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 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 Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-13	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, IA on September 13, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: When it was parachuting, the bird farmed its wings enough it resembled an accipiter, but when it flew the wings were obviously pointed, + the bird's rowing wingbeats were like a falcon's. Size limits the question to: Kestrel or Merlin? The tail banding + uniformly gray upper parts (the latter seen only briefly) make it a Merlin. I've never seen anything behave like that. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 7, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North 1 1/2 miles west of Hastings, Iowa Mills Co.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White outer tail feathers + face pattern = Vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:33:00/10:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on December 23, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North, 1 1/2 miles west of Hasings, [sic] Iowa Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White outer tail feathers on a streaked Sparrow suggests strongly Vesper Sparrow. Lapland Longsurs have white over tail feathers, but lack the white eye ring, are streaked on the sides but not, or only faintly, across the breast. Longspurs do not typically sit in trees. Longspurs have short tails, too. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-16	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 16, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Long-tailed Duck	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. \| The original documentation form event occurred late in the evening.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds), 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-12	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight or more Greater Scaups at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds) in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 12, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power + Light Settling ponds	Large pond	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, and BJ Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup has square to slightly crested head. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-09	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 9 ,1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs	Oxbow lake	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, BJ Rose, W. Ross Silcock, and others.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
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 White-winged Scoter at Coralville Reservoir, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-23	1983-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 23, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-winged Scoter	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tanya Bray and Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: Differs from most ducks by black color, + from the other scoters by white in wings + around eye. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Ruddy Turnstone at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruddy Turnstone at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 30, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ruddy Turnstone	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough	mudflats at edge of what water remains in the slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tayce Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing looks like a breeding-plumage Ruddy Turnstone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:45:00/19:00:00 and other times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	15
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-23	1980-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, IA on September 23, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Bay-breasted Warbler	Mills County	Wilson Farm, NE Mills County, Iowa	General: edge of woods Specific: Oak dominant	The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll Warbler eliminated by tan sides + under tail coverts. (I couldn't see leg color). Pine Warbler - eliminated by back streaks, sides \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:15:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32
Rare bird documentation form for Black Duck at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-07	1980-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Duck at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 7, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	American Black Duck	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Darker than most dabbling duck females. Similar to Mallard. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:55:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	4
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-05	1983-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 5, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Lincoln's Sparrow	Hastings	Wilson Farm, N.E. Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from adult Song Sparrow by buffy breast + fine breast streaks, from young one by eye ring + general face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-24	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 24, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Peregrine Falcon	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I believed this to be a buteo until it flew + I saw the pointed wings. Gray color + sharply contrasting face pattern would be very unusual in a buteo. Prairie Falcon would have dark in axillar area. I could easily have seen this dark pattern if the bird had had it, but it did not. Face pattern is also wrong for Prairie Falcon - too solid + too black-and-white. Face pattern eliminates Gyrfalcon. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
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 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Iowa City, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-06-05	1991-06-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on June 5, 1991.	Boggess, Rebecca Clay	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Iowa City	10 Oak Park Lane, Iowa City, IA 52240 (fence line of back yard)	Open field bordered by woodlands	The documentation form by Becky Boggess is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Boggess, Vernon Clay, and Myra Clay. \| Elimination of similar species: Tail spread in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 19:15:00/19:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black-legged Kittiwakes at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on December 12, 1987.	Engebretsen, Bery	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville	lake n. end of Saylorville, near 17 bridge	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonapartes - see above [...] larger than Bonaparte's it was with. Dark bill, dark spot, dark bar on nape of neck. More prominent on one bird, than the other. White on trailing edge of wing extended to secondaries, and dark on leading edge of wing more extensive than Bonaparte's. Dark bar on proximal wing more defined than imm. Bonaparte's. Dark trailing edge of tail. Sabines - imm. wing pattern distinctly different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Ring-necked Duck at Saylorville, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-26	1985-07-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ring-necked Duck at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on May 26, 1985.	Engebretsen, Bery	Ring-necked Duck	Saylorville Lake	Farm pond, north of Saylorville	Farm pond. Surrounding pasture / corn field	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: both scaup have gray back, no initial stripe.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	9
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Laughing Gulls at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on May 22, 1999.	Engebretsen, Bery	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville, parking lot at Sandpiper		The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I could see both Laughing + Franklin's standing side by side. Laughing were clearly 20-25% larger, as was bill. A more prominent 'gonys' made the bill appear somewhat more hooked. In flight, the wing tips were black + more extensive than Franklins, both above + below. I looked carefully for any trace of white between tip + rest of wing, as well as for any white on the head, and there was none. The eye ring was broken on the front, less so in the back. The Franklin's had a rounder appearance to the head than did the Laughing. In flight, the Laughing's tail was pure white. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Des Moines River Valley at Saylorville Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-08-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret at Des Moines River Valley at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on August 2, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Cattle Egret	Saylorville Lake	DsM river valley, S.P. Saylorville Lake, along NW 26th St.	river flood plain, open small, permanent pool with reedy shore, surrounded by short grass	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Little blue and snowy have dark bills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:05:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on October 26, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Western Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	Lake, at dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: too small, slender for Loon species. Head, bill neck, characteristic of this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle near Saylorville Dam, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-12-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle over the Des Moines River near Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 4, 1985.	Engebretsen, Bery	Golden Eagle	Saylorville Dam	Des Moines River, just below Saylorville Dam	Des Moines river channel below Saylorville Dam - Open water, modest sized maple, cottonwood, mallards and few other ducks in area (goldeneye, C. merganser)	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White in wing of imm. Bald in less vivid, blotchy and on coverts, not base of primaries. Also white on tail not so vivid or banded as was this one. Body color was darker than Bald. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Great Blue Heron at Saylorville Dam, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-07-27	1984-08-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Great Blue Herons at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on July 27, 1984 with an addendum on August 1, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Great Blue Heron	Saylorville Dam	about 2 mi S. of Saylorville Dam 0.5 mi S of 66th, east side of DSM Ranch	Heavy, mature river bottom. Very thick canopy. Nests in locust. [illegible] nearby silver maple.	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	18
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake in Polk County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Engebretsen, Bery	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	above dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson and Jim Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Small loon, small head slightly upturned beak and head. White visible on flanks. Faint fleck on dark back at tips of feathers. No chin strap, but from front had faint inverted V. Head, neck brownish/gray. Darker on back of neck, top of hood, much lighter chin, front of neck, sides of neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
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