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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur northwest of Red Oak, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-03-28	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven Smith's Longspurs northwest of Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on March 28, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Smith's Longspur	Red Oak	2 1/2 mi W. of Red Oak, U.S. 34, then 2 mi North on gravel road near stream Montgomery Co.	wet short grass field	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur does not have buffy breast or buffy colored collar around side of throat on to nape. Lapland Longspur does not have as much white in tail (outer tail feathers) as these birds did. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:55:00/15:58:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Northwest Warren County, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-14	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a White-faced Ibis at Northwest Warren County, IA on May 14, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	White-faced Ibis	Warren County	north-west Warren Co.	wet spot in corn stubble adjacent to North	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Taylor Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: It was definitely an ibis. Glossy eliminated by the bill and leg coloration and the white facial border. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Larson's Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Larson's Marsh in Story County, IA on September 23, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Yellow Rail	Larson Marsh	Larson's Marsh, Story Co.	wet, grassy area along edge of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other rails eliminated by the white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Cone Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-04	1983-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 4, 1983.	White, Gerald	Yellow Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Field on East and end of North dike at Cone Marsh	Wet, grassy field (10" grass)	The documentation form by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tim Dwyer. \| Elimination of similar species: No other rail has white on the wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	North Marshall county, country gravel road (dead end) leading to timber and creek- corn fields and a wet shrubby area.	wet, marshy, weedy low spot by road in a corn field with three shrubby bushes	The documentation form by Ramona R. Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LE CONTES--too small, striped head Lincon's [sic] Sparrow--facial pattern not right--too little Henslow's--not right coloration in breast and side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:30:08.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-05-17	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on May 17, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a field report, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Black-headed Gull	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Swan Pen - Dickinson County	Wetland - open water not many emergents 2 islands	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonapartes Gull - size and color of hood Franklins - color of hood, wing markings (upper and lower) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Big Creek State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-07	1980-09-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cinnamon Teals at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on September 7, 1980.	Zaletel, Hank	Cinnamon Teal	Big Creek State Park	entrance of Big Creek into Big Creek State Park lake in Polk Co.	wetlands - entrance of stream into lake, area contained mudflats, marsh (cattails) and open water	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Robinson, Paul Martsching, Dick Mooney and Pauline Mooney. \| Elimination of similar species: Since the bird was the same size as a Blue-winged Teal, the chief factor in differentiating the two species, was the rusty-red color on the bird's neck breast and tail feathers. When the two species flew, it was easy to separate the light tan breast of the Blue-winged Teal from the rusty-red breast of the Cinnamon Teal.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Hudsonian Godwit at Spring Run, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-19	1995-12-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hudsonian Godwit at Spring Run in Dickinson County, IA on October 19, 1995. Letter from Ed Thelen to Tom Kent about a video of the sighting on unknown date.	Thelen, Ed	Hudsonian Godwit	Spring Run Complex Wildlife Management Area	Spring Run - Dickinson County	Wetlands - mudflat	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White rump eliminated marbled godwit.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	13
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-19	1999-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on April 19, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reece [sic] Wettlands [sic], Koss Co, Iowa near Union Slough	wettlands [sic] + old bean stubble	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Matthew Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: No other birds in immediate area, other than ducks, I had seen two Savannah Sparrows at beginning of area and knew these were larger than Savannah's and different coloring and marks. I have seen Laplands but they don't have this rich buffy color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on November 14, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh near Tripoli, Bremer Co., Iowa	White pine planting on North side of Marsh, SW of rangers residence	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers Hawk does not have a white stripe above its eye and I have never seen a Coopers with fluffy undertail coverts. Red-tailed Hawk does not have the coloration this hawk had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:40:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-25	1998-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1998.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-25	1988-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1988.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Coralville Lake, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-10-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Coralville Lake in Johnson County, IA on October 28, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-necked Grebe	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Lake, Johnson Co, Iowa	wide area of reservoir near shore, west of Jolly Roger recreation area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller than Western Grebe, larger than Horned or Eared. Neck-band bill longer than smaller grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:40:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Jolly Rogers Campground at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-16	1990-12-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Franklin's Gull at Jolly Rogers Campground at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Franklin's Gull	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Reservoir (Jolly Roger), Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Carol Thompson, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's [handwritten note - 'neither is Franklins!] not hooded at this time of year and has lighter wing with white leading edge. In the last several years, Franklin's Gulls in alternate plumage have been recorded in the midwest in winter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00 estimate.