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 Marsh Wren at Browns Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-01-02	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Marsh Wrens at Browns Lake in Woodbury County, IA on January 2, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Livermore, Bob	Marsh Wren	Browns Lake	Browns Lake - Woodbury County	Cattail Marsh - With open flowing water	The documentation form by Bob Livermore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was John Van Dyke. \| Elimination of similar species: There were several other species in the close vincinty [sic] (Song Sparrow tree Sparrow, Swamp sparrow + red wing black bird. Much too large and rusty and tail too prominet [sic] for winter wren. Carolina wren would be the toughest to eliminate. The way I eliminated was habitat, call, and behavior. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	2
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 29, Number 5, January 1994	Forms (documents) Newsletters	Bird feeders Bird surveys Bird watchers Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-01-01	1994-01-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 29, Number 5, January 1994. Highlights of the newsletter include a call for society members to write letters to Senators Grassely and Harkin urging them to oppose the "volunteer provision" in House Bill H.R. 1845 and asking them to support the use of volunteers to collect data for the National Biological Survey and the results of the 1993 Ames Christmas Bird Count. Also included is the 1994 Winter Bird Feeder Survey with instructions and a documentation form to complete.	Edwards, David C. Dragula, Sherry Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)		Ames				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	5
Memo regarding the Breeding Bird Atlas Project	Administrative records	Birds--Breeding Ornithology--Study and teaching	1994-01-01	1994-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Memo regarding the Iowa Ornithologists' Union's Breeding Bird Atlas. Includes several announcements regarding the project, including that the Iowa Ornithologists' Union has agreed to purchase copies of the Breeding Bird Atlas for school libraries in the state of Iowa.	Jackson, Laura Spess		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	23
Lake Red Rock a feather magnet: a check list of birds at Lake Red Rock	Checklists	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology	1994-01-01	1994-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A checklist of 314 species of birds that have been observed at Lake Red Rock since 1969. The bird species are arranged taxonomically and information about their habitat, residency statistics, and an abbreviated calendar of presence and abundances is included.	United States. Army. Corp of Engineers		Lake Red Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	1	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Common Yellowthroat at Montrose Cemetery, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-26	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Yellowthroat at Montrose Cemetery in Lee County, IA on December 26, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Common Yellowthroat	Montrose Cemetery	At edge of Cemetery on North side of Montrose, Lee County, Iowa	Natural spring wetland that empties into Missisippi at Montrose	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Nashville Warbler has grayish head with bold white eyering. Pine Warbler has dark streaks on the sides and white belly and undertail coverts. Female Yellow Warbler is paler on upper surfaces. All of these also have black legs unlike this bird. Wilson's Warbler auricular area is yellowish. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	27
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Black-backed Gull near the Keokuk Wastewater Treatment Plant, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-25	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed near the Keokuk Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lee County, IA on December 25, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Great Black-backed Gull	Keokuk Wastewater Plant	Near Sewage treatment plant, Mississippi River, Keokuk, Lee Co. IA	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: All other gulls eliminated based upon size alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 and around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Keokuk Wasterwater Plant, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-25	1993-12-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Keokuk Wastewater Plant in Lee County, IA on December 25, 1993.	Cecil, Robert I.	Great Black-backed Gull	Keokuk Wastewater Plant	Near Sewage treatment plant, Mississippi River, Keokuk, Lee Co. IA	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: All other gulls eliminated based upon size alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 and 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Redrock Dam, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-24	1994-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Redrock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 24, 1993.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Lake Redrock below dam, Marion Co.	Open water below spillway.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: see above. [...] I picked this bird out because of it's small size compared to the other Herring Gulls present (40). It was smaller than any of the Herring gulls present, but still much larger than any of the numerous Ring-billed gulls. The head appeared more rounded than the Herring gulls and the heavy brown streaking on the nape and neck was more extensive and darker than any Herring present. The bill w/a red gonys mark on the lower mandible was shorter and thinner w/less gonys than the Herrings. They eye iris was dark not yellowish as in all the Herrings present. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 24, 1993.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below Red Rock Dam, Marion County, Iowa	Open river with gravel bars	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Raymond Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark eye and head/bill structure eliminated Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at the Des Moines River in Des Moines, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-21	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at the Des Moines River in Des Moines in Polk County, IA on December 21, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Des Moines	Des Moines River, Downtown Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa	River	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Most other dark mantled gulls have pink legs. Yellow-footed gull is larger in size than Herring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Lakeview Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-20	1996-01-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Lakeview Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 20, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Lakeview Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA-on jetty at Lakeview Rec. Area	perched on jetty with other gulls	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Susan Grove, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: On the basis of size and general plumage characters, this species could only be confused with Ring-billed Gull, hundreds of which were available for direct comparison. The combination of slightly smaller size, distinct head shape, bill color and shape, dark eye, and slightly darker mantle and upperwings are sufficient to eliminate Ring-billed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:42:00/16:53:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-19	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Nashville Warbler	Hancher Auditorium	Hancher Auditorium Parking Lot, University of Iowa Campus, Iowa City (Johnson City).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by James Scheib was submitted. Other observers include John McClure, Tom Kent, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The three warblers with which this species might be confused are Mourning, Connecticut, and MacGillivray's. All three have much more extensive gray on the head and upper breast, including the throat. All three also have light colored legs. No one disagreed with the identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	15
