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 Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden in Sioux County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Lark Bunting	Hawarden	5 mi e, 1 mi s, JCT 10+12 in Hawarden, Sioux Co, Iowa	Farmland	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink- No white on head or back. Small bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:08:00/10:08:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon south of Yale, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-04-16	1995-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon south of Yale in Guthrie County, IA on April 16, 1995.	Widner, Russ	Prairie Falcon	Yale	South of Yale IA	Bean Field	The documentation form by Russ Widner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Norm Larsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, manner of flying + facial coloration eliminate even a [illegible] female Kestrel. The size, facial pattern, probable axillary pigmentation + lack of strong tail bars eliminate Merlin. The head + face pattern + lack of a broad sideburn a helmet, coloration + somewhat shallower wing beat rule against Peregrine. The face pattern, wing shape, manner of flying + lack of a white rump patch eliminate Harrier. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Hays, Russell	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh (south side), Bremer County, Ia.	River bottom timber	The documentation form by Russell Hays is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eleanor Corvin, Antoinette Camarata, and Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Cooper's would not show eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Hays, Russell	Vesper Sparrow	Tripoli	South of Tripoli, Ia. (Bremer County)	edge of ditch along gravel road along open field	The documentation form by Russell Hays is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eleanor Corwin and Antoinette Camarata. \| Elimination of similar species: The song sparrow usually shows the breast stick-pin and would not have the white eye ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Maps (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-04-10	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County on April 10, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a map of one of the sightings, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Reisz, Russell	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh, Sac County, Iowa	marsh, wetland	The documentation form by Russell Reisz is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter Ernzen, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Dick Tetrault, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling-duck is the most similar species. This species was eliminated because it has a different bill color and a different leg color than the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. The Fulvous Whistling-duck also lacks the white wing patch and the dark belly of the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. These were all points of identification for the species seen at Tomahawk Marsh. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:58:00/19:58:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit in Missouri Valley, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-10	1978-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Marbled Godwits in Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on April 10, 1978.	Gochenour, Ruth A.	Marbled Godwit	Missouri Valley	3 miles North of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Harrison County	Wet meadow	The documentation form by Ruth A. Gochenour is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Naomi Svenningsen and Justin Gochenour. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit. Extremely large shore bird - this bird was lacking white rump-and black tail, chestnut under parts - The cinnamon wing linings were easily seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Maine Township, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-05	1985-11-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle on Wapsipinicon River at Maine Township in Linn County, IA on November 5, 1985.	Goellner, Karl E. Goellner, Ruth E.	Golden Eagle	Maine Township	over the Wapsipinicon R. in Maine Twp., Linn Co.	Terrain heavily wooded, river margins low and sandy, lowland tree species.	The documentation form by Ruth and Karl Goellner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Cedar Rapids, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on November 4, 1981.	Goellner, Karl E. Goellner, Ruth E.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Cedar Rapids	NE Cedar Rapids, at 1764 Sherbrook Dr. NE, 52402	in bushes and on woodpile by bay window, and on bush in backyard.	The documentation form by Ruth E. Goellner and Karl E. Goellner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sutton's (hybrid) warbler eliminated by the bright white area from terminus of eyestripe [sic] down to the striped sides. No other species comes close to these patterns. "Sexes similar" Peterson says; this one was so brightly colored and patterned that we felt it could look like this in breeding season- like a breeding male! \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 11:50:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sprague's Pipit north of Missouri Valley, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-04-11	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sprauge's Pipit north of Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on April 11, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of record, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Gochenour, Ruth A.	Sprague's Pipit	Missouri Valley	Two miles north of Missouri Valley, Iowa	Plowed field - corn stubble - Soil wet from rain - deep grassy ditches on both sides of rd.	The documentation form by Ruth Gochenour is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Naomi Svenningsen. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipit, Vesper Sparrow - Legs-flesh colored - not clark - Lacked cinnamon shoulder patches - and streaking on back as described in #6. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe southeast of Missouri Valley, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Say's Phoebes southeast of Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on August 25, 1978.	Gochenour, Ruth A.	Say's Phoebe	Missouri Valley	S.E. of Missouri Valley, Iowa. Boyer River bridge on County Road F66. Harrison County.	General--river. Specific--small willow and other small trees and rather high grasses along the river dike. The bird was first observed in this habitat from the river bridge.	The documentation form by Ruth Gochenour is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ardyth Newberry. \| Elimination of similar species: The female Vernillion [sic] flycatcher--streaking was absent. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Lake Manawa, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-12-06	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 6, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, articles in Nebraska Bird Review, Iowa Bird Life, and American Birds, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Green, Ruth	Great Black-backed Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, Iowa	Most of Lake Manawa was frozen over at this time but there were small patches of open water. The bird was standing on the ice at the edge of one of these patches.	The documentation form by Ruth Green forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Sandra S. Kovanda and James Kovanda, Jr. was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: There were only two gulls at this time there--this bird and the glaucous. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lake Manawa, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-06	1979-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 6, 1978.	Green, Ruth	Great Black-backed Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, Iowa	Most of Lake Manawa was frozen over at this time but there were small patches of open water. The bird was standing on the ice at the edge of one of these patches.	The documentation form by Ruth Green is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sandra and James Kovanda. \| Elimination of similar species: There were only two gulls at this time there--this bird and the glaucous. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Camp Dodge, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-04	1995-10-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Camp Dodge in Polk County, IA on October 4, 1995.	