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 Gyrfalcon north of Cambridge, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Gyrfalcon north of Cambridge in Story County, IA on December 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cook, Barnett C.	Gyrfalcon	Cambridge	2 mi north of Cambridge, Story County	open	The documentation form by Barney Cook is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fritz Franzen and Stu Huntington. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-24	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on March 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Swan Enclosure in Dickinson County - west of Big Spirit Lake	Open - praire [sic] pothole - fenced	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maury Muhm, Gary Wee, Tim Waltz, and Bryan Hellier. \| Elimination of similar species: - Eastern + Western bluebird were eliminated by the blue on breast - shape, color, size and habits eliminated indigo bunting \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-10	1981-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Prairie Falcon	Township of Saint John	1 mile west of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Harrison Co., St. Johns Twsp., Sect. 17.	Open agricultural land; few trees; Winter wheat field (growth of winter what less than 4 inches tall).	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: this species lacks black axillars and white superciliary stripe; moustache is thicker on this species. Merlin: this species is much smaller and lacks moustache and black facial pattern. Gyrfalcon: this species is larger and lacks superciliary stripe and black axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-12-23	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery in Dickinson County, IA on December 23, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Hoary Redpoll	Spirit Lake	Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery	Open area along spillway between Spirit Lake + E. Okoboji Lake	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Redpolls by close comparison. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on October 7, 1998.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reese WPA, Kossuth Co. SW of north side parking	Open area sparsely covered with grass (1 season restored prairie and mowed Pigweed) surrounding wetland potholes	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipits were eliminated by their totally different voice, the pattern of the underparts, and bill & tail proportions. Lapland Longspurs have obvious white (not buff) underneath which would have been especially visible on several close flybys and passes overhead. Male Laplands should show some black streaking on the upper chest in sharp contrast with the white below. There wasn't any chestnut visible on the nape or upper wing. Although I don't have enough experience with Smith's to say I heard any difference in the sound of the "tics", I didn't hear any of the "tew" notes that Laplands (but not Smith's) mix in with their tic-tic-tics. Any regular sparrow that is not eliminated by white outer tail feathers is eliminated by the unique longspur calls. The buffy/tan color underneath and the calls also rule out Horned Lark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great-tailed Grackle at Riverton Area, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great-tailed Grackle at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 15, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great-tailed Grackle	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton A, near headquarters, Fremont Co., IA	open area with a few trees near water area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, long tail and voice convince me it was not a Common Grackle. Unfortunately, we were not able to study the bird for more than a minute. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	9
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Van Dueseldorp Sand and Gravel Pit in Colfax, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at the Van Dueseldorp Sand and Gravel Pit in Colfax in Jasper County, IA on November 11, 1983.	Staudt, Thomas J.	White-winged Scoter	Colfax	Van Deuseldorp (sp) Sand & Gravel Pit Colfax Ia.	open area, C shaped pond in active sand & gravel pit	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Tom Kent, and Pete Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Surf Scoter has all black wings, white spot on forehead & nape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at George Wyth State Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Tundra Swans at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on December 20, 1998.	Moore, Francis L.	Tundra Swan	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park, Black Hawk County, IA	Open backwater lake near Cedar River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone, Maurice Hanson, and Ruby Hanson. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. Also the two immature were a lot lighter brownish color than would show for an immature Trumpeter Swan. Adult and immature bill color was wrong for Mute Swan. Just did not look like Mute Swans. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA around May 22, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article and cover page from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form with an attachment submitted to the committee.	Quinn, Christine A.	Green-tailed Towhee	West Des Moines	605-5th West Des Moines Iowa (residential city)	Open backyard wildlife habitat- under/around quince bushes	The documentation form by Christine A. Quinn is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Robert J. Naisbitt. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] This cap was quite noticeable & large (much larger than a catbird's cap). The bird seemed to be a little larger than a catbird (I have a pair nesting in my yard to [sic] I seem them a lot) and not as large as a robin. [...] He put me in mind very much of a catbird in size and contours. \| The original documentation form event lasted around "evenings and 1 morning" from around May 22 to the first week of June 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Lake Manawa, 1993	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-05-11	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Lake Manawa in Pottawatamie County, IA on May 11, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Rose, B.J.	Western Tanager	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, So. of CB, Pottawatamie Co., IA	Open beach and lawn area with large cottonwoods.	The documentation form by B.J. Rose is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roger Rose, Loren Padelford, and Babs Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: Summer and Scarlet Tanagers do not have wing-bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 13:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Grebes at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 3, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	open body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: Loons eliminated by shorter neck, size, bill shape, and lack of crescent on cheek. Horned Grebe separated above. Western and Clark's Grebe's eliminated by larger, swan-like neck, black, not gray back, thinner bill, and lack of crescent on cheek. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Graceland Cemetery, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	1988-12-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Graceland Cemetery in Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Huser, Bill F.	Merlin	Graceland Park Cemetery	Graceland Cemetery, Sioux City, IA	open canopy mixed woodland	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers includes Jerry Probst, but he did not locate the bird. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - large size, bold brown breast streaking, lack of distinct facial pattern, absence of rust-brown coloration. Sharp-shinned/Cooper's - pointed wings, relatively short tail - 1" beyond wingtips, indistinct falcon facial pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Alden, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-28	1983-02-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Alden in Hardin County, IA on January 28, 1983.	