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 Trumpeter Swan at Big Marsh, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-03-22	1997-04-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Trumpeter Swans at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on March 22, 1997.	Proescholdt, Mark	Trumpeter Swan	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big marsh - (Butler County)	Huge marshy area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: A Tundra Swan immature is much whiter by late winter than immature trumpeters. Tundra Swans have slightly concave bills and the black of the bills do not go completely to the eye in a triangle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Big Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-29	1983-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on April 29, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh - Butler Co.	Marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrels Tails do not have the bold black bands, and show reddish on tail + back (NOT overall blue-gray). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh near Parkersburg, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-05	1981-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh near Parkersburg in Butler County, IA on April 5, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Marbled Godwit	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh near Parkersburg, IA (Butler County)	Marsh, Shallow and mostly drained marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Jody Hines, Antoinette Camarata, and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit has white upper-tail coverts and no cinnamon in the under-wing linings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-24	1984-03-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on March 24, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, Butler Co., IA	Open fields at edge of Marsh with rows of trees and hedges	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk does not have a bold white superciliary line like this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Big Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-21	1983-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on May 21, 1983.	Proescholdt, Beth	King Rail	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, north of Parkersburg, Iowa	flooded marsh, dike	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt and Phyllis Harris. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rail - this bird was twice as large as the Virginia Rails we were flushing, and it had no gray cheeks \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Rock Park in Pella, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-26	1983-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Rock Park in Pella in Marion County, IA on November 26, 1983.	Brand, Gordon James	Northern Goshawk	Big Rock City Park	Big Rock Park, Pella, Iowa	80 acre timber tract but near Red Rock Reservoir.	The documentation form by Gordon Brand is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Raymond Brand. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers Hawk. This Hawk had no horizontal barring on the belly. It was larger and had very pronounced dark eyepatch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Big Sand Mound, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-08	1984-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Big Sand Mound in Muscatine County, IA on September 8, 1984.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve	Big Sand Mound Muscatine Co.	extensive sandy prairie w/ scattered small trees	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: falcon shape, banded tail, lack of distinct face pattern yield ID. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-14	1985-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 14, 1985.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	Spirit Lake	Big Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa	seen on open water of Big Spirit Lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - no white evident on wings or head. Surf Scoter -- no white evident on head (immatures of either of these species might appear similar to Black Scotor, except for presence of orange knob) Coot - smaller, has a whitish bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Big Wall Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1986-09-14	1986-09-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area	Big Wall Lake, Wright Co.	in wet, grassy area at north end of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow eliminated by the lighter back color, lack of a gray nape, and different head pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Big Wall Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	King Rail	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright Co.	large cattail marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and large bill eliminate Virginia Rail. The rusty (not grayish) underparts eliminate the very similar Clapper Rail (!!). \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-09-05	1998-09-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 5, 1998.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-winged Scoter	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright County	open water of large freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and color immediately pointed toward a scoter. Eye patch immediately identified it as White-winged, further cooroborated [sic] when white wing patch seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids, 1990	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Wickham, Peter P.	Baltimore Oriole	Cedar Rapids	Bird feeder, 100 Thompson Drive S.E., Cedar Rapids	Suburban area, with condominiums, private homes, lawns & trees	The documentation form by Pete Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Durbin and three unidentified people with other bird feeders. \| Elimination of similar species: There are no similar species that I can think of. It wasn't a Bullock's type, which would have orange on the face and a big white wing patch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 18, 1980.	Moore, Francis L.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Bird was located on East side of Sweet Marsh, which is outside of Tripoli to the East. Observation was on a dike that comes off of and South of parking lot on second road going to the marsh as you proceed North from the Southern part of the Marsh. See map for location at asterisk.	Habitat bird was found in was a grassy area about 2' to 2 1/2' tall about 2' from dike and extending approximately 50' from dike. All around this particular area was large concentrations of cattails and sedges. Water was approximately 2" to 4" deep in area of sighting with deeper water on 3 sides of the area and the dike on the fourth side.