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 Surf Scoter at Badger Creek State Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Badger Creek State Park in Madison County, IA on April 19, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Surf Scoter	Badger Creek State Recreation Area	Badger Creek State Park - Madison County	Man-made Lake	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Male White Winged Scoter has white eye comma and different bill markings + forehead slope, and no large white areas on head and male Black Scoter has different bill, a dark eye and no white markings on head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:38:00/12:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1995-10-06	1995-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Surf Scoters at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 6, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Surf Scoter	Spirit Lake	West side of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County	Glacial Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - how white-wing patch. Surf Scoter - white on side of head - these birds has 2 patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Coralville Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 9, 1984.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Surf Scoter	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res. (Dupont Bridge), Johnson Co. Iowa	Old backwater area at upper end of reservoir.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Head shape with very straight forehead and lack of white in wing eliminates White-winged Scoter. Large heavy black duck eliminates other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:25:00/12:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1992-12-20	1993-01-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Sowl, LeRoy W.	Surf Scoter	Davenport	I-280 Bridge, Davenport, IA	Miss. River	The documentation form by LeRoy W. Sowl is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Bryant and Dan Dorrance. \| Elimination of similar species: other scoters No white wing patch, front white facial patch had a vertical orientation and more bare bill was showing than on a white-wing. It did not have the facial pattern of a Black Scoter. Bill did not have the bump. Head not round like Black Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend NWR, Harrison County	large oxbow lake along major river	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore, Mark Dixon, and B.J. Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Other scoters eliminated by uniform dark wing, large bill, two white spots on cheek, and white path on back of head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 15, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Oxbow near Lakeview area of DeSoto Bend N.W.R., Harrison Co., IA	Open water in Oxbow of Missouri 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. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Scoter female has white throat and face, White-wing Scoter may have white spots on the side of the head but also has a white speculum. This bird did not have the white speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-16	1985-11-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 16, 1985.	Proescholdt, Beth	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend, Horseshoe Bend, Lakeview	horseshoe bend, center of channel, + nearing Iowa shore.	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Jim Dinsmore, Steve Dinsmore, and Mark Dixon. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - by the difference in shape of white facial spot by bill - the much large, much whiter spots, + perpendicular to bill, not oval, we decided it was a Surf Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Fuller, James L	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend NWR	Lake	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller, Jane Fuller, and refuge staff. \| Elimination of similar species: White Winged Scoter - no white wing area, and the white spot on face just behind bill was vertical. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:35:00 and 14:20:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 27, 1985.	Silcock, W. Ross Padelford, Babs	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Green Island Wildlife Area, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1996-05-13	1996-05-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Green Island Wildlife Area in Jackson County, IA on May 13, 1996.	Petersen, Peter C.	Surf Scoter	Green Island Wildlife Management Area	Green Island W.A. - Jackson Co.	Marsh- pond area diked from river	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins and Don Moeller. \| Elimination of similar species: No whit [sic] on wing, eliminating wh-wg. Scoter. White much to limited for Black Scoter, also wings uniformly dark. Too large for Harlequin Duck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:15:00/06:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Iowa City in 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-05-09	1975-05-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 9 and May 17, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Surf Scoter	Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Jester Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1990-11-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1990.	Johnson, Ann	Surf Scoter	Jester Park	Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	Open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engrebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and others from the Des Moines Audubon. \| Elimination of similar species: Most ducks were eliminated by the angle/slope of the head and bill and the size of the bill. Although there was a similarity of head profile to the Common Eider, the facial spots eliminated any eider. Black Scoter would have a more rounded head with a uniform lighter cheek area as opposed to the spots on this bird. White-winged Scoter should have shown more rounded angle form the top of the head to the bill, generally would have less distinct facial spots, and definitely would have had white wing patches when the bird raised its wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lake Manawa in 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for four Surf Scoters at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Bray, Tanya	Surf Scoter	Lake Manawa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lake Manawa, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-14	1986-03-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 14, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Surf Scoter	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: other scoters eliminated by the white spots on the cheek and the lack of a wing patch \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lake Manawa, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Surf Scoters at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Surf Scoter	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tanya Bray. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00 and 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Little Wall Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-18	1978-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on November 18, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	Surf Scoter	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake, Hamilton County, Iowa	fresh water lake, open water near center of lake	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Most ducks - general dark color and the heavy bill. White-winged Scoter-no white on wing. Black Scoter-head not 'two-toned' (dark above, light below). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lizard Lake, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-10-05	1980-11-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Surf Scoters at Lizard Lake in Gilmore City in Pocahontas County, IA on October 5, 1980.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Surf Scoter	Lizard Lake	Lizard Lake Gilmore City, Iowa	open water	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lock and Dam 18, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-21	1987-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for four Surf Scoters at Lock and Dam 18 north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on October 21, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Surf Scoter	Lock and Dam Number 18	Miss. River Lock and Dam 18 North of Burlington, Des Moines Co., Iowa	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Elizabeth Christiansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Head pattern unlike Black Scoter. Similar to White-winged, but white in wing never noted. We viewed birds at rest for sometime, and saw them rear up once or twice, so should have seen white if present. Similar to female scaup but for bill shape in relation to head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
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 Surf Scoter at Polk City Wildlife Area, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-11	1986-11-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Polk City Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on November 11, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Surf Scoter	Polk City Wildlife Area	Polk City WIldlife Area, Polk Co.	large body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter eliminated by lack of white wing patch. Black Scoter eliminated by bill shape and lack of a large white cheek patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Polk County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-05	1979-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter in Polk County, IA on May 5, 1979.	Mooney, Richard D., 1905-1997	Surf Scoter	Polk County	Farm pond SE corner of SW. 62nd Ave. and Orilla Rd. in Polk County.	Medium sized farm pond with a few other ducks on pond - not close to farm house and no domestic fowl on pond.	The documentation form by Dick Mooney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Woodward H. Brown, Mary Brown, and Stuart Burns. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter eliminated by lack of white wing patches. Common Scoter eliminated by two white cheek spots. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Princeton Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Princeton Marsh in Scott County, IA on May 15, 1986.	Petersen, Peter C.	Surf Scoter	Princeton State Wildlife Management Area	Princeton Marsh	Pond near mouth of Wapsipinicon R, I mi. from Miss R. chanel [sic] Central pond, west edge of Princton [sic] Marsh State Wildlife area.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Moeller, Corey Blevins, Gil Sandvick, Mary Lou Petersen, Ann Barker, and John Hoogerheide. \| Elimination of similar species: Black scoter - no white on head. Wh-wg. Scoter, has white on wing, no white on back of head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:40:00/06:55:00, 09:45:00/10:00:00, and 15:45:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
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 Surf Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 24, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Surf Scoter	Polk City Wildlife Area	Polk City Wildlife Refuge, adjacent to Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	large backwater area of reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other ducks eliminated by size, uniform dark color, lack of wing markings, and bill size and shape. White-winged Scoter eliminated by lack of white wing patches. Imm. or female Black Scoter eliminated by white spots on cheek instead of white throat and by bill shape. All male Scoters eliminated by Black, rather than brown, body color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-21	1988-05-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 21 and 22, 1988.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Surf Scoter	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11