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 House Finch at Ledges State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-01	1986-10-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two House Finches at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on October 1, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	House Finch	Ledges State Park	Ledges State Park - Boone Co.	Fairly open area - scattered red cedar + other trees	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] They were slightly smaller - at least thinner than house sparrows. [...] They were too thin for female purple finches and lacked any trace of a white eyeline. They were too streaked to be indigo buntings (wrong color as well). I thought of possible pine siskins but there was no yellow visible on wings on tail (wingbars of any color were not noted), the bill was short and stout-not as thin as siskin, and the tail did not show deep notch in terminal end - had fairly shallow "V" notch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose near Cone Marsh, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-15	1990-03-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese near Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 15, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Ross' Goose	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Northern Louisa County - 1 mile west of Cone Marsh	Farm field - corn stubble	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger with larger head and neck and bill, and has grin patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-18	1988-12-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on December 18, 1988.	Armstrong, Eloise	Merlin	Saylorville Lake	1 mile east of long bridge at Saylorville Lake	Farm grove and open farm field	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: No face pattern like a Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Rigby Farm in Laurens, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Rigby Farm, Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on April 14, 1983.	Rigby, Joyce	Northern Goshawk	Laurens	Rigby Farm,	Farm grove, shrubbry in backyard	The documentation form by Joyce Rigby is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Rigby. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Carolina Wren in Cherokee County, 1983	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Carolina Wren in Cherokee County, IA on January 30, 1983. The documentation form was included with an undated letter from Dick Bierman to Thomas Kent regarding the bird sighting and documentation form.	Bierman, Dick	Carolina Wren	Cherokee County	Farm Grove 13 mi west, 1 mi north of Cherokee Iowa.	Farm grove. Box elder, mulberry, cottonwood, blue spruce, brushy under growth.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Krekow and Lois Krekow. \| Elimination of similar species: House Wren, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Fox Sparrow, Bewick's Wren \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	88
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at North Liberty, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at North Liberty in Johnson County, IA on October 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	North Liberty	1 mi. n. of North Liberty, Johnson Co., IA	farm land	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No color or face mark of Kestrel. Pointed wings and flight exclude Sharp-shinned Hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Burrowing Owl south of Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Burrowing Owl south of Ames in Story County, IA on April 1, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Burrowing Owl	Ames	1 mi. S. of Ames IA	farm land - plowed field, grass edge and grassy yard 1 mi S. of U.S. 30 on Elwood, Ames IA	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Kent, Hank Zaletel, James Dinsmore, and unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: no similar species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	51
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Elk Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-21	1984-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Elk Lake in Clay County, IA on May 21, 1984.	Brown, Mike	Red-necked Grebe	Elk Lake	Just south of county road, north of Elk Lake Clay Co. IA T95N R35W Sec. 36	Farm Pond	The documentation form by Mike Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Heinz and R.R. Ruthner \| Elimination of similar species: Only other grebe with redneck is Horned Grebe. Horned Grebe is much smaller, has smaller bill, and has ear tufts. Only other long-necked grebe - Western - has white neck and longer, narrower bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Hamburg, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-11-10	1980-04-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Greater Scaups at Hamburg in Fremont County, IA during the middle of November 1979.	Getscher, Ione	Greater Scaup	Hamburg	farm pond about 4.7 miles East of Hamburg	farm pond - small pond that is used by cattle, in pastureland	The documentation form by Ione E. Getscher is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Edwin A. Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Two Lesser Scaup, not heard, also swimming near by not with the Greater. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00 going to farm.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Ring-necked Duck at Saylorville, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-26	1985-07-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ring-necked Duck at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on May 26, 1985.	Engebretsen, Bery	Ring-necked Duck	Saylorville Lake	Farm pond, north of Saylorville	Farm pond. Surrounding pasture / corn field	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: both scaup have gray back, no initial stripe.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	9
Rare bird documentation form for Carolina Wren in Cherokee County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Carolina Wren in Cherokee County, IA on January 30, 1983.	Brewer, Marion M.	Carolina Wren	Cherokee County	13W, 1 N of cherokee	Farm yard grove with a few Evergreens	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Bierman and Charles Krekow. \| Elimination of similar species: None \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	88
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk at Bayard, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-21	1980-09-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Swainson's Hawks at Bayard in Guthrie County, IA on September 21, 1980.	Newlon, Michael C.	Swainson's Hawk	Bayard	near Bayard, Guthrie Co., IA	farmland	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Shires, Carol Newlon, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: build, combination of white underparts + wing - linings plus dark flight -feathers eliminate other possible buteos - redtail, roughleg, broadwing, ferruginous, red-shoulder. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:30:00/11:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
