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

Minutes for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union meeting, January 1,1928	Administrative records	Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings	1928-01-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Minutes for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union meeting held in Des Moines, Iowa in January 1,1928. The minutes include information on the recently completed Christmas bird census. Also includes upcoming events such as field trips, lectures and programs. Written by Arthur J. Palas, president of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Palas, Arthur J.		Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pomarine Jaeger at Red Rock Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-16	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for one to two Pomarine Jaegers at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 16, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pomarine Jaeger	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Res., Marion Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Chris Edwards, and Ray Cummins were submitted. Other observers include Tom Johnson, Dennis Henrickson, Jim Sinclair, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, shape, and white in the primaries ruled out all gull species. The combination of size, the large bill, large amount of white on the upperwing, white color in the underpirimary coverts, and blunt-tipped central rectrices rule out juvenile Long-tailed and Parasitic jaegers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:12:00/13:55:00 on November 16, 1996 and 15:40:00/16:30:00 on November 27, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pomarine Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Pomarine Jaegers at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, five photographs, an article in Iowa Bird life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pomarine Jaeger	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res. Polk Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by James J. Dinsmore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark coloration, gull-like shape, and white color in the primary shafts identified both birds as jaegers. Initially, I thought the bird I saw on the 10th was a Parasitic, mainly because of the size and seemingly bright, rust-colored underparts. However, better viewing conditions later showed that the underparts were instead a pale brown color and lacked any hint of rusty color. Long-tailed Jaeger was easily eliminated by size, shape of the central rectrices, and the greater amount of white in the wing. Parasitic Jaeger was more difficult to rule out. The combination of size, wing shape, amount of white in the wing, shape of the central rectrices, and bill size was used to rule out juvenile Parasitic Jaeger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:35:00/12:33:00 on November 10, 1996 and 10:55:00/16:05:00 on November 11, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pomarine Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-28	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Pomarine Jaegers at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 28, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pomarine Jaeger	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-south end of lake	resting and feeding on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bob Myers, Thomas H. Kent, Peter C. Petersen, Beth Proescholdt, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Jim Sinclair, Bery Engebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Jim Dinsmore, Jim Fuller, Brian Blevins, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The gull-like shape, dark color, and white wing patches eliminate all birds except Jaegers. The large size compared to Ring-billed Gulls, heavy build, large, thick bill, prominent white patches on the upper and under surface on the wings, and the presence of a second white "crescent" on the underwing at the base of the primary coverts eliminate both Parasitic and Long-tailed Jaegers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:24:00/14:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Caribbean Coot at Burr Oak Lake, 1992	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-26	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Caribbean Coot at Burr Oak Lake in Emmett County, IA on April 26, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Harold White to Tom Kent regarding the sighting, and a documentation letter with a supplement submitted to the committee via Thomas Kent.	White, Harold W.	Caribbean Coot	Burr Oak Lake Wildlife Management Area	lake access to Burr Oak Lake, located in section 21 of High Lake Township, Emmet County.		The documentation letter by Harold L. White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Sallie White. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Unlike the expected American Coot, this coot had a large and circular raised forehead which was yellow. The yellow was restricted to the raised portion. [...] This coot lacked the reddish circular protrusion at the top base of the bill. This coot was otherwise undistinguisable [sic] from the American Coots.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Garganey at Forney Lake, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-02	2000-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Garganey at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 2, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, photos, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schmid, Rick	Garganey	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake; Fremont County; Iowa, between the towns of Bartlett and Thurman. The bird was seen in the water near the shore closest to the road at a point exactly one mile east of Western Ave. Later, it was seen in flight over the water in the same area.		The documentation form by Rich Shmid is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren & Babs Padelford, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Michael D. Overton, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Edwards, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Dennis Henrickson, Clem Claphake, Jim Kovanda, and Sandy Kovanda. \| Elimination of similar species:From first glance, the Garganey was conspicuously different from other nearby ducks on the lake. It was swimming with a pair of Blue-Winged Teal and appeared about the same size as the teal, but its body was much lighter overall, with contrasting dark head and breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Garganey at IPS Fly Ash Pits, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Garganey at IPS Fly Ash Pits, Woodbury County, IA on May 11, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Probst, Jerry	Garganey	New Lake	IPS Fly Ash Pits	Open pond flyash shore	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Bill Huser was submitted later. Other observers include Bob Livermore, Dave Stage, Bob Moritz, and Art Huser. \| Elimination of similar species: The eyebrow stripe eliminated bluewing teal also the other field marks did not indicate a hybrid. Direct size comparison with other ducks in area eliminated all other ducks and geese. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1988-10-03	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on October 3, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article Iowa Bird Life, two pages from Iowa Birdlife by Gladys Black, internal correspondence on the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Youngblut, David	Magnificent Frigatebird	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir	Lake	The documentation form by David Youngblut is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gladys Black. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1988-10-02	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County on October 2, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, an introductory letter from Ann Johnson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	DeVore, Dawn L.	Magnificent Frigatebird	Lake Red Rock	Behind Visitor Center at Lake Red Rock, Marion Co., IA	Freshwater lake shore	The documentation form by Dawn L. DeVore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: After getting the bird book, I took my knowledge of the birds in the area and my mental picture and went to work. I ruled out the turkey vulture because the bird was too streamlined like a tern. I looked at the terns, soon realizing that there were no almost completely black terns. Thus I turned to the gulls. I knew it had to be a water area type bird because of its body and bill shape. Remembering the bill I quickly ruled out the gulls. Thus I turned to the cormorants but the tail was wrong, the neck was too long and more so the cormorant was out of the picture. Thinking I recalled hearing about a sighting of a rare bird in Iowa, only the night before had I looked at an outline of its body shape. Bingo! That was it! The shapes matched but what was the name? I went through the bird section page by page. Then there it was - the Magnificent Frigatebird. This was it; almost all black, large yet streamlined, "forked" or V shaped "tail", and that unique bill. Then the fact that the bird I saw had no red and two side by side white breast areas confirmed that it was a female Magnificent Frigatebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Records Committee review for bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Clear Lake, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-25	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Clear Lake in Gordo County, IA on September 25, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, articles from American Birds and Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Magnificent Frigatebird	Clear Lake	Crane Street on south shore of Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa	Residential area on wooded lakeshore	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, Peter Petersen, Beth Proescholdt, Mark Proescholdt, Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, and Mike Thomas were submitted later. Other observers include Joel Hanes, Daryl Hansen, Patricia Hansen, Jim Walter, Mary Lou Petersen, Ann Barker, Francis Moore, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Bob Myers, Jim Sinclair, and Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, wing length and shape, long forked tail, white breast on an otherwise all black bird are diagnostic of female Magnificent Frigatebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:26:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
History and records of the Audubon Society of the State of Iowa	Administrative records Articles of incorporation Bylaws (administrative records)	Ornithology--Societies, etc	1911-03-01	1911-03-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	History and records of the Audubon Society of the State of Iowa, March 1911. Item contains administrative records including the organization's history, article of incorporation, by-laws, and the names of several officers.	Audubon Society of the State of Iowa		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	6	15
Directory of Iowa Audubon Societies	Administrative records	Ornithology--Societies, etc	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Directory for local Audubon Societies throughout the state of Iowa. Item includes founding dates and other basic information about each organization.			Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	6	15
Early Constitution of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Administrative records	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1928-01-01	1928-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Early version of the Constitution of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union dated on 1928. The first article establishes the name of the association as the Iowa Ornithologists' Union.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
The Iowa Ornithologists' Union meeting notes, April 9, 1923	Administrative records	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings	1923-04-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes from the Iowa Ornithologists' Union meeting held on April 9, 1923. The notes document the decision to name the organization the 'Iowa Ornithologists' Union and outlines the purpose of the organization.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Bailey, Mary L.		Ames				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Changes in the Articles of Incorporation of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Administrative records	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1972-05-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Changes in the Articles of Incorporation of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union that were enacted on May 20, 1972, in Waterloo, Iowa. Includes a detailed outline of the articles that were changed.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Waterloo				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Resolution creating an Editorial Board for the Iowa Ornitholgical Union	Administrative records	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Resolution for the creation of an Editorial Board for the Iowa Ornithological Union. The resolution covers the establishment of the board, membership and duties.