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 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 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 Swainson's Hawk east of Sweet Marsh in 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-08-06	1977-12-01	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two separate sightings of Swainson's Hawks east of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA. The first sighting was for two hawks on August 6, 1977. The second sighting was for two hawks on September 17, 1977.	Stone, Tom	Swainson's Hawk	Sweet Marsh				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County and Swan Lake Township in Pocahontas County in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-01-25	1988-02-01	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two separate sightings of Prairie Falcons in Iowa. The first sighting of a Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, IA on January 25, 1988. The second sighting of a Prairie Falcon in Swan Lake Township in Polk County, IA on February 1, 1988.	Carlson, Judith	Prairie Falcon	Booth Township Swan Lake Township				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-05-12	1989-05-13	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two separate sightings for a Black Scoter at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 12 and 13, 1989.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Black Scoter	MidAmerican Energy Ponds				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Semipalmated Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Semipalmated Sandpipers at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 3, 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Semipalmated Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res, Johnson Co, IA	nearly dry backwater with 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: Black legs exclude least. Uniformity of coloration, dark hood, and small bill exclude western. The lack of contrast between mantle and upper scapulars with the wing favors Semipalmated over Rufous-necked Stint. The contrasting facial pattern also favors Semipalmated. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:24:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	17
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe southeast of Missouri Valley, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Say's Phoebes southeast of Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on August 25, 1978.	Gochenour, Ruth A.	Say's Phoebe	Missouri Valley	S.E. of Missouri Valley, Iowa. Boyer River bridge on County Road F66. Harrison County.	General--river. Specific--small willow and other small trees and rather high grasses along the river dike. The bird was first observed in this habitat from the river bridge.	The documentation form by Ruth Gochenour is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ardyth Newberry. \| Elimination of similar species: The female Vernillion [sic] flycatcher--streaking was absent. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
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
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at Lylah's Marsh, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-07-23	1988-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sandhill Cranes at Lylah's Marsh in Howard County, IA on July 23, 1988.	Hartogh, Mary Jo	Sandhill Crane	Lylahs Marsh County Park	Lylah's Marsh - 3 1/2mi. NW of Elma, Ia. - Howard Co.	Marsh and prairies wetland - arrowhead and mud flats	The documentation form by Mary Jo Hartogh is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Heidenreich. \| Elimination of similar species: We had all kinds of blue heron to compare with right there on the spot; the markings and coloration and outstretched necks could only be sandhills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve in Clinton County, IA on December 20, 1996.	McKay, Kelly	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve	Mockridge	large pine grove surrounded by deciduous woodlots	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ulf Konig. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden-crowned Kinglet - has golden crown patch, eye lines, and a 2 or 3 note call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Keokuk, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-22	1997-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Keokuk	along River Road n of Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	brushy area along river edge	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, greenish coloration, and shape identified the birds as kinglets. One of the birds was compared directly to Golden-crowned Kinglets, and was separated from that species by the eyering and lack of yellow on the crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:06:00/08:19:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose near Cone Marsh, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-15	1990-03-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese near Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 15, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Ross' Goose	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Northern Louisa County - 1 mile west of Cone Marsh	Farm field - corn stubble	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger with larger head and neck and bill, and has grin patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-28	1985-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 28, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ross' Goose	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont Co, IA	Lake; Roosting Area for Snow Geese	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ione Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose -Bill Shape, Size & Color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-07	1982-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 7, 1982.	Dinsmore, James J.	Ross' Goose	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto NWR	see below	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Dinsmore, Steve Dinsmore, and George Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Geese- smaller, in size, bill smaller and shorter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:02:00 for first sighting and 15:00:00/15:05:00 for second sighting.