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-19	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 19, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Babcock Access	Coraville Reservoir, Babcock Access, Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir with open mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings indicate a kite or falcon. The gliding flight was that of a kite not a falcon. The white body and head also eliminates all falcons. The lack of white rump as well as the flight pattern eliminate Northern Harrier. Swallow-tailed Kite would have a forked tail and different flight pattern. Black-shouldered Kite has a white and black shoulder. The lack of white patches in the secondaries and brownish tail indicate a subadult (first year bird). I looked for bands in the tail, but could not appreciate them. Failure to see bands could be due to the lighting and distance or, as noted by Clark and Wheeler, to the fact that "A few immatures have solid, unbanded dark brown tails." The prominent light and dark underwing puzzled me, but Dunne says that "Immature has body and underwing coverts buffy, with dark streaking and spotting of variable density; may be lighter or darker than illustrated." The underwing coverts and body appeared about the same shade to me. The lighting and distance may have precluded my appreciating any streaking. This bird appeared lighter than the bird I saw at Dudgeon Lake last year, especially the underwing coverts. The profile and flight characteristics allowed me to immediately recognize the bird as a Mississippi Kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 19, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Babcock Access, Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir with open mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings indicate a kite or falcon. The gliding flight was that of a kite not a falcon. The white body and head also eliminates all falcons. The lack of white rump as well as the flight pattern eliminate Northern Harrier. Swallow-tailed Kite would have a forked tail and different flight pattern. Black-shouldered Kite has a white tail and black shoulder. The lack of white patches in the secondaries and brownish tail indicate a subadult (first year bird). I looked for bands in the tail but could not appreciate them. Failure to see bands could be due to the lighting and distance or, as noted by Clark and Wheeler, to the fact that "A few immatures have solid, unbanded dark brown tails." The prominent light and dark underwing puzzled me, but Dunne says "Immature has body and underwing coverts buffy, with dark streaking and spotting of variable density; may be lighter or darker than illustrated." The underwing coverts and body appeared about the same shade to me. The lighting and distance may have precluded my appreciating any streaking. This bird appeared lighter than the bird I saw at Dudgeon Lake last year, especially the underwing coverts. The profile and flight characteristics allowed me to immediately recognize the bird as a Mississippi Kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-09	1988-02-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 9, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Black-legged Kittiwake	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir - N. end of Jester Park	Wide River area - tree branch for perching	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore and Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: An immature Bonaparte's Gull lacks the dark black bar across the nape and the dark lines on its back are lighter than a Kittiwake. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:40:00/13:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Denver, 1984	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-02-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Grosbeak at Denver in Bremer County, IA on February 12, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Pine Grosbeak	Denver	Denver, Bremer Co.	window feeder of Robert Wylder	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt, Bob Myers, and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: I don't think there is a similar species like the russet coloration \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:38:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Golden-Plover at Forney Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-23	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Golden-Plover at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on November 23, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	American Golden Plover	Forneys Lake	Forney L., Fremont Co.	with Killdeer on large mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark rump and white underwing eliminates Black-bellied Plover. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	3
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-17	1988-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Greater Scaups at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 17, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Greater Scaup	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	with other ducks near muddy area at north end of lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andrew Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup eliminated above. The birds were bigger than nearby Blue-winged Teal, but smaller than a Mallard. Identified the bird as a Greater Scaup by the very large, almost spatulate bill, very wide bill nail, large size compared to a Mallard (the bird wasn't much smaller than the Mallard), rounded head (not peaked like a Lesser Scaup), and white wing stripe extending on to the primaries (seen when the bird preened). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-06	1988-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on May 6, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ross' Goose	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch W.M.A., Guthrie Co.	with other geese in goose pen area	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Jim Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose eliminated by the size, bill shape and size, and by the lack of a "grin" patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Gray-cheeked Thrush at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-04-25	1994-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray-cheeked Thrush at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 25, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Gray-cheeked Thrush	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City, Johnson Co., IA	Wood areas with paths.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I consider any thrush before May 1 to be a Hermit until proven otherwise. I realize how difficult it is to tell these thrushes apart. I have not seen any Hermits in six days of birding over the last two weekends. We have had three warm nights with south winds that have brought early migrants to Iowa. I records [sic] six 1st, 2nd, or 3rd early dates the last two days in southeastern Iowa. In spite of this, I tried to make this bird into a Hermit Thrush. I believe I saw the tail enough times and at enough angles to determine that it wasn't rufous. The face pattern did not in any way suggest to me that this was a Swainson's I find that the density of breast streaking is difficult to judge even on specimens. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	7
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike at Squaw Creek Park in Cedar Rapids, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-03-27	1980-06-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike at Squaw Creek Park in Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on March 27, 1980.	Gates, Tim	Northern Shrike	Squaw Creek Regional Park	Park area of Squaw Crk Park, Cedar Rapids, Iowa	wood edge Large field (ski hill) with nearby scattered saplings + mod. length grass, with woods surrounding on 3 sides	The documentation form by Tim Gates is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: would not be loggerhead because of whitishness, large robin-sizedness, plumpness (yet trim) small mask area and whitish crown \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Claybanks Preserve, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-11-23	1997-12-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles at Claybanks Preserve in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 23, 1997.	Goranson, Rita	Golden Eagle	Claybanks Forest	on Wren ave - at Claybanks Preserve, Cerro Gordo Co	wooded & river	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Carolyn Fischer, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: later we saw (white head white tail) adult eagles = not the coloring of the first one. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:10:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Jefferson Township in Madison County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-20	1984-01-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Jefferson Township in Madison County, IA on January 20, 1984.	Armstrong, Eloise	Red-shouldered Hawk	Jefferson Township	Sec. 32 - Jefferson twsp - Madison County	wooded area - was on edge of a 30 acre wooded area with small cedars + multiflora rose under brush.	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharp-shinned, Cooper's, Red-tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26