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 Merlin at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-03-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 11, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Sugar Bottom Campground	Sugar Bottom Recreation area on Coralville Reservoir	wooded valley with adjacent open fields. Small valley 1/4 - 1/2 mile from Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow hawk - no red on tail, no facial marking, unlikely habitat. Sharp-shinned Hawk - wing shape and flight pattern different from Sharp-shinned. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Swan Lake, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-16	1976-09-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on September 16, 1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Swan Lake	Swan Lake, Johnson Co., Iowa	Swan L. is 1 mile south from the Coralville Reservoir. The bird was flying over the lake, the bordering mudflats and disappeared within seconds over an adjoining cornfield, continuing its rectilinear, unswerving flight.	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In spite of the first subconscious "gestalt" impression of a Mourning Dove approaching, the square tail, lacking white, falcon wings and greater size rule this one out. The bird seen was definitely too small to be a Peregrine, and had no mustache. It did not have the distinctive facial pattern of the familiar Kestrel either, nor the rufous back and/or wings and tail; it was a dusky bird, not the way Kestrels look to me; nor have I ever seen a Kestrel flying with such blinding speed and so "purposefully". \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-16	1983-04-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co.	Brushy edge and open field along east side of marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel would show reddish back and tail and would not show the heavy bands on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-21	1984-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 21, 1984.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co. (east side)	Extensive marshy area - Dike separated 2 shallow pools.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was too dark for Kestrel and too small for Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh in 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-22	1979-05-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 22, 1979.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Viking Lake State Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-09-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Viking Lake State Park in Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on September 24, 1978.	Bray, Tanya	Merlin	Viking Lake State Park	Viking Lake State Park	Man-made lake surrounded by scrubby fields; some mature woodland	The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Volga River Recreation Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Volga River Recreation Area in Fayette County, IA on November 16, 1984.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga River Rec A	artificial lake, mixed woodland + rock	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - no red, breast heavily streaked. no kestrel face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-18	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on September 18, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel doesn't have a gray barred tail. Uniform grayish grown upper parts would resemble Merlin, not Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/17:45:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-13	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, IA on September 13, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: When it was parachuting, the bird farmed its wings enough it resembled an accipiter, but when it flew the wings were obviously pointed, + the bird's rowing wingbeats were like a falcon's. Size limits the question to: Kestrel or Merlin? The tail banding + uniformly gray upper parts (the latter seen only briefly) make it a Merlin. I've never seen anything behave like that. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin between Big Creek State Park and Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-20	1987-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin between Big Creek State Park and Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 20, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Merlin	Big Creek State Park Saylorville Lake	Between Big Creek State Park and Saylorville Reservoir	Over wooded hillsides along the Des Moines River	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: A sharp-shinned Hawk has rounded wings and not pointed like a falcon. A Peregrine is considerably larger and a Kestrel is much smaller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin between Sioux-Rock public access and Oak Grove Park, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin between Sioux-Rock public access and Oak Grove Park in Sioux County, IA on September 24, 1994.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Oak Grove State Park Rock River Access	Between the Sioux-Rock public access area and Oak Grove Park		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In addition, it would fly every few minutes or so, back and forth between several dead trees, displaying it pointed wings, brownish upperparts, banded tail, and absence of any rufous on its upper parts. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin east of Decorah, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-11	1982-04-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin east of Decorah at the Allamakee-Winneshiek county line, IA on April 11, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Merlin	Decorah	Allamakee-Winneshiek Co. border. East of Decorah, Iowa	Hilly, Pastured area with large tracts of woodland	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lynn Barth. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel always has reddish or brown on back and a distinct facial pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:58:00/17:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin east of Fairview Golf Course in Iowa City, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin east of Fairview Golf Course in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 15, 1984.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Fairview Golf Course	e. of Iowa City (e. of Fairview Golf Course), Johnson Co. IA	farmland along small creek	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape eliminates falcon and eliminates Sharp-shinned Hawk. All dark color and heavier direct flight excludes Kestrel. Size excludes Peregrine Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin east of Sweet Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin east of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 7, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	1 mile East of south entrance to Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	Open plowed farmland next to gravel road.