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

Sharon Steffens letter to Thomas H. Kent with incorporated field notes, May 29, 1985	Correspondence Field notes	Bird populations Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Nests Photography of birds	1985-05-29	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Sharon Steffens letter, May 29, 1985 written on a field checklist of Iowa birds, regarding bird sightings, rescuing a baby screech owl, the Breeding Bird Atlas Project, and her hobby of bird photography. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly Report of spring 1985.	Steffens, Sharon	Northern Flicker Least Flycatcher Blue-headed Vireo Rose-breasted Grosbeak Ruby-throated Hummingbird Eastern Kingbird Tree Swallow Pine Siskin Red-winged Blackbird Eastern Screech-Owl	Atlantic Lake Anita State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6
Field reports of Iowa birds, May 28, 1985	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification	1985-05-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field report contributed by Carl J. Bendorf listing various bird sightings in eastern Iowa. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly Report of spring 1985.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Bald Eagle Marbled Godwit Orchard Oriole Worm-eating Warbler Louisiana Waterthrush Hooded Warbler Northern Shrike	Iowa County Amana Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Coralville Lake Homestead Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6
Field report of Iowa birds, May 27, 1985	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification	1985-05-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of bird sightings contributed by Thomas H. Kent, covering various locations in eastern Iowa. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly Report of spring 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Long-billed Dowitcher Pine Siskin Tundra Swan	Chickasaw County Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Marshall County Louisa County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6
Robert I. Cecil letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding accompanying field notes, May 24, 1985	Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Identification Birds--Migration Weather	1985-05-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Robert I. Cecil to Thomas H. Kent discussing Cecil's reporting methodology and the number of early bird sightings in his accompanying field reports. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly Report of spring 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Yellow-breasted Chat Eastern Phoebe Golden Eagle Acadian Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-17	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 17, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wright, Rick	Lesser Black-backed Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPPD Settling Ponds, Pottawatamie [sic] Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Rick Wright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Strom and Marie Strom. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The different mantle colorations of the herring and ring-billed gulls were distinguishable. [...] The presence of other gull species convinced me that I had accurately judged the mantle color of this bird; I was able to compare it with 3 other species, as well as Caspian terns. The size and bill size rule out great Black-backed, the only dark-backed gull with which I am familiar. Although western gull would show a similar upper-wing pattern, I suspect that it too would appear heavy-billed (and would not have yellow feet). Yellow-footed gull is also large and deep-billed, and is probably less likely than lesser black-backed in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:30:00/13:30:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-13	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 13, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, Midwest Black-headed Grosbeak records by date, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-headed Grosbeak	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	Bird was in old willows at edge of reservoir.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The brown color most closely matched that shown by Peterson (1980) for the male Black-headed Grosbeak. The features I saw best were the brown rump, the contrast between the brown breast and flanks and gray belly, the thin white wing bars, and the darker color of wings and tail. The fact that the bird was singing loudly and continuously indicates that it was a male. The lack of breast streaking, dark color, and failure to see an eye stripe also argue against the bird being a female. The rich brown coloration only fits Black-headed Grosbeak. No features that fit Rose-breasted Grosbeak, such as red on the breast or underwings, white flanks or rump, or light-colored bill, were seen. Failure to see a demarcated black head and white in the wing and tail in flight is disturbing, but the side to back lighting and brief duration of each look at the bird (when I concentrated on looking at the features cited above) may account for this. The wing bars were not as wide as usually depicked [sic] for males. Perhaps the bird was in first nuptial plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Curlew Sandpiper at Cedar Lake, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-10	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Curlew Sandpiper at Cedar Lake in Chickasaw County, IA on May 10, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Curlew Sandpiper	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake on Cedar River at Nashua, Chickasaw Co., Iowa	Open mud flat with sparse emergent vegetation near open lake.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red Knot has straight black bill and is larger than Pectoral Sandpiper. Sanderling is about same size but also has a straight black bill not long, thin and decurved as in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	7
William S. Barker letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding bird sightings, May 2, 1985	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification	1985-05-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from William S. Barker regarding a sightings of a Pine Warbler and of a Ruffed Grouse. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly Report of spring 1985.	Barker, William S.	Ruffed Grouse Pine Warbler	Sherman Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6
Bluestem Flyer, Volume 19, Number 9, May 1985	Newsletters	Bird banding Bird watching Local government and environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-01	1985-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 19, Number 9, May 1985. Highlights of the newsletter include details on upcoming meetings and events, an article on bird banding tips by Anita Carpenter, and updates on conservation efforts and environmental issues including details on the Garrison Diversion Project.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) van der Linden, Judy		Ames				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	3
Fred Lesher letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding bald eagle nests, April 14, 1985	Correspondence Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Nests Cartography Falconiformes \| Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Osprey, and Vultures Nest building	1985-04-14	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The letter discusses two bald eagle nesting sites and disputes the characterization of one site reported in American Birds. The letter also includes map showing the location of a bald eagle nest on the Mississippi River near the mouth of Wexford Creek. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly Report of spring 1985.	Lesher, Fred	Bald Eagle	Pool Slough Wexford Creek				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6
