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 Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1989-03-26	1989-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA on March 26, 1989.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Lincoln's Sparrow	West Des Moines	1601 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines	Shrubs in a yard - Brushy ravine feeding into yard	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen and Pam Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: no question \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Oakland Township in Louisa County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-15	1987-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six to ten Smith's Longspurs at Oakland Township in Louisa County, IA on April 15, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Smith's Longspur	Oakland Township	Louisa Co. - NW Corner of section 24 of Oakland Township	short grassy hay field just east of Cone Marsh	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Carl Bendorf, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrows are not buffy like this and have a very different color pattern. Other longspurs are not buffy like this and have different tail patterns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-12	1985-07-14	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 12, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Prairie Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Second Growth clearing at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, Lee Co., IA	Second growth of short bushes and grassy field	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil, Beth Proescholdt, Mark Proescholdt, Steve Dinsmore, and John Hoogerheide. \| Elimination of similar species: No other bird with this coloration and song pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest Trail, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-28	1988-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest Trail in Allamakee County, IA on May 28, 1988.	Moore, Francis L.	Prairie Warbler	Yellow River State Forest Trail	7 mi. trail (far side) starting from Fire Tower, Yellow River S.F., Allamakee Co. IA	Second growth deciduous trees near deeper woodland along old fence row.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other bird has this type of song. No other warbler is yellow below with black streaks on sides, olive green above, yellow superciliary line and black cheek patch below eye with yellow center (See drawing) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
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 Western Kingbird southwest of Pleasantville, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird southwest of Pleasantville in Marion County, IA on May 1, 1981.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Western Kingbird	Pleasantville	3.4 mi S.W. of Pleasantville, Iowa - West Marion Co.	Scattered white oaks, cottonwoods and black locust along a small stream with an understory of multiflora rose and blue-grass pasture.	The documentation form by Robert Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher the different markings and color of the tail back, belly, and head. The Great Crested Flycatcher shows too much red in the tail and wing tips and has a bigger head. The voice also helped to seperate [sic] these birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-07	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 May 7, 1992.	Jackson, Maridel	Prairie Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit Shimek State Forest	Scattered pines, various scrup trees, bushes in forest- opening on top of a hill (midforest area)	The documentation form by Maridel Jackson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Palm has distinct rusty cap. This bird did not. This bird had yellower breast and clearer yellow in mid chest area- no yellow eye stripe like palm even though prairie is yellow above eye. Palm has no black mark (teardrop) below eye Yellow is more yellow all over - no dark streaking on breast no dark face marks Pine has much less defined streaking yellow eye stripe, no black tear on face has noticable [sic] wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
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 Brewer's Blackbird northwest of Mason City, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-13	1999-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight Brewer's Blackbirds northwest of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 13, 1998.	Goranson, Rita	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	Wheelerwood Drive, north + west of Mason City, 1 mile before intersection with Killdeer Ave	River + trees on one side - farm land on other side	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Had been seeing grackles - a larger bird - larger tail. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Marshalltown, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-07-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on July 4, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Bewick's Wren	Marshalltown	In city of Marshalltown, Marshall Co., Ia. Jct. of Forest Blvd + Pope Blvd.	Residential; nearby shrubby fence rows; tall pine and deciduous mix	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Joe Schaufenbuel, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: House Wren is darker brown with brown throat and belly and lacks white fringing on outer tail feathers, song is also completely different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Shenandoah, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-08	1991-05-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Shenandoah in Page County, IA on May 8, 1991.	Braley, Jean B.	Bewick's Wren	Shenandoah	209 W. Thomas Ave., Shenandoah, IA.	Residential yard; large trees, variety of shrubs	The documentation form by Jean Bordner Braley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include F.M. Braley. \| Elimination of similar species: Carolina Wren: I observed the bird was white on breast + throat; tail different; have not heard Carolina sing the way Bewick's did; tailflicking/switching sideways not noticed in Carolina. \| The original documentation form event occurred on and off from 07:30:00/10:00:00 .