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 of Greater Black-backed Gull at George Wyth State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-04-03	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Greater Black-backed Gull at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 3, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Great Black-backed Gull	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth S.P.	Wooded area and open lakes, river. Specific - George wyth lake about 10 acres marshy nearby ponds and lakes, and the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: second year Herring Gull is alot smaller and has a two-tone coloring of the beak. And beak is not as heavily built. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 17:00:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-14	1980-11-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on August 14, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	just south of Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	wooded area south of Union Slough- not marshy, small shallow stream with some clamps of taller grass along edges	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Betsy Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: not an American Bittern as had no black whisker mark on cheek and bill was too short & wide- imm. black-crown night herons are close but this bird was too long legged & necked and just didn't get right. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Pine Lake State Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	1996-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to three Pine Warblers at Pine Lake State Park in Hardin County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pine Warbler	Pine Lake State Park	Pine Lake S.P. - (Hardin County)	Wooded area with some big white pines around and other pines, too	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Russ Widner. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has yellow spectacles, a gray rump, and an entirely different song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at ISU golf course, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-04	1984-09-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at ISU golf course in Ames in Story County, IA on September 4, 1984.	Munson, Erik	Merlin	Veenker Memorial Golf Course	ISU golf course, Ames, Story Co., Iowa	wooded edge - a 100 yd wide wooded ravine with a golf fareway 50 yds wide alongside it.	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine falcon by size. Immature sharp-shin by pointed wings and falcon shape. Prairie falcon by size, habitat, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:57:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Lime Creek Nature Center, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1990-10-13	1990-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Lime Creek Nature Center in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 13, 1990.	Pinneke, Kim	Northern Goshawk	Lime Creek Nature Center	Lime Creek Nature Center, Mason City, Iowa	Wooded edge next to pot ash and prairie field	The documentation form by Kim L. Pinneke is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dawn Tolefree. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's hawk eliminated by lateral face pattern. Sharp-shinned hawk eliminated by size. Osprey eliminated by tail length in relation to primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Orange-crowned Warbler at Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Area, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-21	1996-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Orange-crowned Warbler at Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on May 21, 1996.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Orange-crowned Warbler	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Kettleson Hogsback A., Dickinson Co., IA	wooded edge of lake.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: There were several Tennessee Warblers in the area. They had contrast between head and back, no streaking, and whitish under tail coverts. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	19
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at North Liberty, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-12-18	1982-12-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at North Liberty in Johnson County, IA on December 18, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Northern Goshawk	North Liberty	3 mi. N of North Liberty, Johnson Co. Iowa - near Girl Scout Camp	Wooded edge to hilly fields and low brushy areas.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Thompson, Bob Lechner, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Accipiter shape, large size, and color with black primaries eliminate other species. Had a better look at one in the same area in November. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on May 3, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-billed Cuckoo	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill P., Iowa City, Johnson Co, Ia	Wooded edge, heavy bushes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-billed - bill, lack of rufous, lack of tail spots. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	46
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Grammer Grove Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-16	1990-05-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Grammer Grove Park in Marshall County, IA on May 16, 1990.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pine Warbler	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove Park - (Marshall County)	Wooded floodplain along the Iowa River	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has spectacles around its eyes and sings a burry two-noted song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at West Spencer, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-05	1991-06-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at West Spencer in Clay County, IA on May 5, 1991.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Peregrine Falcon	Spencer	West Spencer, Clay Co., IA.	Wooded floodplain between Little Sioux & Ocheydan Rivers	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Nancy P. Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon - lacked dark underwing patch & had dark head & moustache. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:15:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Lock 15, 1992	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Lock 15 near Rock Island, IL on December 20, 1992.	McIlwuain, Bob	Turkey Vulture	Lock and Dam 15	Lock 15 - Rock Island, IL (island, not city)	wooded island along Mississippi	The documentation form by Bob McIlwuain is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include two out of town birders, Brian Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Vulture-head not pink. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-01	1978-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm in Story County, IA on May 1, 1978.	Heagy, Patricia A.	Prairie Falcon	Story County	Iowa, Story County, T84N, R24W, Sec 30; ISU Beef Farm	wooded pasture, surrounded by grassy pasture, cropland, and woods. Open woodland pasture along Onion Creek	The documentation form by Patricia A. Heagy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel - smaller and without dark axillar. They also have rusty backs, and do not have complete tail bands. Peregrine Falcon - has a darker face pattern and a slate-colored back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 11, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form with field notes submitted to the committee.	Garthright, William C.	