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 for Burrowing Owl south of Archer, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-13	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Burrowing Owl south of Archer in O'Brien County, IA on April 13, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Ronald	Burrowing Owl	Archer	O'Brien County, Ia. 1.75 South of Archer	Flat land	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: it's just a burrowing owl \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, IA on February 7, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Booth Township	SW Palo Ato [sic] Co, Section 27 Booth twnship, IA	Flat glaciated open farm land with mixed grass & stubble	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and flight eliminate Kestrel. The dark axillaries eliminate Gyrfalcon and Peregrine Falcon. The long shape eliminates other raptors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Ames, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-05	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ferruginous Hawk at Ames in Story County, IA on April 5, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Arbour, David	Ferruginous Hawk	Ames	At the intersection of I-35 and E29 () just N.E. of Ames:	Flat Farmland/Roadside	The documentation form by David Arbour is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Matt Humann, Harold Harbert, and Yumann Lee. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk lacks the white crescent near the base of primaries and is smaller and shorter winged. Rough-legged Hawk has a dark belly band and a subterminal band on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted for approximately 10 minutes during mid-morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Partridge west of North Liberty, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seven Gray Partridges west of North Liberty in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Gray Partridge	North Liberty	2 miles west of North Liberty IA on county road F 28	flat farm land, cut snow covered corn field	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Shires, Rick Hollis, and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobwhite, chukar. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:30:00/13:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	37
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Fairport Fish Hatchery, 1995	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-08	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Fairport Fish Hatchery in Muscatine County, IA on September 8, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence from Peter Petersen to Thomas H. Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Mew Gull	Fairport State Fish Hatchery	Fairport Fish Hatchery, Muscatine Co. IA	Fish rearing ponds + adj. Miss. River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring-billed Gull- much more black on primary tips, black ring on yellow bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Davenport, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 12, 1989.	Petersen, Peter C.	Prairie Falcon	Davenport	Utah Ave at Mississippi River - West edge of Davenport, IA	First seen walking river edge then chasing Rock Doves at grain terminal, finally perched on top of grain elevator.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Fisher. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon - back darker, moustache black, no black underwing. Merlin, smaller, no black underwing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Campbell's Island in East Moline, 1974	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1974-12-02	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Campbell's Island in East Moline in Rock Island County, IL on December 2, 1974. Includes record review documents with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fawks, Elton	Iceland Gull	Campbells Island	From my residence, Campbell's Island, East Moline, Ill. 3 miles downstream from Lock & Dam 14, Mississippi River	First seen at mouth of Honey Creek, flowing into Miss. R.	The documentation form by Elton Fawks forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ernie Salder was submitted. Other observer includes Mark Henderson and unidentified individuals on a Christmas Bird Count. \| Elimination of similar species: Glaucous Gull \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-15	1982-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek in Polk County, IA on February 15, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek, Polk Co., Iowa	fields and patches of forest.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: When first saw it thought of Marsh Hawk. Did not have prominent white rump of Marsh Hawk. Marsh Hawk doesn't have the wide white eye brow stripe on very dark head. Wings wider than on Marsh Hawk. Much larger than other accipiters. Other accipiters don't have wide white eye brow stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for about twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on October 18, 1990.	Proescholdt, Beth	Golden Eagle	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove WA, n. Marshall County, central Iowa	fields adjacent to wooded ridge paralleling Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Rough-legged Hawk - explained above. Seeing white on the tail I thought 'Rough-leg'. But this bird had absolutely flat wings as it approached head-on, not with the Rough-legs' 'up-and-out' wing pattern. Three spots of white on an otherwise dark bird - no splotchiness as on a Bald Eagle, no dihedral as in a Turkey Vulture and I knew I was seeing an immature Golden Eagle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1998	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-07	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Red Phalarope at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 7, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red Phalarope	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, IA	Field that floods with highwater or heavy rain-good shorebirds there this fall.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wilson's Phalarope is a larger bird with long bill. Red-necked Phalarope has streaks on the scapulars and coverts and a longer and thinner tappered [sic] bill. I did not see the bird in flight. The dark patch over the eye did not extend down and back as shown in the book. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird north of Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-19	1985-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird north of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on May 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Western Kingbird	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	about 3 1/2 miles north of Hendricksons Marsh in Southeast Story County, Iowa	field on both sides of road with very short corn.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Kingbird - has black head, white terminal band on tail & breast & belly are white. Crested Flycatcher - has some rust in wings, a very rusty tail, brown head & back, gray upper breast. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Prairie Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-05-28	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Warbler at Wildcat Den State park in Muscatine County, IA on May 28, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Prairie Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	across the road from entrance to Wildcat Den S.P., Muscatine Co.	field margin - in saplings (8-10' tall) at edge of uncultivated, fenced-off field	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: N. Parula: slender, coarser bill with abrupt ending: Field Sparrow: trill at end of song accelerando on same [illegible], but ascending chromatically. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	22
