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 Thayer's Gull south of Muscatine, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull south of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 28, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	Thayer's Gull	Muscatine	just south of Muscatine, IA., Muscatine county standing on ice shelves.		The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gerry White. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was about the size of a herring gull (slightly smaller), but much paler.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Mississippi River in Davenport, 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-23	1998-12-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Trumpeter Swan at Mississippi River near Enchanted Island in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 23, 1998.	McKay, Kelly	Trumpeter Swan	Horse Island	~0.25 mile downstream of Enchanted Island, Davenport (Scott Co.)	Mississippi River side channel. Surrounding habitat consists of a backwater slough and a developed shoreline.	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra Swan - Smaller, more of an angle between bill and forehead. Snow Goose - Smaller, pink bill, black primaries. American White Pelican -'pouched' bill, black primaries and secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Heady Hall at Iowa State University, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-31	1984-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon near Heady Hall at Iowa State University in Ames in Story County, IA on January 31, 1984.	Bostian, Kelly	Peregrine Falcon	Heady Hall	East side of Iowa State University Campus	Tree top approximately 40-45 ft. east of Heady Hall (East Hall)	The documentation form by Kelly Bostian is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon: Absence of dark terminal band on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-01-31	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on January 31, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bostian, Kelly	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	East side of Iowa State University Campus	Tree top approximately 40-45 ft. east of Heady Hall (East Hall)	The documentation form by Kelly Bostian is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon: Absence of dark terminal band on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager near Ames, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-07	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager near Ames in Story County, IA on May 7, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Niyo, Kayleen	Western Tanager	Ames	Dr. Kevin Healy's home, Ames, IA	Mature oak/hickory subdivision	The documentation form by Kayleen A. Niyo forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore and Kevin Healy were submitted. Other observers include Rosanne Healy, Mary Jane Hatfield, and Lucy Rimler. \| Elimination of similar species: I have seen Western Tanagers in Wyoming and Idaho, so I knew that was what it was. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Merganser at Fraser Dam, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Merganser at Fraser Dam at Fraser in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Healy, Kevin Healy, Rosanne Niyo, Kayleen Gardner, Anna	Hooded Merganser	Fraser	Des Moines River just below Fraser Dam		The documentation form by Kay Niyo, Rosanne Healy, Kevin Healy, and Anna Gardner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar species could be Common Merganser, but the bird seen was much smaller with no white breast. Also, Bufflehead would have white on the breast and sides and white behind the eye and no crest. Redbreasted Merganser would be much larger than the bird seen and would have an orange bill and some white on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:50:00 and 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great-tailed Grackle at Ames, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-19	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great-tailed Grackle at Ames in Story County, IA on December 19, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Niyo, Kayleen	Great-tailed Grackle	Ames	Max Bailey Farm on Dayton Rd. N.E. of Ames	Spruce Windbreak	The documentation form by Kay Niyo is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by John Richard was submitted later. Another observer was Judy Shearer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common grackle - this bird was much larger with a much longer tail. Common crow - this bird was not quite as large, had a much longer tail than a crow, bill was long & grackle shaped, not as a crow, & body stance was like a grackle not a crow. Ani - bill and body shape & carriage was grackle-like. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for American Swallow-tailed Kite in Hartman Nature Reserve, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-12	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an American Swallow-tailed Kite in Hartman Nature Reserve in Black Hawk County, IA on May 12, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Moye, Kathy A.	Swallow-tailed Kite	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Over Cedar River between Hartman Nature Reserve and George Wyth Memorial Park	Forested Cedar River Flood Plain	The documentation form by Kathy A. Moye is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Size. Somewhat larger than a Northern Harrier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	24
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk east of Laurens, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-10-25	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on October 25 and 26, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Carlson, Judith	Ferruginous Hawk	Laurens	2 miles East Laurens, IA on Hiway [sic] 10	Road Ditch Fench [sic] Line & Large Farm Grove	The documentation form by Judith Carlson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ronald Harms were submitted later. Other observers include Helen Carlson. \| Elimination of similar species: Red Tail are darker and stockier in appearance. Osprey - smaller, darker on back and eye stripe wider, lower & longer. Rough Legged darker all over on front. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/18:15:00 and 10:30:00/11:25:00 on October 26, 1984.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Rigby Farm in Laurens, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Rigby Farm, Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on April 14, 1983.	Rigby, Joyce	Northern Goshawk	Laurens	Rigby Farm,	Farm grove, shrubbry in backyard	The documentation form by Joyce Rigby is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Rigby. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-02-28	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on February 28, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Obrecht, Josh	Barrow's Goldeneye	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend national WIldlife Refuge Missouri Valley, Iowa	Lake, Forest	The documentation form by Josh Obrecht is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Obrecht. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Goldeneye. I eliminated this species out because the bird I saw had only a little white on the speculum and a large yellow eye with a small pupil. The common Goldeneye has a lot of white on the speculum and a large pupil in the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Rare bird documentation form for Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1984.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Indigo Bunting	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co., Iowa (S.W. Boat ramp)	Brushy, weedy tangle on lake shore, (Veg. browned Killed by frost.)	The documentation form by Joseph Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow species: White wing-bars lacking, No hint of rust on crown, back or wings. No distinct supercilium. No strong streakage. No strong head pattern. Was a nondescript small brown finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	71
