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 Jaeger species at Saylorville Lake, 1988	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-19	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Jaeger species at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Fix, Andrew S.	Jaegers	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake		The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I ruled out other gulls, especially A [sic] young Herring Gull (1st yr) because of the location of the white (belly & wings) as well as the deep rowing flight. In addition, I had the opportunity to observe the Pomarine Jaegers earlier this fall at the same location and the markings were similar, except this bird was darker with a white belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/14:40:25.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sprague's Pipit south of Sioux Center in 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1984-12-01	1993-09-01	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Sprague's Pipit south of Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on August 10, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the 1984 Fall Report by John Van Dyk seen by Gordon Brand.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Sprague's Pipit	Sioux Center				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sprague's Pipit at Hamburg in 1968	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1968-09-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Sprague's Pipit at Hamburg in Fremont County, IA on June 6, 1968. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of the record, and the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 38(3):88-90 by Woodward H. Brown seen by Ione Getscher.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Sprague's Pipit	Hamburg				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sprague's Pipit at Shenandoah in 1968	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1971-01-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Sprague's Pipits at Shenandoah in Page County, IA on April 4, 1968. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication An Annotated List of the Birds of Iowa by Woodward H. Brown seen by Jean Braley.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Sprague's Pipit	Shenandoah				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sprague's Pipit at Hawarden in 1964	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1964-06-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Sprague's Pipit at Hawarden in Sioux County, IA in 1964. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 34(2):44-49 by Woodward H. Brown seen by Ron Muilenberg.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Sprague's Pipit	Hawarden				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sprague's Pipit north of La Porte City in 1962	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1962-09-01	1994-01-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Sprague's Pipits north of La Porte City in Black Hawk County, IA on May 27, 1962. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of the record, the original sighting record found in the publication Both Pipits at Waterloo in Iowa Bird Life 32(3):58-59 by Myrle Burk seen by six members of the Waterloo Audubon Society, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Sprague's Pipit	La Porte City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Hitchcock Nature Area, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-11-24	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Jaeger species bird at Hitchcock Nature Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 24, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and two copies of a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Orsag, Mark	Jaegers	Hitchcock Nature Area	Hitchcock Nature Area Hawkwatch	Missouri River Valley Floodplain	The documentation form by Mark Osrag is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sue Mattix. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark immature gulls were eliminated by flight pattern, body-to-wing shape profile (as above), and the well seen identical translucent patches on the wings. Other jaeger species were eliminated by the bird's size. It thermalled above a wetland area beyond HNA's 'Westridge' with a group of Ring-billed Gulls. Size comparison was perfect-revealing a noticeably larger, heavier-bodied bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Spirit Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Jaeger species bird at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Jaegers	Spirit Lake	Spirit L., Dickinson Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James J. Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, dark coloration, and white in the primary shafts eliminated the possibility of a juvenile gull. Despite the great distance and lack of a good view of the wing pattern, I believe the bird was a Pomarine Jaeger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/14:43:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Lake Manawa, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-24	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Jaeger species bird at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, Iowa in September 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Jaegers	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] We saw a gull like bird sitting on the water. We identified it as a jaeger by the all brown coloration and black, hooked bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted about a minute at an undisclosed time.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-22	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Jaeger species bird at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on September 22, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eugene	Jaegers	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Saylorville Lake- off Oak Grove Beach	Beach and Lake	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Not a pomarine because it was not large enough Bill too long for a Longtail Bird much smaller and lighter bodied than a Pom. * Had a light weight body - small fairly long bill with a sharp hook on the end with little going angle. All brown - central tail feathers not visible. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger Species at Lake Manawa, 1976	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1976-09-04	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Jaeger species bird at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on September 4, 1976. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation account reviewed by the committee.	Hoffman, Thomas A.	Jaegers	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa		The documentation form by Thomas A. Hoffman is the only one reviewed and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I am relatively sure, from its actions, its size and shape (not heavy like a typical Pomarine, nor as small as a Long-tailed - it was close to the size of the Ring-billed Gull), and place (Parasitics are more common inland than the other two), that it was a Parasitic Jaeger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Jaeger species at Rice Lake, 1966	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1966-09-04	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Jaeger species at Rice Lake in Winnebago County, IA on September 4, 1966. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation account reviewed by the committee.	Sutter, B.E.; Sutter, Barton	Jaegers	Rice Lake	[...] shore of Rice Lake [...]		The documentation form by Barton E. Sutter is the only account reviewed and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mark Sutter. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] one characteristic had been very noticeable-the great amount of white color that flashed as the bird flew, both on the upper- and undersides of the wings. At the time I did not realize the importance of this detail, but I recorded it along with my other field notes as I knew from past reading that distinguishing between Long-tailed and Parasitic Jaegers could be tricky. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger Species at Riverview Cemetery in Algona, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-29	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Jaeger species birds at Riverview Cemetery in Algona in Kossuth County, IA on October 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Jaegers	Riverview Cemetery	Riverview Cemetery Algona, Ia.	fly-over hill overlooking Des Moines River valley	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wrong color for a gull, no terminal tail bands, no gray, no white except for the lightness at the base of primaries, no darker primaries (black wingtips). Bill was gull-like, but hooked mail different. May have been exagerated [sic] by a darker color than basal portion. Flight was direct and strong, a "confident" feel I get from birds of prey. \| The original documentation form event occurred around an estimated 11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Cormorant at Rice Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-08	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Cormorant at Rice Lake in Worth County, IA on September 8, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim	Great Cormorant	Rice Lake	Rice Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Jim Bangma is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ann Johnson was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Double-crested is smaller, with a much thinner neck. There is a noticeable transition from the thin neck to the larger head. In this bird, there was no noticeable widening from the neck to the head. Additionally, Double-crested has a proportionally much smaller and weaker bill. Double-crested's forehead slopes more evenly into the bill. While these differences may be difficult to see in single birds without comparative experience, in direct comparison they are significant. Additionally, the orange facial skin combines with the gular pouch to accentuate the overall orange color of the face. Other extralimital black cormorants can be ruled out on size alone, additionally, most have thinner necks and smaller bills than even Double-crested. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-28	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Jaeger species at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 28, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise	Jaegers	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Bigger than a coot that he made 3 passes at and tried to kill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-10-27	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Jaeger species bird at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 27, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Jaegers	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Jester Park	landed with other gulls roosting on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The body color and wing pattern eliminates all other larids. I was not able to identify the bird to species because of the poor light. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:56:00/17:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Virginia Rail at Brown's Lake in Woodbury County, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-01	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Virginia Rail at Brown's Lake in Woodbury County, IA on January 1, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Virginia Rail	Browns Lake	Brown's L., Woodbury Co., IA	marsh with open water	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was much too small to be a King Rail. Bill shape and pattern on the underparts eliminated Sora, the only other likely species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tundra Swan at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-18	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tundra Swan at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 18, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Tundra Swan	Red Rock Dam	Des Moines River below Red Rock Dam - Marion Co., Iowa	river with sandbars	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Steve Dinsmore was submitted later on Jan 6, 1989. Other observers include Erik Munson, Wyman Borts, and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Mute swan immature eliminated by bill color. Trumpeter swan eliminated by the presence of many white feathers at this date and concave bill shape. Unable to determine size difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Ventura, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-18	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon 4 miles south of Ventura in Cerro Gordo County, IA on March 18, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Eurasian Wigeon	Ventura	County Roads B43 at S14, approx. 4 miles south of Ventura, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Obvious differences from American Wigeon include the American's dark (green) face mask, white forehead and crown ("baldpate"), as well as those other differences discussed above. Female American has finely mottled grayish head and brownish sides, lacks striking patterns on wings and hindparts. Redhead (Aythya americana) has 'pochard' gestalt with darker brick-red vs. cinnamon-buff head, head more rounded in profile, tricolored bill broad and stout. Also has relatively plain wing with gray coverts and pale gray remiges. Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) of either sex safely separable on the basis of head and bill in profile. Again, male's head is dark brick-red, back and sides whitish, lacks bold wing pattern. Female mergansers easily separable on the basis of bill alone. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	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
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 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 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 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 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