Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-01	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on May 1, 1981.	Proescholdt, Beth	Glossy Ibises	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh - south central Tama County	Otter Creek Marsh, in the area where water had apparently been let out to form mud flats, interspersed with very shallow water	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Phyllis Harris, Garnite Seward, and Ramona Sommerlot. \| Elimination of similar species: Curlew - but not correct shape for a curlew, White ibis - wrong color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-05-01	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a species of Ibis (White-faced or Glossy) at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on May 1, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Glossy Ibises	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh - South Central Tama County	Otter Creek Marsh - in the area where water had apparently been let out to form mud flats, interspersed with very shallow water	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Phyllis Harris, Garnita Seward, and Ramona Sommerlot. \| Elimination of similar species: Curlew - but not correct shape for a curlew. White ibis - wrong color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Rathbun Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-10-11	2000-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Rathbun Dam in Appanoose County, IA on October 11, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Pacific Loon	Rathbun Dam	Rathbun dam, Appanoose Co.	Openwater	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Common and Red-throated both have a dark nape than back and have white above the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Parula at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-13	1999-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Parula at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 13, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Northern Parula	Saylorville Lake	visitor's center, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	opening in woodland	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of wing bars, eye crescents, and olive on back pretty much eliminate any other warbler. Eye crescents eliminate the remote possibility of a Tropical Parula. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00/08:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Burrowing Owl at Rathbun Reservoir, 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 Burrowing Owl at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on December 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Strough, Randy D.	Burrowing Owl	Rathbun Lake	Appanoose County, Lake Rathbun, 1.5 miles North on paved road to Southfork Marina off J5T	Open; harvested bean field west side of road, harvested corn field east side of road. The ditches were mowed clean of weeds and lacked trees or shrubs	The documentation form by Randal D. Strough forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ray Cummins and Steve Dinsmore were submitted. Another observer includes Tom Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Screech Owl: a screech owl has ear tufts (except young screech owls may lack conspicuous ear tufts). The belly has vertical barring, and lacks definate [sic] spots on head and back. Legs are not conspicuously long. Saw-whet Owl: has vertical streaked belly, and lacks conspicuously long legs. Habitat: conifer groves, there where [sic] none in the immediate area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-08-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Laughing Gull at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 10, 1999.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Laughing Gull	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coraville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	Open, wide part of reservoir with mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: 1st year Franklin's Gull has more pattern to wings and more extensive tail band. 2nd year Franklin's would have less black in outer wing and more of a half-[illegible]. This bird was not close enough to see the bill well on details on the tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:05:00/18:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sprague's Pipit at Waterman Creek Area, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-02-22	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sprague's Pipit at Waterman Creek Area in O'Brien County, IA on February 22, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Sprague's Pipit	Waterman Creek	Waterman Creek Area O'Brien Co	Open, weedy field with old corn stubble	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Nancy P. Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: Smith's Longspur - song in flight [...]s rattle call Water Pipit and Vesper Sparrow - call note and song in high, circling flight light underwings with buffy body \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ancient Murrelet at Crystal Lake, 1987	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-10-28	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Ancient Murrelet at Crystal Lake in Hancock County, IA on October 28, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Ancient Murrelet	Crystal Lake	Crystal Lake (1/2 mi. N of town of Crystal Lake, Hancock Co.)	open, shallow lake	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other murrelets and similar water birds were ruled out by the head pattern and the pink bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	6
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe at Eagle Township in Sioux County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Say's Phoebe at Eagle Township in Sioux County, IA on June 4, 1987.	Harr, Douglas C.	Say's Phoebe	Eagle Township	NE1/4, Section 16, Eagle Twp., Sioux County (5 mi. NE of Hawarden, Iowa)	open, rolling farmland	The documentation form by Douglas Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe--a completely different color; voice was not that of E. Phoebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:35:00/08:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope at Big Spirit Lake, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-15	1991-09-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Phalarope at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on September 15, 1991.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Red-necked Phalarope	Spirit Lake	North shore of Big Spirit Lake	Open, protected bay between large lake and marsh	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis McFarland. \| Elimination of similar species: Bill shorter than Wilson's but thin. White wing stripes and white highlights distinguished from other phalaropes. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:14:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Irvington, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Irvington in Kossuth County, IA on October 23, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Prairie Falcon	Irvington	2 mi E of Irvington, Kossuth Co. Ia	open, harvested fields	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karla Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird did not have dark color of Peregrine's back, dark cap, or heavy 'sideburns'. Did not have the heavy barring on the underside of the tail like the Merlin. Dark axillaries and dark bar on underwing are features of no other raptor, falcon or other wise. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Cherokee, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-01-06	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Greater Prairie-Chicken at Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on January 6, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, three photos of the bird, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Field Notes, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Cherokee Municipal Airport	Cherokee Airport	open, grassy, few weed patches	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Marion Brewer, Dennis Henrickson, Don Poggensee, Jim Fuller, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Jeff Brown, and Jerry Fifield. \| Elimination of similar species: Hen Pheasant, sharptailed grouse. They have longer pointed tails. Gray partridge has a redish [sic] tail and is smaller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Liscomb, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Liscomb in Hardin County, IA on April 15, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	House Finch	Liscomb	our feeders at Liscomb	open yard, locust tree (& many others), large shrubs	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Phyllis Harris and Ramona Sommerlot. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple finch - it was reddish, orange, not raspberry colored - it had streaked flanks & belly - & it had brown back with no red coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Decorah, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-04-22	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on April 22, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hovde, Harriet Hovde, Oivind M.	Western Tanager	Decorah	603 North St. Decorah Winneshiek County	Open yard with (deciduous + conifers) trees and shrubs near feeding station	The documentation form by Harriet and Oivind Hovde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Orene Docken, Ardith Koenig, and Dorothy Peterson. \| Elimination of similar species: Scarlet Tanager - Eliminated because of color and wing bars \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00 on April 22, 1986 and 10:00:00 on April 24, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-throated Gray Warbler near Cedar Bluff, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-10	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-throated Gray Warbler near Cedar Bluff in Cedar County, IA on May 10, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huntington, James	Black-throated Gray Warbler	Cedar Bluff		Open woods near field or sedge meadow	The documentation form by James Huntington is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Thompson and John Cordell. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll - This bird was first called a Blackpoll, but then discrepancies were noted. Color of top of head was gray not black, white above and below black on cheek. Blackpoll has no loral spot. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Rush Lake, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-05-20	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Rush Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on May 20, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Ann Sernett to Thomas Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Ronald	Black-headed Grosbeak	Rush Lake	South side Rush Lake, Palo Alto Co. and Mable [sic] Grous grove, Pocahontas Co.	Open woods	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers were Ann Luther, Mabel Grous, Ken Sernett and Ann Sernett. \| Elimination of similar species: there were many [female symbol] Rose-brested [sic] around to compare.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Rare bird documentation form for Broad-winged Hawk at Cedar Rapids, unknown date	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Broad-winged Hawk at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 20, unknown year.	Bradley, Rob	Broad-winged Hawk	Cedar Rapids	N.E. Cedar Rapids Izaak Walton	Open woods	The documentation form by Rob Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roger Heidt. \| Elimination of similar species: Red tail - too small - tail band. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the AM for 10 sec approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	27
Rare bird documentation form for Purple Finch at the Croton Unit at Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Purple Finch at the Croton Unit at Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on August 28, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Purple Finch	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa	Open woodland, woodland edge	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: House Finch has gray/ brown cap, brown, not reddish back. House Finch also has streaks on sides. This bird had unstreaked sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	81
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Credit Island, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Credit Island in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 18, 1988.	Timper, Edward	Northern Goshawk	Credit Island	Credit Island. Davenport, IA	open woodland along Miss. River	The documentation form by Ed Timper is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk - smaller, no distinctive white eyeline. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Woodland Mounds State Preserve, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Woodland Mounds State Preserve in Warren County, IA on May 9, 1991.	Sinclair, Jim	Pine Warbler	Woodland Mounds State Preserve	Woodland Mounds Preserve, Warren Co.	open woodland	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Unstreaked back eliminates Blackpoll and Bay-breasted Warblers. Behavior and bill configuration eliminates Yellow-throated Vireo \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-10	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 10, 1981 recorded incorrectly as 1982 on the documentation form. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Above and below Saylorville Dam	Open water, rocky shore and ice covered pond.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Nearly the same size as an immature Herring Gull, but neck seemed thinner, head smaller. Bill was same length as a Herring Gull's but was blunter, not as strongly hooked. [...] The primaries were not nearly as dark as immature (1st year) or 2nd year Herring Gulls and was of a much different color than the black color of that species. Primaries and tail were nearly the same color. [...] In flight this bird could be easily picked out from the immature Herring Gulls at considerable distances. Using 7x35 binoculars the beige color of the upper surface of wings and translucent underwing could be detected as far as three-quarters of a mile. There were also three other birds that resembled this particular bird though they appeared darker on the upperparts. However I was unable to get close observations of these birds. The bird I observed closely and documented had one primary feather missing and aided in tracking the bird from day to day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Rathbun Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-20	1986-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on March 20, 1986.	Heusinkveld, Marjorie	Golden Eagle	Rathbun Lake	First bridge in Bridgeview area - Rathbun Lake - N. from Plano on County Rd 142	Open water with some ice - shoreline treed.	The documentation form by Marjorie Heuskinsveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Bald Eagle. There were 3 immature Bald Eagles 'playing' in area at same time. They were more mottled with white through wings - no white bands on tails, one was beginning to show white on neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Welch Lake Wildlife Management Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-07-31	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Welch Lake Wildlife Management Area in Dickinson County, IA on July 31, 1999.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Greater Scaup	Welch Lake Wildlife Management Area	Welch Lake WPA, Dickinson County	Open water wetland	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Grange. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup - Head shape, size of bill and wing stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Pied-billed Grebe at City Park, 1983	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pied-billed Grebe at City Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 17, 1983.	Williams, Ruth	Pied-billed Grebe	Iowa City City Park	Iowa River at City Park, Ia City	open water river	The documentation form by Ruth Williams is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Lechner. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned or Eared Grebe smaller size bill shape - shorter or pied [illegible] white only under chin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	11