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-billed Cuckoo at Glenwood, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-04	1990-11-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Glenwood in Mills County, IA on November 4, 1990.	Rose, Douglas L.	Yellow-billed Cuckoo	Glenwood	in my backyard, 108 Hillcrest Ave Glenwood, Iowa 51534	borders open field, a few tall weeds	The documentation form by Doug Rose is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-billed Cuckoo - yellow on lower mandible and reddish primary. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	47
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Common Raven at Dubuque, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven at Dubuque in Dubuque County, IA on December 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, a summary of review, and a documentation submitted to the committee.	Herrman, William	Common Raven	Dubuque	Location was about three miles south of Dubuque city limits, in narrow valley with scattered cedar trees, with bird in a leafless tree		The documentation by William Herrmann is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Feller and John Stampe. \| Elimination of similar species: One half larger than a dozen Am. crows about 100 feet away from the raven at same distance \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Raven west of Mason City, 1966	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1966-12-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven west of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 28, 1966. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Roosa, Dean M.	Common Raven	Mason City	[...] driving from Clear Lake to Mason City		The documentation article by Dean M. Roosa forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Bailey. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Its flight pattern, size, and rounded or wedge-shaped tail distinguished it from nearby Crows.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Common Raven at Lake Manawa State Park, 1998	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-02-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven at Lake Manawa State Park in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 5, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Bunnimit, Manit	Common Raven	Lake Manawa State Park	[...] Lake Manawa State Park, near Council Bluffs, IA. [...] was travelling south on the road that follows the west edge of Lake Manawa.		The documentation letter by Manit Bunnimit is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It flew for most of the time by soaring with its wings held very flat, only twice flapping its wings momentarily (shallow wingbeats) and once folding its wings rather tightly and gliding. All of the crows I have seen flap steadily, gliding only occasionally. [...] It could not have been mistaken even for the tails of the occasional American Crows that appear quite rounded. The sheer size of the bird and the wedge-shaped tail were enough to distinguish it from any of the crows, but what about the Chihuahuan Raven? Fortunately, as it flew by, the bird made two brief call notes that were very hoarse (sounding much more like grrrawgk than the gaw of the American Crow), and much deeper than the Chihuahuan Raven that I heard in northern Texas. However, because it has been a few years since I had seen or heard the Chihuahuan, I decided to double check the calls on a tape I had at home. The tape and I agree that the call was that of a Common Raven. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:10:00/11:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Jackson Township in Boone County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-07-08	1983-07-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Jackson Township in Boone County, IA on July 8, 1983.	Ehresman, Bruce	Barn Owl	Jackson Township	Boone County, Jackson Township (T-84N, R-25W) Sec. 11 + 14	Corn/Beans/oats - grassy roadside	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marlene Ehresman. \| Elimination of similar species: Barred owl is larger and gray. Great Horned Owl is larger, has ear tufts, and not pure white on all underparts. Short-eared owl has darker face and black wrist patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:50:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form and field checklist for Barn Owl at Mount Ayr State Wildlife Area in 1983	Checklists Field notes	Birds--Identification Captive wild birds Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation Wildlife reintroduction	1983-04-29	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation and field checklist for a Barn Owl at Mount Ayr State Wildlife Area in Ringgold County, IA on April 29, 1983.	Moe, Mel	Barn Owl	Mount Ayr State Wildlife Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Shenandoah, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Common Barn Owls at Shenandoah in Fremont and Page Counties, IA on April 24, 1983.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Barn Owl	Shenandoah	Shenandoah, Fremont Co., IA	city edge, open farmland	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Call, and size separated birds from Screech Owl. Size, flight style, and lack of underpart markings was distinctly different than Great Horned. Short-eared Owl would have some markings & call differently. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 04:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Barn Owl near Fort Atkinson in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Zoological specimens	1981-12-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Barn Owl near Fort Atkinson in Winneshiek County, IA on November 28, 1981.	Jenison, Art	Barn Owl	Fort Atkinson				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Barn Owl at Eden Township in Marshall County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-10-29	1978-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Barn Owl at Eden Township in Marshall County, IA on October 29, 1978.	Jones, Greig D.	