Herzberg, Ruth	Varied Thrush	Camp Dodge	Camp Dodge, IA (Johnston, Iowa)	Upland Woods -	The documentation form by Ruth Herzberg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Norris. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - asked Bill about white eye line He said it was a Varied Thrush \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Farragut, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Ross' Geese at Farragut in Fremont County, IA on February 26, 1982.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Ross' Goose	Farragut	North of Farragut, Fremont Co., Iowa	Flooded farmland	The documentation form by Ruth O. Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose- The Ross' Geese were surrounded on 3 sides by Snows, and the size was noticed. The stubby beaks were easily seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Shenandoah, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-23	1979-02-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Shenandoah in Page County, IA on February 23, 1979.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Varied Thrush	Shenandoah	Shenandoah, Iowa	Many trees and shrubs in the area - not far from the cemetery where there are many pine trees	The documentation form by Ruth O. Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vera Jennings, Betty Walters, Mary Beth Vaughn, Barbara Cummingham, and Marie Spears. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to a robin in size and coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk south of Shenandoah, 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-10-27	1994-02-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk south of Shenandoah in Page County, IA on October 27, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, a transcription of the documentation form, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Ferruginous Hawk	Shenandoah	Six miles south of Shenandoah, Iowa - Highway No. 59	General: western great plains Specific: open grasslands and plains	The documentation form by Ruth O. Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wayne Phipps. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk and Rough-legged. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00 and 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting near Pinky's Glen, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-04	1982-05-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting near Pinky's Glen in Fremont County, IA on May 4, 1982.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Lark Bunting	Pinky's Glen	Fremont Co. near Pinky's Glen Co. Park	General: Prairie Specific: Grasslands	The documentation form by Ruth Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The male Bobolink has white patches and is black, but the patches are not on the wings \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Pied-billed Grebe at City Park, 1983	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pied-billed Grebe at City Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 17, 1983.	Williams, Ruth	Pied-billed Grebe	Iowa City City Park	Iowa River at City Park, Ia City	open water river	The documentation form by Ruth Williams is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Lechner. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned or Eared Grebe smaller size bill shape - shorter or pied [illegible] white only under chin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Tree Sparrow at West Branch, 1987	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-03-14	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Eurasian Tree Sparrows at West Branch in Cedar County, IA on March 14, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Veal, Sally	Eurasian Tree Sparrow	West Branch	in my backyard in West Branch		The documentation form by Sally Veal is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by James Sandrock, Carl Bendorf, Thomas Kent, James Fuller, Peter Petersen, Thomas Staudt, and Francis Moore were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Walter Zuurdeeg, Ann Barker, Mary Lou Petersen, and Gerry White. \| Elimination of similar species: As I was filling my bird feeders I noticed two birds in the silver maple behind the house that at first glance appeared to be house sparrows. I was struck by the neat appearance and greater activity of these particular birds and by the fact that they were not associating with the flock of house sparrows near the bird feeders. Even without binoculars I was able to see the black spots on the birds faces. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00 through the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Cedar Rapids, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-12-01	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 1, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Millikin, Sara L.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Cedar Rapids	Usually on the ground where I had thrown seed	along railway right of way near my home and on ground near house and feeders	The documentation form by Sara L. Millikin is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Wickham, Lillian Serbousek, Roberta Appedahl, Fred Nissen, Weir Nelson, Karl Goellner, and Lucile Liljedahl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from at daylight to 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Davenport, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four House Finches at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1986.	Blevins, Scharlott Goettsch	House Finch	Davenport	2003 E. 12th St. Davenport, IA. 52803	City yard	The documentation form by Scharlott Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, and Lewis Blevins. Peter C. Petersen completed the form from a phone conversation with Scharlott Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch - Male a more orange-red, not cranberry, red more restricted to head, breast + rump. Female/immat. no heavy dark mark by bill, finer streaking but more streaks below. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher east and south of Fontanelle, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-06-21	1983-10-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher east and south of Fontanelle in Adair County, IA on June 21, 1983.	Felker, Scott	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Fontanelle	1 mi East and about 2 1/2 miles south of Fontanelle	small trees and brush near railroad track	The documentation form by Scott Felker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kevin Blazek and an unidentified member of the Adair County Conservation Board. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Kingbird--above bird had very long tail and did not have yellowish underside. Eastern Kingbird--considerably larger and lighter colored \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Gritters, Scott A	Golden Eagle	Ames	2 mi South Ames - gravel road	Open pasture on top of dead tree	The documentation form by Scott Gritters is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kevin Timmer. \| Elimination of similar species: Upon sighting of the bird in the tree we eliminated hawks by large size and black over whole body. At first his head appeared to be black headed - so I thought it was an immature bald eagle. This also cleared it from being a Turkey Vulture. Finally the bird turned its head toward us as it was getting 'nervous' - this revealed a golden crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:05:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-18	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge in Clinton County, IA on December 18, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kaufman, Sharon	Wood Thrush	Eden Valley County Refuge	West Valley at Eden Valley Refuge (Lost Nation CBC)	Shrubs at hardwood timber edge	The documentation form by Sharon Kaufman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Jack Wohlstadter. \| Elimination of similar species: Hermit and Grey Cheeked Thrush. This bird had more conspicuous eye, larger and more numerous breast spots. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	8
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Burlington, unknown	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Turkey Vultures at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on December 17, unknown.	Kaufman, Sharon	Turkey Vulture	Burlington	1 mi. N. 1 mi. W of Burlington	Open field with scattered trees, birds soaring	The documentation form by Sharon Kaufman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Rigdon and Lois Rigdon. \| Elimination of similar species: Wing profile eliminated immature bald and golden eagles as well as dark phase red-tailed hawk. Pattern on underside of wing also used to eliminate above. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26