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 Glossy Ibis at Riverton Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-18	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Glossy Ibis at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 18, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White Ibis	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton A., Fremont Co., IA	Controlled water area long Nishnabotna River and flooded fields.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, and Ross Silcock were submitted later. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, B.J. Rose, and Doug Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: An immature White-faced Ibis could lack the red eye, red legs, and white facial feathering of an adult and be confused with a Glossy Ibis. An immature white-faced would lack the blue facial skin and would likely show some brownish feathers. The color differences were clear-cut and observed under identical viewing condition. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00, 14:20:00/15:25:00, and, on May 19 from 08:40:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Long-billed Curlew at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-07-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Long-billed Curlew at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on July 4, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, notes about the sighting, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Long-billed Curlew	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Ponds, Pottawattamie Co.	Cooling ponds for power plant; gravel banks.	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tanya Bray were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Possibilities are Whimbrel, eliminated by absence of head striping and presence of cinnamon wing linings and distinctive call; Marbled Godwit, eliminated by strongly decurved bill and call; and other rarer curlews, all eliminated by the combination of field characters noted above (Bristle-Thighed eliminated by absence of rufous rump). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	24
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-10-28	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 28, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, NW of Iowa City, IA	Coralville Res. - wooded ridge to N., extensive water and bare grassy flats in Res. area, then farmland to S.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: imm. Bald Eagle; proportions of head, neck and tail, no white in wing-linings black r-l hawk: lack of any white in primaries and secondaries, large size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur west of Colo, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-04-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for thirty or more Smith's Longspurs west of Colo in Story County, IA on April 22, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Brown, Gordon	Smith's Longspur	Colo	2 miles w of colo, story county on old Highway 30	Corn field	The documentation form by Gordon Brown forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Steve Dinsmore was submitted. Other observers include Hank Zalatel and John Hoogerheide. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was brown the other longspurs by its buffy brest, [sic] the pattern on the head, the white stripes on the tail, and its call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brant at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, IA, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-11-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Brant north of Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on November 18, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Wildlife Notes, internal correspondence, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Priebe, Don	Brant	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	6 mi. N of Riverton on No. 2	Corn field	The documentation form by Don Priebe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Benson, Carl Priebe, and Jim Priebe.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Rough-legged Hawk south of Liscomb, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-30	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Rough-legged Hawk south of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on May 30 and 31, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Rough-legged Hawk	Liscomb	South of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	corn field with new corn coming up and large field pond	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt at the May 30. 1996 sighting. \| Elimination of similar species: I can't think of other buteos it could be with its tail pattern, head coloration, and broad dark band across belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:50:00 on May 30, 1996 and 08:10:00/08:11:00 on May 31, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	2
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Holland, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-06	1990-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle southwest of Holland in Grundy County, IA on October 6, 1990.	Proescholdt, Mark	Golden Eagle	Holland	Western Grundy County - southwest of Holland	corn fields and bean fields	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Bald Eagles have white in different areas and lack the white areas in the wings of a Golden Eagle. Harlan's Redtails do not have the white spots in the wings or the definite white in the tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:12:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Oxford, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Oxford in Johnson County, IA on December 2, 1978.	Folk, G. Edgar	Northern Goshawk	Oxford	Oxford, Iowa	corn fields, deep woods on edge.	The documentation form by G. Edgar Folk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Marsh Hawk eliminated. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Jackson Township in Boone County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-07-08	1983-07-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Jackson Township in Boone County, IA on July 8, 1983.	Ehresman, Bruce	Barn Owl	Jackson Township	Boone County, Jackson Township (T-84N, R-25W) Sec. 11 + 14	Corn/Beans/oats - grassy roadside	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marlene Ehresman. \| Elimination of similar species: Barred owl is larger and gray. Great Horned Owl is larger, has ear tufts, and not pure white on all underparts. Short-eared owl has darker face and black wrist patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:50:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Forney Lake, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-04-26	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 26, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Western Tanager	Forneys Lake	Forney lake, Fremont Co., Iowa	Cottonwood Belt near Forney Lake - Riparian Island in Missouri River Bottom Farmland	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Myers was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellowthroated Vireo - Red Head, bill not 'hooked', more active. Northern Oriole (1st Yr Male) - Yellow coloration contrasting with red head [rather distinctive species]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Lake Diamond County Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-21	1980-09-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Lake Diamond County Park in Poweshiek County, IA on September 21, 1980.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Diamond Lake County Park	Lake Diamond County Park, Poweshiek Co, IA	County park surrounded by pasture/cropland. Drawn-down pond with shorebirds at muddy edge, surrounded by trees.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol S. Newlon, Thomas Kent, and Tom Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, strong 'sideburns' rule out Kestrel, Merlin, Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:32:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-30	1980-09-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 30, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Snowy Egret	Sweet Marsh	approx. 