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 King Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-06-10	1986-06-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on June 10, 1986.	Hellickson, Mickey	King Rail	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, Cerro Gordo Co., IA	Upland - prairie	The documentation form by Mickey Hellickson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Clapper Rail is similar but very uncommon in this area \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Muscatine County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-05-11	1987-05-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Muscatine County, IA on May 11, 1987.	Petersen, Peter C.	King Rail	Muscatine County	200 yards W. of West intersection Co. X54 & F70, Muscatine Co.	marsh	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Moeller and Walter Zuurdeeg. \| Elimination of similar species: By tape match to King. As noted above Virginia Rail was present from a different direction. The 'song' heard was the 'grunt' call. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 04:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Otter Creek Marsh, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-05-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on May 10, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	King Rail	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek M.	Marsh with drainage ditches	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: We also heard Virginia Rails and played Virginia Rail tapes. The pitch was lower than a Virginia Rail voice. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Prairie Rail Trail County Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-22	1985-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Prairie Rail Trail County Park in Story County, IA on May 22, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	King Rail		Prairie Rail Trail County Park, Story County	along a drainage ditch surrounded by open cropland	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kraig Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from other rails by size, longer bill and rusty underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-06	1983-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Sweet Marsh at Bremer County, IA on May 6, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	King Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh	marsh - cattails	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I thought about Virginia rail at first but because the look was so brief I didn't note the gray cheeks or lack of or any other marks. Basically on size impression I called bird a King Rail. I had been flushing many Soras (about Virginia size) and this bird was at least 2X larger than the Soras. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 11, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	King Rail	Sweet Marsh	East of Dike that is an extension of the dead-end road on East side of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., Iowa	Open ditch with a dike on one side with cattail marsh on both sides of ditch.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was about the size of a Blue-winged Teal in body size which eliminates Virginia Rail on size. No other rail in Iowa is this color and size. In some respects it looked like a very large Virginia Rail only brighter cinnamon on the breast, browner on the head and with a darker looking bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:08:00/14:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Ventura Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-11	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Ventura Marsh in Hancock County, IA on May 11, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	King Rail	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh, N side, 1 mile W of Ventura, Hancock County	brome in uplands 30 feet from marsh	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews. \| Elimination of similar species: Other rails in the area are much smaller. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail in northwest Marshall County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-14	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail in northwest Marshall County, IA on May 14, 1981.	Proescholdt, Beth	King Rail	Marshall County	Private gravel pit in n.w. Marshall County	marshy area of a gravel pit - this spot not worked for a long time shallow water of small pond, surrounded by trees + brush	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: Clapper Rail Virginia Rail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 1, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lapland Longspur	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	mudflat	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The face pattern made me think of Smith's Longspur, but the chestnut color and black bib excluded this. Chestnut-colored Longspur has a yellow or buff throat and more extensive black on front. The color and face pattern do not fit Horned Lark or American Pipit. Horned Larks were present on the flats and I saw pipits later at another location. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/17:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	66
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-13	1981-05-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 13, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Lark Bunting	Sweet Marsh	1 mile east of Sweet Marsh	General: gravel road on east edge of Sweet Marsh Specific: roadside ditch area	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink has white back + rump + gold back of neck + not as much white on wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting near Pinky's Glen, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-04	1982-05-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting near Pinky's Glen in Fremont County, IA on May 4, 1982.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Lark Bunting	Pinky's Glen	Fremont Co. near Pinky's Glen Co. Park	General: Prairie Specific: Grasslands	The documentation form by Ruth Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The male Bobolink has white patches and is black, but the patches are not on the wings \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden in Sioux County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Lark Bunting	Hawarden	5 mi e, 1 mi s, JCT 10+12 in Hawarden, Sioux Co, Iowa	Farmland	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink- No white on head or back. Small bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:08:00/10:08:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Sparrow south of Mystic, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Sparrow south of Mystic in Appanoose County, IA on December 22, 1981.	Cummings, William G.	Lark Sparrow	Mystic	Appanoose County - South of Mystic	Shrub - Fence row Brush	The documentation form by William G. Cummings is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree & Song Sparrow also English Sparrow because of size & markings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	53