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon does not have as large bands on the tail as this bird had. Peregrine also has strong facial mustache marking and is much larger. Accipiters do not have as strong direct and continuous flapping flight as this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:14:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin east side of Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-16	1983-04-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin east side of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1983.	Moore, Francis L.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	East side of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co.	Open disked field along road, river bottom, mixed deciduous woods near-by	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon is larger with dark facial pattern Peregrine breast is also barred not streaked. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin north of Burlington, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on February 19, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Merlin	Des Moines County	10 miles north of Burlington	Bottomland - Farm fields	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - thinner shape of Merlin and absolutely no red visible on back tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin near Knittel, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin on Iowa Highway 3 four miles east of U.S. Route 63 in Bremer County, IA on December 18 in an unknown year.	Stone, Tom	Merlin	Knittel	Along Hi way (3) 4 miles east of Junction (63)	In 20 ft tree along road	The documentation form by Tom Stone is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than a Kestrel, Smaller than the peregrine + did not have facial pattern like falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:55:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin west of Sioux Center, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-09-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin west of Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on September 17, 1988.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	Sioux Center (Sioux Co).		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was either a female or a juvenile: brownish above, and striped (lengthwise) breast. There was no possible confusion with a Kestrel: the bird possessed no distinctive Kestrel head markings and no rufous on back and tail.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Cardinal Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-29	1978-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Cardinal Marsh in Winnesheik County, IA on May 29, 1978.	Stone, Tom, Jr. Stone, Tom	Mississippi Kite	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	Cardinal marsh near Cresco	Marshy area bordered with Woodlands.	The documentation form by Tom Stone and Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Francis Moore, Eleanor Corvin, Lois Sherman, and Antoinette Camarata. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: has black mustache and stoops unlike kite. Merlin - flys with steadily flapping and has smaller wingspan. Marsh Hawk - Has white rump patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:05:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 19, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Babcock Access, Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir with open mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings indicate a kite or falcon. The gliding flight was that of a kite not a falcon. The white body and head also eliminates all falcons. The lack of white rump as well as the flight pattern eliminate Northern Harrier. Swallow-tailed Kite would have a forked tail and different flight pattern. Black-shouldered Kite has a white tail and black shoulder. The lack of white patches in the secondaries and brownish tail indicate a subadult (first year bird). I looked for bands in the tail but could not appreciate them. Failure to see bands could be due to the lighting and distance or, as noted by Clark and Wheeler, to the fact that "A few immatures have solid, unbanded dark brown tails." The prominent light and dark underwing puzzled me, but Dunne says "Immature has body and underwing coverts buffy, with dark streaking and spotting of variable density; may be lighter or darker than illustrated." The underwing coverts and body appeared about the same shade to me. The lighting and distance may have precluded my appreciating any streaking. This bird appeared lighter than the bird I saw at Dudgeon Lake last year, especially the underwing coverts. The profile and flight characteristics allowed me to immediately recognize the bird as a Mississippi Kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 12 in an unknown year.	Stone, Tom, Jr. Stone, Tom	Mississippi Kite	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	Lowland river bottoms with Deciduous Woodland	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. and Tom Stone is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Marsh Hawk which has a white rump patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-07-25	1996-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Ledges State park in Boone County, IA on July 25, 1996.	Allen, Pam	Mississippi Kite	Ledges State Park	Boone Co., Ledges State Park		The documentation form by Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed Kite has a white tail and black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-13	1990-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on May 13, 1990.	Sinclair, Jim	Mississippi Kite	Ledges State Park	Ledges St. Pk. - Pea's Creek	wooded valley	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large and uniform in color for a kestrel or Merlin. Wings and tail too broad for one of the larger falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Olivet Church in Polk County, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-07-14	1996-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Olivet Church in Polk County, IA on July 14, 1996.	Allen, Pam	Mississippi Kite	Olivet Baptist Church	Polk Co., Windsor Heights, 73rd Street north of University Ave., behind Olivet Church		The documentation form by Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed Kite has a white tail and black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Mason City, 1982	Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-01	1983-03-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at Lake Cona Toma in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 1982. It also includes an article "Sign of spring" in the Mason City Globe Gazette on March 22, 1983 about the bird sighting.	Powell, John M., 1913-1995	Mute Swan	Lake Cona Toma	Mason City, Iowa - Lake Conatoma [sic]	Man made lake -13 acres-	The documentation form by John M. Powell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include wife, daughter, grandson, and 47 residents. \| Elimination of similar species: Whistling Swan - Black straight bill - Pictures for proof. Orange bill with black knob at base is Mute Swan. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning and evening.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29