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 Little Gull south of Council Bluffs, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-23	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull south of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 23, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, three photographs, articles in Iowa Bird Life and American Birds, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Rose, B.J.	Little Gull	Council Bluffs	Approximately 2 miles south of Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. It was about 1/2 mile north of the turn-off to the North Settling Pond of Iowa Power Plant, on the west side of highway L-31 (gravel).	Flooded fields.	The documentation form by B.J. Rose forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Babs Padelford was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's Gull is larger with longer, black-tipped primaries; has a shorter hood on back of head and neck and has white underside of wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Colo Ponds, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-18	1983-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on April 18, 1983.	LaGrange, Ted	Greater Scaup	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	2 miles east of Colo (Colo ponds) Story County	flooded fields	The documentation form by Ted LaGrange is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. The form was typed by James Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Observed the bird feeding with about 30 Lesser Scaup. Obtained a good size compariosn [sic] between it and the Lesser Scaup, especially for the head and bill. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Buff-breasted Sandpiper east of Zearing, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-14	1986-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper east of Zearing in northwest Marshall County, IA on May 14, 1986.	Proescholdt, Beth	Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Zearing	n.w. Marshall County, east of Zearing	flooded field, slightly trashy with corn emerging	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Upland Sandpiper - this bird had a shorter neck, was too small, + had an overall buffy look of the underparts + also clear breasted. Reeve - too buffy to be a reeve and too small compared with birds close by. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Colo, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-09-24	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a bird (Ibis species) at Colo in Story County on September 24, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Glossy Ibises	Colo	2 1/2 miles east of Colo on old highway 30 in a flooded field	flooded field, marsh grass and mud flat	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Zaletel, Jim Dinsmore and Woodward Brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 and the second sighting on October 1 from 14:30:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit north of Waterloo, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit north of Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on May 2, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Marbled Godwit	Waterloo	4 mi. North of Waterloo (U.S. Hwy 20) at ponds along Wagner Rd. Black Hawk Co., IA	Flooded field, farmland	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit usually darker on sides and breast with a white rump patch. The Hudsonian does not have cinnamon wing linings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:02:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Whimbrel at southwest of Liscomb, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-24	1992-04-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Whimbrel at southwest of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on April 24, 1992.	Proescholdt, Beth	Whimbrel	Liscomb	3 1/2 miles southwest of Liscomb	flooded field, across from marshy area	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ramona Sommerlot. \| Elimination of similar species: Marbled Godwit - approximately same size but difference in bill (Whimbrel carving down - M. Godwit, up). Longbilled Curlew is larger without head stripes - Bristle-thighed curlew (very remote) has rust colored rump + tail \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:20:00 and 16:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	12
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Colo, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-09-29	1978-10-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Colo in Story County, IA on September 29, 1978	Zaletel, Hank	Glossy Ibis	Colo	2 1/2 miles east of Colo on old highway 30 in a flooded field	flooded field marsh grass and mud flat	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore and Woodward Brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 on September 29 and 14:30:00/15:15:00 on October 1.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Stilt Sandpiper east of Ames, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-26	1993-06-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Stilt Sandpiper east of Ames in Story County, IA on June 26, 1993.	Dinsmore, James J.	Stilt Sandpiper	Ames	one mile east of Ames on 13th Street (by Holub Greenhouse)	flooded field	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Yellowlegs-bill shape, thickness, leg length, head markings. Solitary Sandpiper-eye line rather than eye ring \| The original documentation form event occurred twice around 10:00:00 and 18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25b
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at east of Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Western Sandpipers east of Ames in Story County, IA on September 30, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Western Sandpiper	Ames	3 miles e. of Ames, Story Co.	flooded field	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: The rusty scapulars and long, dropped bills eliminate Semipalmated Sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff northwest of Bayard, 1991	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-26	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff northwest of Bayard in Greene County, IA on May 26, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Ruff	Bayard	approx 1 1/2 miles northwest of Bayard, Iowa	Flooded field	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Maridel Jackson was submitted. Other observers include Walt Jackson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I first noticed this bird as we were scanning a bunch of dunlin and this bird "stuck out." [...] The bird was about the size of a lesser yellowlegs (also present) but was of different proportions. The body was too heavy (chunky) for a yellowlegs - being more dowitcher like. The neck was fairly long - more so than a dowticher but maybe a little shorter than lesser yellowlegs. The head was defnitely small for the size of the bird. The legs were also fairly long (knobby knees) and again probably a little shorter than a lesser yellowlegs. These basic proportions helped at once to eliminate many species. [..] The bird's head and upper neck were very tawny (similar to buff breasted sandpiper) [...] Tail - This is the one feature along with the basic shape that convinced me. [...] If the bird would have had no color at all I still would have called it a ruff from the proportions. Ruff plumage is variable to say the least. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Farragut, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Ross' Geese at Farragut in Fremont County, IA on February 26, 1982.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Ross' Goose	Farragut	North of Farragut, Fremont Co., Iowa	Flooded farmland	The documentation form by Ruth O. Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose- The Ross' Geese were surrounded on 3 sides by Snows, and the size was noticed. The stubby beaks were easily seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Colo Ponds, 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-06-28	1998-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on June 28, 1998.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red-necked Grebe	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	Colo Ponds - Story County	Flooded farm field - south side of highway	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Hooded Merganser discussed. Not shaped like ducks. Too big for 3 little grebe species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Marshalltown, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on March 19, 1986.	