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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Big Creek Lake, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-10-12	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on October 12, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Clark's Grebe	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek SP, Polk County in middle of large lake	in middle of large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis Moore were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe eliminated by the white on the cheek which extended well above the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Brookside Park in Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-12	1985-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a House Finch at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 12, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	House Finch	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	youngish maple trees along Squaw Creek	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch - does not have brown streaks on side (Male); back & wings are rosey. [sic] \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-10-13	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 13, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir	Saylorville reservoir, v Went alone, 1 mi north of Dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller, bill decidedly smaller than common. Bill was not upturned as Red-throated would be. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Parasitic Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-10-14	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Parasitic Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 14, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Parasitic Jaeger	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., Iowa	General: Saylorville Reservoir- large impoundment on DesMoines [sic] River. Specific: Always out in main deeper part of lake.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Stephen Dinsmore, Francis L. Moore, Carl J. Bendorf, Thomas H. Kent, and Bery Engebretsen were submitted. Other observers include Dennis Thompson, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Tom Staudt, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Pomarine Jaeger and Long-tailed Jaeger are possible. See explanation on back as to why I believe this was Parasitic Jaeger. [...] A juvenile dark phase Pomarine would also show much white in the base of primaries (top and bottom) and the tail wouldn't have any long streamers. The Pomarine should however be a larger bird (Herring Gull size). The Pomarine's flight should be slower and more labored than this bird was. A juvenile dark phase Long-tailed Jaeger would not show as much white on dorsal side of primaries as this bird did and the flight pattern should be almost tern-like which it was not. Long-tailed Jaegers should also appear to be more grayish than the bird in question- even in dark phase. Further note on size-- As the jaeger rested on the water, double-crested cormorants would sometimes swim into the field of view and they appeared to be at least one-third larger than the jaeger. A pied-billed grebe also swam near once and the jaeger was probably 1/4 again longer than the grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:40:00 and seen several times after that for a total of sixty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	16
Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry, N. of Ames, Story County	a large, very deep gravel pit	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kraig Downs, Jim Dinsmore, Paul Martsching, Erik Munson, and "all of Ames". \| Elimination of similar species: Other grebes or loons eliminated by the combination of a large yellow bill, reddish color on neck and head (1 bird), white crescent on cheek (1 bird), striping on cheek (2 birds), large size, large head, and white wing patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Hallett's Quarry in Ames, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-19	1985-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Red-throated Loons at Hallett's Quarry in Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Red-necked Grebe	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallet's [sic] Quarry - Ames, Story County, Iowa	gravel & sand quarry pit	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, and Eric Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned Grebe-much smaller; beak dark; in summer does not have white cheek patch; in winter has lot of white on side of head and all down neck. Eared Grebe-much smaller; beak much smaller; in summer has 'topknot' & yellow on side of head; in winter cheek dark. Pied Billed-much smaller; beak not right shape; is more brown; stripes on young not the same. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Hallett's Quary at Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-necked Grebe	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett Quarry, north side of Ames	deep freshwater gravel pit	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Erik Munson, Paul Martsching, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: ducks in general-bill shape; Western Grebe (Clark's too) - too small in comparison to Ruddy; Horned and Eared Grebe-bill length and shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Big Creek State Park, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on October 20, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek SP, Polk County	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and longer, thicker bill eliminate Horned and Eared Grebes. The bird was not large enough to be a W. Grebe. The white on the leading edge of the wing and long neck also eliminate loons, and W. or Clark's Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-21	1985-10-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 21, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res. (Polk Co.), Ia.	Large reservoir - bird was way out but I don't know how deep water is there as there were also pied-billed grebes & cormorants present also. May be fairly shallow at that point.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small and short necked for Western grebe and to [sic] big with much too big of a bill for horned grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Cherokee, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-22	1985-10-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on October 22, 1985.	