Barn Owl	Eden Township	Rhodes Farm, Iowa, Marshall Co., Eden Twnsp, T82N, R20W, Sec 20	pastured farmland scattered with woodlots, several ponds, & 1 main stream Perched in a dead cottonwood located along a run of trees which bounded a moist grassy travelway for cattle	The documentation form by Greg D. Jones is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Barn Owl is a fairly distinctive species. Its uniformly cream breast, short neck, and dual face eliminate other species of owls & hawks commonly found in central Iowa farmlands. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:05:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl west of Red Rock Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-05	1984-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl west of Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on May 5, 1984.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Barn Owl	Lake Red Rock	1 mile west of Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County, Ia.	a grove of deciduous trees with some old buildings adjacent to the floodwaters of the RR Reservoir.	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Nolan, Mark Dixon, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Hank Zalatel. \| Elimination of similar species: Separated from other hawks and owls by the cinnamon-colored back contrasting with pure white underparts and a heart shaped white face with dark borders. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:45:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Worth Township in Boone County, 1984	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Worth Township in Boone County, IA on May 30, 1984.	Ehresman, Bruce	Barn Owl	Worth Township	Boone County, Worth Township (T-83N, R-26W) Sec. 21	Deciduous woodland edge (Wildlife Research Station)	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Dietz. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Smith's Slough, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-16	1988-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Smith's Slough in Clay County, IA on October 16, 1988.	Kanago, Dixie	Barn Owl	Smiths Slough	Smith's Slough - clay [sic] County - Dewey Pasture Area	Forest-edge-slough near by lake within 1/4 mi.	The documentation form by Dixie Kanago is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Judy Knight, Alice Kehoe, and Wayne Souer. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] An owl - larger than screech - but smaller than gt. horned owl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Field reports form for submitting seasonal observations of Iowa birds, summer 1993, Douglas Harr	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-01	1993-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field reports by Douglass Harr for birds sighted during the summer of 1993. It features the Barn Owl south of Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on July 27, 1993.	Harr, Douglas C.	Barn Owl Cattle Egret Hooded Merganser	Larchwood Sioux Center Spirit Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Barn Owl north of Adair in 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-08-08	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Barn Owl north of Adair in Adair County, IA on August 8, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Barn Owl	Adair				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
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
Rare bird documentation form for Great Horned Owl northeast of Green Mountain, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-02	1983-03-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Horned Owl northeast of Green Mountain in Marshall County, IA on March 2, 1983.	Proescholdt, Beth	Great Horned Owl	Green Mountain	northeast Marshall County, north + east of Green Mountain	open farmland deciduous grove around farmstead	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Kurtz, Judy Levings, Ramona Sommerlot, Carol McMillan, John King, Mark Proescholdt, and Phyllis Harris. \| Elimination of similar species: Snowy owl - this owl had ear tufts + facial discs making it a Great Horned Owl \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	49
Rare bird documentation form for Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha, 1988	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Trapping	1988-02-09	1988-02-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha in Linn County, IA on February 9, 1988.	Bradley, Rob	Chipping Sparrow	Hiawatha	Home patio feeder - 1 mile west fo [sic] Hiawatha, Iowa (Linn County)	Low bushes and trees around a cement patio	The documentation form by Robert Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karen Bradley. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree sparrow too large. Cap with only a few rufous feathers. No central breast spot. No black eyeline. Buff supercilliary [sic] line. Breast was gray as compared with buff on clay colored sparrow also gray rump instead of brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00 on February 9, 1988 - 07:30:00 on February 10, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	49
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Boreal Chickadee at Osage, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-11-24	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Boreal Chickadees at Osage in Mitchell County, IA on November 24, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Woolfries, Andy	Boreal Chickadee	Osage	Osage, Iowa Home Feeder board	Home bird feeder - back yard - shrubs and trees.	The documentation form by Andy Woolfries is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Associated with other chickadees but noticable [sic] because of distinctive brown cap. There appeared to be only two. They were positively identified at least 20 times from a distance of about six feet. Reference: "Birds of North America". \| The original documentation form event occurred at least 20 times over November 24 to 26, 1978.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	49
