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 Peregrine Falcon at Babcock Access, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-10-10	1982-12-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Babcock Access in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 10, 1982.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Babcock Access	Babcock lake Road, Hawkeye Wildlife Area, Johnson Co. IA	area of dead trees at edge of reservoir	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark bar through eye (wide), coloration, falcon shape eliminate Prairie Falcon, Gyrfalcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Big Sioux River in Western Sioux County, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-07	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Big Sioux River in Western Sioux County in Sioux County, IA on April 7, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Mountain Bluebird	Garfield Township	Along dirt road through dry hilly fields bordering the Big Sioux River in extreme western Sioux Co., appoximately 1 1/2 miles south-east of Hudson, S.D., and approximately 2 1/2 miles north of junction of Big Sioux and Rock Rivers.	Area of open dry rolling hills between Big Sioux and Rock Rivers.	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mike Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: The blue of Eastern and Western Bluebird is much deeper than of this bird. Both these species show reddish or rusty on breast, and both exhibit a distinctive hunched position. There is no possibility of confusion with Blue Grosbeak (which occurs in our area in summer): its large conical beak and blue underparts exclude it. The Indigo Bunting is dark blue all over and has a sparrow-like bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur south of Nichols, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-03-09	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for twenty Smith's Longspurs south of Nichols in Muscatine County, IA on March 9, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Smith's Longspur	Nichols	4.7 miles south of Nichols, Muscatine Co. along HWY 70.	Area of short grass with partly frozen standing water at edge of larger cultivated fields	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other longspurs and Vesper Sparrow eliminated by distinct buff color of breast and by face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler at State Forest Nursery in Ames, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-23	1987-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler at State Forest Nursey in Ames in Story County, IA on August 23, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	area with many pine plantings	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: The yellow rump, yellow patch under each wing, brownish color, large size, and distinctive chip note eliminates all other warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at IPL Ponds, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-05	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at the IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 5, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Pacific Loon	Pottawattamie County	IPL South Pond, Pottawattamie County, IA	Artificial impoundment	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, Roger Rose, and Pete Wickham. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon- Cleancut black-white demarcation and eye surrounded by dark feathering; chinstrap. Red-throated Loon - Dark feathering (not greyish as in most red-throats). Bill held level-symmetrical dagger-like bill chinstrap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Macbride, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Lake Macbride in Johnson County, IA on April 5, 1980.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Lake MacBride	Lake Macbride Johnson Co IA	Artificial Lake L. Macbride State Park - north arm at boat dock	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:50:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Diamond Lake, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Diamond Lake in Poweshiek County, IA on September 21, 1980.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Peregrine Falcon	Diamond Lake	Diamond L., Montezuma Iowa (Poweshiek Co)	Artificial Lake with lightly wooded edge. Lake drained to produce mud flats. Diamond L.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Newlon, Carol Newlon, and Tom Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Heavy marking and lack of dark axillaries rules out Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Twelve Mile Lake, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-26	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Twelve Mile Lake in Union County, IA on October 26, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Twelve Mile Lake	Twelve Mile Lake, Union Co., IA	Artificial lake, fairly deep water, typical of southern Iowa lakes.	The documentation form by Thomas Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: We based our identification on size, small uniform bill, lack of white around and in front of the eye, sharp separation of light and dark on the neck, and fine chin strap. The bird was too bulky for a Red-throated Loon and did not have a very thin, upward pointing bill. We were more concerned about excluding Common Loon. The Common Loons we saw later at Rathbun Reservoir had white around the eye, more irregular and less distinct separation of light and dark on the neck, and much more massive bills with bulbous thickening near the tip. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:25:00/07:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Volga River Recreation Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Volga River Recreation Area in Fayette County, IA on November 16, 1984.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga River Rec A	artificial lake, mixed woodland + rock	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - no red, breast heavily streaked. no kestrel face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-11-16	1991-11-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area in Linn County, IA on November 16, 1991.	Proescholdt, Mark	Black-legged Kittiwake	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area - (Linn Co.)	artificial medium-sized lake	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: A Bonaparte's Gull lacks the black bar on its nape and does not have as much black in its wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:25:00/14:40:00 and 16:00:00/16:20:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-11	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on November 11, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek L.	artificial, deep-water 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 of the bird, shape of the bill, and contrast between light and dark argued against Common Loon. Pacific Loon would have a straight bill and darker top of head and back of neck. I did not see any chin strap, but this would have been difficult to see. The fact that I saw the eye in the white area appears to exclude Pacific Loon. The upper parts were lighter than in the two Pacific Loons that I saw this fall. The relatively white fore-neck and face suggests an adult. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Amana Lake, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-05-20	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Black-necked Stilts at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on May 20, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-necked Stilt	Lily Pond	Amana Lake, Iowa County, Iowa	artificial, shallow lake with low water and extensive mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas Staudt and Randall Pinkston were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pinyon Jay at northeast Boone County, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-30	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pinyon Jay at northeast Boone County, IA on November 30, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Field Notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in the Des Moines Register, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, James J.	Pinyon Jay	Boone	ne Boone County	at bird feeder, in farm yard	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Stephen Dinsmore, Chris Edwards, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Lloyd Crim, Gaylan Crim, Ann Johnson, Peter Peterson, Jim Sinclair, Dennis Henrickson, Ken Lowder, John Daniel, Chris Caster, Dennis Thompson, Cecille Thompson, Beth Proescholdt, Dick Tetrault, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: This combination of body shape and color separates it form other jays. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	43
