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 Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on December 23, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North, 1 1/2 miles west of Hasings, [sic] Iowa Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White outer tail feathers on a streaked Sparrow suggests strongly Vesper Sparrow. Lapland Longsurs have white over tail feathers, but lack the white eye ring, are streaked on the sides but not, or only faintly, across the breast. Longspurs do not typically sit in trees. Longspurs have short tails, too. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egrets near Cherokee, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for fifteen Cattle Egrets near Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on June 18, 1984.	Brewer, Marion M.	Cattle Egret	Cherokee	5 miles South of Cherokee and 2 West	Marshy end of a pasture and in a flooded corn field next to pasture	The documentation form by Marion M. Bewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Bierman and Jim Huber. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small for any other egret and orange coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Five Ridge Prairie State Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Five Ridge Prairie State Park in Plymouth County, IA on January 3, 1999.	Probst, Jerry	Northern Goshawk	Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve	5 Ridge Prarie Plymouth Co. IA	Below dam Riparian + Upper transition Red Cedar - Burr Oak	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Warren Dunkle. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's - This bird was too heavy bodied, strong wing beats and the whitish gray ventral side (body). Red-shouldered - Goshawk gray color - wing pattern - flight. \| The original documentation form event occurred twice at 09:00:00 and 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Jester Park at Saylorville Lake, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-04-09	1989-04-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Jester Park at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on April 9, 1989.	Fix, Andrew S.	Black Scoter	Jester Park	50 ft. off Jester State park South end - Saylorville Reservoir	water	The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson, Bery Engebretsen, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Other breeding plumage male scoters have characteristic white markings on head, coots have a white bill, moorhens have white along the side. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Amazilia species at Des Moines, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-09-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Amazilia species at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on September 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, two letters from Carole Stolz to T.H. Kent, a letter from Louis Bevier to Tom Kent, e-mail exchanges, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Amazilias	Des Moines	512 SW 60th St., Des Moines, Polk Co., IA	Rather open urban area on southwest side of Des Moines in bottom land. There is a large deck behind the house with hummingbird feeder hanging from the eve and crab apple tree behind the deck and adjacent to the garage. A large vacant field is behind the property.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Stolz, Carole Stolz, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, Jim Dinsmore, Jim Fuller, Bob Cecil, and Aaron Brees. \| Elimination of similar species: My experience and references of Buff-bellied Hummingbird suggest that the cinnamon color, extent of this color toward the throat, cinnamon rump/back, and white eye spot do not fit this species. I believe that the features shown in the photo of the Arizona 'mystery' bird in Field Notes are a perfect fit for the Des Moines bird. I do not know of specific information on bird trafficking in Iowa. We had a Yellow Grosbeak north of Des Moines in December 1990, the origin of which was never explained. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Glenwood, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at Glenwood at Mills County, IA on May 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, an article in Field Notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lazuli Bunting	Glenwood	54452 Highway 275, north of Glenwood, Mills Co., IA	Rural home in Loess Hills with multiple feeders and ground feed.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler north of Iowa City in Penn Township in Johnson County, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler north of Iowa City in Penn Township in Johnson County, IA on August 10, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Bay-breasted Warbler	Penn Township	6 Longview Knoll, NE, Iowa City, Iowa, 52240		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was an immature of the trio Blackpoll, Bay-breasted, and Pine. [...] (Pine is not streaked) [...] (Blackpoll has streaked breast, and Pine has some yellow to brown on the breast). [...] (Blackpoll has light colored legs) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:05:00/19:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brant at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, IA, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-11-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Brant north of Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on November 18, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Wildlife Notes, internal correspondence, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Priebe, Don	Brant	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	6 mi. N of Riverton on No. 2	Corn field	The documentation form by Don Priebe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Benson, Carl Priebe, and Jim Priebe.