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 Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve in Clinton County, IA on December 20, 1996.	McKay, Kelly	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Mockridge County Wildlife Preserve	Mockridge	large pine grove surrounded by deciduous woodlots	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ulf Konig. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden-crowned Kinglet - has golden crown patch, eye lines, and a 2 or 3 note call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Blue Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-05-21	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on May 21, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Clark's Grebe	Blue Lake	Monona County, South Blue Lake		The documentation form by Pam and Reid Allen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and J. Fuller were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The Western Grebes (Aechmorphorus occidentalis) had a much duller, greyish-greenish yellow bill and the body and flanks were blacker. Plus, the black cap extended over the eyes and lores. The Western Grebes seemed to be slightly smaller headed than the Clark's Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Montrose, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at Montrose in Lee County, IA on November 20, 1983.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Montrose	Montrose, Lee Co. - Keokuk pool	Mississippi pool	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Head with large bill and little angle between bill + forehead. Back of head round. Head shape quite different from lessers seen at times in same field. Bird definitely large + head larger that all lessers.. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Blue-winged Teal at Montrose, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-22	1997-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue-winged Teal at Montrose in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Blue-winged Teal	Montrose	Montrose, Lee Co., IA	shallow, muddy marsh	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size eliminates all other waterfowl except for Green-winged Teal. Green-winged Teal has a smaller bill, lacks white on the face, and has green and rust color in the speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	5
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Montrose, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-03-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black Scoters at Montrose in Lee County, IA on March 30, 1991.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black Scoter	Montrose	Montrose, Lee County, IA	Mississippi River Pool	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other duck with similar face pattern is Ruddy Duck. Male Ruddy Ducks in the area had white face patches, but the patches were more horizontal, bill were sloped, necks shorter, tails cocked, and much smaller in flight. Female Ruddys had a much grayer face patch and gray on the sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Canada Warbler at Moorehead Park in Ida County, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Canada Warbler at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on October 8, 1995.	Ernzen, Peter	Canada Warbler	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead P.	Habitat was brushy shrubs along wooded stream.	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 16:30:00/17:00:00 for around two minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	43
Rare bird documentation form for Solitary Vireo at Moorehead Park, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-08-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Solitary Vireo at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on August 20, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Blue-headed Vireo	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park	Wooded shrubby	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 12:00:00 - 13:00:00 for several minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	78
Rare bird documentation form for Philadelphia Vireo at Moorehead Park in Ida County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Philadelphia Vireo at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on October 18, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Philadelphia Vireo	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park	Riparian - shrubby	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tennesse Warbler color to [sic] light thick vireo bill Red Eyed Vireo has white eye brow border above + below with black - not present on this vireo - should be darker in color throughout over -> warbling vireo is to [sic] pale in color, no yellow mark across throat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	80
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco at Moorehead Pioneer Park in Ida County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dark-eyed Junco at Moorehead Pioneer Park in Ida County, IA on September 14, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Dark-eyed Junco	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park	Shrubby woods	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Moorehead Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-01-27	1996-02-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on January 27, 1996.	Thelen, Wes	Northern Goshawk	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park - Ida County	Oak - Cedar - Edge	The documentation form by Wes Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen and Matt Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk - Has a more rusty chest and no rear eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Common Yellowthroat at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-11-27	1992-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Yellowthroat at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County, IA on November 27, 1992.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Common Yellowthroat	Morgan Creek Park	Morgan Creek Co. P., Linn Co., 1 mile NW of Cedar Rapids, IA	Pond and stream bordered by grass and shrubs	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I did not confuse this warbler with any other warbler. Its behavior and field marks were diagnostic of the Common Yellowthroat \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Spencer Creek in Pleasant Valley, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-30	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Spencer Creek in Pleasant Valley in Scott County, IA on September 30, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two copies of a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Laughing Gull	Spencer Creek	mouth of Spencer Creek, Pleasant Valley, Scott Co. + flying down Miss R.	gravel bar at mouth of creek + over river	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include May Lou Petersen and Dan Dorrance. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's Gull - larger, much heavier bill, wider tail band, this bird with much more extensive area of black on primaries. Franklin's were in the area but not standing on same gravel bar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Rare bird documentation for Whimbrel at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-11	1992-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Whimbrel at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on May 11, 1992.	Padelford, Babs	Whimbrel	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Mud flat on the west side of the main pool at Riverton Waterfowl Refuge in Fremont Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose and Loren Padelford. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	12