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
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-16	1999-04-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on April 16, 1999.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Dam	Below Saylorville Dam, Polk Co. Ia		The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's + this bird were swimming side by side. Bill longer, bulkier. No white in the wing tips while resting. Stretched its wings once, with no white visible in the primaries nor any white bar separating the gray wing from the black primaries. White spots + bar visible in nearby Franklin's. Direct size comparison noted above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Saylorville Lake, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-29	1987-06-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on June 29, 1987.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Lake	New Beach (sw of marina) Saylorville Lake Polk Co. Ia	Sandy beach	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull - bird had a completely different build. I had the advantage of a direct comparison with ring-billed. This bird was smaller, but still larger than a Franklin's. I would say it was half-way between a Ring-bill + Franklin's in size. White was almost non existent [sic] in the wing-tips, both at rest + in flight. The most obvious difference was the structure of the bird. As soon as I saw it, I knew it wasn't a Franklin's. The long neck, size, long legs, long bill, + pot-bellied look caught my eye immediately. I guess another way to describe it was upright-looking. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Rare bird documentation form for Lawrence's Warbler near Cedar Bluff, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-05-13	1995-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lawrence's Warbler near Cedar Bluff in Cedar County, IA on May 13, 1995.	Thompson, Carol A.	Vermivoras	Cedar Bluff	woods near Cedar Bluff, Ia	160 acre wooded-wetland above Cedar River	The documentation form by Carol Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bud Gode. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden-winged - too yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Least Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Least Sandpiper	Babcock Access	Coralville Reservoir (Babcock Access), Johnson Co., IA	low water in field	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Only size comparison with Killdeer - about 1/2 as long and 1/3 as big - crude estimate. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	19
Rare bird documentation form for Least Sandpiper at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Sandpiper at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1990.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Least Sandpiper	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-Oak Grove Beach		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The extremely small size easily identified the bird as a small sandpiper (peep sp.). The short, needle-like bill, dull, yellow-green legs, and very small size eliminates other peeps. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	19
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 24, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Least Tern	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh - N. of bridge	open marshy lake with mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. Two Forster's terns were seen earlier in the morning - larger, slower, overall and white wing with white areas in primaries were distinctly different from the least tern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Marshalltown, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-08-19	1993-08-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on August 19, 1993.	Stegmann, Mike	Least Tern	Marshalltown	18th Ave. and East Main Street, Marshalltown, Marshall County, Iowa.	Partially flooded bean field with exposed mud flats.	The documentation form by Mike Stegmann is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Brandenburg. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from Common and Foresters terns by size, bill color, and the presents [sic] of a white forehead. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Sandy Beach, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Sandy Beach in Johnson County, IA on August 20, 1991.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Least Tern	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Sandy Beach, Johnson Co, IA	reservoir, flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, shape, and features diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Saylorville Marina, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-21	1986-08-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Saylorville Marina in Polk County, IA on August 21, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Least Tern	Saylorville Marina	Saylorville Reservoir-near marina	resting on sandy beach	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other tern shows the combination of yellow bill and legs, small size, white forehead, and dark outer primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-02	1978-11-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 2, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Least Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough in NE Mills County, Iowa	a shallow lake. It was feeding near water plants.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other White Terns are bigger than Black Terns. The Least Tern differed from the Black Terns in size, color, + most of all behavior - rate of wing beats, the way it done.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-02	1979-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 2, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Least Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There aren't any other birds this small, white with narrow wings + swooping tern - like flight, I think. Too small for Black Tern + differs from even winter - plumage ones in head pattern, wing pattern, rump + tail color, + behavior. Too small + wrong pattern for Forster's Tern + relatives. Not acting or patterned like a gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44