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Proposed Restated Articles of Incorporation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union, May 17, 1986	Administrative records	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-04-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Proposed Restated Articles of Incorporation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. The text includes six articles for the Union to consider. Also includes a notice to all members with information on the nonprofit status of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. The proposal is dated April 20, 1986 and signed by Carl J. Bendorf, President.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Bendorf, Carl J.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Draft Constitution of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union, November 15, 1984	Administrative records	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-11-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Draft Constitution for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union includes eleven articles followed be several numbered sections outlining the proposal.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Iowa Ornithologits' Union meeting minutes, June 15, 1926	Administrative records	Ornithology--Societies, etc Meetings	1926-06-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Minutes from the fourth annual meeting of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union held in Atlantic, Iowa, May 14-15, 1926. Minutes were signed by W. H. Rosen (Walter Rosene), president and Kenneth R. Nelsen, secretary.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Nelson, Kenneth R. Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941		Atlantic				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Anhinga at Little Sioux River, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-16	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of an Anhinga at the old channel of the Little Sioux River in Monona County, IA, northwest of Turin, on May 16, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kelly, Liesl	Anhinga	Turin	084N044W 08	closed channel of Little SIoux, surrounded by 10m wide area of trees; water with snags	The documentation form by Liesl Kelly is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Laura M. Myers was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Other colored heron species were possible but the bird sighted had \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Anhinga at Oto, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-21	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Anhinga at Oto in Woodbury County, IA on May 21, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Anhinga	Oto	1/2 mi. S.E. Oto, IA - Woodbury,Co.	small pond along river floodplain	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorant - smaller, shorter neck, hooked bill, shorter tail, plumage either brownish or black, no neck upper chest brown only pattern in any plumage. African Darter shows brown in wing in all plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:05:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
Records Committee review for Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park in Washington County, IA on September 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in the Iowa Bird Life, an article from the Loon, correspondence by mail and e-mail, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Anhinga	Lake Darling State Park	Lake Darling S.P., Washington Co.	soaring high over lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorants are the only birds likely to be confused with an Anhinga. I have seen thousands of Double-crested Cormorants and I have never seen one soar in this manner. Also, a Double-created Cormorant has a neck which is always longer than the tail (in flight) and looks conspicuously large-headed and thick-necked when seen overhead. Neotropic Cormorant is much smaller and, although it is longer-tailed than a Double-crested, the tail is still shorter than the neck in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:42:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Sweet Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-04-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 15, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of review, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Main, Stephen	Eurasian Wigeon	Sweet Marsh	Sweets Marsh, NW section, Tripoli, IA	Marsh - see above	The documentation form by Stephen Main is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Elaine Main, Francis L. Moore, Robert K. Myers, Thomas H. Kent, Thomas J. Staudt, Peter C. Petersen, and Carl J. Bendorf were submitted later. Other observers include Roberta Oppedahl and Lucille Liljedahl. \| Elimination of similar species: have previously seen American Wigeon, Shoveler (present this time) and Redhead. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Spirit Lake, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-01	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of five Eurasian Wigeons at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on April 1, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Foote, LaVonne	Eurasian Wigeon	Spirit Lake	In a marsh about 7 miles west of Spirit Lake, Iowa on Highway No. 9 on the South side of the road.	marsh	The documentation form by LaVonne Foote is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mavis Wunder and Jan Ortmeier. \| Elimination of similar species: American wigeon - Easy to tell apart as male colors are so different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00 and 15:30:00/16:05:00 on April 1, 1985 as well as 11:21:00/12:15:00 on April 2, 1985.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Riverton Area, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-03-06	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on March 6, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Eurasian Wigeon	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.A., Fremont Co., IA		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Eugene Armstrong was submitted later. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong, and Ross Silcock \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of reddish head with buffy crown, gray mantle and flanks, black rump and undertail, and stubby, bluish-gray bill eliminates other waterfowl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:35:00/11:05:00, 12:05:00/12:25:00, and 16:40:00/17:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14