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie near Larchwood, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-10-06	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie near Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on October 6, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black-billed Magpie	Larchwood	6 mi. W, 2 mi. S of Larchwood, Lyon County, Iowa	General: Hills bordering Big Sioux River Specific: Prairie hills, with some riverbottom & hillside timber, cropfields on tops of hills nearby.	The documentation form by Douglas Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Fribley and Paul Hagen. \| Elimination of similar species: Only similar groups would be crows, jays and blackbirds. Size, tail shape and unique color pattern dictate nothing else except Black-billed Magpie. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:04:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon south of Cherokee, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-09-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon south of Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on September 19, 1992.	Bierman, Dick	Prairie Falcon	Cherokee	6 miles South of Cherokee, Cherokee County	Little Sioux River Valley Timbered hillsides & pastures	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sy Runkel and Brian Fulton. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon is much darker on the back. Swainson's Hawk is buteo shaped. I've seen thousands and monitored nests. Merlin is smaller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Decorah, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-04-22	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on April 22, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hovde, Harriet Hovde, Oivind M.	Western Tanager	Decorah	603 North St. Decorah Winneshiek County	Open yard with (deciduous + conifers) trees and shrubs near feeding station	The documentation form by Harriet and Oivind Hovde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Orene Docken, Ardith Koenig, and Dorothy Peterson. \| Elimination of similar species: Scarlet Tanager - Eliminated because of color and wing bars \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00 on April 22, 1986 and 10:00:00 on April 24, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA around May 22, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article and cover page from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form with an attachment submitted to the committee.	Quinn, Christine A.	Green-tailed Towhee	West Des Moines	605-5th West Des Moines Iowa (residential city)	Open backyard wildlife habitat- under/around quince bushes	The documentation form by Christine A. Quinn is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Robert J. Naisbitt. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] This cap was quite noticeable & large (much larger than a catbird's cap). The bird seemed to be a little larger than a catbird (I have a pair nesting in my yard to [sic] I seem them a lot) and not as large as a robin. [...] He put me in mind very much of a catbird in size and contours. \| The original documentation form event lasted around "evenings and 1 morning" from around May 22 to the first week of June 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Cherokee, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-02-22	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on February 22, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Hoary Redpoll	Cherokee	635 Central Cherokee, IA		The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Tom Phipps. \| Elimination of similar species: Was with a group of Common Redpolls + Purple Finches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe near Ruble, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-06-29	1981-07-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Say's Phoebes east of Akron in Plymouth County, IA on June 29, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Say's Phoebe	Akron	7 mi e. of Akron, Plymouth Co, IA	General: Old farmstead with open valley surrounded by corn and bean fields. A few large cottonwoods and many smaller trees. Specific: Old buildings open. 1 mi north, 1/4 mile e. of Eldon Bryant farm- private property	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eldon Bryant. \| Elimination of similar species: Other phoebes, Western Kingbird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:40:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest Trail, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-28	1988-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest Trail in Allamakee County, IA on May 28, 1988.	Moore, Francis L.	Prairie Warbler	Yellow River State Forest Trail	7 mi. trail (far side) starting from Fire Tower, Yellow River S.F., Allamakee Co. IA	Second growth deciduous trees near deeper woodland along old fence row.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other bird has this type of song. No other warbler is yellow below with black streaks on sides, olive green above, yellow superciliary line and black cheek patch below eye with yellow center (See drawing) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow in Des Moines County, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow in Des Moines County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Vesper Sparrow	Des Moines County	7 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines County)	Agricultural land	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Song Sparrow - no breast spot on this bird and Vesper has less breast streaking + also white outer tail feathers. Savannah Sparrow does not have as prominent eye ring and no white outer tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens, 1979	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-30	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on April 30, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting from Claudia Wilds to Mike Newlon, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Purple Sandpiper	Laurens	7 miles south of Laurens, Iowa	large farm mud puddle with corn stubble.