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 Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 30, 1980	Moore, Francis L.	Snowy Egret	Sweet Marsh	2 mi East of South entrance to Sweet Marsh then 2 1/2 mi South, across road.	grassy-marshy field, grassy-marshy field with cattle	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone, Bob Myers, and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: See question above for notation that all three small white heron's were seen together; Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret and immature Little Blue Heron. What a sight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Hallett's Quarry in Ames, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-19	1985-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Red-throated Loons at Hallett's Quarry in Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Red-necked Grebe	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallet's [sic] Quarry - Ames, Story County, Iowa	gravel & sand quarry pit	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, and Eric Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned Grebe-much smaller; beak dark; in summer does not have white cheek patch; in winter has lot of white on side of head and all down neck. Eared Grebe-much smaller; beak much smaller; in summer has 'topknot' & yellow on side of head; in winter cheek dark. Pied Billed-much smaller; beak not right shape; is more brown; stripes on young not the same. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-01	1995-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on January 1, 1995.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Dam, Marion Co., IA	gravel bar below dam	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Structure, darker mantle, dark eye, and gray primaries eliminate Herring Gull. Other gulls of intermediate size - Lesser Black-backed eliminated by relative gray of mantle, leg color, and primary color. California eliminated by leg color, primary color, and lack of black marking on bill. Iceland eliminated by dark mantle color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1997-12-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 27, 1997.	Proescholdt, Mark	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam at Red Rock - (Marion County)	Gravel Bar below dam and churning water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dale Fye, Helen Fye, Pat Miller, and many others. \| Elimination of similar species: The other black mantled gulls (Great Black-backed, Slaty-backed, Western, and Yellow-footed) are all much larger than this gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:20:00/11:10:00 and 13:30:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-08	1999-05-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on May 8, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry, n. edge of Ames, Story County	gravel pit	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kevin Healy, Roseanne Healy, Wolf Oesterreich, Hank Zaletel, Pam Allen, and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon seen next to it with side-by-side comparison. 1. No chin stripe on this bird. 2. Back of head and neck uniformly dark colored 3. White on side of head extended further forward and included the eye. Also there was a white 'bump' that extended back into dark color of side of neck. 4. Bill seemed darker than other bird and was all light colored. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Wall Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-03-12	1996-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Wall Lake in Sac County, IA on March 12, 1996.	Thelen, Rob	Prairie Falcon	Wall Lake	1 m. East of Wall Lake	Gravel pits, Railroad Tracks, and Farmland	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Natasha Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin - was to [sic] big to be a Merlin didn't have strong tail bars. Peregrine - didn't have strong face marks or cap on head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit in Shimek Forest, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit in Shimek Forest in Lee County, IA on June 15, 1984.	Cecil, Robert I.	Blue Grosbeak	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	2 1/2 miles W. of Argyle, Ia, at Croton Unit, Shimek F., S.W. Lee County	Gravel road surrounded with open areas spotted with brush and small trees.	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I must admit that a few hours after the sighting and identification, I [sic] few doubts arose that maybe I had misidentified an Indigo Bunting. Upon reflection, I recalled that It had never occured [sic] to me that this might have been an Indigo Bunting as I was watching it, and I had seen several that morning. In addition to this bird's much larger size, it clearly lacked the brilliant blue of a June Indigo Bunting. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:00:00/07:00:005.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Heusinkveld, Marjorie	Dark-eyed Junco	Ottumwa	South and west of RockBluff Road near Ottumwa, Iowa	Gravel road with many weeds and old pasture nearby.	The documentation form by Marjorie Heusinkveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to N. Junco, but the dark brown hood, rusty brown back and rusty sides declared him to be different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon northeast of Spirit Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-12-31	1996-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon northeast of Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 31, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Prairie Falcon	Spirit Lake	NE of Spirit Lake - Dickinson County	Gravel roadside - on telephone pole	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine & Gyrfalcon don't have dark axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north and east of Superior, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-16	1995-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north and east of Superior in Dickinson County, IA on October 16, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Superior	1 mile north, 1 mile East, 1.5 miles North of Superior in Dickinson County	Gravel Roadside - on telephone wire between glacial knob and wetland	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Benedict and Dan Lempianen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north of Promise City, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-02	1984-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north of Promise City in Wayne County, IA on May 2, 1984.	Jackson, Robert Lee	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Promise City	2 mi n. of Promise City IA (Wayne Co.)	Grazed old pasture interspersed with scrub brush	The documentation form by Bob Jackson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing close to it \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
