Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Remarks

Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-20	1991-09-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Yellow Rails at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 20 and September 21, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Rail	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh (Greene County)	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [first sighting] The first bird appeared to be smaller than the second, and had white wing patches along the trailing edge, which I could not see on the second bird. I identified the first bird as a yellow rail, and the second as a sora. [...] [second sighting] This bird certainly was smaller than any of the six soras we flushed previously and later, and the white wing patches were very obvious \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00 on September 20 and 08:30:00 on September 21.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Siskin at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Siskin at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on May 15, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Pine Siskin	Anderson Township	Ben Wilson's farm: T-73N, R-40W, Sec. 30, Mills Co., Ia.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Uniform brown streaks on face eliminate Purple Finch, as does the thin bill. Sparrows are similar, usually have stouter bill + are less uniformly streaked - they have dark streaks on light underparts, + this one is just streaked all over. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for at most a minute.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	85
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	Council Bluffs	Off I-29 at south Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa.	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) with more rounded crown, characteristic call notes, much less likely to occur in Iowa. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) much smaller, different call notes, female lacks rich brown foreparts and superciliary stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird near Mason City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Brewer's Blackbirds near Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	near Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Comparison made to Comm. Grackle above. Unlikely habitat and date for Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolingus). \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 26, 1978.	Greer, Janet	Yellow-headed Blackbird	Council Bluffs	Feeder at 341 Steven Circle, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501	The documentation form by Janet Greer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include the Greer family. \| Elimination of similar species: There are none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	75
Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1979-09-08	1979-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on September 8, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Anderson Township	Wilson farm: T73-N, R-41W, Sec 26, NE Mills County, Ia.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: these are Rose-breasted Grosbeaks or Blackheaded Grosbeaks. Or hybrids. Unfortunately, the identification depends on things I do not know. Ruth Green informs me that some Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in early September are so orange on the breast one would think them Black-headeds. Are these young Rose-breasted? What about the call? Do Rose-breasted Grosbeaks make a lower-pitched call, more mellow than the distinctive high-pitched call that is the only one I know for them? If you know, please tell me. These were odd-looking grosbeaks but I can't really identify them. \| The original documentation form events occurred around 08:45:00 and in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Rare bird documentation form for Semipalmated Plover at Red Rock Dam, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Semipalmated Plover at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 28, 1989.	Brown, Beth	Semipalmated Plover	Red Rock Dam	running along the sandy shoreline below the Red Rock Dam in the tailwaters.	The documentation form by Beth Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There was a white ring above the breastband. The mantle, crown dark-brownish, too dark for a Piping Plover. The color was similar to the color of a Killdeer, but had no rust color on the rump. I did not note leg color. I saw it fly but took note of nothing except the white underparts, because I was surprised that another like bird was with it. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	4
Rare bird documentation form for American Golden-Plover at West Amana, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Golden-Plover at West Amana in Iowa County, IA on November 16, 1986.	Haldy, Lanny	American Golden Plover	West Amana	West Amana - grass, field	The documentation form by Lanny Haldy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	3
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at Big Creek Barrier Dam, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at Big Creek Barrier Dam in Polk County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Sandhill Crane	Big Creek Barrier Dam	Barrier dam, Big Creek, Polk Co.	The documentation form by Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-02	1985-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 2, 1985.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Sandhill Crane	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Settling Pond, Council Bluffs, Iowa	The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Matt Towne, John Bakehouse, and Jeane-Marie Bakehouse. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron has longer bill, neck in S-curve.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Common Gallinule at Iowa City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-23	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Gallinule at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 23, 1985.	Towner, Robert Towner, Nancy	Common Moorhen	Iowa City	six acre impoundment 1 1/2 miles north of Iowa City in Johnson Co.	The documentation form by Nan and Bob Towner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	44
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Folsom Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three King Rail at Folsom Lake in Mills County, IA on September 15, 1984.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	King Rail	Folsom Lake	Folsom Lake (Mills Co.)	The documentation form by Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: There were also 2 juvenile king rails which appeared to be slightly smaller in size, but still much larger than a va. rail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sugarbottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sugarbottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 22, 1991.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Yellow Rail	Sugar Bottom Recreation Area	Coralville Reservoir (Sugarbottom recreation area..see map on back), Johnson Co., Iowa	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Large white wing patches are diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Ross's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ross Silcock, Duane E. Bright, Stephen J. Dinsmore, and Jerry Probst and Bill Huser were submitted. Other observers include Gordon Brown, Sandra Kovanda, Jim Kovanda, R. Craig Hensley, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Since it was the only gull on the lake, the only birds to compare it with were Ruddy Ducks which appeared smaller and a drake Common Merganser which was larger than the gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00 and 15:15:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	11
