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 Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 14, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-12-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 14 in Scott County, IA on December 24, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 14	Lock + Dam 14, Scott Co.	Mississippi R., on ice in backwater near dam	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, yellow legs, not pure black eliminates other dark-mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:50:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Jester Park in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1999.	Brees, Aaron	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Jester Park	Jester Park, Campground 4		The documentation form by Aaron Brees is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull was eliminated by structure, wing pattern, and tail pattern. California Gull was eliminated by bill coloration and tail pattern. Thayers Gull was eliminated by wing pattern, structure, and over all color.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-25	1998-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1998.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	1999-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Trickle Slough	Trickle Slough, Spirit Lake, Dickinson County	Sandy point surrounded by open water	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: Greater Black-backed - size relative to Herring Gulls; Herring/Thayers - flight pattern + long wings in flight + perched \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 21, 1999.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Manhattan Point	West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson Co., 21 Nov 1999		The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was standing on Manhattan Point with several Herring Gulls of various ages and many more Ring-billed Gulls, facing quarter-on towards Lee Schoenewe and I. It was a dark 1st year gull, similar to, but slightly smaller than, other 1st year Herring Gulls present. It had an all black bill that was smaller than the other Herrings. [...] Lee and I waited for about 10 minutes for the bird to turn to the side, showing us blackish wingtips and dark tertials, eliminating the Thayer's Gull possbility we had been considering. The wing tips extended farther beyond the body than on the Herring Gulls. [...] There was no pale 'window' in the inner primaries as in a Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the early afternoon for approximately 10 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-25	1988-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1988.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Spring Run Wetland Area - Lair Tract, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Spring Run Wetland Area - Lair Tract in Dickinson County, IA on November 8, 1998.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Spring Run Wetland Complex, Lair Tract	Spring Run area just east of landfill, Dickinson Co.	Open field - corn stubble	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ed Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull/California Gull by mantle color: Great-black-backed/Western/Slaty-backed by streaking on head + neck \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Dam in 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-04	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1998.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Dam				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Iowa in 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-08	1998-11-22	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Iowa on November 8, 1998.	Thelen, Ed	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1997-12-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 27, 1997.	Proescholdt, Mark	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam at Red Rock - (Marion County)	Gravel Bar below dam and churning water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dale Fye, Helen Fye, Pat Miller, and many others. \| Elimination of similar species: The other black mantled gulls (Great Black-backed, Slaty-backed, Western, and Yellow-footed) are all much larger than this gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:20:00/11:10:00 and 13:30:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-26	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 26, 1997 and December 30, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA (below dam)	river below dam	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James J. Dinsmore, Kay Niyo, and many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, dark gray mantle, yellow legs and bill pattern eliminates other gulls, especially Great Black-backed, California, and Slaty-backed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/16:55:00 on December 26, 1997 and 13:40:00/16:05:00 on December 30, 1997.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Ottumwa, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-01-06	1997-01-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on January 6, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Wapello Co., IA	river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was in the company of Ring-billed and Herring gulls which were easily eliminated on the basis of mantle color. California Gull is slightly smaller, is lighter-mantled, and shows more white in the primaries. Great-black-backed, Slaty-backed, and Western gulls are all larger and have heavier bills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Mississippi River at Davenport, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-01-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Mississippi River at Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 7, 1996.	Edwards, Chris	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Davenport	Mississippi River, Davenport, Scott Co.	River.	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curtis Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed Gull is much larger, has a blacker back, and pale pink legs. Herring Gull has a lighter gray mantle and pink legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lindsay Park Harbor in 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-03	1995-02-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lindsay Park Harbor in Scott County, IA on February 3 and 16, 1995.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lindsay Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 4, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Above Lock and Dam 15, Davenport, Scott Co., IA	Mississippi River, river open.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include several unnamed people. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and mantle color exclude Great Black-backed Gull. The mantle was too dark for a California Gull. Slaty-backed Gull would likely appear larger, have a darker mantle, and more white in tertials. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/13:00:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-05	1995-02-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 5, 1995 and February 12, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)		The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib, Thomas Kent, Dan Dorrance, Barker, Peter C. Petersen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other dark mantled gull with yellow legs is the Yellow-footed Gull. That bird has never been seen away from the extreme southwest portion of the country, and it should be much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00 on February 5, 1995 and 11:40:00/11:55:00 on February 12, 1995.