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-26	1986-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Ames in Story County, IA on August 26, 1986.	Munson, Erik	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Ames	Ames, IA	Residential district bordering open golf course; powerlines	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: purple martin by tail length, call. Magpie by size, call, flight, behavior \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:10:00/19:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Fairfield, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-13	1999-06-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Bewick's Wrens at Fairfield in Jefferson County, IA on April 13, 1999.	Porter, Diane C.	Bewick's Wren	Fairfield	City: Fairfield Co: Jefferson St/Prov: IA Nation: USA	Residential area	The documentation form by Diane Porter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: One of them was almost as red on top as a Carolina Wren. Breast and throat were dirty white. Belly grayish, not rusty. Tail was long, loosely wagging from side to side, and bearing white patches in outer corners. \| The original documentation form event lasted from April 13, 1999 to June 4, 1999.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren near the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren near the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 18, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Bewick's Wren	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Near Croton Unit - Shimek State Forest	Residence & Barnyard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil and Charles Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: House Wren - Tail + back darker + white breast + eye line. Side-to-side tail movement. Song not like House Wren. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark west of McCausland, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark west of McCausland in Scott County, IA on December 22, 1988.	Blevins, Brian L.	Eastern Meadowlark	McCausland	Road just west of McCausland, Iowa.	Pasture with livestock and livestock feeders	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Western meadowlark - eliminated by Song [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:54:00/14:57:00.	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 Say's Phoebe at Eagle Township in Sioux County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Say's Phoebe at Eagle Township in Sioux County, IA on June 4, 1987.	Harr, Douglas C.	Say's Phoebe	Eagle Township	NE1/4, Section 16, Eagle Twp., Sioux County (5 mi. NE of Hawarden, Iowa)	open, rolling farmland	The documentation form by Douglas Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe--a completely different color; voice was not that of E. Phoebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:35:00/08:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Wood-Pewee at Credit Island Park, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-23	1983-10-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Eastern Wood-Pewee at Credit Island Park in Scott County, IA on October 23, 1983.	Peterjohn, Bruce G.	Eastern Wood-Pewee		Credit Island Park, Davenport, Scott County, Iowa	Open parkland; a grove of large oak trees and fairly short grass	The documentation form by Bruce Peterjohn is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen, Carl Bendorf, John Robinson, and twelve or more unidentified members of the IOU. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe was eliminated by the pink lower mandible, absence of yellow on the underparts and absence of tail wagging behavior; phoebes also have grayer upperparts and have a different "jizz", appearing larger with a relatively larger head than a pewee. Western Wood Pewee was eliminated by the call note. The Western Wood Pewee has a single or double call note that has a distinctly buzzy character. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:10:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	64
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 7, 1986.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Smith's Longspur	Iowa City	Eden Farm S. of Iowa City in Johnson Co. same location as previous years	open fields - bean stuble [sic] to full plowed	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow has a chestnut colored shouldered patch and eye ring. Other possible Longspurs have whitish underparts, not buffy. The bill on this bird was thinner and longer than on other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
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 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 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 Pine Warbler at Anderson Goose Lake, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-13	1983-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Anderson Goose Lake in Hamilton County, IA on May 13, 1983.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Pine Warbler	Anderson Goose Lake	Hamilton Co., IA (Anderson - Goose Lake) Near Jewell	Marsh shoreline with cotton woods, shrubs	The documentation form by Joe P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Blackpoll has back streak & yellow legs Yellow-thr. Vireo, has prominent spectacles and sings much differently Female Yellow-rumps have yellow rump. Female Cape May lacks yellow on head & breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for American Tree Sparrow at Sweet Marsh, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Tree Sparrow at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 18, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	American Tree Sparrow	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	marsh	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Lark Sparrow - no facial pattern; rusty cap Swamp Sparrow - breast spot Song Sparrow - no streaking on underparts Chipping Sparrow - breast spot; song different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	48