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Boreal Chickadee at Des Moines, 1976	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1976-11-17	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Boreal Chickadee at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1976. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, multiple articles from Iowa Bird Life, a request for reconsideration of record, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Boreal Chickadee	Des Moines	Des Moines, IA	General: urban, residential Specific: large back yard with both evergreen and deciduous trees and large stand of yew adjacent to feeders	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Mooney, Nicholas Halmi, Lurene Warters, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Superficially similar to any of the chickadees \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	49
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Elk Rock State Park, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-11	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on December 11, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Elk Rock State Park	on ice in Lake Red Rock as viewed from bluff in N. Elk Rock St. Park	Reservoir on ice	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black Backed - size other dark immature gulls - wings - more solid + consistent color + mantle solid dark gray \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Elk Rock State Park, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Elk Rock State Park	[...] resting on mud bar just w. of old Hwy 14 a long north edge of reservoir.		The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Gil Sandvick was another observer. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Bird slightly smaller than nearby adult Herring Gull, larger than Ring-billed Gulls surrounding it. head white with tan flecking back + mantle slaty grey, much darker than Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-29	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 29, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	sitting on ice above dam	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tanya Bray and Barbara Wilson were submitted. Other observers include Peter Wickham, Mark Brogie, and Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed Gull was eliminated by the smaller size, contrast between the wingtips and the rest of the wing, and by the heavy streaking on the head(head should be mostly white on a Great Black-backed Gull). California Gull was eliminated by the darker mantle, darker underwing and dark carpal bar, lack of a dark spot on the bill, and by the dark smudge at the base of the bill(this is characteristic of 3rd summer Lesser Black-backed Gulls and is never present on California Gulls). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:08:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-10-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on October 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock Number 19	Behind dam, Lock and Dam 19, Keokuk, Iowa	River rapids	The documentation form by Robert Cecil forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Chris Pilliod, Jim Sandrock, Cal Knight, Jane Fuller, Charles Fuller, and James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species I could not eliminate on the basis of field marks observed was Yellow-footed, which according to Tom Kent (telephone conversation) is not a known vagrant. More objectively, the Yellow-footed is supposed to be larger than a Herring Gull. As stated above, this bird was about the size of a Herring Gull, or perhaps a little smaller. I don't feel it was larger than a Herring Gull. Seabirds (Harrison) warns of possible confusion with dark race Herring Gull. I have not heard of this race occuring [sic] in Iowa. In any event, the foot coloring was incorrect for Herring Gull, which has pink legs in contrast to this bird's yellow legs. \| The original documentation form event occurred at various times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-17	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 17, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wright, Rick	Lesser Black-backed Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPPD Settling Ponds, Pottawatamie [sic] Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Rick Wright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Strom and Marie Strom. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The different mantle colorations of the herring and ring-billed gulls were distinguishable. [...] The presence of other gull species convinced me that I had accurately judged the mantle color of this bird; I was able to compare it with 3 other species, as well as Caspian terns. The size and bill size rule out great Black-backed, the only dark-backed gull with which I am familiar. Although western gull would show a similar upper-wing pattern, I suspect that it too would appear heavy-billed (and would not have yellow feet). Yellow-footed gull is also large and deep-billed, and is probably less likely than lesser black-backed in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:30:00/13:30:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-03	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 3, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Res., Marion Co. Iowa.	Des Moines River below Red Rock Reservoir dam.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis L. Moore, Robert K. Myers, Beth Proescholdt, Thomas J. Staudt, Peter C. Petersen, Dennis Thompson, Carl J. Bendorf, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Hank Zaletel, Phyllis Harris, Gil Sandvick, Carol McMillen, Pauline Mairs, Gladys Black, Jim Fuller, Darwin Koenig, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, John Bowles, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and yellow legs exclude Great Black-backed, Western, and Slaty-backed Gulls. Size excludes Yellow-footed Gull. Mantle to [sic] dark for California Gull and leg color too yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5