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Yellow Rails at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	DooLittle Prairie, Story County	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore, George Brown, Gordon Brown, Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: other rails by white wing patches and yellowish color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at University of Northern Iowa, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-05-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at University of Northern Iowa in Black Hawk County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Young, Ronan	Yellow Rail	University of Northern Iowa	Northwest corner of UNI prairie preserve	The documentation form by Ronan Young is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rail has a larger bill and no white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:30:00/19:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for American Wigeon at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-08-07	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for American Wigeon at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 7, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	American Wigeon	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills 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: Uniformly brown head eliminates Wood Duck. Normal bill eliminates Shoveler. Size + rusty sides, lack of white in tail (not mentioned above) eliminates Mallard. Size + rusty sides eliminate Blue-winged Teal. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:55:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	3
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-03-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Tundra Swans at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 21, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Tundra Swan	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maureen Pace. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose: eliminated by size, relative length of neck, and bill color. Trumpeter Swan eliminated by yellow spots on bills.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at the Mississippi River near Le Claire, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at the Mississippi River near Le Claire in Scott County, IA on February 21, 1982.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Mute Swan	Le Claire	Miss. River between I80 & Le Clair [sic]	The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: The points about (#2-4) eliminate both the Whistling & Trumpeter Swans. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Goose species at West Overlook at Coralville Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Goose species at West Overlook at Coralville Lake in Johnson County, IA on March 4, 1990.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Ducks, Geese, Swans	Coralville Dam	opposite W. Overlook campground, Coralville Lake Johnson Co., IA	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The unidentified goose was the size of the white-fronteds, dwarfing the Ross'...Underparts plain medium brown except or a line of indistinct pale crescents over the shoulder and elongate tertiaries [sic] each with a white streak suggestive of a blue phase Snow Goose. The extensive dark on the hindcrown, cheek, and through the eye on this bird is unique in my experience. \| The original documentation form event occurred around noon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	27
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Cone Marsh, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 23, 1990.	Bendorf, Carl J.	White-faced Ibis	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Lowder, Ann Barker, and John Daniels. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:40:00/17:50:00 and 18:40:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Cherokee Airport, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Cherokee Airport in Cherokee County, IA on May 29, 1986.	Brewer, Marion M.	White-faced Ibis	Cherokee Municipal Airport	local airport which has a couple of acres of wet land.	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species:From out of nowhere an ibis dropped into view, a night-heron sized bird, long decyred bill, rusty red front half of the dark back half with little irredesent [sic] green, rusty legs, and a dirty white that was over the forhead [sic] around the eye and to the lower manible [sic]. That told me I had seen a white-faced Ibis. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-23	1986-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on April 23, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	White-faced Ibis	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - 240 acre cattail marsh which is two miles north of Rippey in Greene County Iowa	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The birds were obviously ibis species. I believe they were white-faced ibis. Glossy ibis in spring may also show a faint whitish border to the facial area but it would not be as broad as in this case and would not extend behind the eye or under the chin as was the case in this sighting. The legs and feet would also not appear totally reddish in the glossy but would be gray with reddish joints. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-12	1994-10-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on October 12, 1994.	Fuller, James L	Glossy Ibises	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh (Sac County)	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: Shorebird possibilities with long decurved bills are Whimbrel, which is generally much smaller with a relatively longer and thinner bill. Long-billed Curlew also has a much longer and thinner bill, and is generally lighter in color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Glossy Ibis at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-11	1984-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Glossy Ibises at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984.	Hovell, Leroy E. Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibis	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa	The documentation form by Wayne Stanley & Leroy Hovell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcolm, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| Elimination of similar species: All characteristics matched Glossy Ibis including the blue skin at the base of the curved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24