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 Long-billed Dowitcher at Swan Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Long-billed Dowitchers at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on November 25, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Long-billed Dowitcher	Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area	Swan L., Johnson Co., IA	small natural marsh with low water, mud flats, no vegetation	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds did not have the bold streaking of a snipe. I wouldn't believe a Short-billed Dowitcher at this date if I saw it myself. At any rate, the gray neck and some retained thin rufous edge on wing feathers is typical of molting juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher at this date in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Bays Branch, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-08-06	1994-08-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Trumpeter Swans at Bays Branch in Guthrie County, IA on August 6, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Trumpeter Swan	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch, Guthrie Co., IA	In pond area formerly used to raise Canada Geese	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds were easy to identify. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-31	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 31, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock + Dam 15, Davenport, Scott Co., IA	Mississippi River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Translucent flight feathers and upper wing pattern and lighter tail band separate from Herring Gull \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1998	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-07	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Red Phalarope at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 7, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red Phalarope	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, IA	Field that floods with highwater or heavy rain-good shorebirds there this fall.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wilson's Phalarope is a larger bird with long bill. Red-necked Phalarope has streaks on the scapulars and coverts and a longer and thinner tappered [sic] bill. I did not see the bird in flight. The dark patch over the eye did not extend down and back as shown in the book. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on May 3, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-billed Cuckoo	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill P., Iowa City, Johnson Co, Ia	Wooded edge, heavy bushes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-billed - bill, lack of rufous, lack of tail spots. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	46
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Cone Marsh, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 27, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pine Warbler	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh	small wooded area on northwest side of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has a thicker bill, pronounced eyering, and larger head. It is also more sedentary than this bird was. In the fall, Bay-breasted and Blackpoll warblers might be a consideration, but they have streaked backs and are rarely this yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great-tailed Grackle at Riverton Area, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great-tailed Grackle at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 15, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great-tailed Grackle	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton A, near headquarters, Fremont Co., IA	open area with a few trees near water area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, long tail and voice convince me it was not a Common Grackle. Unfortunately, we were not able to study the bird for more than a minute. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 28, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., IA.	Reservoir mostly ice-covered. Gulls around small patch of open water.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Jim Fuller was another observer. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, wing and mantle color and yellow legs exclude other species, except perhaps for the most unlikely Yellow-footed Gull, which should be larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-07	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 7, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Res., Marion Co., IA	below dam on river	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include around twenty unidentified observers on IOU field trip. \| Elimination of similar species: Much lighter and more uniform than 1st winter Herring Gulls flying in area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Burrowing Owl south of Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Burrowing Owl south of Ames in Story County, IA on April 1, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Burrowing Owl	Ames	1 mi. S. of Ames IA	farm land - plowed field, grass edge and grassy yard 1 mi S. of U.S. 30 on Elwood, Ames IA	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Kent, Hank Zaletel, James Dinsmore, and unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: no similar species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	51
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lock 14, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-01-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lock 14 in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Lock and Dam 14	Lock 14 Scott Co. IA	River below dam, Mississippi River at Lock 14, Iowa Side	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:05:00 approx.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Runnells Area, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-29	1992-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form two Trumpeter Swans at Runnells Area in Marion County, IA on February 29, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Trumpeter Swan	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells A.; Marion Co., IA	Refuge area at upper end of Red Rock Res.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil, Ann Johnson, and another man. \| Elimination of similar species: The appearance of the adult's bill eliminates Mute Swan. The lack of a yellow bill spot on the adult argues against Tundra Swan, but I understand that this is not an absolute criteria. The straightness of the culmen and shape of the feather extension along the forehead are difficult to judge, especially at a distance. Perhaps most convincing was the amount of darkness on the immature. Tundra Swans are said to be quite white on the back and wings by spring. The size of the bill on the immature was also quite impressive. The date is a bit early for Tundra Swan, but fine for Trumpeter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-28	1991-04-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on April 28, 1991.