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Cone Marsh, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 11, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross' Goose	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co., IA	Marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose - see above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, off of west end of dam	freshwater lake	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen and Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: I spent a long time puzzling over these birds, both in the field and later when I had several references to consult. None of the guides I looked at showed a bird that looked like these. Common (a small one): removed on the basis of size (birds too small for Common Loon), the thinner and bicolored bill, and the color pattern on the neck. At this time of year, all of the Common Loons I have seen (and saw on Saylorville that day) were distinctly white on the front of the neck with some partial bands of brown extending back in to the white. Pacific Loon: Eliminated on behavior (head posture), lack of a distinct dark/white line along the side of the neck, lack of chin straps across neck, and presence of brown on front of neck. Also the gray/brown contrast between neck and back would point away from Pacific but not eliminate it. Red-throated Loon: This is what I first thought the birds were but as I viewed them, I convinced myself several times that they were Pacific Loons. However, the combination of characters listed above seem to eliminate the other two possible species and also are positive characters for the Red-throated Loon. One character that puzzled me was the size of the bill. At least some of the guides (Advanced Birding esp) show the Red-throated Loon as having a tiny bill, much smaller than on this bird but those illustrations do not match those in other guides which emphasize more the shape of the bill than the size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Coralville Reservoir, 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 27, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-21	1999-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 21, 1999.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Clear Lake Ia	Large lake, northside	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Jan Walter, and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - was also present, could see larger loon, heavy bill, Pacific Loon - straight bill, black cap extends to eye -	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-07-26	1988-07-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Phalaropes at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on July 26, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Phalarope	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co.	Swimming in shallow water with other shorebirds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: The behavior and body shape eliminates all other shorebirds except phalaropes. The combination of a short, slender bill, a dark eye patch, and light streaks on the back eliminates Wilson's and Red Phalaropes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Grebes at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 3, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	open body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: Loons eliminated by shorter neck, size, bill shape, and lack of crescent on cheek. Horned Grebe separated above. Western and Clark's Grebe's eliminated by larger, swan-like neck, black, not gray back, thinner bill, and lack of crescent on cheek. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Four Mile Lake, 1993	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-09	1993-06-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Grebes at Four Mile Lake in Emmet County, IA on June 9, 1993.	Ehresman, Bruce Flaherty, Molly	Red-necked Grebe	Four Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area	T99N, R34W, Sec 8 SE 1/4 at Four Mile Lake Restored Area. ~150 yds NW of NW corner of furthest east parking lot along County Rd. A22.	Restored wetland w/ emergent vegetation - surrounded by grassland	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman and Molly Flaherty is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Head similar to Western Grebe, but this grebe's neck is rusty red color. Body also smaller than western grebe, and bill not as long and pointed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Coralville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Grebes at Coralville Reservoir (Jolly Roger Campground and Mehaffey Bridge) in Johnson County, IA on November 16, 1986.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-necked Grebe	Jolly Rogers Campground Mehaffey Bridge	1 at Mehaffey Bridge, 1 at Jolly Roger -- Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	Reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Carol Thompson, Ann Barker, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Size of bird and bill as well as grey-brown cast exclude small grebes. Western type grebe are longer necked, bigger, and more black & white. Loons present for comparison - This bird much smaller than loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon southeast of Larrabee, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-07-28	1987-07-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Prairie Falcons southeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on July 28, 1987.	Brewer, Marion M.	Prairie Falcon	Larrabee	3 east, 1 south of Larabee [sic], Iowa	Rough rolling pastureland (bluff of the Little Sioux River)	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin & Peregrine (see above) [...] It was to [sic] large to be a merlin. It didn't have the wide wisker [sic] of a Peregrine falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler near George Wyth State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-28	1986-09-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Pine Warblers near George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on September 28, 1986.	Moore, Francis L.	Pine Warbler	George Wyth Memorial State Park	Sand pit area adjacent to George Wyth S.P., Black Hawk Co.	Mixed hardwood edge along old logging road.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll and Bay-breasted has streaking on back and not as dark brownish olive on the back as the Pine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Pine Warblers at Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa in Johnson County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Pine Warbler	Hancher Auditorium	Under white and scotch pines at edge of Hancher Auditorium parking lot, University of Iowa, Iowa City (Johnson County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib, Matt Prather, Thomas Kent, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of light eye ring, whitish wingbars, unstreaked back, and light belly and vent should separate this species from any other warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:55:00/09:20:00 and 12:55:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29