Rare bird documentation form for Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993.	Scheib, James	Nashville Warbler	Hancher Auditorium	W. side of Hancher lot, Iowa City	Evergreens, Pines bordering lot	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Fuller and John McClure. \| Elimination of similar species: N. Parula has white wing bars and incomplete eye ring; Magnolia has wing bars, yellow rump, and breast streaking; Pine has wing bars, streaking, white undertail coverts; Mourning and Connecticut do not have yellow throat; Canada has breast streaking and white undertail coverts: Common Yellowthroat immature does not have gray head and face. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 21:00:00/21:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	20
Rare bird documentation form for Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City in 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-19	1993-12-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993.	Fuller, James L	Nashville Warbler	Hancher Auditorium				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-19	1995-07-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 19, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Mew Gull	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Sandy area at edge of open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Russ Widner and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dick Tetrault and Roy Godwin. \| Elimination of similar species: Size eliminated any gull larger than a Ring-billed. Although structurally the bird more closely represented one of the larger hooded gulls, they were eliminated by the lack of any hood or auricular spot. Furthermore, most hooded gulls with a tail band would also show a strong carpal bar. Laughing Gull could be eliminated by the more diminuative [sic] bill and leg color. Although some individuals seem to carry a vestige of their more motley juvenile plumage into first winter, Ring-billed Gull was eliminated by size, head and bill structure, and clear-cut as opposed to more diffuse tail band. I originally identified this bird as a Mew Gull based on my experience studying structural differences between Ring-billed and Mew gulls on the west coast. I have never seen a first-year Mew Gull, however. In researching the Mew on my return home, I concluded that the bird in question was not dark enough, nor brown enough, to be of the west coast sub-species. By virtue of its strong similarity to a Ring-billed Gull, this bird was most likely the European sub-species known as the Common Gull. Although according to Grant the bill description comes closer to L.c. brachyrhynchus, I assume that this bird's bill coloration was still changing from juvenile plumage. Apparently the Common Gull appears on occasion on the east coast and is therefore probably as likely a vagrant to Iowa as is the western form. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull southeast of Jolly Roger Marina at Coralville Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull southeast of Jolly Roger Marina at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Thayer's Gull	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Reservoir (1/4 - 1/2 mile southeast of Jolly Roger Marina), Johnson County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Contrasted with first-winter Herring Gull above. First-winter Iceland typically much paler, especially the uppersurface of the primaries which are paler than the rest of the mantle, and Iceland should show mottling in the tertials and tail band. I suppose I cannot exclude a heavily-pigmented 'Kumlien's' Gull or an Iceland-Thayer's intergrade as described in Kevin Zimmer's Birding article. Both species are apparently highly variable. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Greencastle Road at Coralville Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Greencastle Road at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Coralville Lake	East of the north end of the Greencastle Road at the Coralville Reservoir (Johnson County).	Shallow water and mudflats.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John McClure, Chris Edwards, and Jonnie Ellsworth. \| Elimination of similar species: All other dark mantled gulls have a larger size. They also have pink legs, with the exception of Yellow-footed Gull, which has never been known to wander from Baja and Southern California. Yellow-footed gull is also considerably larger. No one disagreed with identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:55:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at West Lake Okoboji, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-18	1993-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at West Lake Okoboji in Dickinson County, IA on December 18, 1993.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Black Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	West Lake Okoboji, Dickinson Co.	open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Douglas C. Harr. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruddy Duck - carriage of head, bill shape and longer body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
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
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-18	1993-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 18, 1993.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, Iowa	upper reaches of the Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Carl Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lanny Haldy, Randy Graesser, Dan Ray, Angela Ray, Kathleen Kuenstling, Randall Pinkston, Thomas Kent, Jim Fuller, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Of about 500 gulls total, nearly 90% were adult Ring-Billed Gulls and the rest were mostly winter adult and a few subadult Herring Gulls. [...] An adult gull in between the size of adjacent Ring-billed and Herring Gulls. It was noticeable larger than the Ring-bills; not too much smaller than the Herrings. It differed from the Herrings in being a little less barrel chested and a little slimmer, more horizontal in posture. \| The original documentation form event occurred for 45 minutes during two sessions.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at West Okoboji Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 18, 1993.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	NW side of West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa	Open lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: larger than nearby Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at West Okoboji, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 13, 1993.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson County	Open Lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee A. Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Scoters -- other species all have swollen base of bill; other female scoters lack prominent off-white on neck, cheeks, throat & chin. Female Redhead--browner in overall color, light colors on throat ,etc. not prominent. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Trumpeter Swan at Lake Manawa, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-13	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Trumpeter Swan at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 13, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Trumpeter Swan	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: Black bill without knob and neck posture eliminates Mute Swan. Tundra Swan eliminated by neck posture and lack of yellow on bill: darker plumage of juvenile. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Field reports, Iowa, fall 1993, December 12, 1993	Field notes Reports	Bird watching Birds--Counting Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Podicipediformes \| Grebes Laridae \| Gulls and Terns Falconiformes \| Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Osprey, and Vultures Ornithology--Methodology Parulidae \| Warblers Strigiformes \| Owls Emberizidae \| Sparrows	1993-12-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	An annotated list of bird sightings organized by species, December 12, 1993. The list also contains the number of birds seen, date of sighting, location, and observer of each species. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1993.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	25	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Dam, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-11	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on December 11, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Coralville Dam	Coralville Reservoir dam, Johnson County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randy Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Carl Bendorf and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include John McLure, Chris Edwards, Jonnie Ellsworth, Lanny Haldy, Randy Graesser, Dan Ray, Angela Ray, Kathleen Kuenstling, Tom Kent, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and appearance rule out all other regular and vagrant North American gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5