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 30, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Ross' Goose	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co., IA	At edge of open water along cattail edge.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger with a black "grin" patch on the bill and a longer looking neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Cape May Warbler at Cedar Rapids, 1999	Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Ornithology Photography of birds Rare birds	1999-12-26	2000-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cape May Warbler at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 26, 1999.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Cape May Warbler	Cedar Rapids	301 Shelly Lane NW, Cedar Rapids, Linn Co., IA	At feeder near west edge of town at home of M. Joyce Miller and John Hlavacek	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include M. Joyce Miller, James Durbin, and Mike Dooley. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Kensett, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-19	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Hoary Redpolls at Kensett in Worth County, IA on February 19, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Goranson, Rita	Hoary Redpoll	Kensett	7th & Oak St., Kennett, Ia.	at feeder's	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: In with 40+ Common and these two were noticeably lighter and varied in coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Gray Owl at Big Marsh, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-11	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on February 11, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Field Notes, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great Gray Owl	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, Butler Co., Iowa	At north edge of large man-made marshy area near the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, Mary Lou and Peter Petersen, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Francis Moore, Beth Proescholdt, Carl Kurtz, Linda Kurtz, Carolyn Fischer, Pat Hansen, Alan Martin, Rita Pedelty, Rita Goranson, Jan Walter, Tim Gedler, Dennis Henrickson, Bruce DeLong, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Tom Stone, James Scheib, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Only Barred Owl is remotely similar. The most impressive marks were the yellow eyes, bow tie mark, and large gray facial disks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:59:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Rare bird documentation form for Ringed Turtle Dove at Cedar Falls, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-12-19	1982-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ringed Turtle Dove at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on December 19, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Ringed Turtle-Dove	Cedar Falls	2411 State Street, Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, IA Ethel Pohl residence	Back yard feeders	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning Dove is darker with a pointed tail that is longer than Ringed Turtle Dove. Ringed Turtle Dove has a dark band on the top of its neck and appeared to have a slightly larger body size than Mourning Dove. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	45
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush northwest of Spencer, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush northwest of Spencer in Clay County, IA on December 16, 1983.	Brewer, Marion M.	Varied Thrush	Spencer	N.W. corner of Spencer	Back yard of Residence	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - eye stripe, chest band, orange wing bars + chest \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for White-crowned Sparrow at Cedar Rapids, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-06-23	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-crowned Sparrow at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on June 23, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bradley, Rob	White-crowned Sparrow	Cedar Rapids	S.W. Side Cedar Rapids - Residence	Back yard with Cedar and Maple trees	The documentation form by Rob Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Greg Plotz and Dawn Zimpfer. \| Elimination of similar species: White throated Sparrow Had no white throat and no yellow spot between eye + bill. On the white throats that don't show much, if any yellow, and a very dull white throat, the head is not as distincty [sic] marked with the black + white stripes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 20:00:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	39
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Mason City, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-25	1995-03-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 25, 1995.	Goranson, Rita	Varied Thrush	Mason City	115 Lakeview Dr, Mason City, Ia	back yard with open field next to it	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andrea Goranson. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - Robin has white around eye not an orange stripe Robin doesn't have banding on breast Robin solid color on back - \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:02:00 and 12:30:00/12:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for White-winged Dove at Ottumwa, 1997	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-08	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-winged Dove at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on April 8, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, four photographs, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hoskins, Nelson R.	White-winged Dove	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Ia.	Back yard, small trees, also across from cemetary [sic]	The documentation form by Nelson R. Hoskins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning dove. Photos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from am to pm.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Purple Finch at Iowa City, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-07-10	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Purple Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on July 10, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Spieker, Susan J.	Purple Finch	Iowa City	830 Hudson, Iowa City, Iowa	Back yard, with fruit trees, walnut trees, shrubs and bushes and garden.	The documentation form by Sue Spieker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female House Finch has more overall brown coloring and the streaks on breast and belly are wider and bolder. Also House Finch does not have the light area, eyebrow stripe, above and below eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	14
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Coralville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 23, 1986.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Coralville Lake	Dupont Bridge Rd., Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	backwater	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All features that I look for on male Greater Scaup were seen well over 15 minutes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Cedar Lake, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Cedar Lake in Linn County, IA on January 5, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake, Linn Co., Iowa	backwater lake and cooling pond with some ice	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The leg color and size eliminate other dark mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:00:00 and 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36