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Lime Creek Nature Center near Mason City, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-22	1988-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Lime Creek Nature Center near Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 22, 1988.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Henslow's Sparrow	Lime Creek Nature Center	Lime Cr. Nature Center - in or near Mason City, IA (	field being restored to Prairie / although it had some 18" aspen or cottonwood trees	The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barbara Wilson, Carol Thompson, Bob Cecil, John Cecil, Francis Moore, Jim Hanson, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and other unidentified observers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Coralville Reservoir, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-09-29	1989-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 29, 1989.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co, IA	field at edge of large reservoir floodplain	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: size, build, color, face pattern diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:20:00 and 12:30:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Rockwell, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-16	1997-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Rockwell in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 16, 1997.	Goranson, Rita	Northern Goshawk	Rockwell	2 miles so of Rockwell, Ia on Hwy 65 Cerro Gordo Co.	field - stubble creek near	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: not a peregrine as darker area horizontal through eye - not a vertical streak. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at southwest Chickasaw County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-06-03	1990-06-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at southwest Chickasaw County, IA on June 3, 1990.	Cecil, Robert I.	Merlin	Chickasaw County	S.W. Chickasaw County	Fence row in row-cropped ag. land	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other small falcon has uniform dark brown back and upper wing surface. It was much too small to be a female Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:45:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Merlin in southwest Chickasaw, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-06-03	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Merlin in southwest Chickasaw County, IA on June 3, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Merlin	Chickasaw County	S.W. Chickasaw Co.	Fence row in row-cropped ag. land	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other small falcon has uniform dark brown back and upper wing surface. It was much too small to be a female Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:45:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	3
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher west and north of Centerville, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-19	1996-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher west and north of Centerville in Appanoose County, IA on May 19, 1996.	Johnson, Thomas N.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Centerville	Centerville - 2 miles west, 2 miles north	Fence post, hayfield	The documentation form by Thomas N. Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bryan Johnson, Dot Cornet, Mark Montgomery, Bill Cummins, and unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: none similar \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rosy Finch at Oelwein, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-03-12	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rosy Finch at Oelwein in Fayette County, IA on March 12, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Des Moines Register, a letter from Richard Wilkinson to Thomas H. Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom	Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch	Oelwein	Oelwein, IOWA	Feeds on feeder. Come to a Rocky Ravine like spot by house.	The documentation form by Tom Stone is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Nicholas Halmi was submitted later. Other observers include Russel Hays, Frank Moore, Joe Schaufenbuel, Tom Kent, Tom Shires, Peter Petersen, Bernie Knight, Robert Myers, and eight more birders from Cedar Rapids-Marion. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird doesn't have any black on back or breast like the Black Rosy Finch. This bird had gray on head to distuinguish [sic] it. From the Brown capped Rosy Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:28:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Harris's Hawk at South of Blairstown, 1989	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-10	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Harris's Hawk at South of Blairstown in Benton County, IA on September 10, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Harris's Hawk	Blairstown	2 1/2 miles South of Blairstown (Benton Co.) along I-56	Feedlot and open grazing land (hilly)	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 were submitted later. Other observers include Keith Carris, Carl Bendorf, Jim Fuller, and Ken Lowder. \| Elimination of similar species: Hawk at one time - appeared to be about the same size. White-tailed hawk has similar shoulder patch but breast is light. Dark phase Swainson's or red tail do not have white undertail or this tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-legged Kittiwake in Rathbun Reservoir Dam, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-legged Kittiwake in Rathbun Reservoir Dam in Appanoose County, IA on December 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Rathbun Dam	Rathbun Reservoir, Appanoose Co.-above dam	feeding with Ring-billed Gulls near open water and resting on the ice	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include two unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The wing pattern, dark bill and legs, tail pattern, and size eliminates all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:06:00/16:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Rare bird documentation for Western Sandpiper at Roberts Creek area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-09-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Western Sandpiper at Roberts Creek area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on September 27, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Western Sandpiper	Roberts Creek	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion co.-Roberts Creek area	feeding with other shorebirds on muddy area	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bart Ballard. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, drooped bill, rufous scapulars, and feeding method rules out Semipalmated Sandpiper and other peeps. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:26:00/14:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Semipalmated Sandpiper at Riverton Wildlife Area, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-03-27	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Semipalmated Sandpiper at Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on March 27, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting, entries in an unidentified field guide, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Semipalmated Sandpiper	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.A., Fremont Co.	feeding with other shorebirds on large mudflat area	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Anotther documentation form by Ross Silcock was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: similar species eliminated above [...] This bird was slightly bigger than a Least and was much chunkier. The bird had dark legs, seen in direct comparison with the dark legs of Baird's Sandpipers and the yellowish legs of the Least Sandpipers. This bird was also still in basic plumage, making it much paler in color than the other peeps. [...] The bill was straight, dark, and much thicker at the base and the tip than the bill of a Baird's or Least sandpiper [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	2
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-07	1987-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Jester Park	feeding with other gulls on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andrew S. Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and dark wingtips eliminates all gulls except Western and Yellow-footed. The massive, dark bill, tail pattern, and pale body color eliminates these. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-28	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 28, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-above dam	feeding with other gulls on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, uniform body color, pale underside of the flight feathers, and dark bill eliminates othr [sic] gulls. Iceland Gull eliminated by uniform wing color without noticeably lighter wingtips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3