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 Band-tailed Pigeon west of Fort Dodge, 1970	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1970-09-05	1995-02-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Band-tailed Pigeon west of Fort Dodge in Webster County, IA on September 5, 1970. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Crawford, John	Band-tailed Pigeon	Fort Dodge	[...] seven miles West of Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa on the farm of Joseph R. Crawford.		The documentation article by John A. Crawford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joseph R. Crawford. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] This bird first caught my attention by the fact that it lacked the typical white rump of a Rock Dove.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baltimore Oriole at Iowa City, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-19	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baltimore Oriole at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Baltimore Oriole	Iowa City	feeder rural wooded area north of Iowa City		The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jodi Griffith and Clara Schoderbeh. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Northern Oriole at Davenport, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-13	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baltimore Oriole at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 13, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Baltimore Oriole	Davenport	1019 W. Rusholm St. Davenport, IA	backyard feeder in spruce tree	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Edith Kadlec. \| Elimination of similar species: about 2 1/2" longer than nearby House Sparrows. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:55:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-22	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove in Ida County, IA on April 22, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Baird's Sparrow	Ida Grove	Ida County (see map attached)	See attached sheet [...] The first sighting birds flew west across the corn field - see map - [...]	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Don Poggensee was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Le Contes Sparrow Savannah Sparrow - Dirty yellow down top of crown Henslows wrong color, Le Contes dirty yellow initially thought this Sparrow (Yellow was first thing noticed) eliminated after further study for more detail on all see attached sheets. [...] Baird's Sparrow was the last of the sparrows in my decision making. I arrived at this conclusion primarily because of the head color/down the middle of the crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Marble Rock in 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1978-06-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow at Marble Rock in Floyd County, IA on May 16, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 48(2):69-77 by Nicholas S. Halmi seen by Pearl Knoop.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Marble Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-05-13	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve at Emmet County, IA on May 13, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Baird's Sparrow	Anderson Prairie State Preserve	Anderson Prairie State Preserve, Emmet Co., Iowa	General: Open Grassland Specific: Tall-Grass Prairie	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe, Bob Moats, Bob Madson, Mrs. Madson, Ellen Heine, Russ Heine, Pearl Osher, Dave Kuel, and three unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow - narrower median stripe, more of pale yellow-white. Heavier streaking on breast and down sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:42:00/08:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bachman's Sparrow east of Des Moines in 1884	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Eggs Birds--Identification Rare birds Birds--Collection and preservation	1889-02-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Bachman's Sparrow and nest east of Des Moines in Polk County, IA on June 2, 1884. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Preliminary Annotated Catalogue of the Birds of Iowa in the Proceedings of the Davenport Academy Natural Sciences 5:113-161 by Charles R. Keyes and H.S. Williams seen by J.B. Green and J.A. Allen, and referenced by four other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Bachman's Sparrow	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Anhinga at Salem circa 1889	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Hunting	1889-01-01	1993-08-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Anhinga at Salem in Henry County, IA around 1889. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by Walter G. Savage, and referenced in another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Anhinga	Salem				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Neotropic Cormorant at Riverton Area, 1997	Administrative records Field notes Reports	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1997-05-10	2000-11-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a a Neotropic Cormorant at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 10, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Details of Birds Fremont County Iowa by B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, and Roger Rose.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Neotropic Cormorant	Riverton Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mute Swan at South Clay County, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-08	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a a Mute Swan at South Clay County, IA on April 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a page of copied photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, internal correspondence, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Mute Swan	Clay County	5 East of 71 on 374	Large farm pond, rolling hills most of which were in cultavation [sic]	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Beirman. \| Elimination of similar species: Was from the mute swan because of the straight neck and the Tundra swan because of the dark base of the bill. The wings were not held high like on the Mute swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Red-throated Loon at Union Grove Lake, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1975-04-18	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review a Red-throated Loon at Union Grove Lake in Tama County on April 18, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life seen by Evelyn Ehlers.