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 Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 28, 1988.	Thomas, Michael K.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Red Rock Dam	just below Red Rock Dam - south tailwater area - Marion Co., IA	river - gravel base	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: Ringbill: collar, eye patch, black pattern on wings Bonaparte's: collar, size Red-legged Kittiwake: thickness of collar, black legs/feet \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:55:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
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 Pine Grosbeak at Mark Sand Prairie, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-12-27	1981-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Grosbeak at Mark Sand Prairie in Black Hawk County, IA on December 27, 1980.	Mecham, Milo	Pine Grosbeak	Cedar Hills Sand Prairie	Mark Sand Prarie, [sic] Black Hawk County, Iowa	A row of cedar trees planted as a wind break at the edge of a natural prarie. [sic] Large number of evergreens approx 1/10 mile	The documentation form by Milo Mecham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis L Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: While a female Purple Finch was seen in the same location. This was not a male Purple Finch, because of its larger size, the grey sides and its reluctance to leave the trees. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brant at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-18	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Brant at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 18, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a copy of a photo, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Rosenbaum, Mindy	Brant	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	In front of De Soto Visitor Center	frozen lake	The documentation form by Mindy Rosenbaum is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore, Robert K. Myers, Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Tanya Bray, Robert Cecil, and Ross Silcock were submitted later. Other observers include Francis Moore, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, John Hoogerheide, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene "Gene" Armstrong, and John Cecil. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	9
Rare bird documentation form for Stellar's Jay at Des Moines, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-07-05	1978-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Stellar's Jays at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 5, 1978. It was included with a Woodward H. Brown letter to Nick Halmi dated July 8, 1978 regarding the documentation form and sighting.	Brown, Woodward H. Collins, Paul B., Mrs.	Stellar's Jay	Des Moines	close to house; 1017 - 26th Des Moines Iowa	in adjacent yard	The documentation form by Mrs. Paul Collins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue Jay \| The original documentation form event occurred briefly around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	82
Rare bird documentation form for Common Gallinule at Iowa City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-23	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Gallinule at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 23, 1985.	Towner, Robert Towner, Nancy	Common Moorhen	Iowa City	six acre impoundment 1 1/2 miles north of Iowa City in Johnson Co.		The documentation form by Nan and Bob Towner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	44
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brown Pelican at Lake Rathbun, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-21	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for four Brown Pelicans at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on March 21, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and one documentation form submitted to the committee.	Exline, Nancy	Brown Pelican	Rathbun Lake	Just west of mile marker 16 on Highway 142 on north side of Rathbun Reservoir, Appanoose County.	Upper reaches of one arm of the Reservoir with shallow water and flood prone vegetation on S. side of highway, shallow captive water ponds and pasture on north side.	The documentation form by Nancy Exline is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roy Downing. \| Elimination of similar species: None except whites-cormorants mentioned as possible by Darrell Howell and Dinsmore; however, I am very familiar with this species also and know it was not cormorants. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Pine Lake, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-01-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Pine Lake in Hardin County, IA on January 23, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Slife, Nancy	Hoary Redpoll	Pine Lake	Feeding stations at our cottage ... Lower PineLake [sic] in Hardin Co.	Woodland -	The documentation form by Nancy Slife is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Richard Hollis, Hank Zaletel, and John C. Robinson were submitted later. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel, Beth Proescholdt, Mike Newlon, James Huntington, Bob Myers, Francis Moore, Russell Hays, B.J. Rose, Sharon Rose, Allan C. Hahn, Tim Dwyer, Calvin Knight, Bernadine Knight, Garnita Seward, Ramona Sommerlet, Phyllis Harris, John Robinson, John Hoogerkeide, Maggie Hoogerkeide, Nancy Slife, and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar species, Common Redpoll. The first Common Redpoll appeared at our feeders January 13, 1982. The flock of common Redpolls has grown to approximately 40-50 as of February 9, 1982. Within this flock of Common Redpolls there are many females which appear quite light in coloration. I have been able to observe many times a side-by-side comparison with the Hoary Redpoll and light, female Common Redpolls. The Hoary Redpoll appears much lighter and silvery in coloration. This contrast is quite obvious. The Common Redpolls back and nape have an overall brownish cast with buff and black stripes on the back compared to the soft gray cast of the Hoary Redpolls back with silver + black stripes - no buff coloration. Also the very fine, pencil-thin lines along the flank of the Hoary Redpoll differs from that the heavy flank-lines of the Common Redpoll. The Hoary Redpoll's rump and undertail coverts area without any flecks or stripes, but the Common Redpolls rump and undertail coverts have flecks and streaks. \| The original documentation form event began around 11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Bonaparte's Gull at Ottumwa, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-01	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bonaparte's Gull at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on January 1, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hoskins, Nelson R.	Bonaparte's Gull	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Ia.	Des Moines River, Below Hydro-dam	The documentation form by Nelson Hoskins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull - above mentioned markings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	22
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for White-winged Dove at Ottumwa, 1997	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-08	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-winged Dove at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on April 8, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, four photographs, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hoskins, Nelson R.	White-winged Dove	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Ia.	Back yard, small trees, also across from cemetary [sic]	The documentation form by Nelson R. Hoskins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning dove. Photos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from am to pm.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-backed Woodpecker at Camp Arrowhead near Ottumwa, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-28	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-backed Woodpecker at Camp Arrowhead near Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on December 28, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and an article submitted to the committee.	Hoskins, Nelson R.	Black-backed Woodpecker	Camp Arrowhead	[...] former YMCA Camp Arrowhead, 3 miles east and 1 mile south of Ottumwa, Wapello County		The documentation form by Nelson R. Hoskins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld, Margorie Heusinkveld, Charles Ayres, and Darleen Ayres. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	30