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 Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 18, 1980.	Moore, Francis L.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Bird was located on East side of Sweet Marsh, which is outside of Tripoli to the East. Observation was on a dike that comes off of and South of parking lot on second road going to the marsh as you proceed North from the Southern part of the Marsh. See map for location at asterisk.	Habitat bird was found in was a grassy area about 2' to 2 1/2' tall about 2' from dike and extending approximately 50' from dike. All around this particular area was large concentrations of cattails and sedges. Water was approximately 2" to 4" deep in area of sighting with deeper water on 3 sides of the area and the dike on the fourth side.	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 Joe Schaufenbuel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:15:02.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Canada Warbler at Moorehead Park in Ida County, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Canada Warbler at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on October 8, 1995.	Ernzen, Peter	Canada Warbler	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead P.	Habitat was brushy shrubs along wooded stream.	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 16:30:00/17:00:00 for around two minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	43
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Forney's Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-06-13	1986-07-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on June 13, 1986.	Wilson, Barbara L.	King Rail	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake, Fremont County	Habitat was cultivated fields, 2 large road ditches, & rail road tracks, between Forney's & Crystal lakes.	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tanya Bray and Babs Padelford. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:15:00/07:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Almont, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur west of Almont in Clinton County, IA on December 29, 1990. Attached to the documentation is a note from the IOU about its review status by the records committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Smith's Longspur	Almont	About 2 miles west of Almont, IA. Clinton, Co.	Harvested fields with new spread manure	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was quickly picked out of the group of about 150 of Lapland Longspurs which were in various plumages. When this species is in 3/4 breeding plumage it is easily distinguished. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Almont, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur west of Almont in Clinton County, IA on December 29, 1990.	Blevins, Brian L.	Smith's Longspur	Almont	About 2 miles west of Almont, IA. Clinton, Co.	Harvested fields with new spread manure	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was quickly picked out of the group of about 150 of Lapland Longpsurs which were in various plumages. When this species is in 3/4 breeding plumage it is easily distinguished. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Conesville Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or three Yellow Rails at Conesville Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Conesville Marsh Louisa County IA	hay field with scattered marshy areas in it	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Newlon, Rich DeCoster and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-01	1986-09-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on September 1, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bewick's Wren	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest. 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle in Lee County, Iowa	Heavily overgrown brushy area/multiflora rose, saplings, some middle maturity and older trees.	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. [...] I observed a conspicuous superciliary strip but otherwise, the bird did not look right for a Carolina. The body appeared slimmer than a Carolina, and the tail was longer. [...] I heard the song a couple of times, but will not try to describe it except that it was clearly not the song of a Carolina or a House Wren. \| The original documentation form event occurred from 07:30:00/07:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on August 15, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Prairie Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest, 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle, Lee County, Iowa	Heavily overgrown pasture	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: In view of the features I observed, I considered this bird pretty much in the unmistakable category. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Great Blue Heron at Saylorville Dam, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-07-27	1984-08-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Great Blue Herons at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on July 27, 1984 with an addendum on August 1, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Great Blue Heron	Saylorville Dam	about 2 mi S. of Saylorville Dam 0.5 mi S of 66th, east side of DSM Ranch	Heavy, mature river bottom. Very thick canopy. Nests in locust. [illegible] nearby silver maple.	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	18
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike at Big Creek State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on April 6, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Northern Shrike	Big Creek State Park	west side of Big Creek SP, Polk County	hedgerow adjacent to grassy field	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerhead Shrike: the faint barring on breast, white rump, heavy, hooked bill, less extensive mask not extending over beak and tail pumping when perched eliminate this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Big Creek State Park, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-12	1991-05-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 12, 1991.	Proescholdt, Mark	Summer Tanager	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park - (Polk Co.) - along 146th St. Road	Hedgerows along gravel road	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner, Carol Strohmeyer, and Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: A male Western Tanager has wingbars and is yellowish on breast and belly. A male Scarlet Tanager has black wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-29	1982-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Goshawks at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on October 29, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Goshawk	Saylorville Dam	East side of Saylorville Reservoir Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Hickory - Oak Hillside, along Reservoir	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteo shape and flight different. Cooper's Hawk would be smaller, with a more rapid wing beat and have rusting or streaked underparts. \| The original documentation form event occurred at two different times first 11:00:00 and second 13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at New Albin, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-11-24	1979-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three or four Golden Eagles at New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on November 24, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Golden Eagle	New Albin	Upper Iowa River Valley inland from New Albin IA	High bluffs with rock outcroppings - Upper Iowa River on County Road #26 west and east of Iowa #76	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel, Darwin Koenig, Carl Bendorf, and Mike Malier. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle - A mature (perched) and immature (flying) bald eagle were seen in same area for comparison. The immature bald eagle was larger, broader in wings and tail and had more massive head. White was blotchy in wings and body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31