial pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at Cherry Glen Saylorville Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-25	1988-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one or two Sandhill Cranes at Cherry Glen Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on November 25, 1988.	Allen, Reid I.	Sandhill Crane	Cherry Glen Recreation Area	Saylorville Lake, Cherry Glen boat ramp, Polk County, Iowa	Barren fields, wooded slopes, lake	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron have curved necks in flight and swans or geese do not have legs which extend beyond tail. Also, loudness and clarity of call was unmistakable. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1989-04-15	1989-06-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA on April 15, 22, and 23, 1989.	Allen, Reid I.	Lincoln's Sparrow	West Des Moines	1601 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines, IA	Suburban yard, with wooded area behind home consisting of large trees and brushpiles	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Song sparrow has center dot and no buffy upper breast streaking. Savannah has white dotted breast. Vesper sparrow has white out tail. Mostly distinguished because of its song which was sung two or three times and Reid played a tape and it came right up to us as we were sitting and waiting for the Armstrongs to come to our house. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-02-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on February 16, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Allen, Reid I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock Number 19	Lock & Dam #19 - Keokuk, Iowa	River channel with open water below dam extending 3/4 mile from dam	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: First-winter Herring gulls (many were present) had blackish wingtips. Juvenile Iceland gull wingtips lack dark edging on primaries as do those on Glaucous-winged Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:30:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-03-15	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on March 15, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	1 mile east of De Sota [sic] NWR, Missouri Valley, Iowa	General: Missouri River bottom land 1 mile east of Desota [sic] Bends NWR Specific: Flat open farm land - except for road ditches + occasional narrow fence rows.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wally Jardine and Thaine Hopkins. \| Elimination of similar species: The sparrow hawk and pigeon hawk are eliminated by the large size. The Peregrine Falcon by the light brown top side. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:22:00/08:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Rolling Cove Area, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Rolling Cove Area at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on October 15, 1983.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Merlin	Rolling Cove Park	Rolling Cove Area Rathbun Lake Appanoose Co., Iowa	Lakeside - Brushy ravine - open brush with some conifers mixed in.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Small, only slightly larger than a Sparrow Hawk. True falcon in f[l]ight point wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Sunken Grove, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-08	1981-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on May 8, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Cinnamon Teal	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	marsh 1 mile east of Sunken Grove, Varina, Iowa	marsh	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marion Brewer. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration eliminated all other ducks and teal I am aware of. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-04-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Peregrine Falcon	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton WMA Riverton, Iowa	Open marsh	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin because of size and Prairie Falcon because of dark back color - All others because of falcon flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Lakin's Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-23	1981-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Lakin's Slough at Guthrie County, IA on December 23, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Northern Goshawk	Lakin Slough State Game Management Area	1 mile north + 1/2 mile east of the north end of Lakin's Slough	Marsh	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Henrickson. \| Elimination of similar species: The eyebrow strip and grayish white under sided eliminates other accipiters. Behavior - lack of white rump patch - heavy body eliminate male Harrier. Short none pointed wing and lack of facial mark eliminate Peregrine Falcon + gray phase Gyrfalcon properly did not claim a positive ID. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-25	1991-12-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1990.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Red Rock Dam	Redrock dam below spillway Marion Co.	Generally stayed on the water at all times.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Thick black collar eliminates all others. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for bird sighting of Brown Pelican at Rathbun Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-05-30	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Brown Pelican at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on May 30, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an American Birds article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Brown Pelican	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Island West Boat Ramp	Open water	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld, Marj Heusinkveld, Tom Johnson, and Mary Montog. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing I know of. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:00:00/20:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11