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 Hudsonian Godwit at Amana Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hudsonian Godwit at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on October 28, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Hudsonian Godwit	Lily Pond	Amana L., Iowa Co., IA	large shallow lake at low water with extensive mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Marbled Godwit is eliminated by the white rump, wing stripe, and lack of cinnamon or brownish coloration. Black-tailed Godwit is eliminated by the contrasting and dark underwing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	13
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 White-faced Ibis at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-13	1981-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for fourteen White-faced Ibises at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 13, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-faced Ibis	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie Co, IA	large round lake, southwest corner of L. Manawa near point with parking area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis - all had red face patch and complete white outline of white-faced. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-24	1981-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 24, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Lake Manawa	L. Manawa, Pottawattamie Co. IA	Large round lake in Missouri River bottoms at south edge of Council Bluffs - Lake Manawa	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup--head shape and wing stripe were the differential features noted. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-10	1981-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rae bird documentation for a Western Grebe at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 10, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Western Grebe	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Sandy Beach, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co. IA	large reservoir, surrendered by forest and cropland	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Long neck & pointed bill indicate a grebe: large size & color patterns eliminate other grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-27	1984-10-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Surf Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 27, 1984.	Dixon, Mark D.	Surf Scoter	Saylorville Lake	near the dam at Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	Large reservoir, seen near rock dam	The documentation form by Mark D. Dixon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from Black Scoter female or immature by two distinct white face spots. Distinguished from White-winged Scoter primarily by lack of white in secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-21	1985-10-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 21, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res. (Polk Co.), Ia.	Large reservoir - bird was way out but I don't know how deep water is there as there were also pied-billed grebes & cormorants present also. May be fairly shallow at that point.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small and short necked for Western grebe and to [sic] big with much too big of a bill for horned grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	1999-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pacific Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County) - Whitebreast Area	Large reservoir	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and reported on the Birdline. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loons have massive bills, are much larger, and have a jagged look to their sides of the neck between dark and light colors. Red-throated Loons are paler in color and do not have that sharp dividing line on its neck but a more gradual merging of colors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Barn Swallow at Red Rock Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Barn Swallow at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 13, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Barn Swallow	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Res. #14 bridge, Marion Co. IA	Large Reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Behavior and landing place clearly made it a swallow. Red on throat and forked tail, eliminate all other species. Only tree swallow would be likely at this date. Actually, I knew what the bird was as soon as I got my binoculars on it. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:48:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	87
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-30	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1986 and December 1, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (near visitors center)	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Second winter Herring Gull eliminated by size, bill size, lack of a gray mantle, lack of streaking on the head and underparts, lack of a window on the upperwing, by the all white tail with a dark band at the tip, and by the very dark underside of the primaries. Second winter Lesser Black-backed Gull eliminated by smaller size, browner uppertail, and heavily streaked head and underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00 on November 30, 1986 and 15:55:00/16:08:00 on December 1, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three White-winged Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 13, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Cherry Glen boat access, Polk Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck is all dark with white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-14	1999-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on May 14, 1999.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry, Story Co., Iowa	large quarry pond	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner and the Birdline. \| Elimination of similar species: see above. The bird was not small enough for a Red-throated and did not hold the bill pointing up. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds), 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-12	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight or more Greater Scaups at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds) in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 12, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power + Light Settling ponds	Large pond	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, and BJ Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup has square to slightly crested head. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at State Forest Nursery in Ames, 1986		Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-04	1986-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at State Forest Nursey in Ames in Story County, IA on September 4, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pine Warbler	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	large pine planting	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Erik Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Fall Bay-breasted Warbler eliminated by the larger bill, extensively white undertail, yellowish underparts with faint streaking, the unstreaked back, and by the faint eyering. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at State Forest Nursery in Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-15	1986-10-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on September 15, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pine Warbler	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	large pine planting	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bay-breasted Warbler was eliminated by the unstreaked back, the pronounced eyering, the large bill, and very brown underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at State Forest Nursery, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-15	1986-09-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two House Finches at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on September 15, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	House Finch	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	large pine planting	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The lack of a facial pattern eliminated a female Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
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 Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend NWR, Harrison County	large oxbow lake along major river	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore, Mark Dixon, and B.J. Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Other scoters eliminated by uniform dark wing, large bill, two white spots on cheek, and white path on back of head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Mehaffey Bridge at Coralville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form a Red-necked Grebe at Mehaffey Bridge at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 15, 1986.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Red-necked Grebe	Mehaffey Bridge	Mehaffey Bridge area Johnson Co.	large open water area, bend in river	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: bill and neck longer/thicker than Horned or Eared Grebe larger size overall. Horned has more white in face, Eared legs. Clarks, western grebes have longer white neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Cardinal Marsh, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-winged Scoters at Cardinal Marsh in Winneshiek County, IA on November 29, 1987.	Dietzenbach, Mark A.	White-winged Scoter	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	Cardinal marsh Winneshiek Co.	Large open water area of water	The documentation form by Mark Dietzenbach is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Marty. \| Elimination of similar species: We had no reservations about identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted almost an hour.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Sweet Marsh, 1987	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-05-12	1987-05-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 12, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-necked Grebe	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	large open water area of man-made marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, large bill, gray face and red neck eliminate small grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-10-28	1976-10-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 28, 1976.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Black-legged Kittiwake	Coralville Lake	Coralville Docks, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	Large open water area of Coralville Reservoir. There was a flock of adult Bonaparte's gulls about a mile south on the same area of the reservoir.	The documentation form by Richard J. DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lillian Serbousek, Nicholas Halmi, and Michael Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Bonaparte's gull lacks transverse mark across nape and has lighter wing coverts. The immature little gull is shown by Robbins et al. to have a dark hood and scaly back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Forneys Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Forneys Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 25, 1984.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Ross's Gull	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake	Large open lake, packed with migrating waterfowl especially snow geese.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent, Tom Staudt, and Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was about 2/3 size of the Snows. Noticeably shorter relative neck length. Bill much smaller and relatively much stubbier. Forehead was very rounded, not angled in line with the bill like the Snow Geese. Bill color suggested slight darkening at base. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at West Okoboji Lake, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-16	1986-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 16, 1986.	Thelen, Ed	Red-necked Grebe	West Okoboji Lake	West okoboji lake - Dickinson county	large natural lake - 3,900 acres	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: horned grebe - larger size of red neck - longer neck and heavier bill of red-neck. western grebe - darker back of red-necked - shorter neck of grebe - shorter, heavier bill of the red-necked. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00 on November 16 and 10:30:00/11:30:00 on November 23.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Big Spirit Lake, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-19	1998-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 19, 1998.	Thelen, Ed	Greater Scaup	Spirit Lake	South shore of Big Spirit Lake - Dickinson County	Large Natural Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup eliminated for the reasons stated above. Observed a flock of eleven scaup on Spirit Lake. 3 of the birds appeared larger than the rest. The following characteristics were noted - larger size with head and bill the most pronounced. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10