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 Cardinal Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-29	1984-03-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh in Winnesheik County, IA on May 29, 1978.	Moore, Francis L.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	North side of lake near dam at Cardinal Marsh,	Edging between grass 6" to 10" tall and cattail marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow does not have a dark stripe down the top of its head. It had a light colored head stripe (crown stripe). The orange colored eye stripe eliminates all other species except LeConte's which is eliminated by the dark crown stripe on this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cooper's Prairie Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-19	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Cooper's Prairie Marsh in Story County, IA on May 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cooper Prairie Marsh	Cooper's Marsh, Story County	Sedge and cattails along the edge of a small marsh	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: Eliminated from LeContes Sparrow by dark back, gray collar on back of neck and a dark crown lacking a central white stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 seen intermittently.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Coopers Marsh in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1985-05-18	1985-05-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for one or two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Coopers Marsh in Story County, IA on May 18 and 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cooper Prairie Marsh				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on September 22, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	General: marsh edge Specific: broadleaf plants - chest high	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching, Joe Schaufenbuel, and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light streaked crown - it also has streaking in the gray nape of the neck - it has a light colored back with indistinct white streaking \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
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 Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-10	1984-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one or two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on October 10, 1984.	Proescholdt, Mark	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendrickson's Marsh - Story County	Tall grass, Knee-high weeds, small willow thickets	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has white central crown stripe, chestnut streaks on nape, and a much lighter color on wings and back overall than does a Sharp-tailed Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 15:15:00/15:25:00 and 15:40:00/15:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Lost Lake in Boone County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-23	1981-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Lost Lake in Boone County, IA on May 23, 1981.	Brown, Gordon	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Lost Lake	Upper ledges at Lost Lake		The documentation form by Gordon Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include George Brown.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Marshall County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-22	1983-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Marshall County, IA on May 22, 1983.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	marsh edge - marshall county	marshy low ground - permenent [sic] small marsh	The documentation form by Ramona Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Contes - white stripe on head head pattern not same. Saw Le Contes at forney at IOU conference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at McIntosh Wildlife Area near Clear Lake, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-22	1982-06-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Sharp-tailed Sparrows at McIntosh Wildlife Area near Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 22, 1982.	Heinz, Fred	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, Clear Lake, Iowa	General: lowspot in Hayfield Specific: Wet area in Brome and alfalfa field, with very little residual cover, due to winters snowfall	The documentation form by Fred Heinz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews and Bill Ohde. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Conte's - No stripes on crown + triangle on face was very evident \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough in 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1982-05-24	1982-05-25	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for three Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 24, 1982.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough in 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1982-05-23	1982-05-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat Slough, Jones Co., Iowa	grassy marsh, catails [sic] - NW end of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow - has crown stripe and lacks white lines on back. Also late. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	North Marshall county, country gravel road (dead end) leading to timber and creek- corn fields and a wet shrubby area.	wet, marshy, weedy low spot by road in a corn field with three shrubby bushes	The documentation form by Ramona R. Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LE CONTES--too small, striped head Lincon's [sic] Sparrow--facial pattern not right--too little Henslow's--not right coloration in breast and side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:30:08.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Sand Point	Sand Point on Coralville Resevoir [sic], n. of Iowa City IA	extensive weedy flats - waist to head-high on shore of resevoir. [sic]	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol S. Newlon, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Crown-pattern rules out Henslows (lacks grey crown stripe) LeContes (has narrow white stripe), Grasshopper, Baird's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Snake Creek Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 30, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	General: Marsh Specific: open water surrounded by duck weed (waist high)	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Longer + darker than LeConte's and did not have light central crown stripe. LeConte's do not show the vivid white stripes on back. Several LeContes were also present and comparison was easy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-14	1986-09-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene Co. - north of Rippey	Natural cat-tail marsh surrounded by prairie grass	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark crown with no light central streak eliminates the LeConte's Sparrow as does the larger size and somewhat darker color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00 intermittently.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sugar Bottom Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-09-30	1987-10-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sugar Bottom Area in Johnson County, IA on September 30, 1987.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Sugar Bottom Recreation Area	Sugar bottom area Johnson Co.	marsh edge of lake sandy soil	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Thomas Kent, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has lighter upperparts more buff above eye, crown is prominately [sic] streaked. Aricular [sic] area is light gray on sharp-tail this is buffy w/ a dark streak. Nape on LeContes has chestnut streaks. LeConte's has more pronounced side streaks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1987-09-27	1987-10-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 27 and October 3, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Sugar Bottom Recreation Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Short-billed Dowitcher at Algona, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-06-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Short-billed Dowitcher at Algona in Kossuth County, IA on June 26, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Short-billed Dowitcher	Algona	behind Hy-Vee Store Algona, Ia. Kossuth Co.	almost - dry ponds / large mudflats	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Long-billed Dowitcher is (supposed to be) rustier below through the belly, with bars not spots on the side of the breast, and more spots on the throat. The call is completely different than what I heard. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Rare bird documentation form for Short-billed Dowitcher at Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-03	1985-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Short-billed Dowitchers at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 3, 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Short-billed Dowitcher	Coralville Lake	DuPont Rd, Coralville Res, Johnson Co, IA	mud flats, backwater	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Juveniles distinguished by internal marking on wing feathers and buffy neck. Adult by mixed white and red on underparts with dots on sides of breast and probably by call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Cone Marsh in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1988-04-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for one hundred fifty Smith's Longspurs at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 6, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Smith's Longspur	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on October 7, 1998.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reese WPA, Kossuth Co. SW of north side parking	Open area sparsely covered with grass (1 season restored prairie and mowed Pigweed) surrounding wetland potholes	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipits were eliminated by their totally different voice, the pattern of the underparts, and bill & tail proportions. Lapland Longspurs have obvious white (not buff) underneath which would have been especially visible on several close flybys and passes overhead. Male Laplands should show some black streaking on the upper chest in sharp contrast with the white below. There wasn't any chestnut visible on the nape or upper wing. Although I don't have enough experience with Smith's to say I heard any difference in the sound of the "tics", I didn't hear any of the "tew" notes that Laplands (but not Smith's) mix in with their tic-tic-tics. Any regular sparrow that is not eliminated by white outer tail feathers is eliminated by the unique longspur calls. The buffy/tan color underneath and the calls also rule out Horned Lark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Oakland Township in Louisa County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-15	1987-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six to ten Smith's Longspurs at Oakland Township in Louisa County, IA on April 15, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Smith's Longspur	Oakland Township	Louisa Co. - NW Corner of section 24 of Oakland Township	short grassy hay field just east of Cone Marsh	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Carl Bendorf, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrows are not buffy like this and have a very different color pattern. Other longspurs are not buffy like this and have different tail patterns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
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 Smith's Longspur northeast of Larrabee, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-03-04	1992-03-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur northeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on March 4, 1992.	Brewer, Marion M.	Smith's Longspur	Larrabee	3 Miles E, 1 mile N, 3/4 E of Larrabee	short grass	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland longspur, white wing patch & white edged tail, buffy belly \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/15:38:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67