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 Golden Eagle north and west of Hendrickson's Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-19	1983-03-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle north and west of Hendrickson's Marsh in Story County, IA on March 19, 1983.	Proescholdt, Beth	Golden Eagle	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	s.e. Story County, north + west from Hendrickson's Marsh	farmland about 3 miles from Hendrickson's Marsh - open, flat fields, bare with no crops	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt and Phyllis Harris. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle - no white head + tail of adult, + not an immature Bald Eagle as it had dark wing linings, not white in the linings. Buteo - much too big for a buteo. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin east of Fairview Golf Course in Iowa City, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin east of Fairview Golf Course in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 15, 1984.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Fairview Golf Course	e. of Iowa City (e. of Fairview Golf Course), Johnson Co. IA	farmland along small creek	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape eliminates falcon and eliminates Sharp-shinned Hawk. All dark color and heavier direct flight excludes Kestrel. Size excludes Peregrine Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-12-17	1994-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 17, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Vesper Sparrow	Cerro Gordo County	220th St. + Violet, Cerro Gordo Co, IA	Farmland near a farmstead	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joel Hanes. \| Elimination of similar species: not a junco - not the color of not a meadowlark - too small not a longspur - did not have the eye line + lighter eyebrow like longspurs no face patch effect \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Lost Island Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-04-03	1993-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Lost Island Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on April 3, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Lost Island Lake	East of Lost Island Lake, Clay County [actually Palo Alto County], Iowa	farmland near glacial lakes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe, Bob Cecil, and Harold White. \| Elimination of similar species: This was the best view I have ever had at the underwing of Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-03-01	1989-04-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck in Black Hawk County, IA on March 1, 1989.	Johnson, Ann	Prairie Falcon	Reinbeck	4 miles e. Reinbeck, Black Hawk County, IA	Farmstead with silos, open fields	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Chuck Fuller, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Other hawks were eliminated by the long, pointed wings and general body shape. Size eliminated all falcons but the peregrine, but the presence of the black axillars confirmed that this was indeed a Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:56:00/18:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Clinton Township in Linn County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for thirty-five Brewer's Blackbirds at Section 8 of Clinton Township in Linn County, IA on December 20, 1986.	Zobac, Aldrich	Brewer's Blackbird	Clinton Township	Section 8, Clinton Township Farm on Young Rd. in S. part of Section 8	Farmyard + corn fields adjacent to farm. Large grove of evergreens. Grove of trees.	The documentation form by Aldrich Zobac is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gladys Zobac. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Relative size of bird: Smaller than grackle Slightly larger than Cowbird. [...] Birds were feeding + flying around with huge flock of starlings + sparrows (house sparrows). At first glance - when birds were first sighted - thought we were spotting a cowbird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 20, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto	Farmyard in cropland	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Wright and Dave Menke. \| Elimination of similar species: Pigeon size or bigger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Cone Marsh, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Brewer's Blackbirds at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 6, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Brewer's Blackbird	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co, IA	Feed lot	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] These 4 birds were easy to pick out from Rustys + they staid [sic] together. [...] Rusty females were gray + darker wing and had bright yellow eye. Male Rusty were more opaque black with a refaced [?] edging on wing feathers and some [illegible] on flanks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire north of Ledges State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-29	1986-11-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire north of Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on October 29, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Townsend's Solitaire	Ledges State Park	in a public hunting area north of Ledges State Park, Boone Co.	feeding in a large area of scattered cedars	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Northern Mockingbird eliminated by the short bill, eyering [sic], buffy wing patch, and overall darker color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:40:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing north of Ledges State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Boehmian Waxwing north of Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on November 28, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Bohemian Waxwing	Ledges State Park	3 miles n. of Ledges State Park, Boone Co.	feeding in large cedar grove	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: see above [...] As the bird perched with four Cedar Waxwings, I saw that it was larger, grayer, had a longer crest, had more rufous color on the face, had rusty undertail coverts, and had red, yellow, and white on the wing. The bird called several times and sounded like a loud, hoarse Cedar Waxwing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek S.P., Polk Co.-north end	feeding in shallow water adjacent to large mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The body shape, yellow legs, small, slender, straight bill, and small size compared to Dunlin eliminates Greater Yellowlegs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Ledges State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on September 28, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pine Warbler	Ledges State Park	Ledges State Park, Boone Co.	feeding in trees along a creek	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Fall Bay-breasted Warbler eliminated by the unstreaked back, yellowish underparts with streaking on the sides, and by the larger white tail spots. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29