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 Smith's Longspur northeast of Larrabee, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-03-04	1992-03-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur northeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on March 4, 1992.	Brewer, Marion M.	Smith's Longspur	Larrabee	3 Miles E, 1 mile N, 3/4 E of Larrabee	short grass	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland longspur, white wing patch & white edged tail, buffy belly \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/15:38:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cooper's Prairie Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-19	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Cooper's Prairie Marsh in Story County, IA on May 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cooper Prairie Marsh	Cooper's Marsh, Story County	Sedge and cattails along the edge of a small marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from LeContes Sparrow by dark back, gray collar on back of neck and a dark crown lacking a central white stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 seen intermittently.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-07	1985-07-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Park in Fayette County, IA on July 7, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Clay-colored Sparrow	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga Lake State Pake [sic], Fayette Co., IA	Second growth area with mainly Sumac and E. Red Cedar in overgrown field	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: This birds song and coloration clearly marked it as a Clay-colored Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	50
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1992.	Ohde, Bill	Great-tailed Grackle	Wapello Township	SE 1/4 of section 19, T74N, R4W, Louisa County, Iowa	Rural farmstead on edge of large timber block. In tall (15') backyard shrubs.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common grackle - this bird was nearly crow-sized, longer tailed, with the peculiar whistles and rattles. Boat-tailed grackle - song was wrong. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler northwest of Carroll, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-04-29	1995-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler northwest of Carroll in Caroll County, IA on April 29, 1995.	Thelen, Marty	Prairie Warbler	Carroll	3- miles North - 2 - west of Carroll	Rolling Prairie - farmland - Level B - Road	The documentation form by Marty Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Palm Warbler - no chestnut cap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
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
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark south of Glenwood, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark south of Glenwood in Mills County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Rose, Douglas L.	Eastern Meadowlark	Glenwood	3 mi s. of Glenwood Miles [sic] Co.	plowed field bordered by grassland	The documentation form by Doug Rose is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Genny Curry and Howard Curry. \| Elimination of similar species: W. Meadowlark - pure white outer tail feathers and yellow only on throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at MacNiders Woods in Mason City, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1994-05-08	1994-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at MacNiders Woods in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 8, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Hooded Warbler	MacNiders Woods	McNider [sic] Woods Mason City IA	Park of cotton wood, willows, ash + under growth	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Cap reminded me of Wilson's but the black throat was different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire at southeastern Webster County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-05	1986-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at southeastern Webster County, IA on May 5, 1986.	Munson, Erik	Townsend's Solitaire	Webster County	s.e. Webster Co., along Des Moines r.	overgrown pasture with cedars, woody draws meeting cropland	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: mockingbird by underlined portions above, posture [...] basic uniform gray all over. [...] bold eye ring; \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Purple Finch at the Croton Unit at Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Purple Finch at the Croton Unit at Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on August 28, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Purple Finch	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa	Open woodland, woodland edge	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: House Finch has gray/ brown cap, brown, not reddish back. House Finch also has streaks on sides. This bird had unstreaked sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	81
Rare bird documentation form for Palm Warbler in Greenfield Township in Warren County, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-17	1991-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Palm Warbler in Greenfield Township in Warren County, IA on August 17, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Palm Warbler	Greenfield Township	My yard in northern Warren County, Iowa	Open riparian edge	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other yellow rumped warblers were eliminated by the bright yellow undertail coverts contrasting with the buffy breast and belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	31
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on October 7, 1998.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reese WPA, Kossuth Co. SW of north side parking	Open area sparsely covered with grass (1 season restored prairie and mowed Pigweed) surrounding wetland potholes	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipits were eliminated by their totally different voice, the pattern of the underparts, and bill & tail proportions. Lapland Longspurs have obvious white (not buff) underneath which would have been especially visible on several close flybys and passes overhead. Male Laplands should show some black streaking on the upper chest in sharp contrast with the white below. There wasn't any chestnut visible on the nape or upper wing. Although I don't have enough experience with Smith's to say I heard any difference in the sound of the "tics", I didn't hear any of the "tew" notes that Laplands (but not Smith's) mix in with their tic-tic-tics. Any regular sparrow that is not eliminated by white outer tail feathers is eliminated by the unique longspur calls. The buffy/tan color underneath and the calls also rule out Horned Lark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-13	1985-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 13, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great-tailed Grackle	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake, Fremont Co.	on mudflat area in middle of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from Common Grackle by larger size (twice the size of other nearby grackles), longer tail and flatter crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-23	1985-04-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one hundred twenty Smith's Longspurs south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 23, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Smith's Longspur	High Bridge	1 mile south of the HWY 17 Bridge across Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	on grassy road shoulder and gravel along road	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Erik Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from other longspurs and Vesper Sparrow by combination of buffy underparts, white shoulder patch on males, white on outer tail feathers and distinctive black markings on males head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Turkey Creek Wildlife Area, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-07-22	1982-07-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Turkey Creek Wildlife Area in Cass County, IA on July 22, 1982.	