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 Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve in Clinton County, IA on December 20, 1996.	McKay, Kelly	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve	Mockridge	large pine grove surrounded by deciduous woodlots	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ulf Konig. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden-crowned Kinglet - has golden crown patch, eye lines, and a 2 or 3 note call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Fremont County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-08-12	1984-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for eight Snowy Egrets at Fremont County, IA on August 12, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Snowy Egret	Fremont County	Missouri River floodplain just south of the Bridge to Nebraska City; Fremont County		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The black bill eliminates Great Egret & Cattle Egret. Immature Little Blue Herons have uniformly colored legs. Both Great Egrets & Little Blues were present & they were not feeding actively like the Snowys - not running around, that is.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
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 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 Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Mississippi River at Davenport, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-01-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Mississippi River at Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 7, 1996.	Edwards, Chris	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Davenport	Mississippi River, Davenport, Scott Co.	River.	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curtis Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed Gull is much larger, has a blacker back, and pale pink legs. Herring Gull has a lighter gray mantle and pink legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull on the Mississippi River at Davenport, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-01-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull on the Mississippi River at Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 7, 1996.	Edwards, Chris	Thayer's Gull	Davenport	Mississippi River, Davenport, Scott Co.	River.	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull has black or dark brown primary tips and secondaries on upperside, dark gray primary tips on underside, whitish head, larger bill. Iceland Gull has white primary tips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Thomson Causeway, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for over two hundred Tundra Swans at Thomson Causeway in Carroll County, IL on December 27, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	Tundra Swan	Thomson	Mississippi River out from Thomson Causeway; Carroll County	open water in the middle of the river, surrounded by iced-over stump fields.	The documentation form by Kelly McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Carlson, Fred Lesher, and Carol Rogers. \| Elimination of similar species: Mute Swan - has knobbed bill which is pinkish-orange. Trumpeter Swan - most have wing or neck bands, tend to occur in lesser numbers. Also, no curve from bill to forehead. Snow Goose - much smaller, with black primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Mississippi River in Scott County, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-21	1986-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at Mississippi River downriver from Alcoa pumping house in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1986.	Petersen, Peter C.	Mute Swan	Scott County	Mississippi River just downstream from Alcoa pumping house Scott Co.	River shoreline - mid-river	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen and Tim Brush. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra and Trumpeter Swans have almost entirely black bills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00 on December 21, 1986 and 14:07:00/14:10:00 on December 24, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Princeton, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-03-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for twenty Greater Scaups at Princeton in Scott County, IA on March 10, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Princeton	Mississippi River from I 80 north to Princeton	Mississippi River - partly ice covered lot - mostly open	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include T.K. Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser scaup - There were about 40 of these for direct comparison, in the same field of view at times. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Moline, IL and Bettendorf, IA, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-01	1992-02-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Moline in Rock Island County, IL and Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on February 1, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf Moline	Mississippi River between Moline, Illinois and Bettendorf, Iowa.		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller, Jane Fuller, Jim Scheib, Randy Pinkston, John Daniel, and Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Size alone should eliminate all other dark mantled gulls. In addition, all of the other adult dark grey mantled gulls have a wing tip that is black, and darker than the rest of the upperwing and back, while this bird had a uniformly black upperwing and back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Bettendorf, IA and Moline, IL, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-31	1992-02-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Bettendorf in Scott County, IA and Moline in Rock Island County, IL on January 31, 1992 and February 1, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf Moline	Mississippi River between Moline, Illinois and Bettendorf, Iowa.		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other dark mantled gull with yellow legs is Yellow-footed Gull, which has never been seen outside of the extreme southwestern part of the country. Yellow-footed gull is also larger than the Herring gull, but this bird was smaller in general size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:45:00 on January 31, 1992 and 09:50:00/10:00:00 on February 1, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Black-backed Gull between Lock and Dam 15 and Lock and Dam 14, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-08	1992-02-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Greater Black-backed Gulls between Lock and Dam 15 and Lock and Dam 14 in Scott County, IA on February 8, 1992.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 14 Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River between lock 15 & 14	I saw a total of four adult Greater Black-backed gulls between lock 15 & 14. Two were seen briefly and in rather poor light setting with Herring Gulls above lock 15. This was around 9AM and they flew off to the north. The fourth was just above the e. Moline bridge on the Iowa side at 12AM. The third was seen across the river from Campbells Island around 10AM. This bird I saw standing, spreading it's wings, and flying. It is the bird described below.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: The very large size eliminates the others possible Black-backed Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Gyrfalcon on the Mississippi River between Davenport and Rock Island, IL, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-22	1997-01-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gyrfalcon on the Mississippi River between Davenport in Scott County, IA and Rock Island in Rock Island County, IL on December 22, 1996.	Blevins, Brian L.	Gyrfalcon	Davenport Rock Island	Mississippi River between Davenport in Scott Co., IA and Rock Island in Rock Island County, Ill. between Big Island + Credit Island. From Ill side.	Directly on Mississippi River Channel with most of the river frozen over.	The documentation form by Brian L. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lewis D. Blevins and Corey T. Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The only bird close or similar is the Peregrine. It was easily eliminated by the lack of a dark cap, shear bulk and size and the total light grayness. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:26:00/10:29:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	33
