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 Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Keokuk, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-22	1997-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Keokuk	along River Road n of Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	brushy area along river edge	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, greenish coloration, and shape identified the birds as kinglets. One of the birds was compared directly to Golden-crowned Kinglets, and was separated from that species by the eyering and lack of yellow on the crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:06:00/08:19:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at Brenton Slough, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-21	1997-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at Brenton Slough in Polk County, IA on December 21, 1997.	Sinclair, Jim	Lincoln's Sparrow	Brenton Slough	Brenton Slough	marsh edge	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: smaller, more compact bird than Song Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1997-12-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 27, 1997.	Proescholdt, Mark	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam at Red Rock - (Marion County)	Gravel Bar below dam and churning water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dale Fye, Helen Fye, Pat Miller, and many others. \| Elimination of similar species: The other black mantled gulls (Great Black-backed, Slaty-backed, Western, and Yellow-footed) are all much larger than this gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:20:00/11:10:00 and 13:30:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Crossbill at Logan Park Cemetery in Woodbury County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-13	1998-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for thirteen White-winged Crossbills at Logan Park Cemetery in Woodbury County, IA on December 13, 1997.	Huser, Bill F.	White-winged Crossbill	Logan Park Cemetery	Logan Park Cemetery, Woodbury County, IA	savannah [sic] of conifer and deciduous trees, including fruiting white (?) spruce	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst, Bob Moritz, and Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: The bright colored plumages eliminate Pine Siskins and all female Carpodacus finches. The male birds' rosy coloration was more extensive and uniform than that of male Carpodacus Finches. The crossed mandibles eliminate all finches including Pine and Evening Grosbeaks. The bold wing bars eliminate Red Crossbills. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	84
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned) in Sioux City, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-18	1998-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned) in Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 18, 1997.	Huser, Bill F.	Prairie Falcon	St. Joseph Hospital (historical)	St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned), Sioux City, Woodbury, IA	tall brick buildings with broken windows providing roosting sites for hundreds of Rock Doves. Numerous perches and open space for flight.	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst and Bob Moritz. \| Elimination of similar species: The distinct tear marks eliminated all hawks but falcons and also eliminated the Merlin. Long wings, relative to the tail, and body size eliminated Gyrfalcon. Size and direct comparison eliminated Kestrel. Lack of dark "helmet" eliminated Peregrine Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for American White Pelican at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-21	1998-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a American White Pelican at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	American White Pelican	Bettendorf	Bettendorf, IA. shoreline of Missisippi River, Scott County		The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Kingman, Chris Kingman, Keith Blunt, Donna Blair, and Mary Foulk. \| Elimination of similar species: All swans - dark torsi and they all lack the lark dark punched bill and black primaries and secondaries. Snow Goose - much smaller and lacks the large pale punched bill and black secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at YMCA Camp northwest of Boone, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-01-01	1998-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at YMCA Camp northwest of Boone in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1998.	Healy, Kevin	Golden Eagle	Y Camp	YMCA Camp northwest of Boone IA	Soaring above Des Moines River	The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Turkey Vulture: similar in size, but flight different (i.e., this bird did not rock back and forth despite fairly stiff winds during time of observation). Also, wings were held flatter than what I expect for a Turkey Vulture. Harlan's Hawk: Breast and belly solid in color, no barring on tail, wing shape unlike that of Red-tailed Hawk. Size difference. Dark phase Rough-legged Hawk: No speckling on breast or belly, tail longer with thinner terminal band. Size difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Eden Valley Refuge, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-19	1998-01-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Eden Valley Refuge in Jackson County, IA on December 19, 1997.	