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 Field Sparrow north of Keokuk, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1997-12-22	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Field Sparrow north of Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Field Sparrow	Keokuk	along River Road about 4 mi north of Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	weedy area	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The most similar species would be American Tree and Chipping Sparrows. The combination of white eyering, lack of a breast spot, and pink bill eliminates both of these species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:32:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle in northern Harrison County, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-08	1991-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle in northern Harrison County, IA on April 8, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Golden Eagle	Harrison County	Along I29 in northern Harrison Co., IA	Primarily agricultural land in Missouri River bottom	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Swainson's Hawk and other dark-morph buteos were eliminated by size and less contrast between flight feathers and underwing coverts. Turkey Vulture was eliminated by size, underwing contrast, feathered head and flight style. Bald Eagle was eliminated by lack of any white visible from below and the short head/long tail profile. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk near Melvin, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-09	1978-06-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Swainson's Hawks near Melvin in Osceola County, IA on June 9, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	Swainson's Hawk	Melvin	along highway 59, 6 miles south of intersection with highway 9, or 4 miles north of Melvin, in Osceola County	Open farmland with nearly all row crops. Nest was in a small grove of cottonwoods (large trees) around a farm. Trees had no underbrush and was almost parklike	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Nigus. \| Elimination of similar species: Redtail-no red, no belly band. Roughleg-no bands on tail. Broadwing & red-shouldered - size and no bands on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin between Algona and Burt, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-06-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin along highway 169 between Algona and Burt in Kossuth County, IA on June 4, 1989.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Merlin	Algona Burt	along highway 169 between Algona + Burt, Kossuth Co. Ia	open farm country	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was darker than a Kestrel with no rust or blue on upper surfaces, darker below. It didn't bounce, flutter, or glide (or wander) as a Kestrel does, especially in a light breeze. The dark back half of the tail was different than the Kestrel's light one, and it was thicker + shorter. Kestrels always remind me of a Killdeer, this bird didn't remotely bring one to mind. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:15:00	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 Western Kingbird at Anderson Goose Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird at Anderson Goose Lake in Hamilton County, IA on May 15, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	Western Kingbird	Anderson Goose Lake	along east shore of Anderson Lake, Hamilton County (near Jewell)	sitting on ground in freshly plowed field	The documentation form by James J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Ryan, Ellen Johnson, and fifteen unidentified students in ornithology class. \| Elimination of similar species: Compared directly with Eastern Kingbird, back gray, not brown so couldn't be Great Crested. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-26	1986-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 26, 1986.	Moore, Francis L.	Glaucous Gull	Saylorville Dam	Along Des Moines River below Saylorville dam, Polk Co.	Above open flowing river	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent, Robert Cecil, Steve Dinsmore, Jim Fuller, and many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird too large for Iceland and Thayer's Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Allamakee County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-14	1981-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles along county road A26 in Allamakee County, IA on November 14, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Golden Eagle	Allamakee County	Along county road A26 in Allamakee County	Limestone bluffs and hills topped with hardwood and conifer trees	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 Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle as described above. The bird was not mottled in appearance as an immature Bald Eagle would be but was a rather uniform dark brown overall except for the white in the upper retrices and wing linings which was noted before. As we watched the bird through our binoculars and a 20x telescope another large bird appeared from the East and this too was another Eagle. The second bird was an overall dark brown except for a very small amount of white to whitish color at the base of the retrices. This bird had a lighter brown color to the back of the head and on the nape. There was no mottled effect as would be shown in an immature Bald Eagle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
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 Golden Eagle at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-11	1978-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, IA on November 11, 1978.	Koenig, Darwin	Golden Eagle	Hanover Township	Allamakee County, Hanover Twp.	rugged hills with open fields and timber interspersed. Soaring along a long ridge which rises about 200 ft above the Upper Iowa River valley	The documentation form by Darwin Koenig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged Hawk (dark phase) --smaller, different proportions (long, narrow, tapered wings, small head, and bill), underwings usually have more white and the white patches rarely show on the upper wing surface. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler at Union City Township in Allamakee County, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-01-27	1996-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler at Union City Township in Allamakee County, IA on January 27, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Union City Township	Allamakee Co.: Corner of A26 and English Bench Rd.	Cedar Grove on hillside	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Lesher. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] We clinched this bird on its call, the yellow rump, and habitat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Nezekaw Point, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	1996-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Nezekaw Point in Allamakee County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Summer Tanager	Nezekaw Point	Allamakee Co. S of Yellow River, along HWY 76, (label on topo map: "Nezekaw Point"	Forest, Upland, Oak-Hickory	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Lesher and Brian Collins. \| Elimination of similar species: It lacked the black wings of the scarlet tanager (in any plumage) and also the dark tail of the scarlet. It lacked the wing bars and bill of a female Baltimore Oriole. Its bill and crown were unlike that of a female cardinal. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Allamakee County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Allamakee County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Peregrine Falcon	Allamakee County	Allamakee Co. (I think)	Bluff overlooking wooded river valley.	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie: No dark axillaries. Merlin: Size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Colo, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Colo in Story County, IA on May 9, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Peregrine Falcon	Colo	abt 3 miles south of Colo (Story County), Iowa	cropland. field with corn stubble residue	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: male marsh hawk - no white rump patch, speckled underneath, much darker above, contrasting face pattern, style of flight very different. Prarie [sic] Falcon - was dark gray. Buteos - wings were long and very pointed - tail narrow - falcon like flight. Accipiters - wings were long and narrow and pointed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lock and Dam 19 near Keokuk, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-01-13	1985-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Glaucous Gulls at Lock and Dam 19 near Keokuk in Lee County, IA on January 13, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Glaucous Gull	Lock Number 19	Above Mississippi River Dam (#19) at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	Above open water near Powerhouse, or resting on ice.	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis L. Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: White wing-tips ruled out Herring Gull. Size larger than Herring gull eliminates Iceland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Lock and Dam 18, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Lock and Dam 18 in Des Moines County, IA on December 18, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Grebe	Lock and Dam Number 18	above Lock and Dam 18, Des Moines Co., IA.	Mississippi River above dam on Iowa side.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: It would be hard to exclude Clark's Grebe. I don't know whether the previous observers saw it closer. The bill color and probability are the basis for calling it a Western. \| The original documentation form event lasted fro 09:15:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-04	N/A	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 4, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Above Lock and Dam 15, Davenport, Scott Co., IA	Mississippi River, river open.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include several unnamed people. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and mantle color exclude Great Black-backed Gull. The mantle was too dark for a California Gull. Slaty-backed Gull would likely appear larger, have a darker mantle, and more white in tertials. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/13:00:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-02-06	1999-02-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 6, 1999.	Proescholdt, Mark	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	above Lock and Dam #15 - Davenport - (Scott Co.)	on ice in Mississippi River with other gulls	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 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull is much smaller - about the size of a Ring-billed Gull. This is a really big gull - bigger than other possibilities. Also, much different from 1st winter Herring Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 17, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Above Lock + Dam 15, Davenport, IA	Frozen river	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and leg color eliminate other dark mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Mockingbird south of Tama, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-09	1985-05-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Mockingbird south of Tama in Tama County, IA on May 9, 1985.	Kubik, Nicholas A.	Northern Mockingbird	Tama	about 3/4 mile south of Tama	hilly pastured fields with trees, some brushy areas	The documentation form by Nicholas A. Kubik is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Brown Thrasher is reddish-brown in color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	13
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Rock Falls, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-10	1992-05-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Rock Falls in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 10, 1992.	Walter, Janice L.	Golden Eagle	Rock Falls	About 3/4 mi w. of S-62, 1 1/2 mi. n. of B-20, Rock Falls, Iowa	Plowed field and pasture with stream through it	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim B. Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Small head, longer tail, absence of any white in plumage eliminated Bald Eagle. Size much larger than common, familiar Red-tailed Hawk eliminated dark morph buteos as did lack of strong contrast between flight feathers and under wing linings. It did not have the 2-toned under wings, strong dihedral or rocking flight of the Turkey Vulture. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird north of Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-19	1985-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird north of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on May 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Western Kingbird	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	about 3 1/2 miles north of Hendricksons Marsh in Southeast Story County, Iowa	field on both sides of road with very short corn.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Kingbird - has black head, white terminal band on tail & breast & belly are white. Crested Flycatcher - has some rust in wings, a very rusty tail, brown head & back, gray upper breast. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Almont, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur west of Almont in Clinton County, IA on December 29, 1990.	Blevins, Brian L.	Smith's Longspur	Almont	About 2 miles west of Almont, IA. Clinton, Co.	Harvested fields with new spread manure	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was quickly picked out of the group of about 150 of Lapland Longpsurs which were in various plumages. When this species is in 3/4 breeding plumage it is easily distinguished. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Almont, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur west of Almont in Clinton County, IA on December 29, 1990. Attached to the documentation is a note from the IOU about its review status by the records committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Smith's Longspur	Almont	About 2 miles west of Almont, IA. Clinton, Co.	Harvested fields with new spread manure	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was quickly picked out of the group of about 150 of Lapland Longspurs which were in various plumages. When this species is in 3/4 breeding plumage it is easily distinguished. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Great Blue Heron at Saylorville Dam, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-07-27	1984-08-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Great Blue Herons at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on July 27, 1984 with an addendum on August 1, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Great Blue Heron	Saylorville Dam	about 2 mi S. of Saylorville Dam 0.5 mi S of 66th, east side of DSM Ranch	Heavy, mature river bottom. Very thick canopy. Nests in locust. [illegible] nearby silver maple.	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	18