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 Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1984-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on October 3, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendricksons Marsh - Story County - Iowa	General: Marsh Specific: three on east side of Hendricksons Marsh in weeds abt 1 foot tall: One on west side in weeds 3-4 feet tall.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light stripe thru [sic] crown & doesn't have white stripes on a very dark back. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 13:00:00 and 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe near Ruble, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-06-29	1981-07-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Say's Phoebes east of Akron in Plymouth County, IA on June 29, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Say's Phoebe	Akron	7 mi e. of Akron, Plymouth Co, IA	General: Old farmstead with open valley surrounded by corn and bean fields. A few large cottonwoods and many smaller trees. Specific: Old buildings open. 1 mi north, 1/4 mile e. of Eldon Bryant farm- private property	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eldon Bryant. \| Elimination of similar species: Other phoebes, Western Kingbird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:40:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Hallett's Quarry in Ames, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-19	1985-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Red-throated Loons at Hallett's Quarry in Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Red-necked Grebe	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallet's [sic] Quarry - Ames, Story County, Iowa	gravel & sand quarry pit	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, and Eric Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned Grebe-much smaller; beak dark; in summer does not have white cheek patch; in winter has lot of white on side of head and all down neck. Eared Grebe-much smaller; beak much smaller; in summer has 'topknot' & yellow on side of head; in winter cheek dark. Pied Billed-much smaller; beak not right shape; is more brown; stripes on young not the same. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Documentation form for extraordinary bird sightings in Iowa, May 28, 1994	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1994-05-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for four Red-necked Grebes by Marion Brewer at Trumbull Lake on April 14, 1994 and Grover Lake on May 27, 1994.	Brewer, Marion M.	Red-necked Grebe	Trumbull Lake Grovers Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Pine Grosbeaks at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 13, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pine Grosbeak	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City	[illegible] open and tree edge with small stand of pine trees	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Staudt and Richard DeCoster. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Pine Grosbeaks at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 12, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Pine Grosbeak	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City, Johnson Co Iowa	General: on edge of small forested areas, mostly deciduous with some pine plantings. Specific: Hickory Hill is about 100 acres of undeveloped park land with a creek + several branches running through it. Forested and grassy area are interspersed.	The documentation form by Richard J. DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing else looks much like the female plumaged pine grosbreaks. Evening grosbeaks have larger beaks + shorter tails. Crossbills have crossed bills. Female purple finches lack wingband and the olive coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:12:00 and 09:40:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-16	1985-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Marbled Godwits at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on May 16, 1985.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Marbled Godwit	Forneys Lake State Wildlife Management Area	Forney's Lake, Fremont 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: Hudsonian Godwit has white wing stripe + rump. Long-billed Curlew has decurved bill + would be most unusual here. most [sic] sandpipers are smaller than dowitchers.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow north of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-18	1988-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Lincoln's Sparrows north of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 18, 1988.	Fix, Andrew S.	Lincoln's Sparrow	High Bridge	Des Moines River Bottom north of Rt. #17 Bridge	scrubby fields with variable brush, weeds, thistle, bramble	The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: -> Song sparrow: These birds (Lincoln's Sparrows) were smaller and had shorter tails than Song Sparrow's [sic], 1 sided central spot, and had buffy breasts, also flight was not the characteristic pumping flight of Song Sparrow -> Savannah Sparrow: These birds lacked yellow lores and were in entirely wrong habitat for Savannah's and had A buffy, fine streaked breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Hurstville, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-07-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four King Rails at Hurstville in Jackson County, IA on July 7, 1987.	Fuller, James L	King Rail	Hurstville	3.6 miles NW Hurstville (Jackson Co)	Marsh	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, C. Thompson, Huntington, Cordell, and Sandrock. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rail - size and brown side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:05:00/19:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Davenport, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four House Finches at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1986.	Blevins, Scharlott Goettsch	House Finch	Davenport	2003 E. 12th St. Davenport, IA. 52803	City yard	The documentation form by Scharlott Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, and Lewis Blevins. Peter C. Petersen completed the form from a phone conversation with Scharlott Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch - Male a more orange-red, not cranberry, red more restricted to head, breast + rump. Female/immat. no heavy dark mark by bill, finer streaking but more streaks below. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lock and Dam 9, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-21	1983-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Greater Scaups at Lock and Dam 9 in Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Greater Scaup	Lock and Dam 9	Just north of Lock + Dam #9 on Mississippi River north of Harper's Ferry, Iowa.	Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size (bigger than lesser) - about size of the ring-necked ducks. Rounded heads - not peaked as in lessers. In good sunlight (for a change) showed green gloss on head (not purple). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Cone Marsh, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-06	1980-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Greater Scaups at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 6, 1980.	Petersen, Peter C.	Greater Scaup	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh - S. E. area	pond-marsh, shallow pond edge	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Clark Scott. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup - those nearby had smaller bill [illegible]. They were not closely associating with the Greaters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:20:00/07:25:00 and 08:30:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Cedar Lake, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-12	1982-04-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Greater Scaups at Cedar Lake at Nashua, in Chickasaw County, IA on April 12, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Scaup	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake at Nashua, Chickasaw County, Iowa	Man-made 700 acre lake, with average depth of four ft.	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: Directly compared with numerous Lesser Scaups. The Lesser Scaups appeared smaller, peaked-headed, and duller on sides than the Greaters. Both of the females had a light colored area behind the eye that none of the female Lesser Scaup possessed. When the male Greater stretched the extensive amount of white in wings was strongly evident more so than the Lesser Scaups wing stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
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 Cerulean Warbler at Saylorville Lake in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1985-06-29	1985-07-13	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for four Cerulean Warblers at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on June 29 and July 13, 1985.	Engebretsen, Bery	Cerulean Warbler	Saylorville Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	33
Rare bird documentation form for Burrowing Owl at Pitcher Township in Cherokee County, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-06-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Burrowing Owls at Pitcher Township in Cherokee County, IA on June 5, 1985.	Bierman, Dick	Burrowing Owl	Pitcher Township	1 1/2 miles southwest of Aurelia in Cherokee Co. Section 21 of Pitcher Twsp.	Bare ground, hoglot, ag. land	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Glawe. \| Elimination of similar species: Screech owl- has ear tufts. Short eared owl is much larger and has small ear tufts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	51
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Cone Marsh, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Brewer's Blackbirds at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 6, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Brewer's Blackbird	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co, IA	Feed lot	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] These 4 birds were easy to pick out from Rustys + they staid [sic] together. [...] Rusty females were gray + darker wing and had bright yellow eye. Male Rusty were more opaque black with a refaced [?] edging on wing feathers and some [illegible] on flanks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-10	1990-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Black-legged Kittiwakes at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1990 to December 20, 1990.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The gull was larger than the Bonaparte's, but slightly smaller than a nearby Ring-billed Gull.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for American Avocet at Goodwater Impoundment at Rathbun Reserve, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-22	1986-06-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four American Avocets at Goodwater Impoundment at Rathbun Reserve in Lucas County, IA on April 22, 1986.	LaGrange, Ted	American Avocet	Goodwater Creek	Goodwater impoundment of Rathbun Reserv., Sect 33, Washington Twp., Lucas Co., IA	Moist-soil Marsh (subimpoundment)	The documentation form by Ted LaGrange is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Harold Garner. \| Elimination of similar species: None. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	6
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for five White-winged Scoters at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	White-winged Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Rathbun Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-18	1988-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Tundra Swans at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on November 18, 1988.	Cornett, Dorothy M.	Tundra Swan	Rolling Cove Park	Rolling Cove Rathbun Lake	Water Birds with R.B. Gulls at Edge of Lake Shore.	The documentation form by Dorothy M. Cornett is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marge Heusinkveld and Richard Boedy. \| Elimination of similar species: Mute Swan: Smaller: Knob on bill; neck held differently. Trumpeter Swan: Black base at tip of bill, flatter head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
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 Smith's Longspur at Union Slough NWR, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1997-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Smith's Longspurs at Union Slough NWR in Kossuth County, IA on April 27, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co. main crossdike between B pool + C pool	marsh with open farm fields on both sides	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds didn't have white on the belly or black spilling from the face onto the chest or "bib" like Lapland Longspurs. There were no "tew" notes thrown in with the rattle calls, a possible point of separation between Smith's + Laps. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:10:00 and 09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-25	1980-12-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Ross' Geese at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 25, 1980.	Johnson, Rex R.	Ross's Gull	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge Harrison County, Iowa	Habitat - Cornfield within 30m of refuge lake, near road that runs through refuge.	The documentation form by Rex R. Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Frederick. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Least Flycatcher at Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-07-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Least Flycatchers at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on July 5, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Least Flycatcher	Sweet Marsh	July 5, 1981	General: Small patch of deciduous woods bordering open marsh near dike. Specific: Small group of River Birch, fairly dense, on East side of Sweet Marsh.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lynn Heaps. \| Elimination of similar species: The only similar species seen in vacinity [sic] and that would prefer being close to this habitat type would be the Willow Flycatcher (E. traillii) which is ruled out because of the 'che-bek' call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	68