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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at north central Hamilton County, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-24	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at north central Hamilton County, IA on May 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Whimbrel	Hamilton County	north central Hamilton Co. (U.S. 69 and D20), Iowa.	flooded area of plowed field (farmland)	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Long-billed Curlew is much larger, rustier, and lacks eye line and crown stripe. Eskimo Curlew is much smaller and thinner-billed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon east of McCallsburg, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-01	1986-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon east of McCallsburg in Story County, IA on October 1, 1986.	Proescholdt, Beth	Peregrine Falcon	McCallsburg	north central Story Co., east of McCallsburg	above field along #E18 road	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Pigeon, other hawks - at first sighting this bird looked like a pigeon - but at once we could see the large falcon shape & its strong rowing flight as it flew away, also its coloring & helmet \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Mark Sand Prairie, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-12-27	1980-12-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Grosbeak at Mark Sand Prairie in Black Hawk County, IA on December 27, 1980.	Moore, Francis L.	Pine Grosbeak	Cedar Hills Sand Prairie	North East edge of Mark Sand Prairie, Black Hawk County, IA	General: Sand Prairie with several clumps and rows of cedar trees Specific: Small double row of cedar trees about 25 feet long and about 10 feet high	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Milo Mecham. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Purple Finch is smaller and lacks white wing bars. I saw a male and female Purple Finch at the same location and they were quite a bit smaller than the Grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-03-18	1984-03-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on March 18, 1984.	Thompson, Dennis	Northern Goshawk	Lake Red Rock	North edge of Red Rock Res. Marion County	Pinegrove of 4 or 5 acres on north side of Red Rock Res. Thick grove of pines 30-40 ft. tall.	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than Cooper's or Sharp-shinned. Silver-gray coloration eliminated buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:05:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at North Elk Rock State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at North Elk Rock State Park at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on October 9, 1981.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Merlin	Elk Rock State Park	North Elk Rock State Park - Red Rock Reservoir Marion County, Iowa	large scattered trees along a bluff near the lake front. Dead branches of a red oak.	The documentation form by Robert E. Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The American Kestrel is of a similar shape, but is smaller and usually has some reddish plumage on the back or tail. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is similar in size and color especially the immature. The long-pointed wings of the Merlin differ from the wings of the Sharp-shinned Hawk. The overall posture of the bird did not suggest an accipiter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Big Creek State Park, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-15	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 15, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Black-headed Grosbeak	Big Creek State Park	North end Big Creek, end of 100 st north	Bushy hillside, county roadside	The documentation form by Eloise and Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rose-breasted - no rose on throat on underwings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:00:00/20:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Big Spirit Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-04-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on April 21, 1993.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Red-necked Grebe	Mini Wakan State Park	North end of Big Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co. Mini Wakan Park Boat Ramp	Open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lavonne Foote. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe - lacked white throat and had dark eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:25:00/19:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Pammel Woods in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Hooded Warblers at Pammel Woods in Ames in Story County, IA on April 28, 1984.	Holloway, Jack A.	Hooded Warbler	Pammel Woods	North end of Pammel Woods; Ames, Story County, Iowa	Deciduous, many sapling + shrubbery; near stream	The documentation form by Jack A. Holloway is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No similars: Black encircling "hood' along with white in the outer tail feathers is quite distinctive. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Phalarope	Saylorville Lake	north end of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	swimming and wading in shallow water adjacent to large mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bery Engebretsen, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Andrew S. Fix, Jim Sinclair, James Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Ann Johnson, and Mike Thomas were submitted. Other observers includes David Youngblut and Larry Morris. \| Elimination of similar species: The posture, behavior, and black and white color pattern rule out all shorebirds except phalaropes. The size, "hunchbacked" appearance, bill shape, head pattern, and unstreaked, gray upperparts eliminates Red-necked and Wilson's phalaropes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:46:00/17:05:00 on September 30, 1988 and 14:12:00/16:05:00 on October 1, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at the north end of Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-08	1985-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at the north end of Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 8, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	Saylorville Lake	north end of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	migrating through the Des Moines River Valley	The documentation form by Stephen Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Other falcons by their lack of a large amount of black on head and face and by smaller size.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	North Marshall county, country gravel road (dead end) leading to timber and creek- corn fields and a wet shrubby area.	wet, marshy, weedy low spot by road in a corn field with three shrubby bushes	The documentation form by Ramona R. Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LE CONTES--too small, striped head Lincon's [sic] Sparrow--facial pattern not right--too little Henslow's--not right coloration in breast and side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:30:08.