Proescholdt, Mark	Greater Scaup	Marshalltown	Just on north edge of Marshalltown (Marshall Co.)	flooded corn fields from Iowa River overflow	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup shows bold white stripe on secondaries only. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Polk City, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-27	1983-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Greater Scaups at Polk City in Polk County, IA on April 27, 1983.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Scaup	Polk City	3 mi East of Polk City, Polk Co., Iowa	Flooded corn field - almost 40 acres of water-near Large Reservoir	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Scaup ducks compared directly with Lesser Scaups. When directly compared the three were larger, whiter on back and side, and rounder-headed than the Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Palo Alto County, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a White-faced Ibis at Lost Island Township in Palo Alto County on May 15, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Rex R.	White-faced Ibis	Lost Island Township	Sect. 19; Lost Island Township; Palo Alto Cty., Iowa	Flooded Blue Gass Pasture. Seasonal and semipermanent marshes adjacent.	The documentation form by Rex R. Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Michele Connors filled out by James Dinsmore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis. Coloration of soft parts of head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull south of Saylorville, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-04-24	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull south of Saylorville in Polk County, IA on April 24, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Passenger Pigeon, an article in Illinois Audubon Bulletin, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Laughing Gull	Saylorville	South of Saylorville	Flooded bean field (Des Moines River bottom land)	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird flew & sat on ground next to Franklin's Gulls, and Bonaparte's gulls. Did not have white wedge of Bonapartes, Blackheaded or Sabine's Gull's. The other black-headed gull, the Little Gull, has no black at all on wing tips. See above for comparison to Franklin's. [...] Larger bill, compared to adjacent Franklin's, was not pure red, partially black. Eye ring smaller, less conspicuous, again, than adjacent Franklins. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at north central Hamilton County, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-24	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at north central Hamilton County, IA on May 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Whimbrel	Hamilton County	north central Hamilton Co. (U.S. 69 and D20), Iowa.	flooded area of plowed field (farmland)	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Long-billed Curlew is much larger, rustier, and lacks eye line and crown stripe. Eskimo Curlew is much smaller and thinner-billed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Hendrickson Marsh, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-02	1982-07-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on June 2, 1982.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	King Rail	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	Hendrickson Marsh, Story County	flooded area of grass and weeds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kraig Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Least Bittern--wing color and back pattern wrong Green Heron--wing patches Virginia Rail--wing patches separate this species \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Elk Creek Wildlife Area Pool C, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-12	1992-04-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Elk Creek Wildlife Area Pool C in Worth County, IA on April 12, 1992.	Borchardt, Dan	Cinnamon Teal	Elk Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Elk Creek Wildlife Area Pool C in Worth County	Flooded area along the roadside	The documentation form by Dan Borchardt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kevin Pannhoff and Jason Nord. \| Elimination of similar species: With male blue-winged teal but it body was completely red and a red head which the blue-wings body is brown and head bluish with a white bar behind the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whooping Crane north of Essex, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-11	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Whooping Cranes north of Essex in Page County, IA on April 11, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Edwards, Chris	Whooping Crane	Essex	North of Essex in northwestern Page County Iowa	Flooded agricultural field	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Edwards. \| Elimination of similar species: Sandhill Cranes are smaller, gray, and lack a moustachial stripe and black primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Reddish Egret at Colfax, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-05	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Reddish Egret at Colfax in Jasper County, IA on September 5, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Reddish Egret	Colfax	1 mi. west of Colfax IA. Jasper Co.	Flood water pool of the Skunk River	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tim Schantz, Peter C. Petersen, Ann Johnson, Gerald White, Ross Silcock, Thomas H. Kent, Pam Allen, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jim Scheib, Kelly McKay, Dan Dorrance, Jim Sinclair, Hank Zaletel, Reid Allen, Dick Tetrault, D. Thompson, D. and V. Hendrickson, Ella Moeller and Jean Moeller, Kenneth R. Nelson, Rita Goranson, Carolyn Fisher, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Blue Heron adult would have darker body and neck with no brown tones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	19
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Hoosier Creek in 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at Hoosier Creek in Johnson County, IA on April 7, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Hoosier Creek	Hoosier Creek, Ely road, Johnson Co.	Flood coastal reservoir at high water, flood corn field	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Ames in Story County, IA on November 9, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Northern Goshawk	Ames	1 mile s. of Ames, Story Co.	flew across road and landed in a tree	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 (larger than a crow which landed nearby), gray underparts, and white eyebrow eliminates Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Floyd Township in Woodbury County, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-12	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Chestnut-collared Longspur at Floyd Township in Woodbury County, IA on April 12, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Floyd Township	220th St & K-42, Woodbury County, IA	flat, open ground with short stubble fields, gravel road, snow	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: As described above, the white face and tail and extensive black ventrum eliminated Lapland Longspurs, which were present for direct comparison. The yellow chin, black ventrum and chestnut nape eliminated McCown's Longspur. Extensive white tail and black ventrum also eliminated the Smith's Longspur. No sparrows have white retrices to this extent. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Paulina, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-06-03	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Paulina in O'Brien County, IA on June 3, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Ferruginous Hawk	Paullina	5 miles North of Paulina Iowa OBrien [sic] Co.	Flat, Agricultural, only farm Groves for Trees	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Swainson's Hawk have dark primaries. Red Tails with light tails have a terminal band. This one didn't. Red Tails do not have dark legs that are feathered to the ankle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:18:00 and 09:40:00 to 09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1