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 Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 26, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	Open water on Saylorville Reservoir	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe's neck is longer and thinner than this bird and is whiter on the front of the neck than this bird. Western's head is not crested toward the back of the head as in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Glaucous Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than Ring-billed gulls. Bill was also much larger than the bills of the Ring-billed gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-08	1986-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 8, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The yellow bill, size, and light crescent on the cheek eliminates all other grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-24	1986-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 24, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe eliminated by its longer neck, thinner bill, and lack of a white crescent on the cheek. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 29, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	sitting on ice above dam	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter Wickham, Mark Brogie, Barb Wilson, Tanya Bray, 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	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 20, 1984.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Merlin	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	flying through trees right along edge of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eric Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Kestrel was eliminated because of the lack of a rusty back, rusty tail and the unbarred undertail. Peregrine and Prairie Falcons eliminated by larger size and lack of strongly barred tail. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks eliminated by the longer tails, lack of strong barring underneath tail, and by the broader, non-painted wings. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of large size, brown body color, light patches on the cheek, and white wing patch eliminates all other ducks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-06	1986-11-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 6, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Northern Goshawk	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	flying over dam	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The larger size, gray underparts, and white undertail coverts eliminate both Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-10	1986-11-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Long-tailed Duck	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck shows this color pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-29	1988-05-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 29, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Long-tailed Duck	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	swimming with coots and Bonaparte's Gulls on large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck has the white 'goggle', stubby bill, and dark underwings that this bird showed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:13:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 10, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Northern Goshawk	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large area of deciduous trees adjacent to reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other accipiters by lack of large size, extensive white above eye on the head and lack of clear gray/white underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 25, 1987.	Martsching, Paul	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co, Iowa		The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Was much larger than immature Little Gull. Sabine's doesn't have black bar on inner half of wings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-10	1987-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation forms for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co-above dam	swimming on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other grebes eliminated by the large size and light crescent on the cheek. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, off of west end of dam	freshwater lake	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen and Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: I spent a long time puzzling over these birds, both in the field and later when I had several references to consult. None of the guides I looked at showed a bird that looked like these. Common (a small one): removed on the basis of size (birds too small for Common Loon), the thinner and bicolored bill, and the color pattern on the neck. At this time of year, all of the Common Loons I have seen (and saw on Saylorville that day) were distinctly white on the front of the neck with some partial bands of brown extending back in to the white. Pacific Loon: Eliminated on behavior (head posture), lack of a distinct dark/white line along the side of the neck, lack of chin straps across neck, and presence of brown on front of neck. Also the gray/brown contrast between neck and back would point away from Pacific but not eliminate it. Red-throated Loon: This is what I first thought the birds were but as I viewed them, I convinced myself several times that they were Pacific Loons. However, the combination of characters listed above seem to eliminate the other two possible species and also are positive characters for the Red-throated Loon. One character that puzzled me was the size of the bill. At least some of the guides (Advanced Birding esp) show the Red-throated Loon as having a tiny bill, much smaller than on this bird but those illustrations do not match those in other guides which emphasize more the shape of the bill than the size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Saylorville Marina, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-21	1986-08-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Saylorville Marina in Polk County, IA on August 21, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Least Tern	Saylorville Marina	Saylorville Reservoir-near marina	resting on sandy beach	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other tern shows the combination of yellow bill and legs, small size, white forehead, and dark outer primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation forms for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir near Jester Park in Polk County, IA on September 29, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir-near Jester Park	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of large size, buffy color on the neck and breast, white throat, and yellowish bill eliminates all other grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:05:00/17:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-28	1987-10-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 28, 1987.	Myers, Robert K.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir (Polk Co.) - from Jester Park	Large, man-made lake	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark bar on nape of neck would eliminate imm. Bonaparte's Gull. (and Little + Ross' for that matter) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-27	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 27, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir - Polk Co., Iowa (at the dam)		The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - this bird had no rust or rufous on back, wings, or tail; or blue in wings like a male Kestrel. And did not have strong face pattern of Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the AM.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
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 Western Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-13	1986-09-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 13, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Western Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All loons were eliminated by the long neck, unmarked back, bill shape and color, and white flanks. Clark's Grebe was eliminated by the darker back and dark cheek which included the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:20:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Peregrine Falcon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir	Large timber lined lake. This area seems to be a good migratory path for raptors.	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: Bird was too big for Merlin and too dark above for Prairie Falcon and basic shape, color and head pattern eliminates other possible hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and bill color and size all eliminate other grebes. Note that we had just seen another Red-necked Grebe on nearby Big Creek L. 2 hours earlier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:05:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three White-winged Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 13, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Cherry Glen boat access, Polk Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck is all dark with white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-21	1985-10-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 21, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res. (Polk Co.), Ia.	Large reservoir - bird was way out but I don't know how deep water is there as there were also pied-billed grebes & cormorants present also. May be fairly shallow at that point.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small and short necked for Western grebe and to [sic] big with much too big of a bill for horned grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Saylorville Lake, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-08-06	1989-08-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on August 6, 1989.	Myers, Robert K.	Pine Warbler	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res.	edge of lake - giant ragweed + other weeds at edge of timber	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bay-breasted warbler + blackpolls have streaked backs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29