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-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 26, 1978.	Greer, Janet	Yellow-headed Blackbird	Council Bluffs	Feeder at 341 Steven Circle, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501		The documentation form by Janet Greer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include the Greer family. \| Elimination of similar species: There are none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	75
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Marshalltown, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-21	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on December 21, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Marshalltown	feeder at 1322 W. Linn, Marshalltown	a city backyard, feeder on clothesline	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ed Savage was submitted earlier, but was incomplete and not considered by the committee. Other observers include Don Maze, Carol McMillan, Pauline Mairs, and Jim Mairs \| Elimination of similar species: Other hummingbirds - but this was so distinctive. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:09:00/15:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rufous Hummingbird at Rippey, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-05-09	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rufous Hummingbird at Rippey in Boone County, IA on May 8, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Laub, Sharon	Rufous Hummingbird	Rippey	Feeder - Rippey- Boone Co. - 3 miles east of Rippey-1/2 mile north	Farm yard	The documentation form by Sharon Laub is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller and James Scheib were submitted later. Other observers include Kurtis Laub, Russ Laub, Bob Myers, Jane Fuller, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: I eliminated Allen's because back appeared rust-orange \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/20:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	24
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on January 1, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	farmyard just a little bit east of our home in Sioux Center		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tina Van Dyke and Wendy Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: I saw at once that the bird was not a Kestrel but a Merlin. The bird was about the size of a Kestrel, but lacked the bold facial markings, exhibited no rufous on back or tail, showed vertically streaked underparts, and its tail was barred. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon with two sightings with one for an unknown length of time and the other for three to four minutes.	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
Rare bird documentation form for Bald Eagle at Cass County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bald Eagle at Cass County, IA on December 30, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	Bald Eagle	Cass County	Farmland-Southeast corner of Cass County, Iowa	Cropland with scattered trees	The documentation form by Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Sierck and Ed Ritter. \| Elimination of similar species: Only the Golden Eagle is similar, that being when the bald eagle is immature. The mature bald eagle stands alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	21
Rare bird documentation form for Ring-necked Duck at Saylorville, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-26	1985-07-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ring-necked Duck at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on May 26, 1985.	Engebretsen, Bery	Ring-necked Duck	Saylorville Lake	Farm pond, north of Saylorville	Farm pond. Surrounding pasture / corn field	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: both scaup have gray back, no initial stripe.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	9
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Polk County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-05	1979-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter in Polk County, IA on May 5, 1979.	Mooney, Richard D., 1905-1997	Surf Scoter	Polk County	Farm pond SE corner of SW. 62nd Ave. and Orilla Rd. in Polk County.	Medium sized farm pond with a few other ducks on pond - not close to farm house and no domestic fowl on pond.	The documentation form by Dick Mooney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Woodward H. Brown, Mary Brown, and Stuart Burns. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter eliminated by lack of white wing patches. Common Scoter eliminated by two white cheek spots. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Hamburg, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-11-10	1980-04-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Greater Scaups at Hamburg in Fremont County, IA during the middle of November 1979.	Getscher, Ione	Greater Scaup	Hamburg	farm pond about 4.7 miles East of Hamburg	farm pond - small pond that is used by cattle, in pastureland	The documentation form by Ione E. Getscher is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Edwin A. Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Two Lesser Scaup, not heard, also swimming near by not with the Greater. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00 going to farm.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Swan Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Osprey at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Newlon, Carol S.	Osprey	Swan Lake	Farm just west of Swan Lake, I.C. Christmas Count circle	Sitting close to swan lake which was frozen - open water in the reservoir ~ 1/2 mile away.	The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt and R. Williams. \| Elimination of similar species: A marsh hawk would have shown a white rump when it flew and would not have had a white head w/ dark eye marks. An immature red tail would have had a belly band and no white on top of the head. A light phase rough leg would have had a belly band, no white on top of the head and a single dark terminal band on the tail. In addition the wings were longer & narrower in proportion to body size then a buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Carolina Wren in Cherokee County, 1983	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Carolina Wren in Cherokee County, IA on January 30, 1983. The documentation form was included with an undated letter from Dick Bierman to Thomas Kent regarding the bird sighting and documentation form.	Bierman, Dick	Carolina Wren	Cherokee County	Farm Grove 13 mi west, 1 mi north of Cherokee Iowa.	Farm grove. Box elder, mulberry, cottonwood, blue spruce, brushy under growth.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Krekow and Lois Krekow. \| Elimination of similar species: House Wren, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Fox Sparrow, Bewick's Wren \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	88
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-11	1979-02-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on February 11, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	Coralville Lake	farm country between Rt. 6 and the Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co IA	An area of mixed cropland and timber south of the Iowa River; just to the north is an extensive area of public land, with mixed fields and woods; to the south are farms on flatter land, with much less timber.	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Hollis and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: large size and slow wingbeat rule out buteos, as do the dark primaries and secondaries (melanistic redtails and roughlegs have white in the flight feathers). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Pool 13, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-16	2000-01-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seventy or more Tundra Swans at Pool 13 in Clinton County, IA on December 16, 1999.	Lesher, Fred	Tundra Swan	Pool 13	Far NE portion of open pool, Pool 13. Illinois side?	Edge of shallow pool	The documentation form by Fred Lesher is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Van Neiuwenhuyse. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than CA geese. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting in Garfield Township in Sioux County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-14	1984-09-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Lark Buntings in Garfield Township in Sioux County, IA on June 14, 1984.	Thompson, Carol A.	Lark Bunting	Garfield Township	Fairview QUad T96N R47W Sec 17/20 Sioux Cnty [sic]	Upper terrace between Big Sioux and Rock River, unplanted semi-plowed field at time, high water conditions	The documentation form by Carol Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink - did not have light patch on back of head nor any white in body or rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Fairport Fish Hatchery, 1995	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-08	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Fairport Fish Hatchery in Muscatine County, IA on September 8, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence from Peter Petersen to Thomas H. Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Mew Gull	Fairport State Fish Hatchery	Fairport Fish Hatchery, Muscatine Co. IA	Fish rearing ponds + adj. Miss. River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring-billed Gull- much more black on primary tips, black ring on yellow bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Fairmont Cemetery in Davenport, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Fairmont Cemetery in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 3, 1983.	White, Gerald	Varied Thrush	Fairmont Cemetery	Fairmount [sic] Cemetery, Scott County, Iowa - 3845 Hobson St.	Edge of residential area	The documentation form by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill LaFrenz and Kathy LaFrenz. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin- which has no eyebrow or breast band \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Errington Marsh, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-25	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a White-faced Ibis at Errington Marsh in Polk County, IA on May 25, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	White-faced Ibis	Paul Errington Wildlife Management Area	Errington Marsh, Polk County	small pool in meadow at north edge of Errington	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Breeding plumage Ibis with above features describes white-faced, rather than Glossy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Big Creek State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-07	1980-09-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cinnamon Teals at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on September 7, 1980.	Zaletel, Hank	Cinnamon Teal	Big Creek State Park	entrance of Big Creek into Big Creek State Park lake in Polk Co.	wetlands - entrance of stream into lake, area contained mudflats, marsh (cattails) and open water	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Robinson, Paul Martsching, Dick Mooney and Pauline Mooney. \| Elimination of similar species: Since the bird was the same size as a Blue-winged Teal, the chief factor in differentiating the two species, was the rusty-red color on the bird's neck breast and tail feathers. When the two species flew, it was easy to separate the light tan breast of the Blue-winged Teal from the rusty-red breast of the Cinnamon Teal.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on September 23, unknown year.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	end of Babcock Lk Rd, Hawkeye WA, Johnson Co	Reservoir surrounded by mudflats, fields, woods	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: falcon shape, size, face/head pattern diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:16:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for White-throated Sparrow at Emmet Township in Emmet County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-07-20	1984-07-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-throated Sparrow at Emmet Township in Emmet County, IA on July 20, 1984.	Ewert, David N.	White-throated Sparrow	Emmet Township	Emmet Co.: T100N, R34W, S7 (NW1/4)	Edge of mature woods in raspberry thicket w. of Des Moines River	The documentation form by David Ewert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Moats. \| Elimination of similar species: White-throat and yellow lores clearly distinguished from White-crowned Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	63
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-06-21	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake in Wright County, IA on June 21, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, an excerpt from Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Western Wood-Pewee	Elm Lake	Elm Lake, near Belmond, Wright County	The bird was found in a narrow grove of mature Cottonwood surrounding Elm Lake, the lake is in the mist of farmland with a small pasture on the north.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe is larger and wags its tail. Empidonaxes are smaller with shorter wings and tail. Confusion with the Eastern Pewee is certain if plumage is used. Subtle differences in plumage were noted in my observation of the Western Pewee, when compared to my experience with the Eastern Pewee. The throat appeared whiter and contrasted more with the breast and head than a Eastern, also, as mentioned before, the color of the upper-parts appeared more grayish and not as green. Since the call was heard at close range, and having seen the vocalizing bird as well as my familiarity with the Western Pewee's call I believe the identification totally on voice is a valid one. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	31
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-21	1985-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on April 21, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Elk Rock State Park	Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County	mudflat area on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Richards and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Other egrets by size combined with dark bill and black legs with yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Elk Creek Wildlife Area Pool C, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-12	1992-04-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Elk Creek Wildlife Area Pool C in Worth County, IA on April 12, 1992.	Borchardt, Dan	Cinnamon Teal	Elk Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Elk Creek Wildlife Area Pool C in Worth County	Flooded area along the roadside	The documentation form by Dan Borchardt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kevin Pannhoff and Jason Nord. \| Elimination of similar species: With male blue-winged teal but it body was completely red and a red head which the blue-wings body is brown and head bluish with a white bar behind the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Great Crested Flycatcher at Effigy Mounds National Monument, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-11-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Crested Flycatcher at Effigy Mounds National Monument in Allamakee County on November 8, 1993.	Carter, Dennis L.	Great Crested Flycatcher	Effigy Mounds National Monument	Effigy Mounds National Monument, Allamakee County, Iowa	railroad tracks at base of river bluff (wooded) and ajacent [sic] to Mississippi River " right-of-way bordered by brushy growth	The documentation form by Dennis Carter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I considered the possibility that this might be an Ash-throated Flycatcher, a species that was recorded in Minnesota in Nov., 1990. The bird I saw lacked the pale coloration and slim appearance of Ash-throated. I feel that the bright yellow belly, contrasting with the dark gray chest eliminates Ash-throated. At no time during my observation, did I feel that this bird might be an Ash-throated Flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	71
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 7, 1986.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Smith's Longspur	Iowa City	Eden Farm S. of Iowa City in Johnson Co. same location as previous years	open fields - bean stuble [sic] to full plowed	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow has a chestnut colored shouldered patch and eye ring. Other possible Longspurs have whitish underparts, not buffy. The bill on this bird was thinner and longer than on other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67