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 House Finch at Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a House Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 10, 1986.	Hollis, Richard Jule	House Finch	Iowa City	Iowa City, Iowa	Suburbs - Niger [sic] feeder in Sycamore Tree	The documentation form by Richard Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Janet Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch: lack of strong marking around face the pale mousey [sic] brown Rose b grosbeak: the above and size bill shape Pine Siskin - this bird showed no yellow Bill shaped wrong Pine Siskins' tails are very strongly notched Cassin's Finch. I am not familiar with this species, but from reveiwing [sic] the Field Guides it would appear to be ruled out by Bill Shape - if Cassin's really has bill as long as in Geog guide, I would have noted same. Tail of Cassins appears more notched than this bird Cassin's have more strongly marked head and the spots on Cassins the belly are darker + more distinct \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird west of Hiawatha, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird west of Hiawatha in Linn County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Bradley, Rob	Gray Catbird	Hiawatha	420-0914 - 1 1/2 miles west of Hiawatha off Blairs Ferry Rd Linn Co.	Sumac - Blackberry - Multiflora Rose overgrown pasture w. small clumps of Hawthorn trees	The documentation form by Robert Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Demermuth. \| Elimination of similar species: Can't think of anything in this area that resembles a Gray Catbird maybe Junco but way to [sic] small. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:30:02.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12
Rare bird documentation form for Swamp Sparrow at Sweet Marsh, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swamp Sparrow at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 18, unknown year.	Stone, Tom	Swamp Sparrow	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh	swamp grass along dike	The documentation form by Tom Stone is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Too bulky for Chipping Sparrow, Field + Tree Sparrow have wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	62
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ross' Goose	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton G.M.A. Fremont Co. Iowa	Swamp, surrounded by farmland	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barb Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose eliminated by 1 size comparison 2 wing beat speed 3 possibly by reduced black in underwings tips - juvenile? \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Swan Lake, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-16	1976-09-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on September 16, 1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Swan Lake	Swan Lake, Johnson Co., Iowa	Swan L. is 1 mile south from the Coralville Reservoir. The bird was flying over the lake, the bordering mudflats and disappeared within seconds over an adjoining cornfield, continuing its rectilinear, unswerving flight.	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In spite of the first subconscious "gestalt" impression of a Mourning Dove approaching, the square tail, lacking white, falcon wings and greater size rule this one out. The bird seen was definitely too small to be a Peregrine, and had no mustache. It did not have the distinctive facial pattern of the familiar Kestrel either, nor the rufous back and/or wings and tail; it was a dusky bird, not the way Kestrels look to me; nor have I ever seen a Kestrel flying with such blinding speed and so "purposefully". \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Horned Grebe at Oakland, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Horned Grebe at Oakland in Pottawattamie County, IA on August 16, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Horned Grebe	Oakland	lagoons at Oakland, Pottawattamie Co.	swimming and feeding on small lagoon	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: Eared Grebe eliminated by the thicker bill, flatter crown, and entirely white throat and breast. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	12
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-07-26	1988-07-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Phalaropes at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on July 26, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Phalarope	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co.	Swimming in shallow water with other shorebirds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: The behavior and body shape eliminates all other shorebirds except phalaropes. The combination of a short, slender bill, a dark eye patch, and light streaks on the back eliminates Wilson's and Red Phalaropes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-03-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 20, 1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Greater Scaup	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa, just NE of Mehaffey Bridge (rd F28)	swimming in water of reservoir, near the shore, in shallow water, then flew off into deeper central water	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup - several pairs nearby; Female in same scope field as gr. scaup: differences evident - L. Scaup showed purplish, not green, head gloss, slightly peaked head, daintier proportions, finer bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-31	1987-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Black Scoters at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on October 31, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto NWR, Harrison Co.-seen on both Iowa and Nebraska sides of oxbow at the Lakeview overlook	swimming on lake with other ducks	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andy Fix and fourteen members of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society. \| Elimination of similar species: Other scoters eliminated by the white patch on the throat and by the dark wings (seen on only one bird). Note that we had four Surf Scoters for direct comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Big Creek State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-05	1987-10-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Big Creek State park in Polk County, IA on October 5, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Greater Scaup	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	swimming on large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roger Sedlacek. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup eliminated above. Both birds had smoothly rounded heads, not peaked like Lesser Scaup. Both birds seemed to have larger, heavier bills than Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-10	1987-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation forms for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co-above dam	swimming on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other grebes eliminated by the large size and light crescent on the cheek. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-28	1987-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Black Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 28, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black Scoter	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-above dam	swimming on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other scoters eliminated by the dark wings and distinct throat patch. The orange knob on the male's bill eliminated other scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-29	1988-05-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 29, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Long-tailed Duck	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	swimming with coots and Bonaparte's Gulls on large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck has the white 'goggle', stubby bill, and dark underwings that this bird showed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:13:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 25, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black Scoter	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Jester Park	swimming with other ducks on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andrew S. Fix and Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Other scoters eliminated by the dark wings and the distinct throat patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-11-13	1993-11-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 13, 1993.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock	Tailwaters, Red Rock Res.	Tailwaters/River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: 1st winter Herring Gull has a very dark secondary bar, often has lighter head, and generally has a much more 'contrastry' appearance involving darker and lighter shades of brown. Overall, the 1st winter Herring is darker brown. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned) in Sioux City, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-18	1998-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned) in Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 18, 1997.	Huser, Bill F.	Prairie Falcon	St. Joseph Hospital (historical)	St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned), Sioux City, Woodbury, IA	tall brick buildings with broken windows providing roosting sites for hundreds of Rock Doves. Numerous perches and open space for flight.	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst and Bob Moritz. \| Elimination of similar species: The distinct tear marks eliminated all hawks but falcons and also eliminated the Merlin. Long wings, relative to the tail, and body size eliminated Gyrfalcon. Size and direct comparison eliminated Kestrel. Lack of dark "helmet" eliminated Peregrine Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-01	1986-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on October 1, 1986.	Proescholdt, Beth	Peregrine Falcon	Saylorville	Saylorville - Polk Co. - below dam	tall cottonwood in river bottom timber by 2 ponds	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: This was so definitely a Peregrine there was no similar species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-07-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Henslow's Sparrows near Lacey-Keosaqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on July 11, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Van Buren County near Lacey-Keosauqua S.P.	Tall grass bordering alfalfa field	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jane Fuller, Pete Wickham, and Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Grassland Sparrows - eliminated by call and color of side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:35:00/18:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail near Cone Marsh, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-05-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail near Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 7, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	near Cone Marsh; Louisa County	Tall grass field - upland	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora + Virginia - Darker, larger, + no white wing patch-trailing edge. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 06:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-10	1984-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one or two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on October 10, 1984.	Proescholdt, Mark	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendrickson's Marsh - Story County	Tall grass, Knee-high weeds, small willow thickets	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has white central crown stripe, chestnut streaks on nape, and a much lighter color on wings and back overall than does a Sharp-tailed Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 15:15:00/15:25:00 and 15:40:00/15:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler west of Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler west of Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 4, 1991.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Pine Warbler	Coralville Lake	Swan Lake Road west of Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	Tall poplars at the edge of second-growth mixed hardwoods forest near the reservoir. Surrounded by cornfields. Groves of cultivated pines within 1/2 mile of the area. The bird was first spotted in the top-most branches of a bare (poplar?) snag.	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has thick, less pointed bill and distinct yellow spectacles. Immature or female Northern (Baltimore) Oriole much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at County Road W48 in Johnson County, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-03-20	1977-03-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at County Road W48 in Johnson County, IA on March 20, 1977.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Johnson County	Co. Rd W48, Johnson Co., Iowa, N of Iowa River	tall-grass fields with scattered dead or live trees. Flood plain of Coralville Reservoir (west end)	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Kestrel: no rufous on back; facial pattern of Kestrel clearly not present; chunkier bird. Sharp-shinned Hawk: head proportionately large, tail shorter, wings pointed and cuffed, not rounded. Peregrine: too small; lack of heavy black mustache. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-09	1987-06-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for three Henslow's Sparrows at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, IA on June 9, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Henslow's Sparrow	Des Moines Township	Van Buren Co. - (section 8 of Des Moines Township) - (S.W. of Lacey-Keosauqua S.P.)	Tall, grassy pasture that's quite extensive	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Bob Cecil, John Cecil, Jim Sandrock, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: A Grasshopper Sparrow has a definitively different song than the distinctive "se-leck" of the Henslow's Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:55:00/20:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-09	1987-06-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Henslow's Sparrows at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, IA on June 9, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Henslow's Sparrow	Des Moines Township	Van Buren Co. - (section 8 of Des Moines Township) - (S.W. of Lacey-Keosauqua S.P.)	Tall, grassy pasture that's quite extensive	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Bob Cecil, John Cecil, Jim Sandrock, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: A Grasshopper Sparrow has a definitely different song than the distinctive "se-lick" of the Henslow's Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:55:00/20:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler at Coralville Dam, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on October 27, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Coralville Dam	woods below Coralville Dam	tangle/blow down, weed patch near riverbank	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Sandrock, Mary Noble, Ed Carpenter, and Inez Marks. \| Elimination of similar species: Lack of streaking on underparts, yellow at sides of breast, yellow rump eliminate all other warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26