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 Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-16	1985-09-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Merlins at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on September 16, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer County	Marsh - Wooded edge and perching on stickups in marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small for Peregrine and wrong color pattern for Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-21	1984-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 21, 1984.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co. (east side)	Extensive marshy area - Dike separated 2 shallow pools.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was too dark for Kestrel and too small for Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-06	1983-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 6, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Sandhill Crane	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer 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: Great blue herons don't fly with neck extended, do not give the call I heard and have entirely different plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-11	1983-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on November 11, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co.	Evergreen Grove	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Cooper's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-16	1983-04-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co.	Brushy edge and open field along east side of marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel would show reddish back and tail and would not show the heavy bands on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Swamp Sparrow at Sweet Marsh, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swamp Sparrow at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 18, unknown year.	Stone, Tom	Swamp Sparrow	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh	swamp grass along dike	The documentation form by Tom Stone is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Too bulky for Chipping Sparrow, Field + Tree Sparrow have wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	62
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-13	1983-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 13, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Prairie Warbler	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh	Small clearing where a river birch overgrown area meets more upland riverbottom timber <- [pointing to river birch overgrown area] Area is wet under foot	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: The basic coloration, facial marking, and side streaking rule out all else I can think of. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-06	1983-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Sweet Marsh at Bremer County, IA on May 6, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	King Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh	marsh - cattails	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I thought about Virginia rail at first but because the look was so brief I didn't note the gray cheeks or lack of or any other marks. Basically on size impression I called bird a King Rail. I had been flushing many Soras (about Virginia size) and this bird was at least 2X larger than the Soras. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-26	1979-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 26, 1979.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh		The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: We have similarly flushed many soras this spring and at first glance the very buffy (yellowish) undersides made me think of a immature sora. However, this rail was smaller than a sora and had a very dark (almost black) back. Along the trailing edge of each wing out from the body about 2" and about 1/2" wide (maybe wider) was a white bar. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Swan Wildlife Refuge, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Swan Wildlife Refuge in Marion County, IA on October 27, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Prairie Falcon	Swan Wildlife Refuge	Swan Wildlife Refuge, Warren County [incorrect county], IA	Overlook of river bottom, waterfowl refuge	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings and powerful, direct flight identified the bird as a falcon. Size eliminated all but the more likely Peregrine. The pale color and narrow facial markings with light supercilliary all but eliminated the Peregrine. The brief look at the black on the underwing confirmed this. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/15:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-05-17	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on May 17, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a field report, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Black-headed Gull	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Swan Pen - Dickinson County	Wetland - open water not many emergents 2 islands	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonapartes Gull - size and color of hood Franklins - color of hood, wing markings (upper and lower) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
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 Pine Warbler west of Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler west of Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 4, 1991.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Pine Warbler	Coralville Lake	Swan Lake Road west of Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	Tall poplars at the edge of second-growth mixed hardwoods forest near the reservoir. Surrounded by cornfields. Groves of cultivated pines within 1/2 mile of the area. The bird was first spotted in the top-most branches of a bare (poplar?) snag.	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has thick, less pointed bill and distinct yellow spectacles. Immature or female Northern (Baltimore) Oriole much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Swan Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-06-03	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Swan Lake in Carroll County, IA on June 3, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Western Tanager	Swan Lake	Swan Lake Carroll Co.	Grassy Area with scatter tree up to 15' tall	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tanagers - had wing bars. N. Oriole Thicker bill + yellow rump and olive back \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Rare bird documentation form for Long-billed Dowitcher at Swan Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Long-billed Dowitchers at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on November 25, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Long-billed Dowitcher	Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area	Swan L., Johnson Co., IA	small natural marsh with low water, mud flats, no vegetation	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds did not have the bold streaking of a snipe. I wouldn't believe a Short-billed Dowitcher at this date if I saw it myself. At any rate, the gray neck and some retained thin rufous edge on wing feathers is typical of molting juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher at this date in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-24	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on March 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Swan Enclosure in Dickinson County - west of Big Spirit Lake	Open - praire [sic] pothole - fenced	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maury Muhm, Gary Wee, Tim Waltz, and Bryan Hellier. \| Elimination of similar species: - Eastern + Western bluebird were eliminated by the blue on breast - shape, color, size and habits eliminated indigo bunting \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, IA on February 7, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Booth Township	SW Palo Ato [sic] Co, Section 27 Booth twnship, IA	Flat glaciated open farm land with mixed grass & stubble	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and flight eliminate Kestrel. The dark axillaries eliminate Gyrfalcon and Peregrine Falcon. The long shape eliminates other raptors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park in Pocahontas County, IA on November 29, 1980.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Golden Eagle	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, Pocahontas County	General: Woods around lake. Specific: edge of woods around lake	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sunken Grove, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-06	1980-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Goshawks at Sunken Grove at Pocahontas County, IA on September 6, 1980.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Northern Goshawk	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, Pocahontas County	Woods around lake, edge of woods around lake	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Harms. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Bald Eagle at Sunken Grove, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bald Eagle at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on November 29, 1980.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Bald Eagle	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, Pocahontas County	Woods around lake, edge of woods around lake	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	21
Rare bird documentation form for Connecticut Warbler at Sunken Grove, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Connecticut Warblers at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on May 18, 1980.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Connecticut Warbler	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, IA	Mature decidious [sic] forest with heavy ground cover but little secondary growth.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine and Judy Carlson. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning, MacGillivray's, and Nashville \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:45:15.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	39
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Sunken Grove, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on May 18, 1980.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Hooded Warbler	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, IA	General: Marsh with a 15 acre mature deciduous forest Specific: A damp ravine with dense secondary growth of small tree and bushes. Forest floor primary new growth nettles and others 6" to 12" high.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Warbler sized - slightly larger than Common Yellowthroat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:15:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-28	1980-10-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park in Pocahontas County, IA on September 28, 1980.	Harms, Ronald	Golden Eagle	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove State Park, Pocahontas Co.		The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Harms and Don Winkler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for White-eyed Vireo at Sunken Grove, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-05	1981-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bid documentation form for a White-eyed Vireo at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on April 5, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	White-eyed Vireo	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove	General: deciduous woods Specific: large oak and secondary growth	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: all other species with a yellow spectacle are eliminated by the white iris and white breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	76
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rufous Hummingbird at St. Olaf, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-07-10	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rufous Hummingbird at St. Olaf in Clayton County, IA on July 10, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Larry	Rufous Hummingbird	Saint Olaf	sugar-water feeder near the kitchen window of our home in St. Olaf		The documentation form by Larry Stone is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent, Jim Dinsmore, and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: We did not see any ruby-throats for a comparison while the rufous was present. But when we saw a female or immature ruby-throat later in the day, we remarked that it looked smaller, slimmer and greener than the rufous. [...] The distinct, rusty color, especially on the back, fits no other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/21:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	24