Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Otter Creek Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on December 23, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ferruginous Hawk	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek M., Tama Co., Iowa	large, wide riverbottom marsh with scattered woods.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: According to Eckert, the upper wing patches are diagnostic if the location is right. He gives the following example as an acceptable documentation: 'On the upper surface of each wing there was a rectangular or oval white patch on the flight feathers. This patch was on the inner primaries, and perhaps faded a bit into the secondaries and outer primaries.' This description fits the bird I saw. Eckert gives two other diagnostic marks that I did not see (feathered legs, rufous back and shoulders), but only one of these three marks is needed. The white tail is not diagnostic, but coupled with the light underparts and generally dark upper wing surface, tends to exclude Krider's and Harlan's Hawks which would have light upper wings and dark underparts, respectively. An ordinary Red-tailed Hawk would not ordinarily have an all white-tail nor such prominent upper wing patches. The raised wings in flight in the absence of wind favor Ferruginous Hawk over Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks. Rough-legged Hawk is excluded by the lack of prominent black and white pattern to body, wing and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:57:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Trumpeter Swan at Otter Creek Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Trumpeter Swans at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County on December 23, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence over the sighting, photos from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Trumpeter Swan	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek M., Tama Co., IA	large riverbottom marsh, central drainage open, ponds partly free of ice. Birds were in pond near east end of south dike.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Gladys Black. \| Elimination of similar species: Bill shape and voice exclude Tundra Swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Otter Creek Marsh, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-05-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on May 10, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	King Rail	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek M.	Marsh with drainage ditches	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: We also heard Virginia Rails and played Virginia Rail tapes. The pitch was lower than a Virginia Rail voice. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Otter Creek Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-14	1984-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on May 14, 1984.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Peregrine Falcon	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek M.	Marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape and flight eliminate buteos + accipiters. Facial mark, light axillaries, + size diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:00:00/06:01:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk at Osceola County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Swainson's Hawks at Osceola County, IA on May 16, 1978.	Bierman, Dick	Swainson's Hawk	Osceola County	Osceola County	open farm country, nest in a farm grove	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dean Roosa and Steve Duecker. \| Elimination of similar species: Red Tail, these birds had no red tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted all day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Boreal Chickadee at Osage, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-11-24	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Boreal Chickadees at Osage in Mitchell County, IA on November 24, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Woolfries, Andy	Boreal Chickadee	Osage	Osage, Iowa Home Feeder board	Home bird feeder - back yard - shrubs and trees.	The documentation form by Andy Woolfries is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Associated with other chickadees but noticable [sic] because of distinctive brown cap. There appeared to be only two. They were positively identified at least 20 times from a distance of about six feet. Reference: "Birds of North America". \| The original documentation form event occurred at least 20 times over November 24 to 26, 1978.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	49
Rare bird documentation form for Goose species at West Overlook at Coralville Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Goose species at West Overlook at Coralville Lake in Johnson County, IA on March 4, 1990.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Ducks, Geese, Swans	Coralville Dam	opposite W. Overlook campground, Coralville Lake Johnson Co., IA		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The unidentified goose was the size of the white-fronteds, dwarfing the Ross'...Underparts plain medium brown except or a line of indistinct pale crescents over the shoulder and elongate tertiaries [sic] each with a white streak suggestive of a blue phase Snow Goose. The extensive dark on the hindcrown, cheek, and through the eye on this bird is unique in my experience. \| The original documentation form event occurred around noon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	27
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lock and Dam 15, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1993-01-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Timper, Edward	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lock and Dam 15	Opening lock wall, Lock and Dam #15, Rock Island Arsenal	River system, open water	The documentation form by Ed Timper is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Oberg. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring Billed Gull: This gull had no ring bill, was lighter built with distinctive black legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup near Montrose, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seven Greater Scaups near Montrose in Lee County, IA on November 10, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Greater Scaup	Montrose	Open pool on Mississippi River just south of Montrose, Lee Co., IA	Open water on Mississippi River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup does not have this flat headed look as this birdhad, but a pointed head look. Lesser Scaup female does not have a whitish area behind its eye like one of these birds had. The bill was not banded as a Ring-necked Duck female would have been. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Marshalltown, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-06	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon north of Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on November 6, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Prairie Falcon	Marshalltown	one-half mile north of Marshalltown	open farmland, approaching Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel & Merlin - this bird much too large for that. Peregrine - this bird was too light colored to be a Peregrine & it had no helmet \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
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 Cerulean Warbler at Amana Woods, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-30	1981-05-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cerulean Warbler at Amana Woods north of Homestead in Iowa County, IA on April 30, 1981.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Cerulean Warbler	Amana Woods	one mile north of Homestead, IA. Iowa County "Amana Woods"	General: Edge of extensive decidous [sic] woods, moving about in upper story Specific: of large trees along dirt road.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This is only bird I know of with the narrow dark band across otherwise clear throat and underside. This band was seen very clearly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	33
