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 Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1999.	Brees, Aaron	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Jester Park	Jester Park, Campground 4		The documentation form by Aaron Brees is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by structure, wing pattern, and tail pattern. California Gull was eliminated by bill coloration and tail pattern. Thayers Gull was eliminated by wing pattern, structure, and over all color.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-25	1998-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1998.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	1999-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Trickle Slough	Trickle Slough, Spirit Lake, Dickinson County	Sandy point surrounded by open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Grange. \| Elimination of similar species: Greater Black-backed - size relative to Herring Gulls; Herring/Thayers - flight pattern + long wings in flight + perched \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 21, 1999.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Manhattan Point	West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson Co., 21 Nov 1999		The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was standing on Manhattan Point with several Herring Gulls of various ages and many more Ring-billed Gulls, facing quarter-on towards Lee Schoenewe and I. It was a dark 1st year gull, similar to, but slightly smaller than, other 1st year Herring Gulls present. It had an all black bill that was smaller than the other Herrings. [...] Lee and I waited for about 10 minutes for the bird to turn to the side, showing us blackish wingtips and dark tertials, eliminating the Thayer's Gull possbility we had been considering. The wing tips extended farther beyond the body than on the Herring Gulls. [...] There was no pale 'window' in the inner primaries as in a Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the early afternoon for approximately 10 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-25	1988-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1988.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Spring Run Wetland Area - Lair Tract, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Spring Run Wetland Area - Lair Tract in Dickinson County, IA on November 8, 1998.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Spring Run Wetland Complex, Lair Tract	Spring Run area just east of landfill, Dickinson Co.	Open field - corn stubble	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ed Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull/California Gull by mantle color: Great-black-backed/Western/Slaty-backed by streaking on head + neck \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Dam in 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-04	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1998.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Dam				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Twelve Mile Lake Township in Emmet County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Twelve Mile Lake Township in Emmet County, IA on January 27, 1982.	Moats, Robert Moats, Barb	Prairie Falcon	Twelve Mile Lake Township	SE 1/4 Sec. 6 T98N-R34W Twelve Mile Lake Township		The documentation form by Bob and Barb Moats is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrin [sic] Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prothonotary Warbler at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-06-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least five Prothonotary Warblers at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on June 23, 1991.	Schoenewe, Lee A. Schoenewe, Nancy P.	Prothonotary Warbler	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Kettleson Hogsback Area, Dickinson Co., IA.	wooded, swampy area at outlet between west + east Hottes Lakes	The documentation form by Lee and Nancy Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include two unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow Warbler - Dark back + wings, song \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00 - approximately 14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prothonotary Warbler at Bacon Creek Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prothonotary Warbler at Bacon Creek Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 28, 1986.	Huser, Bill F.	Prothonotary Warbler	Bacon Creek Park	Bacon Creek Park, Sioux City, Iowa	closed canopy, deciduous woodland enclosing still- stagnant H2O	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue-winged Warbler - has dark eye strip + wing bars; Nape not as yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Lester, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Lester in Lyon County, IA on March 9, 1984.	Harr, Douglas C.	Prairie Falcon	Lester	2 miles east of Lester, Lyon County, along state highway #9	Seen along open, unplowed fields in NW Iowa plains. Sitting on fence post along field/highway edge.	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine falcon--Prairie falcon observed had lighter breast, finer (thinner) moustache, no horizontal bars on breast, barring absent on undersides of wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:02:00/14:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Worth Township in Boone County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Worth Township in Boone County, IA on February 20, 1982.	Martin, Kevin	Prairie Falcon	Worth Township	R. 26 T83 Sec. 12 NENE	open field	The documentation form by Kevin Martin is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Martin. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel and Peregrine do not have the black arm pits or brown back. to [sic] large for a Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Sioux Center, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on February 6, 1982.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Sioux Center	approximately three miles south-west of Sioux Center (Sioux Co.)		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Kevin. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-14	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on November 14, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, excerpts from Western Birds, articles in Pennsylvania birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, eight photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Empidonax Flycatchers	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi State Park, Warren County, IOWA	Woodland edge consisting primarily of honeysuckle and junipers	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Brian Blevins were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Peter Petersen, Kelly McKay, Corey Blevins, Jim Scheib, Jim Sinclair, John Daniel, Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, David Youngblut, Beth Brown, Sherry Dragula, Bill Overland, Jane Overland, John Miller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The date of observation is historically good for a vagrant western flycatcher species, so this was in the back of my mind in assessing the characteristics observed. The presence of both eye ring and wing bars, in addition to size and shape, indicate that the bird fits the Empidonax