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Golden Eagle	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, Van Buren Co., Iowa	Over forested area of Des Moines River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Osprey, Turkey Vulture, and immature Bald Eagle are all eliminated by the distribution of white. The size and profile was typical of Golden Eagle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Thayer's Gulls at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir	reservoir with ice and open water.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull --see above. [...] The bird is not any larger than some of the ring-bills--some of the ring-bills are smaller. The larger ring-bills are almost as big as this bird, and it is distinctly smaller than a number of Herring Gulls in the same field. The bill is much smaller and thinner; the head is small. [...] The striking thing about this bird is the size, bill shape and head shape compared to the nearby herrings and very distinct smudge through the eye." \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:10:00 for several minutes and 15:55:00 for many minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike at Cone Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 10, 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Northern Shrike	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co., IA	Marsh + farmland with edge	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and James Sandrock. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerhead Shrike. All features except all dark bill favor Northern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Eared Grebe at Cedar Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-04-08	1994-04-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eared Grebe at Cedar Lake in Linn County, IA on April 8, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Eared Grebe	Cedar Lake	Cedar L., Linn Co., Iowa	river bottom lake in city	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The head shape and small bill on this small dark grebe caught my eye. The neck and lower face were too dark for a winter-plumaged Horned Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/17:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur southeast of Hills, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-03-12	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two hundred Smith's Longspurs southeast of Hills in Johnson County, IA on March 12, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Smith's Longspur	Hills	2 e. 1 s. Hills, Johnson Co. IA	Old soy bean stubble, moist in areas	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Rick Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: Other longspurs by tail, wing patch, underparts + note. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/13:00:00 and 13:30:00/14:15:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur east of Conesville, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-03-20	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for eight Smith's Longspurs east of Conesville in Muscatine County, IA on March 20, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Smith's Longspur	Conesville	1/2 mi. e. of Conesville, Muscatine Co. IA	Road and roadside, flat land	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt \| Elimination of similar species: Tail, shoulder patch, face pattern, and plain buffy underparts eliminate other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Montrose, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at Montrose in Lee County, IA on November 20, 1983.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Montrose	Montrose, Lee Co. - Keokuk pool	Mississippi pool	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Head with large bill and little angle between bill + forehead. Back of head round. Head shape quite different from lessers seen at times in same field. Bird definitely large + head larger that all lessers.. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat Slough, Jones Co., Iowa	grassy marsh, catails [sic] - NW end of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow - has crown stripe and lacks white lines on back. Also late. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Coralville Reservoir, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-09-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 11, 1983.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res	open part of reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Pointed wings eliminate sharp-shin. Coloration eliminated Kestrel. Size and marks eliminate Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Jolly Rogers Campground at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-16	1990-12-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Franklin's Gull at Jolly Rogers Campground at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Franklin's Gull	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Reservoir (Jolly Roger), Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Carol Thompson, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's [handwritten note - 'neither is Franklins!] not hooded at this time of year and has lighter wing with white leading edge. In the last several years, Franklin's Gulls in alternate plumage have been recorded in the midwest in winter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00 estimate.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Waterloo, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-01-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on January 3, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Varied Thrush	Waterloo	Waterloo IA	General: Residential with many tree, [sic] many stands of old large conifers Specific: Waterloo - corner of Persing and Sheridan	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Francis Moore, Robert Myers, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Coralville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-11-07	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on November 7, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Res. Dam, west overlook, Johnson Co. Iowa	Reservoir, just above dam, in water and on swimming beach	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Mike Newlon, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Photographs taken at the first encounter with a Celestron 750 mm lens demonstrate the size difference, the bill and head shape difference, the lighter overall color, and the window in the wing. An adult Herring was in the photo with the Thayer's on 7 Nov and imm Herring were photographed on 10 Nov for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:50:00 and 11:00:00/11:20:00 on November 7, 1981 and 07:30:00/08:30:00 on November 8, 1981.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Coralville Reservoir, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 10, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Peregrine Falcon	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	Reservoir edge, wet fields, dead trees	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Rick Hollis, Philip Dunne, and Mike Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Facial mark eliminates buteos and accipiters. Dark color does not fit with Prairie Falcon. Axillaries not seen - did not fly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34