Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-05	1995-02-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 5, 1995 and February 12, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)		The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib, Thomas Kent, Dan Dorrance, Barker, Peter C. Petersen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other dark mantled gull with yellow legs is the Yellow-footed Gull. That bird has never been seen away from the extreme southwest portion of the country, and it should be much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00 on February 5, 1995 and 11:40:00/11:55:00 on February 12, 1995.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lindsay Park Harbor in 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-03	1995-02-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lindsay Park Harbor in Scott County, IA on February 3 and 16, 1995.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lindsay Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-02	1995-02-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: No other first-winter gull has the large size, the large all-black bill, and in particular the black and white checkered pattern of the mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Mason City, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-27	1994-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 27, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Northern Goshawk	Mason City	115 Lakeview Drive, Mason City Iowa	a backyard with trees in between a wooded park and a wooded private lot	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawks live close here - I've had them in my backyard also - this one hunted different - acted different. Cooper hawks come through here quite often - This one was larger, thicker, tail was equal to wings not longer. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-12-17	1994-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 17, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Vesper Sparrow	Cerro Gordo County	220th St. + Violet, Cerro Gordo Co, IA	Farmland near a farmstead	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joel Hanes. \| Elimination of similar species: not a junco - not the color of not a meadowlark - too small not a longspur - did not have the eye line + lighter eyebrow like longspurs no face patch effect \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird sighting for Prairie Falcon at Hitchcock Nature Area in 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-25	1994-12-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting for a Prairie Falcon at Hitchcock Nature Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 25, 1994.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Prairie Falcon	Hitchcock Nature Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Swan species at Silver Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-19	1994-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swan species at Silver Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on November 19, 1994.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Swans	Silver Lake	Silver Lake, Palo Alto Co	Open Water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:30:00 on November 19 and 14:30:00/15:15:00 on November 20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-24	1994-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on September 24, 1994.	Thelen, Ed	Peregrine Falcon	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh Sac County	Marsh, grain fields	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Praire [sic] falcon eliminated by dark malar strip and also by light colored axillars. Merlin eliminated by its size.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Clear Lake, 1994	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-17	1994-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Trumpeter Swan at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 17, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Trumpeter Swan	Bluewing Marsh	a marsh on 230th st., 1/4 mi east of Cardinal ave, north of Clear Lake	a marsh approx: 600 ft x 600 ft with 2 ponds	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I really looked at Book & looked at Bird for marks since I'm not that familiar with the bird. It was gone the next day. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, fall 1994	Field notes Reports	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds Weather	1994-08-01	1994-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Thomas Kent notes that the fall season was outstanding for rarities, that the Records Committee will clarify which birds need documentation, and that a new field checklist will be published in 1995. Quarterly field report for the fall of 1984 titled "Field reports--fall 1994".	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Long-tailed Jaeger Clark's Grebe Barrow's Goldeneye Fulvous Whistling-Duck Chukar Black-necked Stilt Red Phalarope Sabine's Gull Little Gull Black-headed Gull	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	26	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Raven west of Mason City, 1966	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1966-12-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven west of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 28, 1966. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Roosa, Dean M.	Common Raven	Mason City	[...] driving from Clear Lake to Mason City		The documentation article by Dean M. Roosa forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Bailey. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Its flight pattern, size, and rounded or wedge-shaped tail distinguished it from nearby Crows.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on October 28, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Lily Pond	Amana L., Iowa Co., IA.	large shallow lake with low water and extensive mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Separation from Semipalmated Sandpiper rests on the bill. The behavior is a bit supportive. Based on records for Iowa, we do not yet know which species is more likely. Having to travel to South America, it would seem that semipalmateds would pass through Iowa earlier, but pectorals go just as far south and some are late migrants. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Hudsonian Godwit at Amana Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hudsonian Godwit at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on October 28, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Hudsonian Godwit	Lily Pond	Amana L., Iowa Co., IA	large shallow lake at low water with extensive mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Marbled Godwit is eliminated by the white rump, wing stripe, and lack of cinnamon or brownish coloration. Black-tailed Godwit is eliminated by the contrasting and dark underwing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-17	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 17, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock Number 19	Lock and Dam 19, Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa	River Rapids	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Francis L. Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull:Bill size, pattern of wingtips on upper and under surface of wings. Ringbill: size. Kumlien's Iceland: black rather than gray in wintip [sic] (Tom Kent, personal communication). Adult Glaucous has no black in wingtips. \| The original documentation form event occurred at various times on the various dates listed on the documentation form.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lake Manawa, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-09-09	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County in September 9, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Laughing Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya Bray forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ross Silcock was submitted. Other observers include Babs and Loren Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird differed from Franklin's Gull in the following ways: 1. Less extensive black on head. Eye coverts were not immediately noticable [sic] due to white cheek area. 2. Longer legs, more upright posture, and generally a very long, slender bird. 3. In flight, the bird had long slender wings with completely dark primaries; no white dividing the tips of the outer primaries from the rest of wing, and no white tips to outer primaries. Underside of primaries as described above. 