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Sabula, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-26	1999-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Sabula in Jackson County, IA on December 26, 1998.	Blevins, Brian L.	White-winged Scoter	Sabula	Mississippi River at Sabula, Iowa. Jackson County	small open section of water with ice surrounding	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: white cheek patch and white secondaries eliminate other scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:48:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-02	1995-02-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: No other first-winter gull has the large size, the large all-black bill, and in particular the black and white checkered pattern of the mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
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 Greater Scaup at Mississippi River, SW of Davenport, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-03-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for thirty-five Greater Scaups at Mississippi River (SW of Davenport) in Scott County, IA on March 11, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Davenport	Mississippi River (S.W. of Davenport)	Mississippi River - half open water, half ice covered	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser scaup. The head shape and wing stripe differences are noted above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Montrose, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Osprey at Montrose in Lee County, IA on December 27, 1992.	Roberts, Barb	Osprey	Montrose	Mississippi River - near Montrose, IA (south of Montrose)	near patch of open water - on ice near water	The documentation form by Barb Roberts is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Zelma Williams, Kathy Dehn, and Ruth Iutzi. \| Elimination of similar species: Im. bald eagles were in area, not adjacent. This bird's head marking were very distinctive. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lock and Dam 18, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-21	1987-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for four Surf Scoters at Lock and Dam 18 north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on October 21, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Surf Scoter	Lock and Dam Number 18	Miss. River Lock and Dam 18 North of Burlington, Des Moines Co., Iowa	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Elizabeth Christiansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Head pattern unlike Black Scoter. Similar to White-winged, but white in wing never noted. We viewed birds at rest for sometime, and saw them rear up once or twice, so should have seen white if present. Similar to female scaup but for bill shape in relation to head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at the Mississippi River near Le Claire, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at the Mississippi River near Le Claire in Scott County, IA on February 21, 1982.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Mute Swan	Le Claire	Miss. River between I80 & Le Clair [sic]		The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: The points about (#2-4) eliminate both the Whistling & Trumpeter Swans. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Mississippi River between Bettendorf, IA and Moline, IL, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Mississippi River between Bettendorf in Scott County, IA and Moline in Rock Island County, IL on February 2, 1992.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf Moline	Miss. River between Bettendorf, Scott Co., IA + Moline, R.I. Co., IL.	Main channel of Miss. River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson and Gerald White. \| Elimination of similar species: Great-Black-backed- seen with one, much smaller, mantle not black. Slaty-backed. This bird smaller than Herrings, legs were yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-31	1988-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 31, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bonaparte's Gull	Keokuk	Miss. River at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	Lock and Dam 19 Tailwaters	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Black-headed has dark underwings. I would have noticed this. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	33
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Mississippi River in Davenport, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-12-06	1991-12-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Trumpeter Swans at Mississippi River near Enchanted Island in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 6, 1991.	Petersen, Peter C.	Trumpeter Swan	Horse Island	Miss. River along S. Concord St. near Enchanted Island on Davenport, IA	Miss River + adjacent shore	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kelly McKay, Weir Nelson, Jim Durbin, Joyce Durbin, and Dawn Fisher. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra Swan - would have yellow area between eye & bill. In addition these birds were marked & from a known Trumpeter population. \| The original documentation form event occurred in various times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Bryant, Robert R.	Black Scoter	Davenport	Miss. River along S. Concord at corner Wapello Ave. Davenport, Scott Co.	Miss. River near outlet of sewage treatment plant.	The documentation form by Bob Bryant is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Dorrance and Leroy Sowl. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruddy Duck - smaller, wide bill, one was nearby for a while for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Bettendorf, IA and Moline, IL, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Bettendorf in Scott County, IA and Moline in Rock Island County, IL on January 11, 1992.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf Moline	Miss. R. between Bettendorf + Moline, Scott + R.I. Cos.	river channel	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed - back not black, too small. Slaty-backed - a bit small, trailing edge of wing with narrow, not wide, white edge. Western - a bit small bill not larger + heavier than the several nearby Herrings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:50:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36