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:15:02.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-02-26	1989-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck in Black Hawk County, IA on February 26, 1989.	Proescholdt, Beth	Prairie Falcon	Reinbeck	Black Hawk County - 4 1/2 miles east of Reinbeck on #175	open farmland, unused silos beside busy road	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt, Dennis Thompson, Cecille Thompson, Reid Allen, Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine - the bird we saw was very light brown, had a thin mustache stripe & not a Peregrine's wider sideburn, & it had dark axillars as well as underwing coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-02-11	1996-02-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on February 11, 1996.	Thelen, Ed	Thayer's Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Black Hawk Lake Sac County	Natural Lake - near open water from aerator	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Thelen and Peter Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull has dark lesser coverts and dark feathers under the wing tips. More distinct tail band + larger bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-11-18	1996-01-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on November 18, 1995.	Huser, Bill F.	Glaucous Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Blackhawk Lake, Sac County, IA	lake ice/open water	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst, Bob Livermore, Pete Ernzen, and unidentified members of the Loess Hills Audubon Society. \| Elimination of similar species: Relatively few gulls have pale coloration in their immature plumages. Also, few have pale colored primaries. Those fitting this description: Iceland Gull- smaller than a Herring Gull, with a disproportionally [sic] smaller bill. 1st winter with an all dark bill. Thayer's Gull- usually darker colored over-all, with an [sic] smaller, all dark bill in immatures and usually some darker colored primaries. Glaucous-winged Gull- though having a large bill, it is all dark in 1st and 2nd winter plumages \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Blue Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on November 30, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Cinnamon Teal	Blue Lake	Blue Lake in Monona Co.	Lake - 99% ice covered	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Don't know of any. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:54:00/12:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 21, 1985.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Boat ramp area; Riverton GMA.	Floodplain, open deciduous	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barb Wilson. It was compiled by Betty Walters. \| Elimination of similar species: small, bigger than Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-07-25	1996-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Ledges State park in Boone County, IA on July 25, 1996.	Allen, Pam	Mississippi Kite	Ledges State Park	Boone Co., Ledges State Park		The documentation form by Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed Kite has a white tail and black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Boone County, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Boone County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Havlik, Mike	Merlin	Boone County	Boone County	Bird was spotted flapping about 1 foot off of the ground, landed in the corner of a corn field and began feeding on an unidentified bird.	The documentation form by Michael Havlik is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Schmitz and Jason O'Brian. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel - no black mustache marks, no rufous on back. Sharp-shinned Hawk - pointed wings, dark eye, wide tail band, open field habitat. Peregrine and Prairie Falcon - smaller size, lack of bold mustache. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Jackson Township in Boone County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-07-08	1983-07-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Jackson Township in Boone County, IA on July 8, 1983.	Ehresman, Bruce	Barn Owl	Jackson Township	Boone County, Jackson Township (T-84N, R-25W) Sec. 11 + 14	Corn/Beans/oats - grassy roadside	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marlene Ehresman. \| Elimination of similar species: Barred owl is larger and gray. Great Horned Owl is larger, has ear tufts, and not pure white on all underparts. Short-eared owl has darker face and black wrist patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:50:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Worth Township in Boone County, 1984	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Worth Township in Boone County, IA on May 30, 1984.	Ehresman, Bruce	Barn Owl	Worth Township	Boone County, Worth Township (T-83N, R-26W) Sec. 21	Deciduous woodland edge (Wildlife Research Station)	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Dietz. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Worth Township in Boone County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-02-18	1983-02-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Worth Township in Boone County, IA on February 18, 1983.	Martin, Kevin	Northern Goshawk	Worth Township	Boone County, Worth Township Sec. 8	Upland woods	The documentation form by Kevin Martin is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Brown. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Boone Wildlife Research Station, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Boone Wildlife Research Station south of Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on August 25, 1986.	Reeves, Doug	Northern Goshawk	Ledges State Park	Boone Wildlife Research Station just south of Ledges State Park	Oak woods, open fields	The documentation form by Doug Reeves is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include DeWaine Jackson, Tom Putnam and Jim Kienzler. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for a Cooper's hawk (it was big!!), or a broad-winged hawk. No other gray hawks of that size and description that I am aware of. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup south of Council Bluffs, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-28	1982-03-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup south of Council Bluffs in Mills County, IA on March 28, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Greater Scaup	Council Bluffs	Borrow pit along I-29 South of Council Bluffs (Northbound Lane) Mills Co.	Deep water pond	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup has a definite pointed shaped head, and appears smaller than this bird did, also does not have as long a white wing stripe into the primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:20:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10