4. Bill was long, curved and slightly swollen and hooked at tip. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 07:35:00/07:36:00, 08:45:00, 12:15:00, and 18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-07	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County, IA on November 7, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red-throated Loon	Roberts Creek Park	Red Rock Reservoir - Roberts Creek area - (Marion Co.)	Large water area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Diane Porter, Thomas H. Kent, Ray Cummins, and Jim Fuller. Other observers include Ann Barker, Ann Johnson, Matt Keene, Jim Sinclair, Tim Schantz, Harold White, Hank Zalatel, Beth Proescholdt, Loren Padelford, Diane Porter, David Youngblut, Tom Klein, Francis Moore, and Ray Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill size and small size of the loon helps eliminate a Common Loon. A Pacific Loon would have a sharp contrast on the side of the neck between light and dark colors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:45:00 and 16:30:00/16:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Clive, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-23	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Clive in Polk County, IA on May 23, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Clive	Clive, Polk Co., Iowa. Same bird observed by many others and photographed by Tom Kent.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Really unmistakable perched at such close range. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) basically a white bird with a white tail, much less likely in Iowa.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hartman Reserve, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-16	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hartman Reserve in Blackhawk County, IA on May 16, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and one documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Hartman Reserve, Cedar Falls, Iowa	River bottom and large field with scattered trees. The bird glided over from south to north and disappeared.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: We were looking for a Swallow-tailed Kite reported the day before, but this bird did not have the forked tail and contrasting black and white of that species. The underparts and tail were not white as would be expected for Black-shouldered Kite. I did note any contrast in the upper wing (white posterior edge of inner wing) -- I may not have seen this or this could of been a first-year bird that lacks this mark. The failure to flap wings and overall gray color is inconsistent with any falcon. I saw a Swainson's Hawk earlier in the morning and its contrasting underwing was very different than this bird. A Red-tailed Hawk was also seen earlier and had an obvious buteo shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:27:00/10:29:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for American Swallow-tailed Kite in Hartman Nature Reserve, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-12	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an American Swallow-tailed Kite in Hartman Nature Reserve in Black Hawk County, IA on May 12, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Moye, Kathy A.	Swallow-tailed Kite	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Over Cedar River between Hartman Nature Reserve and George Wyth Memorial Park	Forested Cedar River Flood Plain	The documentation form by Kathy A. Moye is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Size. Somewhat larger than a Northern Harrier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon northwest of Palo, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-25	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon northwest of Palo in Linn County, IA on April 25, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Eurasian Wigeon	Palo	2 miles north and 1 mile west of Palo, Linn Co., Iowa	Shallow natural pond in low-lying farmland.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bob Cecil, Jim Fuller, and James Durbin were submitted later. Other observers include Joyce Durbin, James Scheib, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Chris Edwards, Keith Carris, Peter Wickham and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Very similar to American Wigeon except for coloration as mentioned. \| The original documentation form event occurred from 06:15:00/06:30:00 and around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
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 Wood Stork at Washta, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-10-11	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Wood Stork near Washta in Cherokee County, IA on October 11, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Wood Stork	Washta	4 miles S of Washta	River bottom	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: snow goose. black secondarys [sic] \| The original documentation form event occurred in the mid afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	1
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Brown Pelican at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-06	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Brown Pelican at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on May 6, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in the Nebraska Bird Review about the sighting, two photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Rose, B.J.	Brown Pelican	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Harrison County, IA, and Washington County, NE. It was on the south end of the oxbow, just above the dam.	Missouri River oxbow lake	The documentation form by B.J. Rose is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Peter C. Petersen were submitted later. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Ross Silcock, Dick Tetrault, and Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: White Pelican is white with black wing tips; some were present for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brown Pelican at Lake Rathbun, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-21	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for four Brown Pelicans at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on March 21, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and one documentation form submitted to the committee.	Exline, Nancy	Brown Pelican	Rathbun Lake	Just west of mile marker 16 on Highway 142 on north side of Rathbun Reservoir, Appanoose County.	Upper reaches of one arm of the Reservoir with shallow water and flood prone vegetation on S. side of highway, shallow captive water ponds and pasture on north side.	The documentation form by Nancy Exline is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roy Downing. \| Elimination of similar species: None except whites-cormorants mentioned as possible by Darrell Howell and Dinsmore; however, I am very familiar with this species also and know it was not cormorants. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-08	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 8, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Pacific Loon	Lake Red Rock	Marina boat ramp at West Wallaschuck Recreation Area of the Red Rock Reservoir (Marion County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Pam Allen and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Comparisons of all three loons have been made in the description. Smaller than Common Loon, had demarcation between the white of the foreneck and the dark of the hindneck. It had a smaller bill than common, but it was straight, compared to the Red-throated. No chin strap could be seen at the distance I observed the Pacific Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7