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 Bewick's Wren north of Burlington, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-16	1986-04-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 16, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bewick's Wren	Burlington	appx. 2 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines County) Iowa	Brush pile near pasture and woodlot, Near farmstead.	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Elizabeth Christiansen, Dana Christiansen, James Fuller, Charles Fuller, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Carolina Wren has heavier body, does not have white outer tail feathers, and has a comparatively shorter tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Forney Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-28	1986-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 28, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Golden Eagle	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake, Fremont Co., Iowa	Cattail marsh next to lake. Sat on muskrat house	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Bald Eagle has splotchy undersides, dark (not golden) head. Too massive for melanistic buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
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 Bewster's Warbler at Greenwood Park in Des Moines, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-16	1999-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewster's Warbler at Greenwood Park in Des Moines in Polk County, IA on May 16, 1999.	Cecil, Robert I.	Vermivoras	Greenwood Park	Greenwood Park, Des Moines, Polk Co.	Woodland	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sue Spieker. \| Elimination of similar species: Pure Blue-winged does not have wing bars. The song is distinctive for Blue-wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Allamakee County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Allamakee County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Peregrine Falcon	Allamakee County	Allamakee Co. (I think)	Bluff overlooking wooded river valley.	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie: No dark axillaries. Merlin: Size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Forney Lake, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-14	1985-07-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 14, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Snowy Egret	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake, Fremont, County, Iowa	Marshy lake with cat-tails, other emergent vegetation	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross SIlcock, Francis L. Moore, Steve Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, and Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Little blue is similar. This bird, however, had dark/black bill, conspicuous yellow feet--features not shared by the Little blue. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/09:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at North Elk Rock State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at North Elk Rock State Park at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on October 9, 1981.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Merlin	Elk Rock State Park	North Elk Rock State Park - Red Rock Reservoir Marion County, Iowa	large scattered trees along a bluff near the lake front. Dead branches of a red oak.	The documentation form by Robert E. Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The American Kestrel is of a similar shape, but is smaller and usually has some reddish plumage on the back or tail. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is similar in size and color especially the immature. The long-pointed wings of the Merlin differ from the wings of the Sharp-shinned Hawk. The overall posture of the bird did not suggest an accipiter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Reservoir, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-02-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on February 6, 1981.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Northern Goshawk	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Res. - south end of Robert's Creek Park	a very open area between a bay of Red Rock and Robert's Creek Lake - grass - 6-8" high	The documentation form by Robert E. Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and head markings eliminated Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks. Female Marsh Hawk by head and lack of Rump Patch (over). Imm. Red-tailed by the heavy streaks over the entire breast, the much longer tail and head markings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1980-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 9, 1980.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park	uppermost pine branches, often to the very tips of the branches	The documentation form by Robert E. Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula Warbler Magnolia Warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Sanborn, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-04-25	1998-06-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eighty-five White-winged Scoters at Sanborn in O'Brien County, IA on April 25, 1998.	Gruenewald, Robert	White-winged Scoter	Sanborn	Sanborn, Iowa	Waste Disposal Ponds	The documentation form by Robert Gruenewald is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other scoter species have white wing patches, and do not occur in this area, to my knowledge. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
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 White-winged Scoter near Keokuk, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight White-winged Scoters on the Mississippi River near Keokuk in Lee County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	White-winged Scoter	Keokuk	Mississippi River, Lee County, Iowa (near Keokuk)	Upper pool of Miss. River Lock and Dam 19	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Coots have thin white band of white on trailing edge of wing, not conspicuous flashing patches. Am. Black Ducks have whitish underneath wings, but not confined to speculum, not visible on wing upper surface, as was on birds I observed. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Worm-eating Warbler at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-15	1984-09-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Worm-eating Warbler at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on September 15, 1984.	Cecil, Robert I.	Worm-eating Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek Forest, 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle, Lee County, Iowa	Immature Woodland	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Conspicuous striped crown ruled out other Warblers. General shape and posture wrong for striped-crown sparrows. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	36
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-27	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 27, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Prairie Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa	Woodland edge of large overgrown pasture	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Face pattern could I suppose be confused with imm. Blackburnian, but had two with flock for comparison. Noted more orangy-yellow coloration, more white in wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Purple Finch at the Croton Unit at Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Purple Finch at the Croton Unit at Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on August 28, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Purple Finch	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa	Open woodland, woodland edge	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: House Finch has gray/ brown cap, brown, not reddish back. House Finch also has streaks on sides. This bird had unstreaked sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	81
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 form for Canvasback at Pool 19, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-25	1984-07-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Canvasbacks at Pool 19 near Montrose in Lee County, IA on June 25, 1984.	Cecil, Robert I.	Canvasback	Pool 19	Mississippi River, Pool 19 near Montrose, Lee County, Iowa	River	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Redhead: These had much flatter forehead than a redhead. The bill on these birds was also a uniform black, not bi-colored. (I didn't realize this was a field mark until later when I was reviewing my notes and looking through a field guide.) \| The original documentation form event occurred several times during day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	7
Rare bird documentation form for Acadian Flycatcher at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Acadian Flycatchers at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Acadian Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek Forest, 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle, Lee County, Iowa	Streamside woods and thickets	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Visually similar or identical to other empidonax. Others eliminated by voice (others do not give accented 'pit-see!') Habitat perfect for Acadian, although this would not eliminate all others. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	66
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-01-09	1985-01-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on January 9 ,1985 and January 10, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Glaucous Gull	Lock Number 19	Tailrace behind Mississippi River dam at Keokuk, Iowa	River Rapids	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White wingtips ruled out Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:10:00 on January 9, 1985.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lock and Dam 19 near Keokuk, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-01-13	1985-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Glaucous Gulls at Lock and Dam 19 near Keokuk in Lee County, IA on January 13, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Glaucous Gull	Lock Number 19	Above Mississippi River Dam (#19) at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	Above open water near Powerhouse, or resting on ice.	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis L. Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: White wing-tips ruled out Herring Gull. Size larger than Herring gull eliminates Iceland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Ledges State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-01	1986-10-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two House Finches at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on October 1, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	House Finch	Ledges State Park	Ledges State Park - Boone Co.	Fairly open area - scattered red cedar + other trees	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] They were slightly smaller - at least thinner than house sparrows. [...] They were too thin for female purple finches and lacked any trace of a white eyeline. They were too streaked to be indigo buntings (wrong color as well). I thought of possible pine siskins but there was no yellow visible on wings on tail (wingbars of any color were not noted), the bill was short and stout-not as thin as siskin, and the tail did not show deep notch in terminal end - had fairly shallow "V" notch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-06	1983-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 6, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Sandhill Crane	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co.	marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great blue herons don't fly with neck extended, do not give the call I heard and have entirely different plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-06	1983-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Sweet Marsh at Bremer County, IA on May 6, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	King Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh	marsh - cattails	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I thought about Virginia rail at first but because the look was so brief I didn't note the gray cheeks or lack of or any other marks. Basically on size impression I called bird a King Rail. I had been flushing many Soras (about Virginia size) and this bird was at least 2X larger than the Soras. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lake Manawa, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-19	1982-03-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 19, 1982.	Myers, Robert K.	Glaucous Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa - Pottawattamie County	Lake - near Missouri Riv.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Iceland Gull is possible but size (glaucous is bigger) and the complete white plumage of this glaucous eliminates the iceland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-11	1983-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on November 11, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co.	Evergreen Grove	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Cooper's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25