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

Douglas C. Harr letter to Peter C. Petersen regarding bird sightings, May 19, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Parulidae \| Warblers Water birds	1978-05-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Douglas C. Harr to Peter C. Petersen regarding bird sightings, May 19, 1978. The author mentioned that waterfowl around the Iowa Great Lakes were more numerous than in previous years. Notes underlined mention sightings of a Merlin near Spirit Lake and a Scarlet Tanager near Arnolds Park. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Harr, Douglas C.	Yellow-bellied Sapsucker American Bittern American Kestrel Upland Sandpiper Purple Martin Harris' Sparrow Merlin Ruddy Duck Ruby-crowned Kinglet Scarlet Tanager Snow Goose	Dickinson County Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area Lyon County Rush Lake Spirit Lake Arnolds Park Henderson Lester Spring Run Complex Wildlife Management Area Welch Lake Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Tanya Bray letter to Thomas Kent regarding birds seen around the DeSoto Bend area, November 30, 1980	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans	1980-11-30	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Tanya Bray letter to Thomas Kent contains an annotated list of birds seen around DeSoto Bend and other areas of western Iowa during the fall of 1980. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1980.	Bray, Tanya	Purple Finch Snow Goose Green-winged Teal Sandhill Crane Mallard	Forneys Lake State Wildlife Management Area Mills County DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Omaha				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	19	5
Dick Bierman letter to Thomas Kent regarding fall field report for 1980, December 3, 1980	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration	1980-12-03	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Dick Bierman letter to Thomas Kent contains a list of birds seen mostly around the Cherokee area during the fall of 1980 and recommends which birds should be reported with a documentation form. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1980.	Bierman, Dick	Red-headed Woodpecker Red-tailed Hawk Horned Grebe Eastern Bluebird Chimney Swift American White Pelican Brown Thrasher Merlin Osprey Stilt Sandpiper Common Nighthawk Red-breasted Nuthatch Golden-crowned Kinglet Cliff Swallow	Cherokee County Cherokee Battle Creek				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	19	5
Field notes contributed by Gladys Black, November 21 1980	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Migratory birds Turdidae \| Thrushes	1980-11-21	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes contributed by Gladys Black listing birds seen around the Red Rock area during the fall of 1980. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of fall 1980.	Black, Gladys	Red-tailed Hawk Double-crested Cormorant Turkey Vulture Evening Grosbeak Peregrine Falcon Caspian Tern Northern Mockingbird Pine Siskin Great Blue Heron Bonaparte's Gull Great Egret	Lake Red Rock Pleasantville Knoxville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	19	5
Dennis Henrickson letter to Thomas Kent regarding Bonaparte's Gull sightings, December 8, 1980	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Country life	1980-12-08	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Dennis Henrickson writes to Thomas Kent in order to report seeing a few Bonaparte's Gulls flying around during October and November, and also mentions an immature Short-eared Owl residing on his farm. He jokingly wonders how many farmers take bird watching seriously. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1980.	Henrickson, Dennis	Short-eared Owl Bonaparte's Gull	Estherville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	19	5
Terry Cox letter to Thomas Kent regarding Golden Plover sighting, December 14, 1980	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching	1980-12-14	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A letter sent from Terry Cox to Thomas Kent in order to clarify the date that two Golden Plover were sighted. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1980.	Cox, Terry	American Golden Plover	Sugar Bottom Campground				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	19	5
Hank Zaletel letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, April 15, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research	1978-04-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Hank Zaletel regarding bird sightings to Nicholas S. Halmi, April 15, 1978. The observers were Hank Zaletel and Linda Zaletel. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Zaletel, Hank	Vesper Sparrow Loggerhead Shrike American White Pelican Cattle Egret	Little Wall Lake Hendrickson Marsh Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Hank Zaletel letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, March 18, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research	1978-03-18	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Hank Zaletel regarding bird sightings to Nicholas S. Halmi, March 18, 1978. The observers were Hank Zaletel, Linda Zaletel, and Marilyn Smith Glasson. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Zaletel, Hank	Rough-legged Hawk Northern Saw-whet Owl Fox Sparrow Canada Goose	Little Wall Lake Ledges State Park Randall Shipley				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Rich DeCoster letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, June 5, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research	1978-06-05	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Rich DeCoster to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, June 5, 1978. A note regarding the sighting of a Yellow Rail at Cone Marsh is underlined. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Broad-winged Hawk American Bittern Marbled Godwit Double-crested Cormorant Yellow-headed Blackbird White-eyed Vireo Clay-colored Sparrow Loggerhead Shrike Ruby-throated Hummingbird Common Redpoll Yellow Rail Eastern Phoebe Black-crowned Night Heron Ruddy Turnstone Philadelphia Vireo Pine Siskin Northern Shoveler Gadwall Sharp-shinned Hawk	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Coralville Lake Hickory Hill Park Iowa City Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge Palisades-Kepler State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Ione Getscher letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, May 19, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research	1978-05-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Ione Getscher to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, May 19, 1978. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Getscher, Ione	Northern Flicker American Kestrel Double-crested Cormorant Brewer's Blackbird Yellow-breasted Chat Yellow-billed Cuckoo American White Pelican Red-breasted Merganser Forster's Tern Yellow Warbler Wild Turkey American Robin Sandhill Crane Black Tern Northern Harrier	Forneys Lake Hamburg				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Pearl Knoop letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, May 31, 1978.	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research	1978-05-31	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Pearl Knoop to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, May 31, 1978. The letter also discusses migration patterns for the year. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Knoop, Pearl	Baird's Sparrow Evening Grosbeak Western Grebe Osprey Black Tern	Marble Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Dean Mosman letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, June 1, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research	1978-06-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Dean Mosman to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, June 1, 1978. The letter begins by stating that it had been a poor migration year. Notes underlined mention the sightings of a Peregrine Falcon on a kill, a Worm-eating Warbler in Greene County, and Yellow-headed Blackbirds in Ankeny. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Mosman, Dean	Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-headed Blackbird Purple Martin Peregrine Falcon Red-eyed Vireo Worm-eating Warbler	Ankeny Greene County Polk County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Peter C. Petersen letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, May 23, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research	1978-05-23	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Peter C. Petersen to Nicholas S. Halmi, regarding spring bird sightings, May 23, 1978. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Petersen, Peter C.	Cooper's Hawk Eared Grebe Worm-eating Warbler Hooded Warbler	Davenport Goose Lake Princeton State Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Charlotte Scott letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, May 31, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1978-05-31	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Charlotte Scott to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding spring bird sightings, May 31, 1978. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Scott, Charlotte	White-faced Ibis Upland Sandpiper Cattle Egret Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Russell Wayne County Promise City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Ross W. Silcock letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, June 3, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Nests Birds--Research Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks	1978-06-03	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Ross W. Silcock to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, June 3, 1978. The sighting of a pair of Ospreys possibly building a nest in Riverton is mentioned at the beginning of the letter. Many of the birds discussed in the letter are shorebirds. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Silcock, W. Ross	Double-crested Cormorant Eared Grebe Yellow-headed Blackbird Loggerhead Shrike Cinnamon Teal Snowy Egret Merlin Wilson's Phalarope Osprey Hudsonian Godwit White-rumped Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Red-necked Phalarope Black Tern	Forneys Lake Fremont County Riverton Randolph				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Jon Van Dyk letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, May 21, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research	1978-05-21	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Jon Van Dyk to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, May 21, 1978. Many of the sightings were made in Sioux County. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Red-headed Woodpecker Broad-winged Hawk Purple Martin Gray-cheeked Thrush Clay-colored Sparrow White-throated Sparrow Franklin's Gull Red-breasted Merganser Glossy Ibis Long-eared Owl American Redstart Northern Harrier	Sioux Center Sioux County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Tanya Bray letter to Thomas Kent regarding clarifications to her previous letter, December 4, 1980	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching	1980-12-04	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Tanya Bray clarifies that in the bird sighting list sent with her letter dated November 30, 1980 it was Andy Saunders who reported seeing the Sandhill Cranes and that Cass and Mills refer to counties. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1980.	Bray, Tanya	Sandhill Crane	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	19	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Carolina Chickadee in Keokuk in 1888	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Rare birds Zoological specimens	1907-03-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Carolina Chickadee in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on May 4, 1888. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter about the specimens, notes and details about the specimens, photographs of the specimens, the original sighting record found in the publication the Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by George H. Berry, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Carolina Chickadee	Keokuk				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	48