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-14	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on November 14, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, excerpts from Western Birds, articles in Pennsylvania birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, eight photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Empidonax Flycatchers	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi State Park, Warren County, IOWA	Woodland edge consisting primarily of honeysuckle and junipers	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Brian Blevins were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Peter Petersen, Kelly McKay, Corey Blevins, Jim Scheib, Jim Sinclair, John Daniel, Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, David Youngblut, Beth Brown, Sherry Dragula, Bill Overland, Jane Overland, John Miller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The date of observation is historically good for a vagrant western flycatcher species, so this was in the back of my mind in assessing the characteristics observed. The presence of both eye ring and wing bars, in addition to size and shape, indicate that the bird fits the Empidonax complex. The combination of green back, yellow throat and pure orange lower mandible with no markings would eliminate Least, Hammond's, Dusky, Gray, Buff-breasted, Alder, and Willow Flycatchers. A juvenile Acadian can be eliminated by the short primary extension, color of the wings, size and shape of the eye ring, and active behavior. Only three species are indicated by the green upper parts and yellow under parts. Two are separable only by voice. The choices were between Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Western (Cordilleran and Pacific-slope) Flycatcher. Back color is greener in Yellow-bellied and more olive in Western. Although the back looked olive, this was rather subjective. According to the Audubon Master Guide, behavior would be more indicative of a Yellow-bellied in that the bird was not flicking both tail and wings. According to Kaufman, however, behavior is quite variable. Three characteristics made me lean more toward Western complex. They were peaked appearance to the head (usually smooth and rounded in Yellow-bellied); almond-shaped eye ring (round, narrow, and more even in Yellow-bellied); and browner wings than eastern Empidonax. The color of the wings is again subjective, but the contrast between wing color and wing bars was less than the black/white (or even black/buff in fall birds) of eastern birds. Even with the variability that may occur in any Empidonax, it is unlikely that these three characteristics, which are common to the Western Flycatcher, would appear simultaneously in a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Further support is found in the Audubon Master Guide to Birding where it states in the description of Western Flycatcher, "...olive wash on the breast, flanks, and especially the sides tends to highlight a midventral yellow stripe" - one of the more obvious characteristics when viewed at close range from the front. IF the call notes heard belonged to this bird, it would indicate a Cordilleran Flycatacher, the most likely vagrant. None of us were able, however, to get the bird to call as we were observing it. Cal Knight played a tape and the bird became very agitated but did not call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/14:00:00 on November 14, 1992 and 11:30:00/13:45:00 on November 15, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon southeast of Kelley, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1986-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon southeast of Kelley in Story County, IA on December 16, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Prairie Falcon	Kelley	2 mi. s and 1 mi. e of Kelly [sic], Story Co.	perched in a tree over a large, grassy field	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bart Ballard. \| Elimination of similar species: The long tail and pointed wings make the bird a falcon of some sort. The size eliminates Merlin and Am. Kestrel. The black axillaries eliminate Peregrine Falcon and Gyrfalcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:07:00/11:13:00 on December 16 and 08:10:00/08:23:00 on December 17.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Washington County, NE on November 5, 1981.	Bray, Tanya Kovanda, Sandra Padelford, Babs	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend NWR (Nebr. portion)	Missouri River Bottomland; Cottonwood trees and fields	The documentation form by Tanya Bray, Babs Padelford, and Sandy Kovanda is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird had distinct black axillaries, unlike either Peregrine Falcon or Merlin. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-10	1981-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Prairie Falcon	Township of Saint John	1 mile west of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Harrison Co., St. Johns Twsp., Sect. 17.	Open agricultural land; few trees; Winter wheat field (growth of winter what less than 4 inches tall).	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: this species lacks black axillars and white superciliary stripe; moustache is thicker on this species. Merlin: this species is much smaller and lacks moustache and black facial pattern. Gyrfalcon: this species is larger and lacks superciliary stripe and black axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at junction of U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 29 in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1981-10-10	1981-10-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at junction of U.S. Route 30 and Interstate 29 west of Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Prairie Falcon	Interchange 75				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird sighting for Prairie Falcon east of Garden City in 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting reported in a Raptor Migration Reporting Form for a Prairie Falcon east of Garden City in Hardin County, IA on November 27, 1980.	Zawadowski, Nancy Zawadowski, Joe	Prairie Falcon	Garden City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird sighting for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-15	1980-12-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 15, 1980 with additional species sighting information.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Prairie Falcon Snowy Owl	Harrison County DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-01	1978-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm in Story County, IA on May 1, 1978.	Heagy, Patricia A.	Prairie Falcon	Story County	Iowa, Story County, T84N, R24W, Sec 30; ISU Beef Farm	wooded pasture, surrounded by grassy pasture, cropland, and woods. Open woodland pasture along Onion Creek	The documentation form by Patricia A. Heagy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel - smaller and without dark axillar. They also have rusty backs, and do not have complete tail bands. Peregrine Falcon - has a darker face pattern and a slate-colored back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at northern Fremont County, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-10-16	1977-10-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at northern Fremont County, IA on October 16, 1977.	Silcock, W. Ross	Prairie Falcon	Fremont County	northern Fremont Co.	river-bottom farmland, partly harvested corn & bean fields beside west Nishnabotna River	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Peregrine - does not have dark axillars & underwing linings. Adult Peregrine - is grey above, not brown. Female Am. Kestrel - not as large, no dark axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35