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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Trumpeter Swan at Le Claire, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-09	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Trumpeter Swan at Le Claire in Scott County, IA on January 9, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, three photocopied photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Trumpeter Swan	Le Claire	Channel of Miss. River 1 mi. N. Le Claire IA & Pt Byron IL, Scott & Rock Isl Co	Open pool in main channel of Missippi River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Diane Porter was submitted from February 25, 1989. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Don Moeller, and Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra swan- Bill very dark near base in this bird, would be light in Tundra, slope of top of head to bill tip wrong for Tundra, brownish tinge to plumage wrong for Tundra, also long bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:45:00 and 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Iowa Birdline update, January 9, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-01-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for January 9, 1989. Highlights include sightings of a Barrow's Goldeneye, a Varied Thrush and an Ovenbird.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Varied Thrush Barrow's Goldeneye Trumpeter Swan Glaucous Gull Long-eared Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl Northern Mockingbird Ovenbird Sandhill Crane	Coralville Lake Des Moines Jester Park DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Bays Branch State Wildlife Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Iowa Birdline update, January 16, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-01-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for January 16, 1989. There are no new good sightings this week but several of the birds sighted in recent weeks can still be found.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Bald Eagle Varied Thrush Carolina Wren White-winged Crossbill Long-tailed Duck Trumpeter Swan Pine Siskin Canada Goose Sandhill Crane	Big Creek State Park Des Moines Saylorville Lake Black Hawk Lake Lake Keomah State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Benton Township in Fremont County, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-17	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Benton Township in Fremont County, IA on January 17, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes of the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ferruginous Hawk	Benton Township	Benton TWP, Fremont Co., IA.	Open Missouri riverbottom; soybean stubble fields	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See attached discussion. (After writing my field notes at the site of observation and returning home later I found the stnadard field guides most unhelpful. Dunne et al's discussion of Ferruginous was tremendous, indicating variation in Ferruginous Hawks, and especially in discussion of flight characteristics, 'jizz', and behavior [...] The only possibility which is realistic to consider is Redtailed [sic] Hawk, or possibly Rough-legged Hawk. While similar in 'jizz' to a rough-leg (long tail, flight with 'crooked' (=osprey-like) wings, darker mottling underneath, longish wings), Roughleg can be eliminated by the following characters - absence of characteristic underwing pattern, including significant wrist mark (Ferruginous should show this to some extent according to Dunne et al, but I did not see it; remember I did not see the underparts well), and method of hunting-I have never seen a roughleg fly this low over the ground for this long (about a mile) - much lower and more consistently so than a harrier. Regarding elimination of Red-tail - I really think it is easier to eliminate Red-tail than rough-leg based on 'jizz'. The tail was too long, was never spread, and wings were long than Red-tail's. Tail pattern and 'three points of light' combination also is never seen on a Redtail [sic], especially when viewed from above. (The similarity to Roughleg [sic] in pattern can be seen in the front end paper in Dunne et al). Habitat and behavior also are important - while Redtails [sic] are very common in Fremont County, they are definitely not common on the open Missouri bottomlands. Redtail [sic] is a bird of edge habitat. I always look closely at any buteo seen from October to April on the open bottomlands. I have never seen any other buteo fly as low to the ground for as long as this bird - when i say low, I mean 1-2 ft above the ground. At no time was the bird higher than 6', and that was when perched on possibly the lowest post for some distance. Even a Harrier will rise and fall while hunting. This bird stayed low, in the manner of a hunting Golden Eagle (which I have seen in Western Kansas) - a point also mentioned by Dunne et al. Another point noted by Dunne et al and also shown in my sketch (purposely!) and, mentioned in my field notes was the osprey-like crook in the wings-while flying low over the ground. Dunne et al note that this is characteristic of a hunting Ferruginous. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Vernon M. Kleen letter to Peter C. Petersen regarding field notes from the 1960s, January 19, 1989	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1989-01-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Vernon Kleen to Peter Petersen, January 19, 1989 that accompanied a packet of field notes from 1960s. All items from Box 17, folder 1 of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Collection were included in this packet.	Kleen, Vernon M.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	1