Rare bird documentation form for Stilt Sandpiper east of Ames, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-26	1993-06-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Stilt Sandpiper east of Ames in Story County, IA on June 26, 1993.	Dinsmore, James J.	Stilt Sandpiper	Ames	one mile east of Ames on 13th Street (by Holub Greenhouse)	flooded field	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Yellowlegs-bill shape, thickness, leg length, head markings. Solitary Sandpiper-eye line rather than eye ring \| The original documentation form event occurred twice around 10:00:00 and 18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25b
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Claybanks Preserve, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-11-23	1997-12-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles at Claybanks Preserve in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 23, 1997.	Goranson, Rita	Golden Eagle	Claybanks Forest	on Wren ave - at Claybanks Preserve, Cerro Gordo Co	wooded & river	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Carolyn Fischer, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: later we saw (white head white tail) adult eagles = not the coloring of the first one. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:10:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull south of Muscatine, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-28	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull south of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 28, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation submitted to the committee.	White, Gerald	Iceland Gull	Muscatine	On the Mississippi River approximately three miles south of Lock 16.		The documentation by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Betty Wood and Keith Blunt. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bill appeared smaller than the bills of near-by Herring Gulls. The bird size was near the same size or smaller than the Herring Gulls. [...] I eliminated Glaucous Gull because it would have been larger and heavier looking and the bill would not have been all dark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:50:00/11:52:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Albion, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Snowy Egrets at Albion in Marshall County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Dinsmore, James J.	Snowy Egret	Albion	on southwest edge of Albion, Marshall County	in flooded field/small marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Eric Munson, Hank Zaletel, Joe Schaufenbuel, "et al". \| Elimination of similar species: leg/foot color eliminates Little Blue, Cattle and Great Egret. Also the size was much smaller than a Great Egret. \| The original documentation form event lasted occurred around 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at George Wyth State Park, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on December 21, 1997.	Moore, Francis L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	George Wyth Memorial State Park	On southside of Cedar River between Cedar Falls and Waterloo opposite George Wyth S.P.	Open river front	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Al Brown, Opal Uher, Maurice Hanson, Ruby Hanson, and Tom Stone. \| Elimination of similar species: No other adult gull has this combination of fieldmarks, all yellow bill, black legs, black outer primaries, smudge on back of head on to the nape, black eyes, rest of body all white, white slightly forked tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-legged Kittiwake in Waterloo, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-legged Kittiwake in Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Waterloo	On South Side of Cedar River between Cedar Falls and Waterloo opposite George Wyth S.P.	Open river front	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Al Brown, Opal Uher, Maurice Hanson, Tom Stone, and Ruby Hanson. \| Elimination of similar species: No other adult gull has this combination of fieldmarks, all yellow bill, black legs, black outer primaries, smudge on back of head onto the nape, black eyes, rest of body all white, white slightly forked tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Gull east of Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-11	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Gull east of Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 11, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Western Gull	Lock and Dam 15	On Miss. River chanel [sic] ice between Davenport, Scott Co. IA &+ Rock Isl. Arsenal, RI Co. IL.	On ice covered chanel [sic] of Mississippi - 1/4 - 1/2 mi. upstream (East) of Lock + Dam 15.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Brian Blevins and Gerald White were submitted. Another observers includes Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Slaty-backed Gull - Gray mantle merged directly to black tips, trailing white wing edge too narrow, mantle color too dark for g.b. Lesser-Black-bkd Gull - leg color pink, bird too large + heavy Greater Black-bkd. Gull - Bird too small, back not black enough, legs too bright + pink. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00 on December 11, 1986, 08:20:00/08:25:00 and 09:00:00/09:15:00 on December 12, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Elk Rock State Park, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-11	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on December 11, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Elk Rock State Park	on ice in Lake Red Rock as viewed from bluff in N. Elk Rock St. Park	Reservoir on ice	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black Backed - size other dark immature gulls - wings - more solid + consistent color + mantle solid dark gray \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Dickcissel at Davenport, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-24	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Dickcissel at Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 24, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Barker, Ann M.	Dickcissel	Davenport	on ground near feeder @ RR3 Box 190, Davenport	Short grassy area under feeder, near bushes & Scotch Pines	The documentation form by Ann Barker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Bill Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: House Sparrow - Lap. Longspur. Field marks - this bird had definite black bib, bright yellow on breast, yellow eye line, chestnut shoulders. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Woodpecker Marsh, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-07	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Woodpecker Marsh in Wayne County, IA on September 7, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, two letters from Charlotte Scott to Thomas Kent, and a letter from Thomas Kent to Charlotte Scott.	Scott, Charlotte	Black-headed Grosbeak	Woodpecker Marsh	on a country road near Woodpecker Marsh			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Des Moines, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Mississippi Kites in the Des Moines Area in Polk County, IA on August 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Olivet Baptist Church - Des Moines area	Church parking lot with large trees and open spaces and creek	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner and Phil McFadden. \| Elimination of similar species: It's quite distinctive. A white-tailed Kite has black shoulders and a white tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-30	1982-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1982.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Little Blue Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Old Man Slough near Cone Marsh Louisa County Iowa	river bottom slough	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret is larger, has a yellow bill and black legs. Cattle Egret has thick yellow-orange bill, thick short neck and in breeding plumage on orange patch on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20