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 Snowy Egret at Lake Manawa, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-23	1978-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form with handwritten annotations for a Snowy Egret at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 23, 1978.	Brown, Larry D.	Snowy Egret	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, southeast quarter of lake	Standing along shore of lake in shallow water near a muskrat den. Lake shore environment with some reeds and cattails along shore plus other vegetation growing in shallow water where bird was observed.	The documentation form by Larry D. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his wife and two other birders. \| Elimination of similar species: Approximately 10-15 feet to the west of the Snowy stood an American Egret which was identified by its yellow bill and much larger size. By comparing the field marks and size of both, they could both be identified. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mabled Godwit at Willow Slough in northeast Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Marbled Godwit	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Standing in shallow water in drying slough.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit is similar, but has contrasting rump + wing stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:00:00/06:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull in the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-18	1994-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull in the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 18, 1993.	Wickham, Peter P.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Cedar Rapids	Cedar River, on sandbar across from Cargill plant, Cedar Rapids, IA	Standing, walking around on sandbar	The documentation form by Peter Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark mantle, yet whitish head, neck, and underparts identified it as an adult gull, and immediately eliminated Herring, Ring-billed and other gray or whitish-backed gulls. It was too small for Great Black-backed Gull, which has flesh-colored legs anyway, or Slaty-backed Gull, which has pinkish legs. The mantle wasn't truly black, as a Great Black-backed mantle would be. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull north of Farragut, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-24	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull north of Farragut in Fremont County, IA on September 24, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Braley, Jean B.	Sabine's Gull	Farragut	Hiway #2, North of Farragut, IA c 1 mile E of Co. Rd. M16 to 1 mile W.	State highway - Nishna Botna River parallel to road 1/8 to 1/4 mile so[...]	The documentation form by Jean B. Braley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Francis M. Braley. \| Elimination of similar species: Felt sure it was not a familiar species (to me) although I thought about Bl Kittiwake (R. Tridacryla) but wings too black + white without black band to body; smaller size; no black band across neck \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Least Tern at Cone Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-19	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Least Tern at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 19, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of a review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Least Tern	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh	State owned marsh of about 700 Acres.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: The obvious possibilities are both Common or Forsters' Terns. At the very most, this bird was perhaps half the size of the gulls. This would put the body length in the general range of 8" long with a wingspread of 24" (according to size of Ring bills in the Natl. Geo. Guide) The Natl. Geo. Guide gives the general size range of Least Tern as 9" long with a wingspread of 20 ". The sizes of the other terns are given as Common L 14 1/2', W 30", and Forsters' L 14 1/2, W=31". Thus on size alone, Least Tern seems to be the only reasonable choice. The short but deeply forked tail also indicates Least Tern. Harrison's SEABIRDS says, on page 182, "Size and hurried flight,..., usually sufficient to clinch identification in northern hemisphere". The flight of this bird was much quicker and fluttery compared to my experience with the slower, deeper, and more deliberate flight of Common and Forster's Terns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	3
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on February 15, 1982.	Zaletel, Hank	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Highway 415 North of Polk City at NW 100 ST Big Creek State Park	State park, open grassland, trees on edge - flew to wooded edge	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Northern Harrier - no white rump patch + this bird had white eye brow line. Coopers Hawk - vertical streaks more widely spaced than coopers horizontal streaks - underside appeared white in flight. This bird had white eye brow line and was much larger in size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-21	1982-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1982.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Northern Goshawk	Hanover Township	Iowa; Allamakee County, Hanover Twsp., Sect. 8	Steep flood plain bluffs with mixed (cedar and deciduous) forest vegetation	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk: Although size overlap is possible, this species lacks the blue-gray underparts and bold facial patterns mentioned above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Clear Creek Township in Jasper County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-22	1984-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Clear Creek Township in Jasper County, IA on January 22, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Red-shouldered Hawk	Clear Creek Township	Jasper County, Clear Creek Twnshp T8IN-R21W Section 13 SE	Steep hills, flat valleys, wooded slopes	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red tail does not have barred tail, does not have orange brown breast as well as underside wing linings. Broad wing has fewer bars on tail, does not have orange brown underside wing linings neither have dark, white spacing on top side secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at the riverfront of Davenport, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-10-13	1994-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Sabine's Gull at the riverfront of Davenport in Scott County, IA on October 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Meadowlark, excerpts from American Birds, article and front page from Iowa Bird Life, seven photographs, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Peiser, Richard H.	