Iowa Birdline update, January 23, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-01-23	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for January 23, 1989. Highlights include the sighting of all three Swan species in Iowa.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Varied Thrush Short-eared Owl Mute Swan Franklin's Gull White-winged Crossbill Trumpeter Swan Northern Saw-whet Owl Golden-crowned Kinglet Tundra Swan	Burlington Des Moines Red Rock Dam Saylorville Lake Lake Keomah State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-28	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on January 28, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Lake, Polk Co., IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The primary identification was done through the size and shape of the head. Other similar gulls do not share this "dove head." The bird was confirmed by the silvery underwings and very little dark coloring on the upper side of the primaries, characteristics not shared by similarly gray-mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Iowa Birdline update, January 28, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-01-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for January 28, 1989. Highlights include the sightings of a Great-tailed Grackle and a Snowy Owl along with updates on previously reported birds.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Varied Thrush Snowy Owl Trumpeter Swan Long-eared Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl Winter Wren Tundra Swan Great-tailed Grackle Northern Shrike	Burlington Des Moines Grundy Center Red Rock Dam Saylorville Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Iowa Birdline update, January 30, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-01-30	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for January 30, 1989. Highlights include sightings of Snowy Owls, a Great-tailed Grackle and a Varied Thrush.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Varied Thrush Carolina Wren Short-eared Owl Snowy Owl Trumpeter Swan Northern Goshawk Long-eared Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl Great-tailed Grackle	Clay County Coralville Lake Saylorville Lake Storm Lake Webb				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Iowa Birdline update, February 6, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Weather Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-02-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for February 6, 1989. Severe weather largely shut down birding activity. Highlights for the week include sightings of Purple Finches, Lapland Longspurs and Harris' Sparrows.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Rough-legged Hawk Varied Thrush Lapland Longspur Snow Bunting Short-eared Owl Harris' Sparrow Common Redpoll Purple Finch Gray Partridge	Saylorville Lake Fairfield Clayton County Osceola Waukon				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Slaty-Backed Gull north of Le Claire, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-02-12	1994-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Slaty-backed Gull north of Le Claire in Scott County, IA on February 12, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, excerpt from Illinois Birds and Birding, correspondence and commentary relevant to bird sighting and review, two photographs, photocopy of photographs, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Barker, Ann M.	Slaty-backed Gull	Le Claire	(1) Just north of Le Claire, Ia (2 +3) - Moline, IL. riverfront	river; open water or up on ice shelf or seawall	The documentation form by Ann M. Barker forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Peter C. Petersen, Thomas H. Kent, Gerald White, Tanya E. Bray, Ross Silcock, Carl Bendorf, and Michael J. Baum were submitted. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Tom Rockwell, Lewis Blevins, Brian Blevins, Don Moeller, Walter Zuurdeeg, Daryl Tessen, Doug Rose, Alan Grenon, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: (A) Greater black backed - Gull in question has slaty - gray saddle rather than coal black. And Gull in question is same size as Herring Gulls; Greater black-backed would be much larger. (B) Lesser black backed - Gull in question has pink legs and feet, and has much more white on primaries. (C) Western - Gull in question has considerable white on primaries, and does not show dusky trailing edge to underwing. Also has broader white trailing edge to upperwing than would the Western. (D) Herring Gull - dark race - no experience with this, but those shown in Harrison do not show as dark a saddle as Gull in question, nor as much white on primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00 on February 12, 1989, 12:15:00/12:45:00 and 16:00:00/17:30:00 on February 14, 1989.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	6
Iowa Birdline update, February 13, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-02-13	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for February 13, 1989. Highlights include sightings of a Slaty-backed Gull, an Evening Grosbeak and an albino Barred Owl.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Red-shouldered Hawk Prairie Falcon Slaty-backed Gull Varied Thrush Evening Grosbeak Common Redpoll Barred Owl Northern Goshawk Sandhill Crane	Coralville Lake Saylorville Lake Hardin County Central City Reinbeck				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull near Lindsay Park in Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-02-18	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull near Lindsay Park in Davenport in Scott County, IA on February 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee for this sighting.	Petersen, Peter C.	Thayer's Gull	Lindsay Park	Lindsay Park Boat Club harbor, east edge of Davenport Scott Co.	On ice shelf along Mississippi River, 40 yards from sea wa[...]	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.Other observers include Walter Zuurdeeg and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Immature gull same size as nearby Herring Gulls. [...] Head smaller than Herrings, bill more slight, black, + not thickened at the tip, compared to Herrings. When wings spread - this was seen twice, the upper surface seemed fairly uniform with no dark tip pattern as in the Herrings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/09:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Bettendorf, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-02-18	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on February 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Bettendorf	Mississippi River, Bettendorf, Scott Co., IA	seen from shore just south of I80 in area of cabins	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The primary identification was done through the size and shape of the head. The bird was lighter in color than the first-winter herring gulls in the same area and the wing pattern on both upper and lower sides eliminated herring, ring-billed and Iceland gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:42:00/12:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Iowa Birdline update, January 20, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-02-20	1989-03-06	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for January 20, 1989. Highlights include continued sightings of a Slaty-backed Gull. Included with this document is a script for the Iowa Birdline update for March 6, 1989. Highlights include a flock of Mountain Bluebirds.