Thomas H. Kent and Carl J. Bendorf letter to regular field report contributors regarding a field report format, April 14, 1985	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology	1985-04-14	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Tom Kent and Carl Bendorf letter to regular field report contributors informing about the use of a standardized form for gathering and reporting data on bird sightings.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Bendorf, Carl J.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Burlington, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-12	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 12, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	House Finch	Burlington	Dr. Harvey Eastburn Home - 3 miles N. of Burlington	Yard - but deep woods edge	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jane Fuller and Charles Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Purple Finch - The bird in question had a different red color which was less extensive than the Purple Finch's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:21:00 and 11:50:00/11:52:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mute Swan at South Clay County, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-08	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a a Mute Swan at South Clay County, IA on April 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a page of copied photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, internal correspondence, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Mute Swan	Clay County	5 East of 71 on 374	Large farm pond, rolling hills most of which were in cultavation [sic]	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Beirman. \| Elimination of similar species: Was from the mute swan because of the straight neck and the Tundra swan because of the dark base of the bill. The wings were not held high like on the Mute swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Spirit Lake, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-01	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of five Eurasian Wigeons at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on April 1, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Foote, LaVonne	Eurasian Wigeon	Spirit Lake	In a marsh about 7 miles west of Spirit Lake, Iowa on Highway No. 9 on the South side of the road.	marsh	The documentation form by LaVonne Foote is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mavis Wunder and Jan Ortmeier. \| Elimination of similar species: American wigeon - Easy to tell apart as male colors are so different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00 and 15:30:00/16:05:00 on April 1, 1985 as well as 11:21:00/12:15:00 on April 2, 1985.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Bluestem Flyer, Volume 19, Number 8, April 1985	Newsletters	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Nests Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Local government and environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-01	1985-04-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 19, Number 8, April 1985. Highlights of the newsletter include a call for participation in a 5 year project for a Breeding Bird Atlas, an article celebrating John James Audubon's 200th birthday, notes on observations of spring waterfowl migration, and updates on conservation efforts and environmental issues.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) van der Linden, Judy	Snowy Egret Great Egret	Ames Hendrickson Marsh Lake Anderson Goose Lake				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur west of Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-30	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Chestnut-collared Longspur west of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 30, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Martsching, Paul	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	3 1/2 miles West of Hendricksons Marsh, Story County, Iowa	soybean stubble field	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Smiths Longspur - the white edges of the tail are "straight" Vesper Sparrow - the white edges of the tail are "straight": tail longer \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk in Cherokee County, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-28	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk in Cherokee County, IA on March 28, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Ferruginous Hawk	Cherokee County	Hwy 7 & M 31	Bean ground with some water ways (grass)	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Redtailed hawk, no horizontal streaking onthe [sic] belly and the rufous colored legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:40:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur north of Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-20	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Chestnut-collared Longspurs north of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 20, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	1.5 miles north of Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	low area in a soybean stubble field	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from Smith's and McCown's Longspurs by reddish neck band and extensive black on belly. Distinguished from Lapland Longspur by extensive black on belly, black earmark contrasting with white cheek, yellow on throat and lack of streaking on sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:15:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
Matt Skretta letter to Iowa Ornitholgoists' Union regarding field notes, March 18, 1985	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Identification	1985-03-18	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Matt Skretta to the Iowa Ornitholgoists' Union outlining the birds he observed in his yard in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He used the Iowa Ornithologists' Union field checklist of Iowa birds to record his observations. At the time of the letter Matt was 11 years old.	Skretta, Matt		Mount Vernon				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon southwest of Calumet, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-08	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon southwest of Calumet in O'Brien County, IA on March 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Prairie Falcon	Calumet	1 mile southwest of Calumet in O'Brien County	open, agricultural land	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon - Band on head not wide enough. Merlin, this bird was bigger. I guessed about a 30" wingspan. An immature Peregrine's back is much darker. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, spring 1985	Field notes	Bird watchers Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1985-03-01	1985-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report compiled by Thomas H. Kent and Carl J. Bendorf for spring 1985. Includes sighting of a Curlew Sandpiper and a Trumpeter Swan and discussion of the quantity, quality, and methodology of reporting sightings.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Bendorf, Carl J.	Curlew Sandpiper Black-headed Grosbeak Chestnut-collared Longspur Smith's Longspur Eurasian Wigeon Trumpeter Swan Lesser Black-backed Gull	Clay County Coralville Lake Hendrickson Marsh Lake Johnson County Nashua Polk County Saylorville Lake Spirit Lake Story County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6
Report form for selected species in spring, contributed by Tanya Bray, spring 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1985-03-01	1985-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A list of bird sightings contributed by Tanya Bray. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly Report of spring 1985.	Bray, Tanya		Fremont County Pottawattamie County Cass County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6
Report form for selected species in spring, contributed by Marion M. Brewer, spring 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1985-03-01	1985-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of bird sightings contributed by Marion M. Brewer. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly Report of spring 1985.	Brewer, Marion M.		Cherokee County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6
Report form for selected species in spring, contributed by Robert Cecil, spring 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1985-03-01	1985-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A list of bird sightings contributed by Robert Cecil. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly Report of spring 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.		Lee County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	6