Sabine's Gull	Davenport	Riverfront, Davenport, IA	Stone embankment + river	The documentation form by Richard H. Peiser forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Reid Allen, Peter C. Petersen, James Fuller, Randall Pinkston, and Ann Johnson were submitted. Other observers include John King, Dick Tetrault, Tim Schantz, Brian Blevins, Ann Barker, Jim Scheib, Mary Lou Peterson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Pam Allen, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The upperwing pattern is so striking as to eliminate other gull species, even in the Juvenile Black hood of adult, slight fork of tail + black band on imm. tail band helped. Yellow tip of bill on adult clincher \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Rare bird documentation form for American Pipit at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1999-01-01	1999-01-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Pipit at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Sinclair, Jim	American Pipit	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi St. Pk.	stream bed in bottomland forest	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The long bill eliminated any kind of sparrow and the white outer tail feathers eliminated water thrush species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	15
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at White Pine Hollow, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-25	1989-11-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at White Pine Hollow in Dubuque County, IA on October 25, 1989.	Rouw, Mark	Golden Eagle	White Pine Hollow State Park	White Pine Hollow Dubuque County Iowa	Stream valley bordered by steep bluffs in woodland	The documentation form by Mark D. Rouw is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature bald eagle was eliminated because of this birds distinctive white patches and shorter beak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Sundown Ski Area near Asbury, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1981-12-26	1981-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush Sundown Ski Area near Asbury in Dubuque County, IA on December 26, 1981.	Miller, John Carl	Hermit Thrush	Asbury	Along the Heritage Trail across the crick from the longest ski run of Sundown Ski Area.	Streamside cover consisting of: understory (shrubs and bushes). Young tree growth and some mature trees (all deciduous). Cedars nearby.	The documentation form by John Carl Miller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Larson. \| Elimination of similar species: smaller than a robin larger than a sparrow \| The original documentation form event occurred from 08:30:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Acadian Flycatcher at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Acadian Flycatchers at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Acadian Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek Forest, 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle, Lee County, Iowa	Streamside woods and thickets	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Visually similar or identical to other empidonax. Others eliminated by voice (others do not give accented 'pit-see!') Habitat perfect for Acadian, although this would not eliminate all others. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	66
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Spirit Lake, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-23	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on May 23, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Western Tanager	Spirit Lake	My backyard birdbath - East edge of Spirit Lake	Suburban - edge of farmland	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female oriole - size, shape and color of beak, length of tail and color of chin. Imm. Scarlet tanager - According to Master Guide to birding Vol 3 p. 196, juvenal [sic] Scarlet tanagers resemble the female but are more variable and have bright yellow wing bars. Also according to National Geographic Bird Guide it states that the immature scarlet tanager has faint wing bars. I don't think it was an immature scarlet tanager because this time of year the bird is not in juvenal [sic] plumage and the bird I saw had prominent and strong wing bars. Also the bird I saw had a very light colored rump and also its nape was a shade lighter than its back giving the birds upper part the light-dark light sequence for its nape-back-rump. This is a characteristic of the Western Tanager. This is what Bent (1958) p 472 has to say about the plumages of the 1st year male western tanager. "There is considerable variation among individuals, these one-year old males are as a whole somewhat less brilliant than the adults. The black of the upper part is duller and more or less intermixed with greenish. The red on the head paler, less intense and more restricted in area; and the yellows decidedly duller and less brilliant." \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:15:00/19:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids, 1990	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Wickham, Peter P.	Baltimore Oriole	Cedar Rapids	Bird feeder, 100 Thompson Drive S.E., Cedar Rapids	Suburban area, with condominiums, private homes, lawns & trees	The documentation form by Pete Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Durbin and three unidentified people with other bird feeders. \| Elimination of similar species: There are no similar species that I can think of. It wasn't a Bullock's type, which would have orange on the face and a big white wing patch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Rare bird documentation form for Scarlet Tanager north of Iowa City, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scarlet Tanager north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 11, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Scarlet Tanager	Iowa City	My backyard north of Iowa City	Suburban Yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Only Western Tanager has dark wings, but it has wingbars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	45