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Carolina Chickadee in Buchanan County in 1929	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1933-12-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Carolina Chickadee in Buchanan County on October 7, 1929. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Revised List of Birds of Iowa by Philip A. DuMont seen by Fred J. Pierce and Charles J. Spiker, and a letter from Fred J. Pierce to Thomas Kent describing the bird sighting on October 29, 1981.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Carolina Chickadee	Buchanan County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	48
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Common Raven at Dubuque, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven at Dubuque in Dubuque County, IA on December 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, a summary of review, and a documentation submitted to the committee.	Herrman, William	Common Raven	Dubuque	Location was about three miles south of Dubuque city limits, in narrow valley with scattered cedar trees, with bird in a leafless tree		The documentation by William Herrmann is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Feller and John Stampe. \| Elimination of similar species: One half larger than a dozen Am. crows about 100 feet away from the raven at same distance \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Common Raven at Lake Manawa State Park, 1998	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-02-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven at Lake Manawa State Park in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 5, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Bunnimit, Manit	Common Raven	Lake Manawa State Park	[...] Lake Manawa State Park, near Council Bluffs, IA. [...] was travelling south on the road that follows the west edge of Lake Manawa.		The documentation letter by Manit Bunnimit is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It flew for most of the time by soaring with its wings held very flat, only twice flapping its wings momentarily (shallow wingbeats) and once folding its wings rather tightly and gliding. All of the crows I have seen flap steadily, gliding only occasionally. [...] It could not have been mistaken even for the tails of the occasional American Crows that appear quite rounded. The sheer size of the bird and the wedge-shaped tail were enough to distinguish it from any of the crows, but what about the Chihuahuan Raven? Fortunately, as it flew by, the bird made two brief call notes that were very hoarse (sounding much more like grrrawgk than the gaw of the American Crow), and much deeper than the Chihuahuan Raven that I heard in northern Texas. However, because it has been a few years since I had seen or heard the Chihuahuan, I decided to double check the calls on a tape I had at home. The tape and I agree that the call was that of a Common Raven. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:10:00/11:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47
Philip DuMont letter to the Des Moines Register regarding an article about American Egrets, August 18, 1934	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Geographical distribution	1934-08-18	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Philip DuMont to the Open Forum Editor dated August 18, 1934. DuMont responds to an article published August 12th by saying that the American Egret is not an unusual bird in Iowa and that Little Blue Heron reports are more interesting. This letter was published in the Des Moines Register August 26, 1934.	DuMont, Philip A. (Philip Atkinson), 1903-1996	Little Blue Heron Great Egret	Iowa McGregor				Philip A. Dumont Papers \| MS 153	7	46
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Hitchcock Wildlife Area, 1999.	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-27	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie at Hitchcock Wildlife Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on September 27, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, an e-mail from Sue Mattix to Jim Fuller, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Mattix, Sue	Black-billed Magpie	Hitchcock Nature Area	Hitchcock Wildlife Area, Crescent, IA	forest	The documentation form by Sue Mattix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Howard Mattix. \| Elimination of similar species: Only similar species would be yellow billed magpie - this one had a black bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Female Summer Tanager - South edge of Mason City May 4+5, 1989	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1989-05-04	1989-05-05	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field report of a Summer Tanager at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 4 and 5, 1989 by Curt Nelson. It includes a note to Steve Dinsmore asking if an official documentation form was needed for the sighting.	Nelson, Curtis	Summer Tanager	Mason City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-17	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on December 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of record, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, a photograph, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Smith's Longspur	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA.	General: Back yard opening to a 100 acre farm field. Evergreens, bushes, trees. Specific: Foot of tray feeder beside tree.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Ronald Harms and Rita DeWall were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42