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting north of Burlington, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-30	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 30, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Lark Bunting	Burlington	North of Burlington off Highway 99	Farm land--freshly plowed field, low hedge rows	The documentation form by Charles Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The Bird sighted on a dirt road feeding with a Vesper Sparrow--within 3 feet for comparison. The most conspicuous field mark were the large creamy white wing patches (Not bars). The bird was slightly larger than the Vesper Sparrow with heavy sparrow bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-03-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County, IA on March 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Emmetsburg	North of Emmetsburg on blacktop N-40 in Palo Alto County	Along roadside- cultivated field, brushy tile nearby	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Linda Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird and Western Bluebird have rust on breast; this bird was all blue. Indigo Bunting- size is smaller and doesn't have white under the tail. Also a darker blue color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whooping Crane north of Essex, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-11	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Whooping Cranes north of Essex in Page County, IA on April 11, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Edwards, Chris	Whooping Crane	Essex	North of Essex in northwestern Page County Iowa	Flooded agricultural field	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Edwards. \| Elimination of similar species: Sandhill Cranes are smaller, gray, and lack a moustachial stripe and black primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Farragut, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Ross' Geese at Farragut in Fremont County, IA on February 26, 1982.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Ross' Goose	Farragut	North of Farragut, Fremont Co., Iowa	Flooded farmland	The documentation form by Ruth O. Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose- The Ross' Geese were surrounded on 3 sides by Snows, and the size was noticed. The stubby beaks were easily seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on June 11, 1993.	Proescholdt, Mark	Blue Grosbeak	Liscomb	North of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	Trees along a gravel road	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Bunting has a quite different song, is much smaller, and lacks the big bill and Chestnut wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:50:00/09:51:00 and 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire north of Polk City, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire north of Polk City in Polk County, IA on December 16, 1990.	Hertzel, L. Paul	Townsend's Solitaire	Polk City	North of Polk City, Iowa: So. side of 146th street.	mixed conifers: junipers, hemlocks, cedars	The documentation form by Paul Hertzel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tony Hertzel, Judy Schearer, Barney Cook, and unidentified others. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for McCown's Longspur near De Soto National Wildlife Reserve, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-16	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a McCown's Longspur near De Soto National Wildlife Reserve in Harrison County, IA on December 16, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee for review.	Starr, David	McCown's Longspur	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	North of railroad tracks on L-16, north of hwy. 30 (by DeSoto Refuge)	Tilled cornfield	The documentation form for Extraordinary Bird Sighting in Iowa by David Starr forms the basis of this record. The documentation form Supporting Details: Uncommon or Rare Species/High Numbers was also submitted by David Starr. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Thornton, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-04-23	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Thornton in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 23, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Ferruginous Hawk	Thornton	North of Thorton [sic] on Eagle Ave. between 140-150 roads - Cerro Gordo County, Ia	shortgrass meadows, open area -	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form was submitted by Rita Goranson. \| Elimination of similar species: Krider's Hawk (this hawk was larger in size than a Krider's \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:15:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-06	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at North Overlook Beach at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 6, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	North Overlook Park	North Overlook Beach, Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	Sandy beach on man-made reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Iceland Gull - basically eliminated by darker color and narrow chocolate edges to outer primaries. Kumlien's - presence of tail band would seem to eliminate Herring - eliminated by combination of: structure and size of body and bill; shape of head; more uniform coloration above, especially lighter colored primaries; light flight feathers from below contrasting with darker wing lining; lighter color of tail band \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-16	1983-04-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1983.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	North part of Sweet marsh, Bremer Co., near dam	Open marsh near dam and dike with river bottom forest near-by	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk does not have a white stripe above the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-09-16	1999-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at most sixty Brewer's Blackbirds at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on September 16, 1999.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Brewer's Blackbird	Clear Lake	North Shore Drive Clear Lake	Small wet area, some small trees - marsh	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rusty Blackbird - The birds were lacking rusty wings - And buffy eyebrow - Common Grackle - Lacking long-keel-shaped tail heavy bill-	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Spirit Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-10-01	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 1, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Black-headed Gull	Spirit Lake	North Shore Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	Rock jetty, fishing pier + shallow bay + marsh	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's - Bill color and underwing smudging \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:20:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-18	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-billed Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 18, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Yellow-billed Loon	Clear Lake	North side of Clear Lake, Clear Lake, Iowa	Large open lake, no reeds or rushes in this area	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Color, plumage, and bill shape eliminated Cormorants. Size eliminated Red-throated and Pacific Loons. Basic and immature plumage. Common Loon eliminated by straight, yellow aulmen, very pale tannish face, brown auricular patch, overall pale appearance of head and neck, and brown, not black, body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	8