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1997-12-12	1998-01-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA from December 12, 1997 to December 27, 1997.	McKay, Kelly Statser, Jack L.	Baltimore Oriole	Bettendorf	1515 29 Street Bettendorf, Scott County, IA.	suburban yard surrounded by a wooded ravine.	The documentation form by Kelly McKay and Jack Statser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vera Blevins. The documentation form was written by Kelly McKay from a phone conversation with Jack Statser. \| Elimination of similar species: Orchard Oriole - smaller; much darker red-orange underparts; all dark tail. American Redstart - very much smaller; all black with orange restricted to spots on sides, wings, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1989-04-15	1989-06-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA on April 15, 22, and 23, 1989.	Allen, Reid I.	Lincoln's Sparrow	West Des Moines	1601 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines, IA	Suburban yard, with wooded area behind home consisting of large trees and brushpiles	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Song sparrow has center dot and no buffy upper breast streaking. Savannah has white dotted breast. Vesper sparrow has white out tail. Mostly distinguished because of its song which was sung two or three times and Reid played a tape and it came right up to us as we were sitting and waiting for the Armstrongs to come to our house. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a House Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 10, 1986.	Hollis, Richard Jule	House Finch	Iowa City	Iowa City, Iowa	Suburbs - Niger [sic] feeder in Sycamore Tree	The documentation form by Richard Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Janet Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch: lack of strong marking around face the pale mousey [sic] brown Rose b grosbeak: the above and size bill shape Pine Siskin - this bird showed no yellow Bill shaped wrong Pine Siskins' tails are very strongly notched Cassin's Finch. I am not familiar with this species, but from reveiwing [sic] the Field Guides it would appear to be ruled out by Bill Shape - if Cassin's really has bill as long as in Geog guide, I would have noted same. Tail of Cassins appears more notched than this bird Cassin's have more strongly marked head and the spots on Cassins the belly are darker + more distinct \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Three-toed Woodpecker north of Iowa City, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Three-toed Woodpecker north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 13, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Joan	Three-toed Woodpecker	Iowa City	14 Woodland Heights North of Iowa City IA, off N Dubuque St, off Stewart Road	suet feeder in heavily wooded lot with much woodpecker activity of all common Iowa species.	The documentation form by Joan Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I have not seen any similar species. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	29
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird west of Hiawatha, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird west of Hiawatha in Linn County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Bradley, Rob	Gray Catbird	Hiawatha	420-0914 - 1 1/2 miles west of Hiawatha off Blairs Ferry Rd Linn Co.	Sumac - Blackberry - Multiflora Rose overgrown pasture w. small clumps of Hawthorn trees	The documentation form by Robert Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Demermuth. \| Elimination of similar species: Can't think of anything in this area that resembles a Gray Catbird maybe Junco but way to [sic] small. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:30:02.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Iowa City, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-28	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 28, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, request for reconsideration, summary of review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	House Finch	Iowa City	Home north of Iowa City	Sunflower feeder in suburban yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Thomas Staudt were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Jim Sandrock, and Johanna Sandrock. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple finch - no ear patch. Back was only finely streaked, and breast and belly streaking much less prominent. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Rare bird documentation form for Swamp Sparrow at Sweet Marsh, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swamp Sparrow at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 18, unknown year.	Stone, Tom	Swamp Sparrow	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh	swamp grass along dike	The documentation form by Tom Stone is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Too bulky for Chipping Sparrow, Field + Tree Sparrow have wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	62
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ross' Goose	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton G.M.A. Fremont Co. Iowa	Swamp, surrounded by farmland	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barb Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose eliminated by 1 size comparison 2 wing beat speed 3 possibly by reduced black in underwings tips - juvenile? \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Swan Lake, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-16	1976-09-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on September 16, 1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Swan Lake	Swan Lake, Johnson Co., Iowa	Swan L. is 1 mile south from the Coralville Reservoir. The bird was flying over the lake, the bordering mudflats and disappeared within seconds over an adjoining cornfield, continuing its rectilinear, unswerving flight.	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In spite of the first subconscious "gestalt" impression of a Mourning Dove approaching, the square tail, lacking white, falcon wings and greater size rule this one out. The bird seen was definitely too small to be a Peregrine, and had no mustache. It did not have the distinctive facial pattern of the familiar Kestrel either, nor the rufous back and/or wings and tail; it was a dusky bird, not the way Kestrels look to me; nor have I ever seen a Kestrel flying with such blinding speed and so "purposefully". \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32