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 Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 3, 1999.	Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir (Marion County) Off Whitebreast Point.		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observer includes Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Pacific Loon is generally darker, shows less white on the side of the neck and face, and usually exhibits a chin strap. Winter adult Pacific does not show light flecking on the back. Common Loon is larger with a larger bill, and shows an angular head outline. The dark-white line on the side of the neck is irregular and indistinct, compared to the Red-throated. Both other loons hold their bills horizonatally [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Ames Christmas Bird Count Data	Field notes	Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Counting Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Accipitridae \| Hawks and Eagles Piciformes \| Woodpeckers and allies Strigiformes \| Owls Emberizidae \| Sparrows	2003-12-22	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A list of 116 bird species that were observed on Ames Christmas Bird Counts for the years 1971-2003. The total number of bird counts on which each species was seen is available for the years 1971-1990 and 1991-2003. Also on the list is the number of each bird species seen on a particular count for every year between 1991-2003.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)		Ames				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	2	8
References for early and late dates of Iowa birds	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Geographical distribution Birds--Migration Gruiformes \| Cranes, Rails, and Coots Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Podicipediformes \| Grebes Falconiformes \| Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Osprey, and Vultures Ciconiiformes \| Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, Ibises, and Storks Migratory birds Passeriformes \| Perching-birds and songbirds Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Strigiformes \| Owls Apodiformes \| Swifts and Hummingbirds Cuculiformes \| Cuckoos, Roadrunners, and Anis Caprimulgiformes \| Nighthawks and Nightjars	2001-10-03	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Printout of a spreadsheet dated October 3, 2001. The spreadsheet lists early and late bird sightings organized by species and listing season, date, location, and citation.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	47	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mourning Dove at Des Moines in 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1977-09-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Mourning Dove at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 15, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Ringed Turtle in Dove in Des Moines in Iowa Bird Life 47(3):112 by Helen M. Peasley, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ringed Turtle-Dove	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	8
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Sioux Center, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-06-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on June 8 ,1997.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Swainson's Thrush	Sioux Center	Sioux Center		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wendy and Susan Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: Gray-cheeked Thrush: The eye-ring and buff on face and upper breast were unmistakable. Veery: The spots on the breast were bold and clear, and the upper parts showed no tan or reddish hue. Wood Thrush: The upperparts were clear -- no heavy round spots like the Wood thrush, and no reddish upperparts. Hermit Thrush: No reddish tail, and no sign of the characteristic tail-wagging. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Des Moines, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-11-14	1996-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 14, 1996.	Cecil, Robert I.	Swainson's Thrush	Des Moines	1315 41st St. Des Moines, IA	Urban Residential	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniformity of color on the bird's upper parts in conjunction with the conspicuous eyering [sic] eliminates all other thrushes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
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
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Bufflehead, 1950-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1950-10-08	1983-03-08	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Bufflehead submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1950-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Bufflehead	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	8
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-25	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on November 25, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats at end of freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unknown number with unknown names. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, yellow/orange legs eliminated most other shorebirds. In order to differentiate from the greater yellowlegs, I compared body size to the killdeer with which it was feeding and the bill size to the head. Both field marks eliminated the greater and confirmed the lesser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek S.P., Polk Co.-north end	feeding in shallow water adjacent to large mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The body shape, yellow legs, small, slender, straight bill, and small size compared to Dunlin eliminates Greater Yellowlegs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Rare bird documentation form for Rehead at Willow Slough in 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-30	1978-07-13	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for seven Redhead at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 30, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Redhead	Willow Slough State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	8
