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 Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Hays, Russell	Vesper Sparrow	Tripoli	South of Tripoli, Ia. (Bremer County)	edge of ditch along gravel road along open field	The documentation form by Russell Hays is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eleanor Corwin and Antoinette Camarata. \| Elimination of similar species: The song sparrow usually shows the breast stick-pin and would not have the white eye ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting near Pinky's Glen, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-04	1982-05-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting near Pinky's Glen in Fremont County, IA on May 4, 1982.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Lark Bunting	Pinky's Glen	Fremont Co. near Pinky's Glen Co. Park	General: Prairie Specific: Grasslands	The documentation form by Ruth Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The male Bobolink has white patches and is black, but the patches are not on the wings \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-13	1981-05-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 13, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Lark Bunting	Sweet Marsh	1 mile east of Sweet Marsh	General: gravel road on east edge of Sweet Marsh Specific: roadside ditch area	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink has white back + rump + gold back of neck + not as much white on wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Sparrow south of Mystic, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Sparrow south of Mystic in Appanoose County, IA on December 22, 1981.	Cummings, William G.	Lark Sparrow	Mystic	Appanoose County - South of Mystic	Shrub - Fence row Brush	The documentation form by William G. Cummings is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree & Song Sparrow also English Sparrow because of size & markings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	53
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow west of McFarland Park in Story County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow west of McFarland Park in Story County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Vesper Sparrow	McFarland Lake Park	1 mi. w. of McFarland Park, Story Co., IA		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gordon Brown, George Brown, and John Mayfield. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:04:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow near Colo, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-07	1985-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow near Colo in Story County, IA on March 7, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Vesper Sparrow	Colo	near Colo (along old hi way 30) Story County, Iowa	pasture or weedy fields on either side of road.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: meadowlark is fat with short wide tail; Junco doesn't have stripes on back; Tree sparrow has narrow white edges on tail, but also has rusty cap; Smith's Longpsur has similar tail pattern, but tail is shorter, back markings finer, doesn't have rusty patch on wing; Water Pipit doesn't have streaked back. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow around Jamaica, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-20	1996-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow around Jamaica in Guthrie County, IA on December 20, 1996.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Vesper Sparrow	Jamaica	Jamaica CBC, Guthrie Co. IA	Roadside	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maridel Jackson. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-12-17	1994-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 17, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Vesper Sparrow	Cerro Gordo County	220th St. + Violet, Cerro Gordo Co, IA	Farmland near a farmstead	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joel Hanes. \| Elimination of similar species: not a junco - not the color of not a meadowlark - too small not a longspur - did not have the eye line + lighter eyebrow like longspurs no face patch effect \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northeast of Ames, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northeast of Ames in Story County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Vesper Sparrow	Ames	5 mi. east and 2 mi. north of Ames, Story Co., IA	sitting on gravel road in agricultural area	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andy Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: The white eye ring, tail pattern, pattern of streaking on the breast, and habitat eliminates other sparrows, especially Savannah, Song, and Lincoln's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/14:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow in Des Moines County, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow in Des Moines County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Vesper Sparrow	Des Moines County	7 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines County)	Agricultural land	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Song Sparrow - no breast spot on this bird and Vesper has less breast streaking + also white outer tail feathers. Savannah Sparrow does not have as prominent eye ring and no white outer tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 7, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North 1 1/2 miles west of Hastings, Iowa Mills Co.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White outer tail feathers + face pattern = Vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:33:00/10:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 5, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles north + 1 1/2 miles west of Hastings, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A good size brown sparrow with white outer tail feathers is likely to be a Vesper Sparrow except in winter. I probably wouldn't call this one if I hadn't seen it better before + after. \| The original documentation form event occurred around mid-morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on December 23, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North, 1 1/2 miles west of Hasings, [sic] Iowa Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White outer tail feathers on a streaked Sparrow suggests strongly Vesper Sparrow. Lapland Longsurs have white over tail feathers, but lack the white eye ring, are streaked on the sides but not, or only faintly, across the breast. Longspurs do not typically sit in trees. Longspurs have short tails, too. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Nezekaw Point, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	1996-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Nezekaw Point in Allamakee County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Summer Tanager	Nezekaw Point	Allamakee Co. S of Yellow River, along HWY 76, (label on topo map: "Nezekaw Point"	Forest, Upland, Oak-Hickory	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Lesher and Brian Collins. \| Elimination of similar species: It lacked the black wings of the scarlet tanager (in any plumage) and also the dark tail of the scarlet. It lacked the wing bars and bill of a female Baltimore Oriole. Its bill and crown were unlike that of a female cardinal. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow north of Keokuk, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1997-12-22	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Field Sparrow north of Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Field Sparrow	Keokuk	along River Road about 4 mi north of Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	weedy area	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The most similar species would be American Tree and Chipping Sparrows. The combination of white eyering, lack of a breast spot, and pink bill eliminates both of these species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:32:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow at Nyatt Girls Scout Camp in Nebraska, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Field Sparrows at Nyatt Girls Scout Camp in Sarpy County, NE on December 19, 1981.	Graf, Marge	Field Sparrow	Camp Maha	Nyatt Girls Scout Camp	dike at lake with open water	The documentation form by Marge Graf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Diane Jones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow at McLamarrah Park in Bettendorf, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Field Sparrows at McLamarrah Park in Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1980.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Field Sparrow	McLamarrah Park	McLammarrah [sic] Park, N. of Bettendorf, Scott Co, IA	General: as above [...] In brushy area along wood creek [...] Specific: Small creek flowing into Mississippi between low bluffs	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
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 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 Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Recreation Area, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-07-11	1981-07-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Recreation Area in Fayette County, IA on July 11, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Clay-colored Sparrow	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga River Rec. Area	General: a clearing in otherwise quite dense woods along old road Specific: 1 cedar tree in opening and many sumacs and other short (10') trees	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: The only real probable problem is the imm. chipping sparrow but song + brown rump ruled this out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	50
Rare bird documentation form for Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha, 1988	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Trapping	1988-02-09	1988-02-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha in Linn County, IA on February 9, 1988.	Bradley, Rob	Chipping Sparrow	Hiawatha	Home patio feeder - 1 mile west fo [sic] Hiawatha, Iowa (Linn County)	Low bushes and trees around a cement patio	The documentation form by Robert Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karen Bradley. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree sparrow too large. Cap with only a few rufous feathers. No central breast spot. No black eyeline. Buff supercilliary [sic] line. Breast was gray as compared with buff on clay colored sparrow also gray rump instead of brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00 on February 9, 1988 - 07:30:00 on February 10, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	49
Rare bird documentation form for American Tree Sparrow at Sweet Marsh, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Tree Sparrow at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 18, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	American Tree Sparrow	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	marsh	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Lark Sparrow - no facial pattern; rusty cap Swamp Sparrow - breast spot Song Sparrow - no streaking on underparts Chipping Sparrow - breast spot; song different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	48
Rare bird documentation form for Scarlet Tanager north of Iowa City, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scarlet Tanager north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 11, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Scarlet Tanager	Iowa City	My backyard north of Iowa City	Suburban Yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Only Western Tanager has dark wings, but it has wingbars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	45
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Algona, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-05	1999-11-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Algona in Kossuth County, IA on November 5, 1999.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Summer Tanager	Algona	at birdbath in my backyard [...] 709 N. Phillips, Algona, Iowa 50511		The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his family. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The thick, blunt bill shape and larger bill size eliminates warblers and vireos, and it was a larger bird than those by comparison with the Cardinal. Female Scarlet Tanager is eliminated by the lack of olive tones to the plumage, especially in the wing, which was the same color as the back and not darker. The reddish tinge to the yellow on parts of the bird is consistent with some female Summer Tanagers, but not Scarlet Tanager. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:05:00/17:06:00 on November 5, 1999 and around 07:50:00 on November 7, 1999.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Dallas County, 1999	Field notes	Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1999-10-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Dallas County, IA on October 16, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Summer Tanager	Dallas County	Dallas County, west of Des Moines River	edge of woodland	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The lack of wing bars eliminates Western Tanager and the lack of black wings eliminates Scarlet Tanager. I was puzzled by the orange under the tail since none of the field guides I had showed this but I found that in Pyle et al. 1987 this color pattern is mentioned for Summer Tanager and not for Hepatic Tanager, the other species I considered a remote possibility. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44