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 Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-04-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Yellow Rails in two separate sightings at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, James J.	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie, Story County	both flushed from along edge of small pothole, prairie areas around both potholes had been burned, one recently, other several weeks ago	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, George Brown, Gordon Brown, Paul Martsching, and John Mayfield. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora-overall coloration and the wing patches \| The original documentation form event occurred at 10:30:00 for the first sighting and 11:30:00 for the second sighting.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk near Melvin, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-09	1978-06-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Swainson's Hawks near Melvin in Osceola County, IA on June 9, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	Swainson's Hawk	Melvin	along highway 59, 6 miles south of intersection with highway 9, or 4 miles north of Melvin, in Osceola County	Open farmland with nearly all row crops. Nest was in a small grove of cottonwoods (large trees) around a farm. Trees had no underbrush and was almost parklike	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Nigus. \| Elimination of similar species: Redtail-no red, no belly band. Roughleg-no bands on tail. Broadwing & red-shouldered - size and no bands on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Say's Phoebe at Cone Marsh, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-16	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Say's Phoebes at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 16, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Durbin, James O.	Say's Phoebe	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh		The documentation form by James Durbin is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Other flycatchers \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	37
Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Mill Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-12	1984-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Mill Creek State Park in O'Brien County, IA on May 12, 1984.	Huber, James E.	Snowy Egret	Mill Creek State Park	OBrien County, Mill Creek State Park 1 mile East of Paullina	Marsh	The documentation form by James E. Huber is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Egret, Cattle Egret \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Cherokee, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-22	1985-10-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on October 22, 1985.	Huber, James E.	Varied Thrush	Cherokee	Backyard - 810 Walnut Street - Cherokee, IA	Residential backyard which joins a city park.	The documentation form by James E. Huber is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Cedar Rapids, 1995	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-16	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on November 15, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Ruby-throated Hummingbird	Cedar Rapids	Gary Heiberger residence, 3350 Circle Drive, NE, Cedar Rapids (Linn County)		The documentation form by James Fuller 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 Allen Martin, and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Anna's Hummingbird has gray (not white) underparts. Kaufman's 'Advanced Birding' suggests that female and immature male Ruby-throated and Black-chinned cannot be identified except in the hand. This bird may have been molting into first alternate plumage, because of the red circular area on the throat. It would seem that an area such as this would be red in a Ruby-throat and purple in Black-chinned. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:55:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	23
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Otter Creek Marsh, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Great-tailed Grackles at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on April 27, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Great-tailed Grackle	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh - Tama County	Cattails in marsh	The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle is smaller with different call Boat-tailed Grackle male has dark eye \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:45:00/15:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Bewster's Warbler at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewster's Warbler at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 2, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Vermivoras	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Field with scattered saplings at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, Lee County.		The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden Winged: Gray upperparts White underparts Yellow cap of male Blue Winged: Black eyeline Thin light yellow wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Animal migration--Climatic factors Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-08	1986-09-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on September 8, 1986. Included is an note about another Black-throated Blue Warbler sighting at the same location on September 11, 1986.	Fuller, James L	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Iowa City	My backyard	Shrubbery in a suburban yard	The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:50:00/13:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-05	1995-02-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 5, 1995 and February 12, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)		The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib, Thomas Kent, Dan Dorrance, Barker, Peter C. Petersen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other dark mantled gull with yellow legs is the Yellow-footed Gull. That bird has never been seen away from the extreme southwest portion of the country, and it should be much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00 on February 5, 1995 and 11:40:00/11:55:00 on February 12, 1995.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines in Polk County, IA on February 1, 1985.	Fuller, James L	Bohemian Waxwing	Glendale Cemetery	Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines	Conifers	The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Laura Fuller and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Cedar Waxwing - bird plumper, grayer, rusty undertail + white wing markings + voice. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Nashville Warbler north of Iowa City, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-11-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Nashville Warbler north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 2, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Nashville Warbler	Iowa City	Suburban backyard north of Iowa City		The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Ann Johnson, Beth Brown, Jim Sinclair, Jane Fuller, and Karole Fuller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 03:10:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Wapsinonoc Township in Muscatine County, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-04	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Chestnut-collared Longspur at Wapsinonoc Township in Muscatine County, IA on April 4, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee with a letter attachment.	Huntington, James	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Wapsinonoc Township	Muscatine Co. just east of Johnson Co. line 2.25 mi. South of Hwy 6	General: Corn Stubble field. Specific: Bird studied at the edge of a grassy border which ran along the fence seperating [sic] two corn stubble fields.	The documentation form by James Huntington is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur eliminated because chin + throat yellow not black also belly black not just chest. Red collar more restricted than in Lapland. Black belly, red collar, black triangle on tail, black and white lines on face, yellow on chin + throat diagnostic for Chestnut-collared Longspur. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-throated Gray Warbler near Cedar Bluff, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-10	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-throated Gray Warbler near Cedar Bluff in Cedar County, IA on May 10, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huntington, James	Black-throated Gray Warbler	Cedar Bluff		Open woods near field or sedge meadow	The documentation form by James Huntington is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Thompson and John Cordell. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll - This bird was first called a Blackpoll, but then discrepancies were noted. Color of top of head was gray not black, white above and below black on cheek. Blackpoll has no loral spot. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	17