Proescholdt, Mark	Northern Goshawk	Alden	N.W. Hardin Co., Iowa - 2 miles north of Alden at T-intersection	Open corn fields with occasional farmsteads. Perched in a deciduous grove on the edge of a farmstead with house and barn in the distance.	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: was not male Marsh Hawk. Marsh Hawk or Northern Harrier has white rump and wings which are longer and narrower appearing than Goshawk. Coloration was not that of a Marsh Hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whooping Crane east of De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-09	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of six Whooping Cranes east of De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on April 9, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, James J.	Whooping Crane	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	1 mile east of DeSoto N.W.R., Harrison County	open corn stubble field	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Chris Edwards were submitted later .Other observers include Dick Tetrault and Mary Edwards. \| Elimination of similar species: Sandhill Crane by color. Great Egret by black wing tips and bill was somewhat curved rather than dagger-like as in egret. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Thornton, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-02-12	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Thornton in Cerro Gordo, IA on February 12, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Ferruginous Hawk	Thornton	S.W. Cerro Gordo Co. N.W. of Thornton	open country	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Jim Dinsmore, Thomas Kent, and Stephen Dinsmore were submitted later. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Helen Fye, Dale Fye, Diane Porter, G. Foster, Chris Caster, Mike Overton, Dixie Overton, Rob Muilenburg, Jan Walter, Tim Phalen, Lowell Washburn, Gerald White, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Krider's Hawk - face wasn't all white + back wasn't heavily spotted. Also larger - Red-tailed Hawk - could not see dark patagial marks. Wingtips were long. Tail was not red - \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon south of New Providence, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-08	1984-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon south of New Providence in Hardin County, IA on May 8, 1984.	Proescholdt, Mark	Peregrine Falcon	New Providence	about 1/2 mile south of New Providence, Iowa - (Hardin County)	open country - farm fields and two farmsteads	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A Merlin is much smaller and lacks the heavy black sideburns. A female Northern Harrier has white rump patch, has a different shape, and does not have heavy black sideburns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:07:00/14:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike west of Spirit Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike west of Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 29, 1978.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Shrike	Spirit Lake	1 mile west of Spirit Lake	Open country 100 yds from farm grove	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Mockingbird, Gray Jay. I am very familiar with both of these. Loggerheaded Shrike. This bird was much lighter, on the back than Loggrehead [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon south of Sheldahl, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-19	1985-09-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon south of Sheldahl in Story County, IA on September 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	Sheldahl	S. of Sheldahl, Story County	open country near town	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, long pointed wings, dark back contrasting with light underparts, and the black hood eliminate all other raptors. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Liscomb, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-09-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on September 22, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, notes about Ferruginous Hawk sightings in Iowa, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Ferruginous Hawk	Liscomb	Just west of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	Open country over cultivated farm fields - Iowa River 1/2 mile away	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form was submitted by Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawks do not have definite light wing patches or "windows" on the inner primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Say's Phoebe at L & S quarry buildings in Appanoose County, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Say's Phoebe at L & S quarry buildings in Appanoose County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Say's Phoebe	L & W Quarries Inc	L & S quarry buildings, Appanoose Co.	Open country with and scattered groups of trees.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kay Malmberg, Katherine White, and Charles White. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	37
Rare bird documentation for Merlin at Calamus, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-02-06	1978-03-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Merlin at Calamus in Clinton County, IA on February 6, 1978.	Bryant, Robert R.	Merlin	Calamus	1/3 mi. north of Calamus, Ia.	open country-cornfields, grass ditches, one wooded ditch. Sitting on wire over fence line between snowcovered road ditch and cornfield.	The documentation form by Bob Bryant is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - eliminated because of size and lack of rufous coloring and black facial pattern. Sharp-shinned Hawk - eliminated because tail not long, not near any large wooded area. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Argyle, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-06	1985-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Argyle in Lee County, IA on April 6, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Golden Eagle	Argyle	Argyle, Iowa, s.w. Lee County	Open country, 2 miles from Des Moines River	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Bald Eagles splotchy white underneath--have seen this many times. Tail pattern similar to Rough-leg, but size, overall profile wrong, as was body coloration (although I've not seen dark phase Rough-leg.) Proportionately small head wrong for all Buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:20:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Tree Sparrow at Burlington, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-16	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for ten Eurasian Tree Sparrows at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on December 16, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Eurasian Tree Sparrow	Burlington	23 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines County)	open country, but birds in rural residence front yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: House Sparrow - as compared above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	18
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-08	1981-11-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 8, 1981.	Klaas, Erwin E	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Open Country, Cropfields, scattered trees	The documentation form by Erwin E. Klaas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ben Klaas. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. Presence of dark axillar markings distinguished it from immature peregrine falcon. Underparts were light with a few dark streaks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Palo, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	1988-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Palo in Linn County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Zobac, Aldrich Zobac, Gladys	Turkey Vulture	Palo	Over fields, 2 or 3 miles SE of Palo, Iowa	Open country, near Cedar River, some woodlots.	The documentation form by Aldrich Zobac and Gladys Zobac is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Not a bald eagle, because tail was long and head was small flight not that of a hawk or eagle; much larger than a crow. \| The original documentation form event lasted occurred around 13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26