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 Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-07	1985-07-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Park in Fayette County, IA on July 7, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Clay-colored Sparrow	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga Lake State Pake [sic], Fayette Co., IA	Second growth area with mainly Sumac and E. Red Cedar in overgrown field	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: This birds song and coloration clearly marked it as a Clay-colored Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	50
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow north of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-18	1988-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Lincoln's Sparrows north of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 18, 1988.	Fix, Andrew S.	Lincoln's Sparrow	High Bridge	Des Moines River Bottom north of Rt. #17 Bridge	scrubby fields with variable brush, weeds, thistle, bramble	The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: -> Song sparrow: These birds (Lincoln's Sparrows) were smaller and had shorter tails than Song Sparrow's [sic], 1 sided central spot, and had buffy breasts, also flight was not the characteristic pumping flight of Song Sparrow -> Savannah Sparrow: These birds lacked yellow lores and were in entirely wrong habitat for Savannah's and had A buffy, fine streaked breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird southwest of Pleasantville, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird southwest of Pleasantville in Marion County, IA on May 1, 1981.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Western Kingbird	Pleasantville	3.4 mi S.W. of Pleasantville, Iowa - West Marion Co.	Scattered white oaks, cottonwoods and black locust along a small stream with an understory of multiflora rose and blue-grass pasture.	The documentation form by Robert Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher the different markings and color of the tail back, belly, and head. The Great Crested Flycatcher shows too much red in the tail and wing tips and has a bigger head. The voice also helped to seperate [sic] these birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Owl at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Owl at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Starr, Robert E.	Snowy Owl	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	"Orchard" area on DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Scattered trees	The documentation form by Robert Starr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	50
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 7, 1992.	Jackson, Maridel	Prairie Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit Shimek State Forest	Scattered pines, various scrup trees, bushes in forest- opening on top of a hill (midforest area)	The documentation form by Maridel Jackson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Palm has distinct rusty cap. This bird did not. This bird had yellower breast and clearer yellow in mid chest area- no yellow eye stripe like palm even though prairie is yellow above eye. Palm has no black mark (teardrop) below eye Yellow is more yellow all over - no dark streaking on breast no dark face marks Pine has much less defined streaking yellow eye stripe, no black tear on face has noticable [sic] wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Crossbill at Logan Park Cemetery in Woodbury County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-13	1998-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for thirteen White-winged Crossbills at Logan Park Cemetery in Woodbury County, IA on December 13, 1997.	Huser, Bill F.	White-winged Crossbill	Logan Park Cemetery	Logan Park Cemetery, Woodbury County, IA	savannah [sic] of conifer and deciduous trees, including fruiting white (?) spruce	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst, Bob Moritz, and Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: The bright colored plumages eliminate Pine Siskins and all female Carpodacus finches. The male birds' rosy coloration was more extensive and uniform than that of male Carpodacus Finches. The crossed mandibles eliminate all finches including Pine and Evening Grosbeaks. The bold wing bars eliminate Red Crossbills. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	84
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-23	1984-09-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on September 23, 1984.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Sand Point, Hawkeye WA, Johnson Co.	Sandy pt & many small dead willows, extending out into Reservoir	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, face pattern, lack of dark in auxiliaries diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:45:00 and twice later.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	1999-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Trickle Slough	Trickle Slough, Spirit Lake, Dickinson County	Sandy point surrounded by open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Grange. \| Elimination of similar species: Greater Black-backed - size relative to Herring Gulls; Herring/Thayers - flight pattern + long wings in flight + perched \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Council Bluffs, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-24	1982-04-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit at Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 24, 1982.	Myers, Robert K.	Marbled Godwit	Council Bluffs	Cooling ponds south of Council Bluffs, Ia.	sandy mudflat	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore and Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit would have had a white rump. Hudsonians would also be grayer if in winter plumage and rustyer [sic] red if in spring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 16, 1990.	Johnson, Ann	Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Beach, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	sandy beach with short greasy area nearby	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The larger size and lack of facial pattern and tail pattern in flight eliminated the Baird's Sandpiper. A juvenile Reeve would have been nearer the size of the nearby Killdeer; a Ruff even larger. Both would have a thicker bill than this bird. Upland Sandpiper would have been larger and not had the buffy color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Saylorville Lake, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-29	1987-06-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on June 29, 1987.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Lake	New Beach (sw of marina) Saylorville Lake Polk Co. Ia	Sandy beach	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull - bird had a completely different build. I had the advantage of a direct comparison with ring-billed. This bird was smaller, but still larger than a Franklin's. I would say it was half-way between a Ring-bill + Franklin's in size. White was almost non existent [sic] in the wing-tips, both at rest + in flight. The most obvious difference was the structure of the bird. As soon as I saw it, I knew it wasn't a Franklin's. The long neck, size, long legs, long bill, + pot-bellied look caught my eye immediately. I guess another way to describe it was upright-looking. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Yellowlegs at Cone Marsh, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Yellowlegs at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 17 in an unknown year.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Greater Yellowlegs	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M. Louisa Co	Sand spit	The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marianne and Roger Milkman. \| Elimination of similar species: Size: 2-3x larger than Kildeer. Probably body was ~ 2x. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 13:00:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	7