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Yellow River Forest, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Yellow River Forest at Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Goshawk	Yellow River State Forest	Yellow River Forest (Headquarters), Allamakee Co., Iowa	Mostly mature Maple/Basswood, with some farmland.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross Silcock and Barb WIlson. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteos: rather long tail, short wings. Uniform gray underparts. Cooper's Hawk: Too large, gray, and flapped too slowly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-11-15	1982-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-winged Scoters at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 15, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Larger Reservoir, surrounded by wooded hills.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniform dark brown, with white eye and orange bill separates the birds from other two scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Scaup X Ring-necked Duck hybrid at New Lake, undated	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Scaup X Ring-necked Duck hybrid at New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on June 26 in unknown year.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Diving Ducks	New Lake	New Lake, Woodbury Co., IA	Ox bow lake surrounded by cattails.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: NA. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	9
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-29	1982-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Goshawks at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on October 29, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Goshawk	Saylorville Dam	East side of Saylorville Reservoir Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Hickory - Oak Hillside, along Reservoir	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteo shape and flight different. Cooper's Hawk would be smaller, with a more rapid wing beat and have rusting or streaked underparts. \| The original documentation form event occurred at two different times first 11:00:00 and second 13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite near Luster Heights, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-09-26	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite near Luster Heights in Allamakee County, IA on September 26, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bowles, John B. (John Bedell), 1933- Roosa, Dean M. Stravers, Jon	Mississippi Kite	Luster Heights Work Camp	The observation point was located 5.1 miles north of Marquette, Allamakee County, near the Luster Heights State Correctional facility.		The documentation form by Jon Stravers, John Bowles, and Dean Roosa is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: We could clearly see that the bird lacked streaking or banding on the entire underside, as is common in other raptor species...Even though falcon-like in appearance, we knew immediately that the bird was different from previously observed migrating hawks (Accipiters, Buteos, and Falcons). \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Sioux Center, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-03-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on March 28, 1993	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Sioux Center	Sioux Center, IA 51250		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wendy Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I quickly determined it to be a Kinglet, and, given the time of year, initially assumed it would be a Golden-crown [...] the little creature looked like a Ruby-crown. In fact, I was sure it was: I saw an eye-ring and could not detect any kind of striping on its head. But I could not be absolutely sure since I studied the bird from a distance of at least 25 yards [...] we observed the bird in a leisurely fashion: eye-ring and no stripes of any kind on its crown. A Ruby-crown, without any doubt. \| The original documentation form event lasted all day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
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 Merlin at Sioux Center, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on January 1, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	farmyard just a little bit east of our home in Sioux Center		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tina Van Dyke and Wendy Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: I saw at once that the bird was not a Kestrel but a Merlin. The bird was about the size of a Kestrel, but lacked the bold facial markings, exhibited no rufous on back or tail, showed vertically streaked underparts, and its tail was barred. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon with two sightings with one for an unknown length of time and the other for three to four minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Sioux Center, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on February 6, 1982.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Sioux Center	approximately three miles south-west of Sioux Center (Sioux Co.)		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Kevin. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-03	1989-10-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on October 3, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	top of a dead tree in a neighbor's yard.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his wife Susan Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was about the size of a Kestrel, but lacked the bold facial markings. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for more than twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden in western Sioux County, IA on November 23, 1990.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Hawarden	some five miles east of Hawarden in western Sioux County.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park in Sioux County, IA on November 6, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Golden Eagle	Oak Grove State Park	Oak Grove Park area in western Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31