Huber, James E.	Varied Thrush	Cherokee	Backyard - 810 Walnut Street - Cherokee, IA	Residential backyard which joins a city park.	The documentation form by James E. Huber is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	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 Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 26, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	Open water on Saylorville Reservoir	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe's neck is longer and thinner than this bird and is whiter on the front of the neck than this bird. Western's head is not crested toward the back of the head as in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Bluestem Flyer, Volume 20, Number 3, November 1985	Newsletters	Bird declines Bird watching Stercorariidae \| Jaegers Local government and environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings Parks--Iowa	1985-11-01	1985-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 20, Number 3, November 1985. Highlights of the newsletter include details on upcoming meetings and events, an announcement of the completion of a brochure interpreting the features of the Audubon Trail at Brookside Park, and notes on the observation of the first jaeger in the state since 1966.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) van der Linden, Judy	Red-necked Grebe Evening Grosbeak Western Grebe Long-eared Owl	Ames Big Creek State Park Saylorville Lake Brookside Park Ada Hayden Heritage Park				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	3
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 Golden Eagle at Maine Township, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-05	1985-11-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle on Wapsipinicon River at Maine Township in Linn County, IA on November 5, 1985.	Goellner, Karl E. Goellner, Ruth E.	Golden Eagle	Maine Township	over the Wapsipinicon R. in Maine Twp., Linn Co.	Terrain heavily wooded, river margins low and sandy, lowland tree species.	The documentation form by Ruth and Karl Goellner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	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: Horned and Western and Clark's Grebes eliminated by combination of size, large yellowish bill, and reddish tinge on neck and shoulders. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:35:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-10	1985-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Long-tailed Duck	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	large man-made reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other ducks eliminated by the small size, largely white head and body, dark wings and stubby bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of King Eider at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-11-10	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a King Eider at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County on November 10, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, diagrams and drawings, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence over the sighting and identification, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee. Within the documentation forms, sightings of both King Eider and Common Eider are reported.	Bray, Tanya	King Eider	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto NWR, Washington County, Ne.--Harrison County, Ia.		The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Stephen Dinsmore, Robert K. Myers, Jim Fuller, Francis L. Moore, Beth & Mark Proescholdt, W. Ross Silcock, Tom Kent, Peter C. Petersen, and Babs Padelford were submitted later. Other observers include Mark Dixon, Scott Patton, B.J. Rose, Loren Padelford, and Emil K. Nattalle. Elimination of similar species: Larger than White-winged Scoter in direct comparison. This bird also seemed "heavier" and more massive than the scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	17
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 White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for five White-winged Scoters at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	White-winged Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter near Keokuk, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight White-winged Scoters on the Mississippi River near Keokuk in Lee County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	White-winged Scoter	Keokuk	Mississippi River, Lee County, Iowa (near Keokuk)	Upper pool of Miss. River Lock and Dam 19	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Coots have thin white band of white on trailing edge of wing, not conspicuous flashing patches. Am. Black Ducks have whitish underneath wings, but not confined to speculum, not visible on wing upper surface, as was on birds I observed. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Laurens, 1985	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Carlson, Judith	Swainson's Thrush	Laurens	318 W. Garfield - Laurens	Town yard - many high bush Canberry [sic] bushes	The documentation form by Judith Carlson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Harms. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
Field notes contributed by Robert K. Myers, fall 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-13	1985-11-23	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds contributed by Robert K. Meyers. Highlights include the sighting of a White-winged Scoter at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge on November 13, 1985 and a second sighting at Big Creek State Park on November 23, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	White-winged Scoter Golden Eagle Tennessee Warbler Pine Warbler	Big Creek State Park Saylorville Lake DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-14	1985-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 14, 1985.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	Spirit Lake	Big Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa	seen on open water of Big Spirit Lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - no white evident on wings or head. Surf Scoter -- no white evident on head (immatures of either of these species might appear similar to Black Scotor, except for presence of orange knob) Coot - smaller, has a whitish bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
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