3 mi. south of Sweet Marsh, Iowa	cow pasture with marshy areas, water for marsh comes from natural artesian wells.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Tom Stone, and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: An immature little blue was also present & next day a cattle egret was with the snowy and separating all three was easy \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Ames, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Ames in Story County, IA on December 6, 1997.	Dinsmore, James J.	Varied Thrush	Ames	3616 Ross Road, Ames	crab apple tree in urban neighborhood	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Lane. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing else to confuse it with \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow near Tiffin, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Field Sparrow near Tiffin in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Field Sparrow	Tiffin	~1/2 mi. s. of Tiffen [sic], Johnson Co., Ia. at Clear Creek Bridge	Creek bed with forested area to north and open field to south. Deep snow covered most of area. South-facing north slope of creek provided open grassy area as snow had mostly melted. Several song sparrows were in same area.	The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: The Tree Sparrow, usually abundant in winter around Iowa City, has a dark upper bill and lacks the white eye ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 9, 1985.	Knight, Calvin A.	Blue Grosbeak	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park - Iowa City, Iowa	Creek Bottom understory on edge of meadow	The documentation form by Calvin A. Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Bunting: The Blue Grossbeak [sic] was stockier, deeper Blue with 2 rusty tan wing bars and thicker bill than the finch like bill of the Indigo \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Churdan, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-21	1978-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four White-faced Ibises at Churdan in Greene County, IA on April 21, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-faced Ibis	Churdan	1 mile North, 2 1/4 miles East of Churdan, Iowa	Creek pasture, non-timbered, no trees for 1/4 mile, creek bayou (old bed); some vegetation along edges	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Stephen Dinsmore and Dan Towers. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron; this Great Blue Heron is the only other bird I've ever seen around here that even comes close to resemblance, and it's not even close. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Churdan, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-04-21	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of an Ibis (species unknown) at Churdan in Greene County, IA on April 21, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Towan, Dan	Glossy Ibises	Churdan	1 mile North, 2 1/4 miles past of Churdan, Iowa	creek pasture, non-timbered, no trees for 1/4 mile. Creek bayou (old bed), some vegetation [... illegible]	The documentation form by Dan Towan is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron ; the Great Blue Heron is the only [... illegible] it's not even close. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Alleman, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-09-21	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Prairie Falcon north of Alleman in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent about the documentation forms, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Munson, Erik	Prairie Falcon	Alleman	4 mi. north of Alleman, IA	cropland	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin by size, habitat, paleness, tail; kestrel by size, back color, imm. peregrine by lack of black head, paleness, tail , etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Rare bird documentation form for Bald Eagle at Cass County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bald Eagle at Cass County, IA on December 30, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	Bald Eagle	Cass County	Farmland-Southeast corner of Cass County, Iowa	Cropland with scattered trees	The documentation form by Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Sierck and Ed Ritter. \| Elimination of similar species: Only the Golden Eagle is similar, that being when the bald eagle is immature. The mature bald eagle stands alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	21
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Colo, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Colo in Story County, IA on May 9, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Peregrine Falcon	Colo	abt 3 miles south of Colo (Story County), Iowa	cropland. field with corn stubble residue	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: male marsh hawk - no white rump patch, speckled underneath, much darker above, contrasting face pattern, style of flight very different. Prarie [sic] Falcon - was dark gray. Buteos - wings were long and very pointed - tail narrow - falcon like flight. Accipiters - wings were long and narrow and pointed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-06-07	1985-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on June 7, 1985.	Proescholdt, Mark	Blue Grosbeak	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit - Shimek State Forest - Lee Co.	Crops on one side of road, pasture on the other side	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Buntings are much smaller, do not have the big grosbeak bill, and lack the brownish wingbars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/18:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville on edge of Louisa and Muscatine County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ferruginous Hawk	Conesville	1 mi. W. conesville edge of Muscatine and Louise Cos., IA	cultivated fields	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian, Corey, and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged hawk - underwing would show more dark in the underwing coverts, well defined tail band. Kriders Red-tail - has a very light head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Pleasant Creek State Park, 1995	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-07-31	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on July 31, 1995. It was submitted with a letter from Jim Dinsmore to Thomas Kent on an unknown date.	Dankert, David L.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Pleasant Creek State Park	Approx. 2 miles s Pleasant Creek S.P. NW Linn Co	cut hayfield	The documentation form by David L. Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Observing the bird when perched length was approximately three times the size of the A. Goldfinch that was perched close by. Body mass was about the size of an A. Robin. [...] Some field guides suggest confusion can be made between juvenile Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Western Kingbird juvenile but the head of the bird I observed was whiter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:40:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1996	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on April 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about bird sightings, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	below dam at Red Rock, Marion Co.	D.M. River	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird did not have the large headed, large billed 'predatory' look of a Glaucous Gull. The overall lightness and the lack of dark primaries and no tail band would eliminate Thayers Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:54:00/10:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-11-03	1989-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 3, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon	Saylorville Dam	Dam-Saylorville Reservoir- Polk County	Dam face - Adjacent to water - fly by	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin is smaller with blue-gray coloration in adult but has no black axillaries in any plumage. Peregrine Falcon does not have black axillaries and coloration from above is darker in all plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/09:45:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35