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon Thayer's Gull Slaty-backed Gull Varied Thrush Mountain Bluebird Golden-crowned Sparrow Trumpeter Swan Glaucous Gull Tundra Swan	Des Moines Lake Anita State Park Saylorville Lake Moline Reinbeck				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Trumpeter Swan at Charles City, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-02-26	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Trumpeter Swan at Charles City in Floyd County, IA on February 26, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, three photocopied photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Trumpeter Swan	Charles City	Cedar River at end of Maple St., Charles City, IA	Narrow stretch of open water along bank of frozen river	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim B. Walter and James L. Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Mute Swan by all black bill without knob at base; neck held straight not in S curve Tundra Swan by forehead slanting down to straight bill, black facial skin ending in broad point at eye, not sharp point in front of eye, and dipping down into a V on forehead, not extending straight across \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Iowa Birdline update, February 27, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-02-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for February 27, 1989. Highlights include Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, Glaucous and Thayer's Gulls, and a roosting Prairie Falcon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon Thayer's Gull Short-eared Owl Common Redpoll Trumpeter Swan Glaucous Gull Northern Saw-whet Owl Tundra Swan Northern Shrike	Coralville Lake Des Moines Princeton Reinbeck Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, spring 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds Weather	1989-03-01	1989-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the spring of 1989 contributed by Stephen J. Dinsmore.	Dinsmore, Stephen J. Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Slaty-backed Gull Red-throated Loon Mountain Bluebird Baird's Sparrow Tricolored Heron Black Rail Egyptian Goose	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	9
Field notes contributed by Robert K. Myers, spring 1989	Field notes Reports	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birdsongs	1989-03-01	1989-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Spring report of birds contributed by Robert K. Myers. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1989.	Myers, Robert K.	Marbled Godwit Alder Flycatcher Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Yellow Rail Western Sandpiper Common Tern King Rail	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Lake Anita State Park, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-03-07	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven Mountain Bluebirds at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on March 7, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Mountain Bluebird	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park	Hilly, grassy lake shore with red cedar	The documentation form by Bob Myers forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore, Ann Johnson, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Beth Brown, James Dinsmore, L. Paul Hertzel, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern bluebird would show reddish on throat and breast. Western bluebirds would be darker and also have chestnut on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Iowa Birdline update, March 13, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-03-13	1989-03-14	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for March 13, 1989. Highlights include the start of migration and the appearance of a second Salty-backed Gull.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon Slaty-backed Gull Turkey Vulture Mountain Bluebird Canvasback Red-breasted Merganser American Woodcock Greater Scaup Northern Shrike	Lake Red Rock Lock and Dam 14 Ottumwa Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit Reinbeck				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-03-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County, IA on March 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Emmetsburg	North of Emmetsburg on blacktop N-40 in Palo Alto County	Along roadside- cultivated field, brushy tile nearby	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Linda Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird and Western Bluebird have rust on breast; this bird was all blue. Indigo Bunting- size is smaller and doesn't have white under the tail. Also a darker blue color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Iowa Birdline update, March 27, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Passeriformes \| Perching-birds and songbirds Waterfowl Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-03-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for March 27, 1989. Highlights include migration reaching full swing for waterfowl and early passerines and the sighting of a mostly white American Robin.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Bald Eagle Broad-winged Hawk Purple Martin Smith's Longspur Loggerhead Shrike Black Scoter Greater Scaup American Robin Great Egret	Burlington Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Coralville Lake Glenwood Lake Red Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Iowa Birdline update, April 3, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-04-03	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for April 3, 1989. Highlights include a pair of Cinnamon Teal, Ruddy Ducks, an early Willet and an unusual mostly white American Robin.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Red-shouldered Hawk Smith's Longspur Cinnamon Teal Ruddy Duck Osprey Willet Water Pipit Bonaparte's Gull American Robin	Little Wall Lake Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Coralville Lake Glenwood				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2
Iowa Birdline update, April 10, 1989	Field notes	Bird watching Dial-a-message telephone calls	1989-04-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes for the Iowa Birdline update for April 10, 1989. Highlights include Cinnamon Teals, a Black Scoter, Smith's Longspurs, and a Golden Eagle.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Rough-legged Hawk Smith's Longspur Cinnamon Teal Black Scoter White-winged Scoter Golden Eagle Baird's Sandpiper Greater White-fronted Goose Bonaparte's Gull	Big Creek State Park Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Coralville Lake Jester Park Saylorville Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	2