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 Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1980-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 9, 1980.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park	uppermost pine branches, often to the very tips of the branches	The documentation form by Robert E. Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula Warbler Magnolia Warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Summer Tanager at Iowa City, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Summer Tanager at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Field Notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an e-mail from Mary E. Noble to Jim Fuller, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Summer Tanager	Iowa City	315 S. 7th Ave. Iowa City, Iowa	Urban area, small back yard with several feeders and brush cover.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted later. Other observers include Mary Noble and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The overall coloration and plainness indicate a female or immature bird. The lack of prominent gray in the auriculars and light bill color argue against Hepatic Tanager. The bill length, head shape, and relative paleness of the wings favor Summer Tanager over Scarlet Tanager. The lack of prominent wing bars appears to exclude Western Tanager. The apparent lack of orange tint suggest a bird from the West or perhaps an immature. The Summer Tanager photographed at Pleasant Valley in Scott County on 2 December 1990 was more orange-yellow than the Iowa City bird. The latest Midwest record for Scarlet Tanager in books of these states was 26 Nov in Minnesota. There are a few winter records of Summer Tanager: in Tennessee (4) 5, 18, 21 Dec and 2 Feb-15 Mar; in Michigan 1 Dec; in Missouri 3-10 Jan 1987. There are also winter records from Florida and the Texas Coast. This does not constitute an exhaustive search for winter records. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	28
Rare bird documentation form for Magnolia Warbler at Sioux City, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1995-07-04	1995-07-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Magnolia Warbler at Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on July 4, 1995.	Livermore, Wayne	Magnolia Warbler	Sioux City	4713 Tyler St Sioux City Ia 51108	Urban back yard	The documentation form by Wayne Livermore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated yellow-rumped because of white breast. Wrong facial coloring for Cape May. All similar species have very disimilar [sic] song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Perry, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-27	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Perry in Dallas County, IA on July 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eugene	House Finch	Perry	Perry, Iowa	urban dwelling, niger feeder	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, W. Ross Silcock, Raymond Cummins, Peter C. Petersen, Francis L. Moore, and Joe Schaufenbuel were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Larry Linder, Wallace Jardine, Eloise Armstrong, Dick Mooney, and Paley Mooney. \| Elimination of similar species: purple finch - smaller bodied, less coloring; house sparrow - no pinkish coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Wellman, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-15	1984-01-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Wellman in Washington County, IA on January 15, 1984.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Varied Thrush	Wellman	816 13th St Wellman Iowa	Urban Feeder	The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Janet Hollis, Jenny Hollis, Eury Henderson, Barbara Henderson, and Ruth Eash. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin is the only vaguely similar species. The description above clearly eliminates robins \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Collared Dove at Ankeny, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-18	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eurasian Collared Dove at Ankeny in Polk County, IA on August 18, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Eurasian Collared Dove	Ankeny	Ankeny, Polk County, Iowa	urban neighborhood	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pale coloration and black collar eliminate all doves except Eurasian Collared-Dove and Ringed Turtle-Dove. The combination of larger size, darker gray undertail coverts, and darker primaries eliminates Ringed Turtle-Dove from consideration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:04:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	9
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Des Moines, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-11-14	1996-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 14, 1996.	Cecil, Robert I.	Swainson's Thrush	Des Moines	1315 41st St. Des Moines, IA	Urban Residential	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniformity of color on the bird's upper parts in conjunction with the conspicuous eyering [sic] eliminates all other thrushes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Painted Bunting at Bettendorf, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-06	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Painted Bunting at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on January 6, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Painted Bunting	Bettendorf	1213 Broadlawn, Bettendorf, Scott Co. IA	urban yard near woods	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ann Barker was submitted later. Other observers include Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, Betty Hunt, Gil Sandvick, and Leah Levin. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing is similar in anyway. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Atlantic, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-28	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Atlantic in Cass County, IA on November 28, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Atlantic	Atlantic, Cass Co., Iowa	Urban yard with feeders.	The documentation form by Thomas Kent forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Donna Rourick, Ann Johnson, and Sharron Steffens. \| Elimination of similar species: The red on the breast and axillaries [sic] and the degree of streaking led us to identifying this bird as a first-year male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:20:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	2
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Mason City, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-23	1990-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 23, 1990.	Walter, Janice L.	Summer Tanager	Mason City	934 - 13th S.E., Mason City, Ia.	Urban yard with Large Green Ash trees	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The reddish not greenish yellow color of the underparts eliminated female Scarlet Tanager. The thicker bill, not pointed at the tip, eliminated female Northern Oriole. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 13:50:00/13:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Davenport, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Food Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-01-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 11, 1985.	Petersen, Peter C.	Varied Thrush	Davenport	2950 Crestline Dr., Davenport, IA	urban yard, forest area across street, conifers in yard.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Caroline A. England. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Robin - lacks breast band + eye stripe, orange in wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Chukar at Davenport, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Introduced birds Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-18	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven Chukars at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 18, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Decker, Jacqueline Ruth	Chukar	Davenport	Division & Cheyenne Aves. N.W. Davenport, Scott Co., IA	urban, near edge of city and ag land.	The documentation form by Jacqueline Ruth Decker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen and Leonard Decker. \| Elimination of similar species: Gray Partridge- bill & legs not red, no white & black pattern on head, throat and sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	7
