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 Northern Goshawk at Douglas Cass Township, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-02-19	1983-02-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Goshawks at Douglas Cass Township in Boone County, IA on February 19, 1983.	Traub, Mike	Northern Goshawk	Cass Township	Douglas Cass township, Boone County	woodland edge	The documentation form by Mike Traub is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Todd Walrod and Doug Phillips. \| Elimination of similar species: larger than Red-tailed and was not as dark as Red-tailed, also species spotted had eye bands. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Waubonsie State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-14	1980-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Mississippi Kites at Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, IA on May 14, 1980.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Mississippi Kite	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie S.P.	The Loess Hills. Dry woodland with some open areas on the slope of Loess Hills.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Marsh Hawk. Has a white rump patch and tail isn't black. Does not fly like a kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Clive, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Mississippi Kites at Clive in Polk County, IA on June 20, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Clive	Clive (7600 Harbach), Polk County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randy Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-16	1985-09-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Merlins at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on September 16, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer County	Marsh - Wooded edge and perching on stickups in marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small for Peregrine and wrong color pattern for Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-15	1985-09-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Merlins at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on September 15 and 16, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	One South side of Sweet Marsh and One North side of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	Near open marsh sitting in top of dead tree.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: The Am. Kestrel and Peregrine are differently colored. This was a falcon and not one of the other two species of falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Marsh Wren at Cooper Prairie Marsh, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-31	1982-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Marsh Wrens at Cooper Prairie Marsh in Story County, IA on October 31, 1982.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Marsh Wren	Cooper Prairie Marsh	Coopers Marsh, Story County	Small Cattail Marsh 1-2 ft water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kraig Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Sedge Wren - lacks the white eye stripe - shorter tail \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	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 Long-billed Dowitcher at Swan Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Long-billed Dowitchers at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on November 25, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Long-billed Dowitcher	Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area	Swan L., Johnson Co., IA	small natural marsh with low water, mud flats, no vegetation	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds did not have the bold streaking of a snipe. I wouldn't believe a Short-billed Dowitcher at this date if I saw it myself. At any rate, the gray neck and some retained thin rufous edge on wing feathers is typical of molting juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher at this date in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Rare bird documentation form for Little Tern at Decatur Bend River Access, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Little Terns at Decatur Bend River Access in Monona County, IA on June 3, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Little Tern	Decatur Bend Park	Decatur Bend River Access. (WNW of Blencoe) Monona Co. IA	Oxbow -- shallow areas, riparian willow.	The documentation form by Joe P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other white terns are larger with more deeply forked tails. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-01	1979-08-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 1, 1979 and several other dates.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Little Blue Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Shallow lake + marsh that is Willow Slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This heron resembles every other White Heron or egret. Albino Heron: this is what I thought it was at first, but it turned out to have color in bill & legs. "Great White Heron" can be eliminated by size and range. Snowy Egret: has black legs and bill. Great Egret: has yellow bill w/out black tip, & dark legs. Cattle Egret: has yellow to orange bill without black tip, has yellow to dark (not green legs) & is sociable, & wouldn't spend over a week in a marsh. Reddish egret: has a similar bill, but with base flesh-colored rather than gray. Has bluish, not green, legs, has a shaggy neck, and is unlikely to be found in Iowa. The white primaries eliminate other white large birds. The only thing left is immature Little Blue Heron.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Laughing Gulls at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on May 22, 1999.	Engebretsen, Bery	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville, parking lot at Sandpiper		The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I could see both Laughing + Franklin's standing side by side. Laughing were clearly 20-25% larger, as was bill. A more prominent 'gonys' made the bill appear somewhat more hooked. In flight, the wing tips were black + more extensive than Franklins, both above + below. I looked carefully for any trace of white between tip + rest of wing, as well as for any white on the head, and there was none. The eye ring was broken on the front, less so in the back. The Franklin's had a rounder appearance to the head than did the Laughing. In flight, the Laughing's tail was pure white. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting in Garfield Township in Sioux County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-14	1984-09-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Lark Buntings in Garfield Township in Sioux County, IA on June 14, 1984.	Thompson, Carol A.	Lark Bunting	Garfield Township	Fairview QUad T96N R47W Sec 17/20 Sioux Cnty [sic]	Upper terrace between Big Sioux and Rock River, unplanted semi-plowed field at time, high water conditions	The documentation form by Carol Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink - did not have light patch on back of head nor any white in body or rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at State Forest Nursery, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-15	1986-09-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two House Finches at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on September 15, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	House Finch	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	large pine planting	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The lack of a facial pattern eliminated a female Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Ledges State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-01	1986-10-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two House Finches at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on October 1, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	House Finch	Ledges State Park	Ledges State Park - Boone Co.	