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 Black-legged Kittiwake 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 a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 25, 1987.	Martsching, Paul	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co, Iowa		The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Was much larger than immature Little Gull. Sabine's doesn't have black bar on inner half of wings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-25	1987-12-01	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA from October 25 to November 2, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
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 Surf Scoter at Lock and Dam 18, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-21	1987-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for four Surf Scoters at Lock and Dam 18 north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on October 21, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Surf Scoter	Lock and Dam Number 18	Miss. River Lock and Dam 18 North of Burlington, Des Moines Co., Iowa	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Elizabeth Christiansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Head pattern unlike Black Scoter. Similar to White-winged, but white in wing never noted. We viewed birds at rest for sometime, and saw them rear up once or twice, so should have seen white if present. Similar to female scaup but for bill shape in relation to head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Cherokee Fair Grounds in 1987	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Zoological specimens	1987-10-20	1994-08-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Cherokee Fair Grounds in Cherokee County, IA on October 20, 1987. It is accompanied by a letter from Dick Beirman to Tom Kent about the sighting and bird specimen, August 31, 1994.	Bierman, Dick	Yellow Rail	Cherokee County Fairground				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a Groove-billed Ani at Jacob Krumm Wildlife Area, 1987	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-10-19	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Groove-billed Ani at Jacob Krumm Wildlife Area in Jasper County, IA on October 19, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article and front page from Iowa Bird Life, excerpts from American Birds, and twelve documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Koenig, Darwin	Groove-billed Ani	Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve	[...] Jacob Krumm Wildlife Area, Jasper County, Iowa		The documentation form by Darwin Koenig is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Jim Dinsmore, Steve Dinsmore, Francis Moore, Thomas J. Staudt, Thomas H. Kent, Ray Cummins, Robert Cecil, Peter C. Petersen, Nicholas A. Kubik, Carl J. Bendorf, and Hank Zaletel were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Ann Barker, Phyllis Harris, Lewis Blevins, Dale Fye, Helen Fye, Corey Blevins, Brians Blevins, Ruth Green, Carl Hertz, Bob Myers, John Cecil, Tom Stone, Beth Brown, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Opal Uher, Jim Mairs, Pauline Mairs, Carol Thompson, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The ridge of the upper mandible was slightly lower than the crown of the head and did not curve sharply downward to meet the forehead (unlike the Smooth-billed Ani, C. ani, which has a high-ridged upper mandible, higher than the crown and curving sharply downward to meet the forehead). \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:30:00/17:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	15
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brant at Whitebreast Park, 1987	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-10-04	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Brant at near Whitebreast Park in Marion County, IA on October 4, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, James J.	Brant	Whitebreast Recreation Area	released at Polk City Wildlife Area; bird had been caught on south shore of Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County	freshwater lake	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jennifer Lancaster, Tom Miller, Steve Dinsmore, and Roger Sedlacek. \| Elimination of similar species: Canada Goose-small size eliminates all but the smallest races; the bird lacked a cheek patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/08:00:00 next day when they released the bird.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-10-01	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 1, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Clark's Grebe	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-above dam	resting 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: Western Grebe eliminated on the basis of this birds paler flanks and white color on the face extending well above the eye. I saw numerous Western Grebes at Saylorville this fall, and none of them had nearly as much white on the face as the bird I saw on 1 Oct. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sugar Bottom Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-09-30	1987-10-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sugar Bottom Area in Johnson County, IA on September 30, 1987.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Sugar Bottom Recreation Area	Sugar bottom area Johnson Co.	marsh edge of lake sandy soil	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Thomas Kent, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has lighter upperparts more buff above eye, crown is prominately [sic] streaked. Aricular [sic] area is light gray on sharp-tail this is buffy w/ a dark streak. Nape on LeContes has chestnut streaks. LeConte's has more pronounced side streaks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation for Western Sandpiper at Roberts Creek area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-09-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Western Sandpiper at Roberts Creek area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on September 27, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Western Sandpiper	Roberts Creek	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion co.-Roberts Creek area	feeding with other shorebirds on muddy area	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bart Ballard. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, drooped bill, rufous scapulars, and feeding method rules out Semipalmated Sandpiper and other peeps. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:26:00/14:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Ledges State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on August 24 ,1987.	Myers, Robert K.	Pine Warbler	Ledges State Park	Ledges State Park - Boone County	Deciduous forest near small stream	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The fact that the bird's back had absolutely no dark streaking eliminates bay-breasted and blackpoll warblers. The lack of obvious yellow 'spectacles', bill shape, and presence of faint streaks on the sides eliminates yellow-throated vireo. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Burrowing Owl north-northwest of Mason City, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-23	1987-08-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Burrowing Owls north-northwest of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on August 23, 1987.	Dinsmore, James J.	Burrowing Owl	Mason City	5 miles NNW of Mason City	birds were on fenceposts and along ditch next to a soybean field	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much too small for a Short-eared Owl, flight pattern different. Only other small earless owl, the N. Saw-whet, is smaller, juvenile pattern is different, and doesn't have long legs like this bird. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	51