complex. The combination of green back, yellow throat and pure orange lower mandible with no markings would eliminate Least, Hammond's, Dusky, Gray, Buff-breasted, Alder, and Willow Flycatchers. A juvenile Acadian can be eliminated by the short primary extension, color of the wings, size and shape of the eye ring, and active behavior. Only three species are indicated by the green upper parts and yellow under parts. Two are separable only by voice. The choices were between Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Western (Cordilleran and Pacific-slope) Flycatcher. Back color is greener in Yellow-bellied and more olive in Western. Although the back looked olive, this was rather subjective. According to the Audubon Master Guide, behavior would be more indicative of a Yellow-bellied in that the bird was not flicking both tail and wings. According to Kaufman, however, behavior is quite variable. Three characteristics made me lean more toward Western complex. They were peaked appearance to the head (usually smooth and rounded in Yellow-bellied); almond-shaped eye ring (round, narrow, and more even in Yellow-bellied); and browner wings than eastern Empidonax. The color of the wings is again subjective, but the contrast between wing color and wing bars was less than the black/white (or even black/buff in fall birds) of eastern birds. Even with the variability that may occur in any Empidonax, it is unlikely that these three characteristics, which are common to the Western Flycatcher, would appear simultaneously in a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Further support is found in the Audubon Master Guide to Birding where it states in the description of Western Flycatcher, "...olive wash on the breast, flanks, and especially the sides tends to highlight a midventral yellow stripe" - one of the more obvious characteristics when viewed at close range from the front. IF the call notes heard belonged to this bird, it would indicate a Cordilleran Flycatacher, the most likely vagrant. None of us were able, however, to get the bird to call as we were observing it. Cal Knight played a tape and the bird became very agitated but did not call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/14:00:00 on November 14, 1992 and 11:30:00/13:45:00 on November 15, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon near the Bellevue Bridge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon near Bellevue Bridge in Mills County, IA on October 20, 1981.	Bray, Tanya Kovanda, Sandra Padelford, Babs	Prairie Falcon	Bellevue Bridge	Mills County, Highway 370, approx 1 1/2 miles east of the Bellevue Bridge	Missouri River bottomland; cornfields	The documentation form by Babs Padelford, Sandy Kovanda, and Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pale brown upperparts and black axillars elimate [sic] Peregrine Falcon. Size and black axillars eliminate Merlin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 20, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto	Farmyard in cropland	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Wright and Dave Menke. \| Elimination of similar species: Pigeon size or bigger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1981-11-08	1981-11-09	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 8, 1981.	Klaas, Erwin E	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-08	1981-11-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 8, 1981.	Klaas, Erwin E	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Open Country, Cropfields, scattered trees	The documentation form by Erwin E. Klaas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ben Klaas. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. Presence of dark axillar markings distinguished it from immature peregrine falcon. Underparts were light with a few dark streaks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Washington County, NE on November 5, 1981.	Bray, Tanya Kovanda, Sandra Padelford, Babs	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend NWR (Nebr. portion)	Missouri River Bottomland; Cottonwood trees and fields	The documentation form by Tanya Bray, Babs Padelford, and Sandy Kovanda is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird had distinct black axillaries, unlike either Peregrine Falcon or Merlin. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-10	1981-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Prairie Falcon	Township of Saint John	1 mile west of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Harrison Co., St. Johns Twsp., Sect. 17.	Open agricultural land; few trees; Winter wheat field (growth of winter what less than 4 inches tall).	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: this species lacks black axillars and white superciliary stripe; moustache is thicker on this species. Merlin: this species is much smaller and lacks moustache and black facial pattern. Gyrfalcon: this species is larger and lacks superciliary stripe and black axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at junction of U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 29 in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1981-10-10	1981-10-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at junction of U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 29 west of Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Prairie Falcon	Interchange 75				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird sighting for Prairie Falcon east of Garden City in 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting reported in a Raptor Migration Reporting Form for a Prairie Falcon east of Garden City in Hardin County, IA on November 27, 1980.	Zawadowski, Nancy Zawadowski, Joe	Prairie Falcon	Garden City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird sighting for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-15	1980-12-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 15, 1980 with additional species sighting information.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Prairie Falcon Snowy Owl	Harrison County DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-01	1978-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm in Story County, IA on May 1, 1978.	Heagy, Patricia A.	Prairie Falcon	Story County	Iowa, Story County, T84N, R24W, Sec 30; ISU Beef Farm	wooded pasture, surrounded by grassy pasture, cropland, and woods. Open woodland pasture along Onion Creek	The documentation form by Patricia A. Heagy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel - smaller and without dark axillar. They also have rusty backs, and do not have complete tail bands. Peregrine Falcon - has a darker face pattern and a slate-colored back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at northern Fremont County, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-10-16	1977-10-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at northern Fremont County, IA on October 16, 1977.	Silcock, W. Ross	Prairie Falcon	Fremont County	northern Fremont Co.	river-bottom farmland, partly harvested corn & bean fields beside west Nishnabotna River	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Peregrine - does not have dark axillars & underwing linings. Adult Peregrine - is grey above, not brown. Female Am. Kestrel - not as large, no dark axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35