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Mockingbird south of Tama, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-09	1985-05-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Mockingbird south of Tama in Tama County, IA on May 9, 1985.	Kubik, Nicholas A.	Northern Mockingbird	Tama	about 3/4 mile south of Tama	hilly pastured fields with trees, some brushy areas	The documentation form by Nicholas A. Kubik is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Brown Thrasher is reddish-brown in color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Prairie Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-05-28	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Warbler at Wildcat Den State park in Muscatine County, IA on May 28, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Prairie Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	across the road from entrance to Wildcat Den S.P., Muscatine Co.	field margin - in saplings (8-10' tall) at edge of uncultivated, fenced-off field	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: N. Parula: slender, coarser bill with abrupt ending: Field Sparrow: trill at end of song accelerando on same [illegible], but ascending chromatically. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	22
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Babcock Access at Coralville Lake, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Babcock Access at Coralville Lake in Johnson County, IA on July 28, 1979.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Golden Eagle	Babcock Access	n. of Babcock L. access, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co.	reservoir tail waters after dead trees in west and of Coralville Reservoir floodplain	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteo: size, profile. Bald Eagle, imm: distribution of white feathers, notably white tail base much more distinct and [illegible] in golden. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at River Heights in north Iowa City, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-27	1978-01-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at River Heights in north Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 27, 1978.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Bohemian Waxwing	Iowa City	River Heights, 4 miles n. of Iowa City (my yard)	General: suburban yard Specific: in berry-bearing cranberry bushes	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cedar Waxwing \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 13, 1978.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Bohemian Waxwing	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City, Iowa	General: City park Specific: shallow ravine with deciduous and coniferous plantings	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cedar Waxwing close, good comparison of a) size; b) whitish undertail coverts in C.W.; C) lack of white on wing in C.W. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandy Beach at Coraville Reservoir, 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-03-26	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 26, 1977. Includes two record review documents with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Laughing Gull	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Sandy Beach, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co.	sandy shore of reservoir and flying out over lake	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull: lack of white band separating black on wing tip from mantle; size difference from Ring bill in this case not as obvious as for Franklin's. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Swan Lake, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-16	1976-09-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on September 16, 1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Swan Lake	Swan Lake, Johnson Co., Iowa	Swan L. is 1 mile south from the Coralville Reservoir. The bird was flying over the lake, the bordering mudflats and disappeared within seconds over an adjoining cornfield, continuing its rectilinear, unswerving flight.	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In spite of the first subconscious "gestalt" impression of a Mourning Dove approaching, the square tail, lacking white, falcon wings and greater size rule this one out. The bird seen was definitely too small to be a Peregrine, and had no mustache. It did not have the distinctive facial pattern of the familiar Kestrel either, nor the rufous back and/or wings and tail; it was a dusky bird, not the way Kestrels look to me; nor have I ever seen a Kestrel flying with such blinding speed and so "purposefully". \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-03-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 20, 1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Greater Scaup	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa, just NE of Mehaffey Bridge (rd F28)	swimming in water of reservoir, near the shore, in shallow water, then flew off into deeper central water	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup - several pairs nearby; Female in same scope field as gr. scaup: differences evident - L. Scaup showed purplish, not green, head gloss, slightly peaked head, daintier proportions, finer bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 3, 1977.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Peregrine Falcon	Sand Point	Coralville Reservoir at Sandy Point, Johnson Co., Iowa	reservoir margin; flying over weedy point, then alighting in tree N of reservoir (very low, almost reduced to river channel)	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than Merlin or Am. Kestrel; falcon shape; Mustache pattern diagnostic; shape excludes buteos etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper northwest of Iowa City, 1974	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1974-10-03	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper northwest of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on October 3, 1974. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Johnson County	County road 0, about 15 miles NWW of Iowa City, Iowa	General: puddle in mudflat Specific: shallow water and mud, with sparse clumps of grass	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Pectoral Sandpiper. good juxtaposition. Diff.: chestnut crown, breast spotting much finer, mostly on sides only, no sharp line of demarcation downwards \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Sandy Beach Area at Coralville Reservoir, 1977	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Sandy Beach Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 27, 1977.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Western Grebe	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Coralville Reservoir, E of Sandy Beach area, Johnson Co.	deep portion of reservoir	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dr. Carter, Mike Newlon, Carol Newlon, Peter Petersen, and Mary Lou Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-necked Grebe: smaller, shorter bill, ventral aspects of neck not slate but gray. Horned grebe (one nearby for direct comparison): much smaller, shorter neck and bill. White wing patch, not long stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:25:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at County Road W48 in Johnson County, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-03-20	1977-03-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at County Road W48 in Johnson County, IA on March 20, 1977.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Johnson County	Co. Rd W48, Johnson Co., Iowa, N of Iowa River	tall-grass fields with scattered dead or live trees. Flood plain of Coralville Reservoir (west end)	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Kestrel: no rufous on back; facial pattern of Kestrel clearly not present; chunkier bird. Sharp-shinned Hawk: head proportionately large, tail shorter, wings pointed and cuffed, not rounded. Peregrine: too small; lack of heavy black mustache. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Co. Rd. W48 in Johnson County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-03-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Co. Rd. W48 in Johnson County, IA on March 18, 1979.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Co. Rd. W48, Johnson Co., Iowa	over flooded fields, tailwaters of Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - slimmer, flight less direct and powerful. Sharp-shin: Rounded wings, relatively longer tail, more flapping flights \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:00:15.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Coralville Reservoir, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-03-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 22, 1977.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Greater Scaup	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., about 1/2 mile above dam	fresg\h water - reservoir lake	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaups (several in same scope field): contrast in head shape, bill size, neck thickness clear; some of Lesser Scaups in vicinity had grayish smudged flanks rather than pure white of Greater Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10