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler at State Forest Nursery in Ames, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-23	1987-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler at State Forest Nursey in Ames in Story County, IA on August 23, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	area with many pine plantings	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: The yellow rump, yellow patch under each wing, brownish color, large size, and distinctive chip note eliminates all other warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler at Hickory Hill Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on August 23, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park	edge of freshly cleared wooded area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.\| Elimination of similar species: I identified the bird immediately, but was surprised to see it, so I noted as many features as possible. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:35:00/08:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Grammer Grove County Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Grammer Grove County Park in Marshall County, IA on August 23, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Hooded Warbler	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove Co. Park - Marshall Co.	Rivertbottom woods - open areas and weeds	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A Yellow Warbler has a light-colored topside and has yellow tail spots. A Wilson's Warbler lacks the white tail spots. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:35:00/07:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
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
Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding fall bird sightings, August 11, 1987	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Study and teaching	1987-08-11	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Neil Bernstein to James J. Dinsmore regarding fall bird sightings, August 11, 1987. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 1987.	Bernstein, Neil	Ring-necked Duck Cattle Egret Lincoln's Sparrow	Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area Spring Run Complex Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	2
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-08	1987-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Oak Grove Beach in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 8, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	White-faced Ibis	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk CO.-Oak Grove Beach	landed briefly with gulls and terns on sandy beach	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The complete white border around the base of the bill and the reddish legs eliminate the similar Glossy Ibis. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:32:00/11:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Neil Bernstein letter to Carl J. Bendorf regarding August bird sightings, fall 1987	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Study and teaching	1987-08-01	1987-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Neil Bernstein to Carl J. Bendorf regarding August bird sightings, fall 1987. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1987.	Bernstein, Neil	Cattle Egret Lincoln's Sparrow	Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area Spring Run Complex Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	2
Rare bird documentation form for Whimbrel at Riverton Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-01	1987-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Whimbrel at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on August 1 - 2, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Whimbrel	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton A., Fremont Co.	feeding on large mudflat with other shorebirds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bart Ballard and Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: No other shorebird has the combination of large size, long, decurved bill, dark eyeline, and buffy flight feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	12
Field reports and letter to Carl J. Bendorf contributed by Bob Livermore, fall 1987	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Counting Birds--Migration Birdsongs Ornithology--Methodology	1987-08-01	1987-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Fall report of birds found in northwest Iowa contributed by Bob Livermore. Also included is a brief letter from Livermore to Carl J. Bendorf regarding improvements to bird field reports. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1987.	Livermore, Bob	Rough-legged Hawk Eastern Bluebird Field Sparrow Common Snipe Northern Rough-winged Swallow Fox Sparrow Red-breasted Nuthatch Red-winged Blackbird Mourning Dove Barn Swallow Northern Shrike	Browns Lake Plymouth County Sioux City Woodbury County Bacon Creek Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	2
Carl J. Bendorf letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding the Birdline answering machine and a sighting of a House Finch, July 30, 1987	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birdsongs Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-07-30	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Carl J. Bendorf to James J. Dinsmore regarding the purchase of the Birdline answering machine from the Amana Phone Company, July 30, 1987. The letter also reports a sighting of a single male House Finch. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 1987.	Bendorf, Carl J.	House Finch	Ames Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rufous Hummingbird at St. Olaf, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-07-29	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rufous Hummingbird at St. Olaf in Clayton County, IA on July 29, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee in the form of a letter from Larry Stone to James Dinsmore.	Stone, Larry	Rufous Hummingbird	Saint Olaf	St. Olaf		The documentation form by Larry Stone is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The distinctive bird had rusty-bronze plumage on its back, tail and head. (The contrast with the emerald-green ruby-throats that had been using the feeder was obvious.) The gorget was bright, and more orange than on ruby-throats. The rufous also seemed plumper than a ruby-throat. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon southeast of Larrabee, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-07-28	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Prairie Falcon southeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on July 28, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Prairie Falcon	Larrabee	# 3 east, 1 south of Larabee [sic], Iowa	Rough rolling pastureland (bluff of the Little Sioux River)	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin & Peregrine (see above) [...] It was too large to be a merlin. It didn't have the wide wisker of a Peregrine falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6