Rare bird documentation form for Sanderling at Martin Marietta Sand Pits in Waterloo, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-07-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sanderling at Martin Marietta Sand Pits in Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on July 26, 1980.	Moore, Francis L.	Sanderling	Waterloo	Martin Marietta Sand Pits, Waterloo, Iowa	Sand pit with 1" to 6" standing water. Mud basin sand pit with shallow water with willow trees and weeds around the outside edges.	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: Semipalmated Sandpiper: I have never seen a semipalmated sandpiper in that white a plumage. Western Sandpiper: there was no apparent droop to the end of the beak. Least Sandpiper: I have never seen a Least Sandpiper this light colored. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	16
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Gull Point at West Lake Okoboji, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-11-08	1997-11-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Gull Point at West Lake Okoboji in Dickinson County, IA on November 8, 1997.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Great Black-backed Gull	Gull Point	Gull Point - West Lake Okoboji, Dickinson Co.	Sand and rocky point on natural lake	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull by size and close comparison; Glaucous Gull by dark primaries and tail band \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:40:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1992.	Ohde, Bill	Great-tailed Grackle	Wapello Township	SE 1/4 of section 19, T74N, R4W, Louisa County, Iowa	Rural farmstead on edge of large timber block. In tall (15') backyard shrubs.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common grackle - this bird was nearly crow-sized, longer tailed, with the peculiar whistles and rattles. Boat-tailed grackle - song was wrong. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-11	1978-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, IA on November 11, 1978.	Koenig, Darwin	Golden Eagle	Hanover Township	Allamakee County, Hanover Twp.	rugged hills with open fields and timber interspersed. Soaring along a long ridge which rises about 200 ft above the Upper Iowa River valley	The documentation form by Darwin Koenig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged Hawk (dark phase) --smaller, different proportions (long, narrow, tapered wings, small head, and bill), underwings usually have more white and the white patches rarely show on the upper wing surface. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird at southeastern Hardin County, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-06-01	1985-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird at southeastern Hardin County, IA on June 1, 1985.	Proescholdt, Mark	Western Kingbird	Hardin County	SE 1/4 of Hardin Co.	Rows of corn on one side of fence, fresh cut hay pasture on other side	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Great-crested Flycatcher has a reddish tail, a greenish crown, shouldn't be expected in a pasture area, and usually is very vocal. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-05	1981-11-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Ames in Story County, IA on Novermber 5, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Northern Goshawk	Ames	Ames, Iowa; Story Co.,	Rows of conifer trees and conifer saplings next to an agricultural field. Found roosting in a row of Eastern Red Cedar trees.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk: this species is smaller and lacks a definite white eye-stripe and black eyeline; underparts are not pale gray. \| The original documentation form events occurred around 08:00:00 on November 5 and around 16:00:00 on November 7.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon southeast of Larrabee, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-07-28	1987-07-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Prairie Falcons southeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on July 28, 1987.	Brewer, Marion M.	Prairie Falcon	Larrabee	3 east, 1 south of Larabee [sic], Iowa	Rough rolling pastureland (bluff of the Little Sioux River)	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin & Peregrine (see above) [...] It was to [sic] large to be a merlin. It didn't have the wide wisker [sic] of a Peregrine falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler northwest of Carroll, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-04-29	1995-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler northwest of Carroll in Caroll County, IA on April 29, 1995.	Thelen, Marty	Prairie Warbler	Carroll	3- miles North - 2 - west of Carroll	Rolling Prairie - farmland - Level B - Road	The documentation form by Marty Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Palm Warbler - no chestnut cap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Rough-legged Hawk at Pilot Creek County Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Rough-legged Hawk at Pilot Creek County Park in Pocahontas County, IA on June 13, 1982.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Rough-legged Hawk	Pilot Creek Wildlife Area	Pilot Creek Co. Park (Pocahontas Co.)	Rolling pasture next wooded creek. Pasture with 1' to 2' weeds with grazed areas.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawk immature. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	30
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Rock Township in Cherokee County, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-27	1985-02-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Rock Township in Cherokee County, IA on February 27, 1985.	Brewer, Marion M.	Golden Eagle	Rock Township	Rock township sec 36, Cherokee County	Rolling hills with both pasture and crop land	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle, white banded tail and white wing linings, dark head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle near Silver Creek in Cherokee County, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-03	1985-10-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle near Silver Creek, 1 mile north & 1 mile West of the intersection of highways 59 and 31 in Cherokee County, IA on October 3, 1985.	Brewer, Marion M.	Golden Eagle	Silver Creek	1 mile north & 1 mile West of hwy. 59 & 31	Rolling hills pasture, with some pine trees.	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald eagle, white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:25:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle west of Union, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-04-14	1989-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle west of Union in Hardin County, IA on April 14, 1989.	Proescholdt, Mark	Golden Eagle	Union	West of union - (Hardin Co.)	Rolling fields near a small creek	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: An immature Bald Eagle has white markings in the wing lining and not at the base of the primaries. A Turkey Vulture has 2-toned wings and no white in the wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Eared Grebe at Rathbun Dam, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Eared Grebes at Rathbun Dam in Appanoose County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Eared Grebe	Rathbun Dam	Rathbun Dam Appanoose Co.	Rocky shore face of dam	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Egeland, Deb Egeland, Marjorie Heusinkveld, Bill Heusinkveld, and Mark Hoffman. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. I was convinced it would be a Horned Grebe, but all the field marks including the suttle [sic] difference in size an [sic] shape supported Eared Grebe forcing me to change my mind. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	14