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Ruthven, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Ornithology Rare birds	1979-06-15	1979-06-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Western Grebe at Ruthven at Palo Alto County, IA on June 15, 1979.	Dinsmore, James J.	Western Grebe	Mud Lake	Mud Lake, 4 mi. N of Ruthven, Iowa	fresh water lake in open water	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve and Mark Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon. This bird was no big enough, neck was too long and bill too thin for winter plumage loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Wapsinonoc Township in Muscatine County, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-04	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Chestnut-collared Longspur at Wapsinonoc Township in Muscatine County, IA on April 4, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee with a letter attachment.	Huntington, James	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Wapsinonoc Township	Muscatine Co. just east of Johnson Co. line 2.25 mi. South of Hwy 6	General: Corn Stubble field. Specific: Bird studied at the edge of a grassy border which ran along the fence seperating [sic] two corn stubble fields.	The documentation form by James Huntington is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur eliminated because chin + throat yellow not black also belly black not just chest. Red collar more restricted than in Lapland. Black belly, red collar, black triangle on tail, black and white lines on face, yellow on chin + throat diagnostic for Chestnut-collared Longspur. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Muscatine County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush at Muscatine County, IA on December 28, 1997.	Blevins, Corey T.	Hermit Thrush	Muscatine County	Muscatine County, IA		The documentation form by Corey T. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and Catherine Bland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 1, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow Rail	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat S. Jones Co IA	Marsh	The documentation form by T.H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Tom Staudt, and James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora: white wing patches, smaller, lighter tan color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:10:00/07:10:10.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Muskrat Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on April 30, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Peregrine Falcon	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat Slough, Jones Co, Iowa	large marsh. Tree on island on south west side of Muskrat Slough	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for a Merlin. Prairie Falcon very unlikely at this location and time of year. Also bird too dark. Axillaries not specifically seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:45:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat Slough, Jones Co., Iowa	grassy marsh, catails [sic] - NW end of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow - has crown stripe and lacks white lines on back. Also late. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Animal migration--Climatic factors Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-08	1986-09-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on September 8, 1986. Included is an note about another Black-throated Blue Warbler sighting at the same location on September 11, 1986.	Fuller, James L	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Iowa City	My backyard	Shrubbery in a suburban yard	The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:50:00/13:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Common Yellowthroat at Iowa City, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-09	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Yellowthroat at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 9, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Common Yellowthroat	Iowa City	my backyard	Near a seep at base of bluff along Iowa River	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Jim Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow vent eliminates most other similar warblers. Female Yellow is generally lighter on head and back and lacks face pattern \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:15:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	27
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Spirit Lake, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-23	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on May 23, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Western Tanager	Spirit Lake	My backyard birdbath - East edge of Spirit Lake	Suburban - edge of farmland	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female oriole - size, shape and color of beak, length of tail and color of chin. Imm. Scarlet tanager - According to Master Guide to birding Vol 3 p. 196, juvenal [sic] Scarlet tanagers resemble the female but are more variable and have bright yellow wing bars. Also according to National Geographic Bird Guide it states that the immature scarlet tanager has faint wing bars. I don't think it was an immature scarlet tanager because this time of year the bird is not in juvenal [sic] plumage and the bird I saw had prominent and strong wing bars. Also the bird I saw had a very light colored rump and also its nape was a shade lighter than its back giving the birds upper part the light-dark light sequence for its nape-back-rump. This is a characteristic of the Western Tanager. This is what Bent (1958) p 472 has to say about the plumages of the 1st year male western tanager. "There is considerable variation among individuals, these one-year old males are as a whole somewhat less brilliant than the adults. The black of the upper part is duller and more or less intermixed with greenish. The red on the head paler, less intense and more restricted in area; and the yellows decidedly duller and less brilliant." \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:15:00/19:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Rare bird documentation form for Scarlet Tanager north of Iowa City, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scarlet Tanager north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 11, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Scarlet Tanager	Iowa City	My backyard north of Iowa City	Suburban Yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Only Western Tanager has dark wings, but it has wingbars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-tailed Kite at Norwalk, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-13	2000-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-tailed Kite at Norwalk in Warren County, IA on May 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The original documentation reports the bird as a Black-shouldered Kite	Johnson, Ann	White-tailed Kite	Norwalk	My home in northern Warren County, Iowa	Agricultural area with some riparian edges	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, shape and flight pattern initially eliminated buteos and accipiters. I seriously considered both Northern Harrier and Peregrine Falcon. Until the bird got close enough to see the underparts, Peregrine was the most likely candidate based on the straight trailing edge of the wing, although I have never seen a Peregrine glide so effortlessly with few wing strokes taken. The flight pattern and white head made me aware that this was probably a kite. Of the other possibilities for this bird, all were eliminated by the white tail with no markings. Only a Ferruginous Hawk would share this characteristic. The black carpal spots on white wing linings were somewhat reminiscent of an Osprey, but other patterns, size, and flight pattern are not consistent. Although Northern Harrier males look very white from below, their heads are dark not white, and only the outer primary tips are dark as opposed to this bird's entire primary area. The tundra race of the Peregrine Falcon would appear light colored on the head, but would also show more dark markings underneath than this bird had. Mississippi Kite looks fairly white headed at a distance, but the underparts and tail are gray. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:05:00/18:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Lake City, 1993	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-07-07	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at Lake City in Calhoun County, IA on July 7, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.		Lazuli Bunting	Lake City	My kitchen window Still, 4 1/2 NW Lake City, IA Calhoun County Sec 26 Elm Grove	There are Juniper spreaders, below kitchen windows	The documentation form by Mary Ellis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I thought it might be an eastern bluebird, but this bird had wing bars, broad bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4