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter in western Polk County, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-11-15	1977-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter in western Polk County, IA on November 15, 1977.	Mooney, Richard D., 1905-1997	Surf Scoter	Polk County	Small farm pond in western Polk Co.	Usual farm pond, no emergent vegetation at this season	The documentation form by R.D. Mooney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Light spots eliminate Common Eider and lack of white in wing eliminates White-winged Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Lewis and Clark State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-07-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Lewis and Clark State Park in Monona County, IA on July 21, 1984.	Bray, Tanya	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Lewis and Clark State Park	Lewis and Clark State Park Monona County, Iowa	Utility wires over croplands. This is bottomland between the two arm of Blue Lake. East Blue Lake is bordered by Lewis & Clark State Park. West Blue Lake is almost totally marsh(cattails) and is bordered by croplands.	The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Bray. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for LeConte's Sparrow at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten to twenty minimum LeConte's Sparrows at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Le Conte's Sparrow	Sand Point	Sand Point, on Coralville Resevoir [sic] n. of Iowa City IA.	V. extensive weedy flats (waist to head-high) on shore of resevoir [sic]	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Carol Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: grey face patch on yellow face, yellow-orange breast, narrow white crown stripe rule out Henslow's, sharp-tail, grasshopper, Baird's sparrows. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	58
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Cedar River at Nashua, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-29	1984-10-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ibis species at Cedar River at Nashua in Chickasaw County, IA on September 29, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Glossy Ibises	Nashua	Cedar River at Nashua, S.W. Chickasaw County	very low river, with sandbars & mudflats, marshy edge	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorant - as it flew toward us, I might have dismissed it as a cormorant except that Steve had yelled 'ibis' & I really looked. Only as it drew closer did I see its different flight pattern & the silhouette showed the down-curved bill, & we saw the iridescence. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:48:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Cherokee, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-11	1983-01-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on January 11, 1983.	Brewer, Marion M.	Northern Goshawk	Cherokee	3 N.W. of Cherokee	Viewed in valley of pine trees next to a lot of bird feeders, with lots of small birds around	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Bierman. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Glossy Ibis at Eldridge, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-09-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glossy Ibis at Eldridge in Scott County, IA on September 2, 1981.	Blevins, Lewis D.	Glossy Ibis	Eldridge	1/2 mile north North Eldridge, Scott County, Iowa	wading bird area - bird was feeding in flooded field	The documentation form by Lewis D. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include members of survey crew. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other species offering same characteristics would be the white-faced Glossy Ibis. This was eliminated by answer question 6. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Eldridge, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-09-02	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a species of Ibis at Eldridge in Scott County, IA on September 2, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Blevins, Lewis D.	Glossy Ibis	Eldridge	1/2 mile north Eldridge, Scott County Iowa	wading bird area.	The documentation form by Lewis D. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other specie offering same characteristics would be the white-faced Glossy Ibis. This was eliminated by answer to question 6 [blue coloration at the base of the bill]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-faced Ibis	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Wading in pool behind beaver dam in marshy slough, No large vegetation on there; Eleocharis at edges.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: That large, dark with decurved bill it must be a Glossy or White-faced Ibis. Complete, wide white stripe around the face indicates White-faced. Perhaps soft-parts color tells too but I don't know. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Willow Slough, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-05-19	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two White-faced Ibises at Willow Slough in Northeast Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-faced Ibis	Willow Slough Dam	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Wading in pool behind beaver dam in marshy slough. No large vegetation there; Eleochoris at edges.	The documentation form by Barbara L. WIison is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: That large, dark with decurved bill it must be a Glossy or White-faced Ibis. Complete, wide white stripe around the face indicates White-faced. Perhaps soft-parts color tells too but I don't know. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for Savannah Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-01-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Savannah Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on January 8, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Savannah Sparrow	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch WMA, Guthrie Co. (NW parking lot)	walking around on parking lot and mowed grassy area next to the lot	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper Sparrow (very unlikely in winter) was eliminated by the longer tail and lack of a flat crown. Vesper Sparrow eliminated by the yellow lores, streaking across the entire breast, and lack of white outer tail feathers. Song Sparrow eliminated by smaller size, yellow lores, and overall lighter coloration. All longspurs eliminated by the lack of any white on the tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-08	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on October 8, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Black Rail	McBreen Marsh	South end of a restored wetland on the north side of the McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 4 mi. NW of Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	Was in 3 20-30' diam. clumps of river bulrush surrounded by mudflats	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jeffrey K. Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora and Virginia Rail - was smaller and different color (black) than these. Yellow rail - wrong color, also \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Sanborn, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-04-25	1998-06-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eighty-five White-winged Scoters at Sanborn in O'Brien County, IA on April 25, 1998.	Gruenewald, Robert	White-winged Scoter	Sanborn	Sanborn, Iowa	Waste Disposal Ponds	The documentation form by Robert Gruenewald is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other scoter species have white wing patches, and do not occur in this area, to my knowledge. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-20	1999-08-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 20, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Iowa - on lake north side	water	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common loons were out further but darker with dark around face and around neck, bill larger & darker. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8