Hensley, R. Craig	Hooded Warbler	Turkey Creek	Turkey Creek Wildlife Area	Near an oxbow, dominant trees were elm, silver maple, cottonwood. along the edge of the woods.	The documentation form by Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species that I believed was similar was the yellow warbler, in fact, when I first saw it without binoculars, I thought that it was a yellow warbler. However, this bird lacked the red streaks from its body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Amana Woods, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-04	1982-07-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Amana Woods in Iowa County, IA on June 4, 1982.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Hooded Warbler	Amana Woods	Amana Woods. Iowa County. One mile east of HWY 149 on a dirt road immediately south of Iowa River.	Moist deciduous mature woodland with much undergrowth	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent, Tom Staudt, and Lanny Haldy. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Wilson's Warbler is eliminated by the observation of two large white areas on the undertail surface \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:40:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Union Slough NWR, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1997-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Smith's Longspurs at Union Slough NWR in Kossuth County, IA on April 27, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co. main crossdike between B pool + C pool	marsh with open farm fields on both sides	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds didn't have white on the belly or black spilling from the face onto the chest or "bib" like Lapland Longspurs. There were no "tew" notes thrown in with the rattle calls, a possible point of separation between Smith's + Laps. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:10:00 and 09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Cape May Warbler at Cedar Rapids, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cape May Warbler at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 22, 1999.	Dooley, Michael C.	Cape May Warbler	Cedar Rapids	Feeder in Cedar Rapids, Linn County	Large six-foot high, covered platform feeder in open backyard. Perhaps two inches of snow cover on ground. Neighborhood of single-family homes with yards, in city but outside of inner city. Large park nearby.	The documentation form by Mike Dooley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Scheible, John Havilcek, Joyce Havilcek, and Jim Durbin. \| Elimination of similar species: None eliminated on-site. Possible mis-identifications, given the premium conditions and extended period under which this bird was studied, might be as follows (consulting the National Geographic Society field guide): (1) fall adult Blackburnian Warbler: bird in question was strongly streaked on breast and sides, not just flanks; (2) female Townsend's Warbler: streaking on breast and sides of bird in question did not have semi-necklace effect of Townsend's; olive of head and back much grayer; (3) female Praire [sic] Warbler: bird in question had extended yellow post-occular stripe; streaked breast, not just sides and streaks bolder; had white belly; (4) fall Blackpoll Warbler: bird in question was much more boldly streaked on breast and sides; had extended post-occular yellow stripe, clearly defined cheek patch. All of above eliminated due to bird in question having wings similar to back color and not of a contrasting charcoal, as well as having a bold yellow-olive rump. All but Praire [sic] Warbler eliminated due to bird in question's virtual lack of wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	24
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-23	1990-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 23, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Warbler	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park - Iowa City	Large field with scattered dogwood saplings & cedars	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Tom Kent, Carl Bendorf, Jim Scheib, and Gerry White. \| Elimination of similar species: Palm Warbler is a tail wagger and similarly colored, but has a brown cap and faint brown streaking at sides of breast, and no black face pattern \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:25:00/06:30:00, 07:15:00/07:20:00, 12:20:00/12:35:00, and 16:35:00/16:45:00 on May 23, 1990. The bird was also seen at 07:25:00/07:35:00 on May 24, 1990, 08:20:00/08:25:00 on May 25, 1990, and 08:25:00/08:35:00 on May 26, 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on July 5, 1985.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit - Shimek State Forest (Argyle-Lee Co).	Large field (40 acres) surrounded by trees and overgrown with brush + saplings	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Cecil. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Spencer, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Spencer in Clay County, IA on December 17, 1983.	Bierman, Dick	Varied Thrush	Spencer	At a feeder in Spencer Iowa.	In town of Spencer, a few pines in vacinity. [sic]	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marion Brewer, Wallace Jardine, Jim Quinn, Vernon Bierman, and Eldon Kanago. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin, Curve bill thrasher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at Cherokee, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Boehmian Waxwing at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on March 12, 1982.	Bierman, Dick	Bohemian Waxwing	Cherokee	Cherokee Iowa	in town	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: cedar waxwing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Fairfield, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-31	1987-12-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Fairfield in Jefferson County, IA on October 31, 1987.	Porter, Diane C.	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Fairfield	908 E. Briggs, Fairfield, IA (Jefferson County, SE Iowa)	In my yard in town, a residential area with many mature trees. Near Chautauqua Park, which has a grove of large oaks. The bird was in a ginnala maple in my front yard.	The documentation form by Diane Porter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird really does not resemble other warblers. It looked more like a junco than any other species, but the bill size and shape, the bird's small size, the white wing patches, and the blue color all told against that.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Sweet Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on September 15, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Pine Warbler	Sweet Marsh	South side of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	In a group of mixed pines along the south entrance into the marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll and Bay-breasted Warblers can be similar colored but have some extent of streaking in the feathers of the back. This bird did not. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:46:00/08:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler northwest of Cherokee, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler northwest of Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on January 28, 1983.	Brewer, Marion M.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Cherokee	1 W 3 N of Cherokee	Hilly pasture - Heavy forested with pine with 10% hardwoods	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kinglets, \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26