Wickham, Walt	Turkey Vulture	Eden Valley County Refuge	1 1/2 miles south, 1 mile west of Eden Valley Refuge	mixed cropland and woods	The documentation form by Walt Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chip Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: lack of head feathers, \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow north of Keokuk, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1997-12-22	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Field Sparrow north of Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Field Sparrow	Keokuk	along River Road about 4 mi north of Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	weedy area	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The most similar species would be American Tree and Chipping Sparrows. The combination of white eyering, lack of a breast spot, and pink bill eliminates both of these species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:32:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Thomson Causeway, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for over two hundred Tundra Swans at Thomson Causeway in Carroll County, IL on December 27, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	Tundra Swan	Thomson	Mississippi River out from Thomson Causeway; Carroll County	open water in the middle of the river, surrounded by iced-over stump fields.	The documentation form by Kelly McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Carlson, Fred Lesher, and Carol Rogers. \| Elimination of similar species: Mute Swan - has knobbed bill which is pinkish-orange. Trumpeter Swan - most have wing or neck bands, tend to occur in lesser numbers. Also, no curve from bill to forehead. Snow Goose - much smaller, with black primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-26	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 26, 1997 and December 30, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA (below dam)	river below dam	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, Kay Niyo, and many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, dark gray mantle, yellow legs and bill pattern eliminates other gulls, especially Great Black-backed, California, and Slaty-backed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/16:55:00 on December 26, 1997 and 13:40:00/16:05:00 on December 30, 1997.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1997-12-12	1998-01-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA from December 12, 1997 to December 27, 1997.	McKay, Kelly Statser, Jack L.	Baltimore Oriole	Bettendorf	1515 29 Street Bettendorf, Scott County, IA.	suburban yard surrounded by a wooded ravine.	The documentation form by Kelly McKay and Jack Statser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vera Blevins. The documentation form was written by Kelly McKay from a phone conversation with Jack Statser. \| Elimination of similar species: Orchard Oriole - smaller; much darker red-orange underparts; all dark tail. American Redstart - very much smaller; all black with orange restricted to spots on sides, wings, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Rare bird documentation form for American White Pelican at Oakville, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-23	1998-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American White Pelican at Oakville in Louisa County, IA on December 23, 1997.	Ohde, Bill	American White Pelican	Oakville	Iowa River, 1 mile NW of Oakville, Louisa County, Iowa	large shallow river with sandbars, forested shorelines.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Cross. \| Elimination of similar species: Our first thought was swan when we saw the the [sic] large white bird in the water. We first used binoculars and immediately saw the huge orange bill. Then I got out the spotting scope to take a close look. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Andover, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1998-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Andover in Clinton County, IA on December 27, 1997.	Blevins, Brian L.	Merlin	Andover	Andover, IA. Jackson Co. Iowa	Open country, the bird was in only tree at farm house were he was watching smaller birds at a pole birdfeeder.	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminate Kestrel by size and coloring. Eliminate Peregrine by size and lack of dark head cap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:23:00/09:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Winter Birds 97-98	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-01	1998-02-25	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds and locations contributed by Aaron Brees. Includes a note to Thomas H. Kent.	Brees, Aaron	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pacific Loon at Sabula, 1895	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Rare birds Fowling Zoological specimens Taxidermy	1895-11-16	1998-04-11	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records committee review for a Pacific Loon at Sabula in Jackson County, IA on November 15, 1895. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs of a specimen, correspondence about the sighting from Ronald Goetz to Tom Kent, comments by the IOU Records Committee on the bird sighting, notes about the specimen, an article in Iowa Bird Life about the specimen, the original sighting record found in the publication Iowa Ornithologist 2:73. by H.J. Giddings seen by W. Eldridge, and referenced by six other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Pacific Loon	Sabula				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Field reports March 1 through May 31, 1998, Pam and Reid Allen	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Birdsongs Photography of birds	1998-03-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An annotated list of birds sighted by Pam and Reid Allen and six others. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1998.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Barn Owl Black-billed Magpie Franklin's Gull White-winged Crossbill Long-tailed Duck Western Kingbird Snowy Egret Piping Plover Blue Grosbeak	Big Creek State Park Dallas County Plymouth County Thorpe Park Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Waubonsie State Park West Des Moines MidAmerican Energy Ponds				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	7