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Dick Bierman was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Short bright yellow legs eliminates all similar species, except the Wander [sic] Tattler which has a barred belly \| The original documentation form event occurred from 09:00:00/19:00:00 at the times of 09:00:00, 13:00:00, and 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bullock's Oriole at Johnston, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-12-19	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bullock's Oriole at Johnston in Polk County, IA on December 19, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form (two copies) submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Dennis	Bullock's Oriole	Johnston	7503 Wildflower Ct. Johnston, Ia. (My backyard)	Feeder set-up (7 feeders, no fruit) at the edge of a wooded ravine less than a mile from the Des Moines River just south of Saylorville Dam	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Cecile Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: Evening Grosbeak by the bill & color pattern. White in the wing too extensive for young Orchard Oriole. Also seemed bigger than an Orchard Oriole. Bright yellow underparts & streaked back rule out several other orioles. Immature Scott's are described as 'gray-green' below. \| The original documentation form event occurred around mid-afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Kensett, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-19	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Hoary Redpolls at Kensett in Worth County, IA on February 19, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Goranson, Rita	Hoary Redpoll	Kensett	7th & Oak St., Kennett, Ia.	at feeder's	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: In with 40+ Common and these two were noticeably lighter and varied in coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Rare bird documentation form for Connecticut Warbler at Indianola, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-09-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Connecticut Warbler at Indianola in Warren County, IA on September 6, 1999.	Sinclair, Jim	Connecticut Warbler	Indianola	810 North B St. Indianola, IA	dense weedy brush with canopy	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	39
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Wellman, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-15	1984-01-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Wellman in Washington County, IA on January 15, 1984.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Varied Thrush	Wellman	816 13th St Wellman Iowa	Urban Feeder	The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Janet Hollis, Jenny Hollis, Eury Henderson, Barbara Henderson, and Ruth Eash. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin is the only vaguely similar species. The description above clearly eliminates robins \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Purple Finch at Iowa City, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-07-10	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Purple Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on July 10, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Spieker, Susan J.	Purple Finch	Iowa City	830 Hudson, Iowa City, Iowa	Back yard, with fruit trees, walnut trees, shrubs and bushes and garden.	The documentation form by Sue Spieker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female House Finch has more overall brown coloring and the streaks on breast and belly are wider and bolder. Also House Finch does not have the light area, eyebrow stripe, above and below eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk east of Osage, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-03-13	1993-03-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk east of Osage in Mitchell County, IA on March 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hartogh, Mary Jo	Ferruginous Hawk	Osage	9 mi. E of Osage along a gravel road-Mitchell Co.	Hayfield near a road	The documentation form by Mary Jo Hartogh is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Hartogh and Annjean Hartogh. \| Elimination of similar species: Compared it with a bald eagle and red-tailed hawk which does not have large reddish patches where the legs would be held in flight, nor the outline inside the wings in the same color. A red-tail might have one or the other white, but not both tail and head in my experience. Also the red-tail usually has a darker shade of brown on its middle belly, if it has color there. The rough-legged has a dark tail band which at that proximity should have been seen and its color is also a darker brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:25:00/08:26:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Fairfield, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-31	1987-12-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Fairfield in Jefferson County, IA on October 31, 1987.	Porter, Diane C.	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Fairfield	908 E. Briggs, Fairfield, IA (Jefferson County, SE Iowa)	In my yard in town, a residential area with many mature trees. Near Chautauqua Park, which has a grove of large oaks. The bird was in a ginnala maple in my front yard.	The documentation form by Diane Porter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird really does not resemble other warblers. It looked more like a junco than any other species, but the bill size and shape, the bird's small size, the white wing patches, and the blue color all told against that.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Mason City, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-23	1990-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 23, 1990.	Walter, Janice L.	Summer Tanager	Mason City	934 - 13th S.E., Mason City, Ia.	Urban yard with Large Green Ash trees	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The reddish not greenish yellow color of the underparts eliminated female Scarlet Tanager. The thicker bill, not pointed at the tip, eliminated female Northern Oriole. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 13:50:00/13:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44