Fairly open area - scattered red cedar + other trees	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] They were slightly smaller - at least thinner than house sparrows. [...] They were too thin for female purple finches and lacked any trace of a white eyeline. They were too streaked to be indigo buntings (wrong color as well). I thought of possible pine siskins but there was no yellow visible on wings on tail (wingbars of any color were not noted), the bill was short and stout-not as thin as siskin, and the tail did not show deep notch in terminal end - had fairly shallow "V" notch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Pellet Wildlife Refuge, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-15	1982-08-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Hooded Warblers at Pellet Wildlife Refuge in Cass County, IA on May 15, 1982.	Hensley, R. Craig	Hooded Warbler	Pellet Memorial Woods State Preserve	Pellett [sic] Wildlife Refuge - Cass County	Bottomland wooded area - dominant trees included silver maple, basswood, slippery elm and hackberry; understory partial.	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bachman's warbler and the Kentucky warbler are somewhat similar, however, neither species has the distinct hood and yellow face, therefore, I ruled these species out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Pammel Woods in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Hooded Warblers at Pammel Woods in Ames in Story County, IA on April 28, 1984.	Holloway, Jack A.	Hooded Warbler	Pammel Woods	North end of Pammel Woods; Ames, Story County, Iowa	Deciduous, many sapling + shrubbery; near stream	The documentation form by Jack A. Holloway is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No similars: Black encircling "hood' along with white in the outer tail feathers is quite distinctive. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve in 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1999-01-03	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Hermit Thrushes at Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve in Plymouth County, IA on January 3, 1999.	Dunkle, Warren	Hermit Thrush	Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Henslow's Sparrows near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on June 11, 1987.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Weedy hayfield near Lacey-Keosauqua S.P. - Van Buren Co.	weedy hayfield	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Robert Cecil, James Sandrock, Charles Fuller, Jane Fuller, Bernie Knight, and Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper - song, head + wing color + song Savannah - head + wing color, amount of breast striping + song \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:45:00/06:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Lime Creek Nature Center in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1988-05-22	1988-05-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Henslow's Sparrows at Lime Creek Nature Center north of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 22, 1988.	Cecil, Robert I.	Henslow's Sparrow	Lime Creek Nature Center				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow north of Muscatine, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-27	1999-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows north of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 27, 1998.	White, Gerald Forbes, Janet	Harris' Sparrow	Muscatine	Home feeder, RR 4 Box 30	small woods surrounded house in urban area	The documentation form written by Gerald White based on the observations of Janet Forbes is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Looked up sparrows in the Peterson Eastern Bird guide and found the picture that matched the bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-04-10	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 10, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Harris' Sparrow	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir Iowa City, Iowa 52240	woodlot with tall trees, weed patches, brush pile, in an area of fields and second-growth woods.	The documentation form by Michael C Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers are unidentified in the documentation form. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] large sparrow, built like a white-crown but larger, longer-tailed, posture less erect.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup south of Montrose, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups south of Montrose in Lee County, IA on November 20, 1983.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Greater Scaup	Montrose	on the Mississippi River at the Linger Longer Rest area south of Montrose	open water large inlet	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Noticeable larger than Lesser Scaup male and female. Lesser had rougher head lines - peaked and an abrupt cutoff at back of head. Greater's lines were smooth from base of bill, over crown, on over through nape. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Saylorville Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-20	1988-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on November 20, 1988.	Thomas, Michael K.	Greater Scaup	Saylorville Lake	Highway 17 and Des Moines River - North end of Saylorville Lake - Polk Co., IA	river flowing into Saylorville lake, fairly shallow, and plants on both sides	The documentation form by Mike Thomas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser scaup (size, head shape, head color on male, whiter sides on male in direct comparison to lesser scaups. Side by side comparison with lesser scaup was thankfully easy. The male's rounded head contrasted clearly with the more pointed heads of the lesser scaup. Also, the dark green head of male was visible. The male birds sides were whiter than male lesser scaup's sides and the difference in size was noticeable. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Port Neal, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Port Neal in Woodbury County, IA on June 6, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Scaup	New Lake	Port Neal	Oxbow Lake with fringe cattail	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup: Bird lacked peaked head was clear white on sides head rounded and wide. Speculum extended to wing tip. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-03-17	1996-06-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on March 17, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Greater Scaup	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn County	Lake	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Dankert. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser, as described above. I watched the birds for several minutes, making sure that they weren't changing crown feathers and 'hiding' the peak characteristic of L. Scaup.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10