Spring field reports, 1998, Jim Dinsmore	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Eggs Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Birdsongs	1998-03-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An annotated list of birds sighted by Jim Dinsmore and others. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1998.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-tailed Hawk Marbled Godwit Turkey Vulture Short-eared Owl Glossy Ibis Yellow Rail Chuck-will's-widow Long-billed Dowitcher Pileated Woodpecker	Ames Dunbar Slough Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area Saylorville Lake Winnebago County Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	7
Annotated bird sighting list for spring 1998 compiled by Ray Cummins	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birdsongs	1998-03-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An annotated list of birds sighted by Ray Cummins. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1998.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Canvasback Black-legged Kittiwake Least Tern Common Nighthawk Northern Shoveler Winter Wren Northern Bobwhite	Appanoose County Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Rathbun Lake Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	7
Iowa seasonal report spring 98, Diane Porter	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birdsongs	1998-03-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An annotated list of birds sighted by Diane Porter. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1998.	Porter, Diane C.	Summer Tanager Bewick's Wren Ruby-throated Hummingbird Evening Grosbeak Baltimore Oriole Gray Catbird House Wren	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Fairfield				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	7
Annotated bird sighting list for spring 1998 compiled by Fred Lesher	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification	1998-03-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An annotated list of birds sighted by Fred Lesher. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1998.	Lesher, Fred	Broad-winged Hawk Ring-necked Duck American White Pelican Trumpeter Swan Redhead Ruddy Duck Tufted Titmouse Tundra Swan Great-tailed Grackle	Ledges State Park Spirit Lake Grovers Lake Lansing Wildlife Management Area Wexford Creek Prairie City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	7
Field reports form for submitting seasonal observations of Iowa birds, Tom Johnson, spring 1998	Field notes Forms (documents) Maps (documents)	Bird watching Birding sites Birds--Identification Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks	1998-03-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An annotated list of birds sighted by Tom Johnson and three others. Includes maps of birding sites. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1998.	Johnson, Thomas N.	Cattle Egret Herring Gull Least Tern White-crowned Sparrow Common Loon Ruddy Turnstone Caspian Tern Northern Mockingbird Northern Bobwhite	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Rathbun Lake Mystic Sedan Bottoms				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	7
Thomas Kent letter to Robert Gruenewald regarding request for more information, spring 1998	Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Identification	1998-03-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Undated form letter from Thomas Kent to Robert Gruenewald. Kent requests more information regarding the sighting of White-winged Scoters and also asks about other sightings reported by Gruenewald. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1998. This document is answered by a letter from Gruenewald: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/6340/view	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Horned Grebe Eared Grebe Brewer's Blackbird Carolina Wren Mute Swan Ross' Goose Cattle Egret White-winged Scoter Bank Swallow	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	7
Peter Ernzen letter to Thomas Kent regarding spring migration, spring 1998	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birds--Migration Birdsongs	1998-03-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Undated letter from Peter Ernzen to Thomas Kent. Ernzen states this is one of the worst migrations in recent memory and includes a list of birds sighted for spring 1998 focusing on first and last sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1998.	Ernzen, Peter	Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Wilson's Phalarope Palm Warbler Common Loon Tennessee Warbler House Wren Blackpoll Warbler	Moorehead Pioneer Park Sac County Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area Buena Vista County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	7
Spring 1998 Iowa field report, Chris Edwards	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Eggs Birds--Identification Birds--Migration Birds--Nests Parulidae \| Warblers Weather	1998-03-01	1998-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An annotated list of birds sighted by Chris Edwards. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1998.	Edwards, Chris	Bobolink Yellow-billed Cuckoo Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Wood Thrush Palm Warbler Greater Scaup	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area Hickory Hill Park Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge Wildcat Den State Park Lake MacBride MidAmerican Energy Ponds				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	7