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 Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, off of west end of dam	freshwater lake	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen and Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: I spent a long time puzzling over these birds, both in the field and later when I had several references to consult. None of the guides I looked at showed a bird that looked like these. Common (a small one): removed on the basis of size (birds too small for Common Loon), the thinner and bicolored bill, and the color pattern on the neck. At this time of year, all of the Common Loons I have seen (and saw on Saylorville that day) were distinctly white on the front of the neck with some partial bands of brown extending back in to the white. Pacific Loon: Eliminated on behavior (head posture), lack of a distinct dark/white line along the side of the neck, lack of chin straps across neck, and presence of brown on front of neck. Also the gray/brown contrast between neck and back would point away from Pacific but not eliminate it. Red-throated Loon: This is what I first thought the birds were but as I viewed them, I convinced myself several times that they were Pacific Loons. However, the combination of characters listed above seem to eliminate the other two possible species and also are positive characters for the Red-throated Loon. One character that puzzled me was the size of the bill. At least some of the guides (Advanced Birding esp) show the Red-throated Loon as having a tiny bill, much smaller than on this bird but those illustrations do not match those in other guides which emphasize more the shape of the bill than the size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ringed Turtle-Dove at Cedar Rapids in 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Rare birds	1980-12-11	1993-08-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a flock of Ringed Turtle-Dove at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 11, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in notes from the Cedar Rapids Christmas Bird Count: Rare or unusual special details seen by Fred Thompson. Document is related to Cedar Rapids Bird Count https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/3039/view.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ringed Turtle-Dove	Cedar Rapids				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Spirit Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-06-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on June 28, 1999.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Red-throated Loon	Spirit Lake	Spirit Lake, Dickinson County	open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon + Pacific Loon - size, upturned bill & brownish, speckled neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-21	1999-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 21, 1999.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Clear Lake Ia	Large lake, northside	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Jan Walter, and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - was also present, could see larger loon, heavy bill, Pacific Loon - straight bill, black cap extends to eye -	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-20	1999-08-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 20, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Iowa - on lake north side	water	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common loons were out further but darker with dark around face and around neck, bill larger & darker. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Details for birds seen on Burlington CBC 12/19/98	Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1998-12-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Details of birds seen during the Burlington Christmas Bird Count, December 19, 1998 reported by Jim Fuller. Notable sighting includes a Red-Throated Loon.	Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon Brewer's Blackbird Eastern Phoebe Common Loon Sharp-shinned Hawk	Burlington Lock and Dam Number 18 Crapo Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Lock and Dam 18, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Lock and Dam 18 in Des Moines County, IA on December 18, 1998. Incorrectly recorded as Lack and Dam 18 on the documentation form.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Lock and Dam Number 18	Lack [sic] and Dam 18, Des Moines Co., IA	Mississippi River above dam, swimming on Iowa side	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller and slimmer than Common, smaller bill. I could not see whether the eye was in the dark or light part of the face. The size and upturned bill argue against Pacific Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Coralville Reservoir, 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 27, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Lake Macbride, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Lake Macbride in Johnson County, IA on November 25, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Lake MacBride	Lake Macbride, Johnson Co., IA	large artificial lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, bill shape, and gray head and neck eliminate Pacific Loon or small Common Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00 and 12:30:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Mid-America Power Plant south pond, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-13	1998-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Mid-America Power Plant south pond in Pottawattamie County on November 13, 1998.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Red-throated Loon	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Mid-America Power Plant south pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ringed Turtle-Dove at Elkhart in 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1998-10-10	2000-11-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Ringed Turtle-Dove at Elkhart in Polk County, IA in June 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and field notes about the bird sighting. The bird was also seen from May to November 1997.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ringed Turtle-Dove	Elkhart				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ringed Turtle-Dove at Davenport in 1976	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Introduced birds Rare birds	1977-03-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Ringed Turtle-Doves at Davenport in Scott County, IA in the fall and early winter of 1976. Includes a record review document with votes, additional notes about the sighting, the original sighting record found in the publication Field reports in Iowa Bird Life 47:18-22 by N.S. Halmi reported by Peter C. Petersen and seen by John Petersen.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ringed Turtle-Dove	Davenport				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ringed Turtle-Dove at Des Moines in 1976	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Introduced birds Rare birds	1978-12-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Ringed Turtle-Dove at Des Moines in Polk County, IA in the summer of 1976. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication That Ringed Turtle Dove again by Woodward H. Brown in Iowa Bird Life 48:143 and seen by Dean Mosman.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ringed Turtle-Dove	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	8