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at Little Wall Lake, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on April 5, 1983.	Dinsmore, James J.	Sandhill Crane	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake, Hamilton Co	it was flying over SW side of lake	The documentation form by James J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron - saw one later but it flew with neck folded rather than with the cross silhouette of a crane \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00/08:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird at Anderson Goose Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird at Anderson Goose Lake in Hamilton County, IA on May 15, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	Western Kingbird	Anderson Goose Lake	along east shore of Anderson Lake, Hamilton County (near Jewell)	sitting on ground in freshly plowed field	The documentation form by James J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Ryan, Ellen Johnson, and fifteen unidentified students in ornithology class. \| Elimination of similar species: Compared directly with Eastern Kingbird, back gray, not brown so couldn't be Great Crested. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Credit Island, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-30	1990-05-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on April 30, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Cinnamon Teal	Credit Island	Credit Island, Scott County (Davenport)	Mississippi River Slough	The documentation form by James L. Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruddy Duck (male has white head patch), is different shape with smaller size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ancient Murrelet at Crystal Lake, 1987	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-10-28	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Ancient Murrelet at Crystal Lake in Hancock County, IA on October 28, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Ancient Murrelet	Crystal Lake	Crystal Lake (1/2 mi. N of town of Crystal Lake, Hancock Co.)	open, shallow lake	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other murrelets and similar water birds were ruled out by the head pattern and the pink bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	6
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Ventura Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-09	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Ventura Marsh in Hancock County, IA on May 9, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh, north side, 1 mile W of Ventura, Hancock County	uplands with a mixture of switchgrass and brome, ~ 80' from marsh	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora, Virginia rail - Both are darker and lack white wing patches \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow Rail at Big Marsh Wildlife Area, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-09-21	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Yellow Rail at Big Marsh Wildlife Area in Butler County, IA on September 21, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh Wildlife Area, 6 mi. N of Parkersburg, Butler County, Iowa	General: flooded moist soil plants, primarily grasses and smartweed Specific: I don't know; the bird was in a box in a car when I first saw it.	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Priebe. \| Elimination of similar species: None. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-08	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on October 8, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Black Rail	McBreen Marsh	South end of a restored wetland on the north side of the McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 4 mi. NW of Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	Was in 3 20-30' diam. clumps of river bulrush surrounded by mudflats	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jeffrey K. Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora and Virginia Rail - was smaller and different color (black) than these. Yellow rail - wrong color, also \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Ventura Marsh Wildlife Area, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-19	1982-06-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Ventura Marsh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 19, 1982.	Hansen, James L.	Henslow's Sparrow	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh W.A., 1/2 mi. SW of Ventura, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa	General: open field edge about 30 feet from a willow thicket Specific: on a small willow in smooth brome and other grass species.	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald Andrews. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Ventura Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-11	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Ventura Marsh in Hancock County, IA on May 11, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	King Rail	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh, N side, 1 mile W of Ventura, Hancock County	brome in uplands 30 feet from marsh	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews. \| Elimination of similar species: Other rails in the area are much smaller. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-14	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 14, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1 mi. E of Ventura, Cerro Gordo County	brome uplands	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora, Virginia rail - Both too dark and lack white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1995-03-22	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ferruginous Hawk at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on March 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, drawings of the bird, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Mattsson, James P	Ferruginous Hawk	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	Louisa Division of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge near Wapello, Iowa.		The documentation form by James P. Mattsson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Michael Bornstein. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was most similar to the dark phase rough-legged hawk (Bureo lagopus) in size and general shape, but the latter species lacks the deep rust coloration on the upper wing coverts, scapulars, and upper back, and also has some dark banding on the outer one-half of the tail. Although by no means a conclusive characteristic, the subject bird did not hover during the period we observed it, a characteristic typical of hunting Rough-legged hawks. Dark phase Swainson's hawk have much darker, barred flight feathers and tail when viewed from below than that of the subject bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1