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 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 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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Northern Shrike near Battle Creek, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-07-15	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Northern Shrike near Battle Creek in Ida County, IA on July 15, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	DeVore, Dawn L.	Northern Shrike	Battle Creek	Block 376 Ida County, 2.3 miles South on county pavement, South of Battle Creek, turn 1/2 mile East, turn North into field-lane, Ida County, Iowa.	Open farm land, a hay field on one side, and a corn field on the other side. The bird was along a fence row.	The documentation form by Dawn L. De Vore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Poggensee and Pam Poggensee. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerhead Shrike: On the bird that was seen the top of the bill was dark black and the bottom was a lighter in color. A Loggerhead has a completely black bill. The bird that was seen was a light gray, much lighter than a Loggerhead adult. The bird was not a juv. Loggerhead because the black patch on the head is very different than that of a Loggerhead. On a Loggerhead the black area or patch is very wide and runs along both over and under the eye, it also continues back toward the back of the head meeting up with the gray on the back of the birds head. On the bird that was seen the black area or patch did not run both over and under the eye, it only ran under the eye. Also the patch did not meet up with the gray on the back of the birds head, the black area was surrounded on three sides by white, never letting the black meet up with the gray. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	39
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 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 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 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 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 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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Little Sioux Wildlife Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-06-01	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for Lazuli Bunting at Little Sioux WIldlife Area in Clay County, IA on June 1, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lazuli Bunting	Little Sioux Wildlife Management Area	Little Sioux Wildlife Area, Clay Co.	Open deciduous woods along river	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted later. Other observers include Nancy Schoenewe and Harold White. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo bunting - voice and plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
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 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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Gyrfalcon north of Cone Marsh, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-28	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Gyrfalcon north of Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on December 28, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dwyer, Timothy L.	Gyrfalcon	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	About 1/2 mile North of Cone Marsh on Hwy G-28 in Louisa Co., Iowa	Open country, scattered small trees, weedy fence rows.	The documentation form by Timothy L. Dwyer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon is smaller, browner + has black axillars. Peregrine Falcon is smaller, has more pointed wings and has a much more distinctive head pattern. Goshawk's head pattern is different, is whiter below in gray plumage and has shorter wings. Northern Harrier is smaller, also has a white rump and holds wings in a dihedral, this bird didn't. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	4
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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Tree Sparrow at Burlington, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-16	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for ten Eurasian Tree Sparrows at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on December 16, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Burlington	23 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines County)	open country, but birds in rural residence front yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: House Sparrow - as compared above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	18
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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Say's Phoebe at L & S quarry buildings in Appanoose County, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Say's Phoebe at L & S quarry buildings in Appanoose County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Say's Phoebe	L & W Quarries Inc	L & S quarry buildings, Appanoose Co.	Open country with and scattered groups of trees.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kay Malmberg, Katherine White, and Charles White. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	37
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Liscomb, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on September 22, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, notes about Ferruginous Hawk sightings in Iowa, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Ferruginous Hawk	Liscomb	Just west of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	Open country over cultivated farm fields - Iowa River 1/2 mile away	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form was submitted by Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawks do not have definite light wing patches or "windows" on the inner primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
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 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