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

Bruce Ehresman letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports, December 14, 1988	Correspondence	Birds--Nests Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-14	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bruce Ehresman letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports on bird species of management concern. Copies of the reports are not included. The letter also requests information on nesting Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls. This item was submitted past the deadline for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly Report of summer 1988. This letter is related to https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/4317/view	Ehresman, Bruce	Short-eared Owl Northern Harrier	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	below dam - Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir; open river with islands	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring-billed eliminated by size and leg color. Herring eliminated by head shape and eye color. Iceland eliminated by eye color, mantle color, and size and shape of head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:01:00/15:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane north of Saylorville Reservoir in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-12-12	1989-01-10	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane north of Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 12, 1988. The bird was present from December 12, 1988 to January 10, 1989.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Sandhill Crane	Saylorville Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane east of Big Spirit Lake in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-12-12	1988-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Sandhill Cranes east of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 12 and December 28, 1988.	Thelen, Ed	Sandhill Crane	Spirit Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-10	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 10, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Great Black-backed Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville	Specific: Big end of Saylorville Specific: off Sandpiper Beach, half in ice, half open	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than Herring gull would seem to eliminate Lesser BB, also, only one dark secondary band on wing white head + large size unlike immature Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-04	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 4, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-near Jester Park	resting on mud bar with thousands of other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size(larger than Ring-billed Gull, smaller than Herring Gull) eliminates all Gulls except Herring, California, and Lesser Black-backed gulls. Dark mantle color eliminates Herring Gull. The dark gray mantle was too dark for a California Gull, and the legs were a brighter yellow than the dull yellow leg color of a California. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:50:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Rare bird documentation form for Dunlin at Saylorville Reservoir in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-12-03	1988-12-09	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for three Dunlins at Saylorville Reservoir on December 3, 4, 7, and 9, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Dunlin	Saylorville Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	24
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at West Okoboji Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-03	1988-12-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 3-5, 1988.	Thelen, Ed	Surf Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	South shore of West Okoboji Lake at Terrace Park, Dickinson County	Natural Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: White-wing Scoter - white on wings, concave head. Black Scoter - Rounder head, dark legs, pale cheeks cover larger area on angle of beak, side of head. Ruddy duck - smaller size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 23, Number 4, December 1988	Newsletters	Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Counting Birdsongs Ornithology--Societies, etc Acid rain	1988-12-01	1988-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 23, Number 4, December 1988. Highlights of the newsletter include details on the upcoming Christmas Bird Counts for Ames and Boone County, an acid rain update by Mike Meetz, an article on how male Cowbirds learn to sing, and a calendar of events for December 1988 through September 1989.	Edwards, David C. Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)	Brown-headed Cowbird	Ames Boone County				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull north of Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for one to three Thayer's Gulls north of Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-north of Jester Park	feeding in river channel with thousands of other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill and leg color and size eliminates all gulls except Herring, Thayer's, and Iceland gulls. The uniform dark color of the wings, lack of a lighter "window" on the inner primaries, and the silvery color of the underside of the flight feathers eliminates 1st-winter Herring and Iceland gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:38:00/14:55:00 on November 30, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Glaucous Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	open strip of water on large, frozen reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Iceland Gull eliminated by smaller size (smaller than Herring Gull), smaller, darker bill, and small-headed appearance. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-30	1988-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 30, 1988.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir tailwater area in Marion Co.		The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: I put my scope on the bird and saw it was noticeably smaller than the Ring-bills next to it in body bulk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull north of Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull north of Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-north of Jester Park	feeding in river channel with thousands of other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill and leg color and size eliminates all gulls except Herring, Thayer's, and Iceland gulls. The uniform dark color of the wings, lack of a lighter "window" on the inner primaries, and the silvery color of the underside of the flight feathers eliminates 1st-winter Herring and Iceland gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:38:00/14:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at West Overlook at Coralville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at West Overlook at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 29, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Surf Scoter	Coralville Lake	West overlook - Coralville Reservoir - Johnson Co.	Reservoir	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - No white wing patch either on water or flying. Black Scoter does not have white head spots. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at East Okoboji, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-28	1988-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at East Okoboji in Dickinson County, IA on November 28, 1988.	Thelen, Ed	Sandhill Crane	East Okoboji Lake	N. End of East Okoboji, Dickinson county	Natural Lake - Frozen	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include three other fellow DNR employees. \| Elimination of similar species: straight neck eliminated Great Blue Heron and color eliminated Whooping Crane \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 28, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Black-legged Kittiwake	Red Rock Dam				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 28, 1988.	Thomas, Michael K.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Red Rock Dam	just below Red Rock Dam - south tailwater area - Marion Co., IA	river - gravel base	The documentation form by Mike Thomas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Ringbill: collar, eye patch, black pattern on wings Bonaparte's: collar, size Red-legged Kittiwake: thickness of collar, black legs/feet \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:55:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Yellowlegs at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Yellowlegs at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 27, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Greater Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek S.P.-north end	feeding on mudflat with several Killdeer	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include several at an earlier date. \| Elimination of similar species: see above. [...] I then assumed this was probably the Lesser Yellowlegs that was at this same location on 19 Nov. A few minutes later, a Northern Harrier flew by and flushed the shore birds. The yellow legs took flight and, instead of the soft 'tu-tu-tu' of a Lesser Yellowlegs, I heard the louder, harsher call of a Greater Yellowlegs, which the bird gave in a series of 5-6 notes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:08:00/07:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	7
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Red Rock, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Red Rock in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Red Rock	below dam - Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir; open river with islands	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other gull with a black collar, the red-legged kittiwake, was eliminated because of the black wing strip and tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:02:00/16:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1988.	Sinclair, Jim	Black-legged Kittiwake	Red Rock Dam	Below dam at Red Rock, Marion Co.	on water and flying about spillway area	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Taylor Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] smaller than present Ring-bills larger than Bonaparte's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Mills County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-26	1988-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Mills County, IA on November 26, 1988.	Toll, Jerry	Surf Scoter	Mills County	south settling pond of the Iowa Public Power Plant in Mills County Iowa		The documentation form by Gerald W. Toll is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: It was smaller than a mallard and between the sizes of male and female common goldeneye present on the pond. The lack of a white speculum present when it should have been observable, and the shape of the forespot indicated it was an adult female surf scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Centerville City Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Centerville City Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on November 26, 1988.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Upper City Reservoir	Appanoose Co. Centerville City Reservoir	Fairly large open water	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size eliminates little gull, thick black nape everything else. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at Cherry Glen Saylorville Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-25	1988-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one or two Sandhill Cranes at Cherry Glen Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on November 25, 1988.	Allen, Reid I.	Sandhill Crane	Cherry Glen Recreation Area	Saylorville Lake, Cherry Glen boat ramp, Polk County, Iowa	Barren fields, wooded slopes, lake	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron have curved necks in flight and swans or geese do not have legs which extend beyond tail. Also, loudness and clarity of call was unmistakable. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-25	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on November 25, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats at end of freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unknown number with unknown names. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, yellow/orange legs eliminated most other shorebirds. In order to differentiate from the greater yellowlegs, I compared body size to the killdeer with which it was feeding and the bill size to the head. Both field marks eliminated the greater and confirmed the lesser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Golden-Plover at Forney Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-23	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Golden-Plover at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on November 23, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	American Golden Plover	Forneys Lake	Forney L., Fremont Co.	with Killdeer on large mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark rump and white underwing eliminates Black-bellied Plover. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	3