Townsend's Warbler	Stone State Park	"Bunny Hill" Trail, behind Loess Lodge, in Stone State Park, Sioux City, Iowa	wooded ravines	The documentation form by Bill Garthright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-throated Green Warbler doesn't have black face and crown, or yellow breast. Blackburnian Warbler doesn't have black throat and chin or solid black crown; is more orange or orange-yellow rather than bright lemon yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at suburban Des Moines, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-06-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Mississippi Kites at suburban Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopy of an Iowa Bird Life magazine cover page photograph, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Suburban Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa	Wooded residential	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim and Jane Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Ann Johnson, and Barbara L. Wilson were submitted later. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Dennis Thompson, Cecile Thompson, Ross Silcock, Tanya Bray, Beth Proescholdt, Ann Crane, Fred Crane, Jim Dinsmore, Sue Spieker, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Brown, John Cecil, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed kite has white tail, black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:10:00 on June 22, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-20	1986-09-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on September 20, 1986.	Proescholdt, Mark	Peregrine Falcon	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove Co. Wildlife Area - (Marshall Co.)	Wooded ridge and river bottom woods along Iowa River	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: A Merlin is much smaller like the size of Sharp-shinned Hawks which we had been seeing that day. A Prairie Falcon is rare for Iowa and especially central Iowa. Also, a Prairie Falcon would most likely not be seen anywhere in Iowa at this season but later in fall and winter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:15:10.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-20	1986-09-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Peregrine Falcons at Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on September 20, 1986.	Proescholdt, Mark	Peregrine Falcon	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove Co. Wildlife Area - (Marshall Co.)	Wooded ridge and riverbottom woods along Iowa River	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: A Merlin is much smaller and lacks the heavy black sideburns of a Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:00:10 and 16:30:00/16:30:08.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-26	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on September 26, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Mississippi Kite	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove, Marshall County - hawk-watch	Wooded ridge paralleling Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine, imm male, is similar. See above. It was near the size and shape of a Peregrine with long tapered wings & slim body. I knew this wasn't a Peregrine (but an immature male Peregrine & an imm. Mississippi Kite are similar). However the slim, pointed wings of this bird had a different shape; the tail was longer, proportionately, than a Peregrine's, & squared-off rather than tapered like a Peregrine's. I couldn't see if its tail flared at the tip, but in the gap where we had a second, very quick look, Eloise noted its twisting of the tail which is a Mississippi Kite trait. But it was the wing beat that determined absolutely that it was a Mississippi Kite- light, bouyant, [sic] floppy, leisurely, like a moth-so different from the powerful, rapid, direct flight of a Peregrine, and different from any other raptor's flight we have observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle north of Burlington, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Fuller, Charles R.	Golden Eagle	Burlington	IA Highway 99 8 + Miles N. of Burlington	Wooded river bluff	The documentation form by Chuck Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include J. McCormick, B. Kinneer, T. Francis, and James Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: From Immature Bald Eagle by above mentioned field marks. \| The original documentation form event lasted occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Seven Bridges Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Seven Bridges Park in Bremer County, IA on November 21, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Northern Goshawk	Seven Bridges County Park	Seven Bridges Park - Bremer County	Wooded river bottom timber along Wapsipinicon Riv. Tree where hawk was sitting is tallest in area- the park has several openings in the timber all visible from this perch	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers is only species I can see any trouble with but size and color and broad white eye stripe make the choice easy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Cedar Falls, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on December 20, 1998.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Cedar Falls	Near Cedar River, north part of Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, Iowa	Wooded river flood plain	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: size too large for Sharp-shinned or Merlin. Size was also larger than a large Cooper's female should have been. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/13:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Solitary Vireo at Moorehead Park, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-08-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Solitary Vireo at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on August 20, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Blue-headed Vireo	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park	Wooded shrubby	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 12:00:00 - 13:00:00 for several minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	78
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Davenport, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-01	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Davenport in Scott County, IA on May 1, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	House Finch	Davenport	235 McClellan Blvd. Davenport, IA 52803	wooded urban yard - at feeder	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mary Lou Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch - red different shade none on back and streaked sides on this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:14:00/16:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-13	1990-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on May 13, 1990.	Sinclair, Jim	Mississippi Kite	Ledges State Park	Ledges St. Pk. - Pea's Creek	wooded valley	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large and uniform in color for a kestrel or Merlin. Wings and tail too broad for one of the larger falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park, 1990	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on May 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Mississippi Kite	Ledges State Park	Ledges St. Pk. - Pea's Creek	wooded valley	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large and uniform in color for a kestrel or merlin. Wings and tail too broad for one of the larger falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-03-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 11, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Sugar Bottom Campground	Sugar Bottom Recreation area on Coralville Reservoir	wooded valley with adjacent open fields. Small valley 1/4 - 1/2 mile from Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow hawk - no red on tail, no facial marking, unlikely habitat. Sharp-shinned Hawk - wing shape and flight pattern different from Sharp-shinned. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32