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Red-throated Loon	Union Grove Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee Review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-31	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee of a Pacific Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County on October 31, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek L., Linn Co., IA	deep-water, artificial lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jane Fuller, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: I studied the Common Loons seen earlier in the morning. They presented a wide spectrum of face patterns and size. I based the identification of Pacific Loon subjective evaluation of size, bill shape and size, sharp line of separation of black and white on the neck, and chin strap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eskimo Curlew at Iowa before 1870	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1870-01-01	1994-02-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee for Eskimo Curlews at Iowa before 1870. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication A Catalogue of the Birds of Iowa by J.A. Allen in Report on the Geological Survey of the State of Iowa by Charles A. White, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Eskimo Curlew	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-10-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Sabine's Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on October 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a field report submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Sabine's Gull	Black Hawk Lake	[...] Northeast corner of Black Hawk Lake in Sac Co.		The documentation field report by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted around 10 minutes in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for MacGillivray's Warbler at Atchison County, MO in 1974	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Rare birds	1975-09-01	1995-11-06	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee for a MacGillivray's Warbler in Atchison County, MO on May 1, 1974. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Specials in our 1974 Banding Activity in Iowa Bird Life 45(3):86-88 by Fitzhugh and Hazel Diggs, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	MacGillivray's Warbler	Atchison County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-10-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on October 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock Number 19	Behind dam, Lock and Dam 19, Keokuk, Iowa	River rapids	The documentation form by Robert Cecil forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Chris Pilliod, Jim Sandrock, Cal Knight, Jane Fuller, Charles Fuller, and James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species I could not eliminate on the basis of field marks observed was Yellow-footed, which according to Tom Kent (telephone conversation) is not a known vagrant. More objectively, the Yellow-footed is supposed to be larger than a Herring Gull. As stated above, this bird was about the size of a Herring Gull, or perhaps a little smaller. I don't feel it was larger than a Herring Gull. Seabirds (Harrison) warns of possible confusion with dark race Herring Gull. I have not heard of this race occuring [sic] in Iowa. In any event, the foot coloring was incorrect for Herring Gull, which has pink legs in contrast to this bird's yellow legs. \| The original documentation form event occurred at various times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 28, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., IA.	Reservoir mostly ice-covered. Gulls around small patch of open water.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Jim Fuller was another observer. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, wing and mantle color and yellow legs exclude other species, except perhaps for the most unlikely Yellow-footed Gull, which should be larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Floyd Township in Woodbury County, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-12	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee for a Chestnut-collared Longspur at Floyd Township in Woodbury County, IA on April 12, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Floyd Township	220th St & K-42, Woodbury County, IA	flat, open ground with short stubble fields, gravel road, snow	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: As described above, the white face and tail and extensive black ventrum eliminated Lapland Longspurs, which were present for direct comparison. The yellow chin, black ventrum and chestnut nape eliminated McCown's Longspur. Extensive white tail and black ventrum also eliminated the Smith's Longspur. No sparrows have white retrices to this extent. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black Rail at Burlington in 1889	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Zoological specimens	1892-01-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee for a Black Rail at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA in 1889. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Report of the committee on state fauna in the Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science 1:39-42 by C.C. Nutting, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black Rail	Burlington				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1988-10-02	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Magnificent Frigatebird at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County on October 2, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, an introductory letter from Ann Johnson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	DeVore, Dawn L.	Magnificent Frigatebird	Lake Red Rock	Behind Visitor Center at Lake Red Rock, Marion Co., IA	Freshwater lake shore	The documentation form by Dawn L. DeVore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: After getting the bird book, I took my knowledge of the birds in the area and my mental picture and went to work. I ruled out the turkey vulture because the bird was too streamlined like a tern. I looked at the terns, soon realizing that there were no almost completely black terns. Thus I turned to the gulls. I knew it had to be a water area type bird because of its body and bill shape. Remembering the bill I quickly ruled out the gulls. Thus I turned to the cormorants but the tail was wrong, the neck was too long and more so the cormorant was out of the picture. Thinking I recalled hearing about a sighting of a rare bird in Iowa, only the night before had I looked at an outline of its body shape. Bingo! That was it! The shapes matched but what was the name? I went through the bird section page by page. Then there it was - the Magnificent Frigatebird. This was it; almost all black, large yet streamlined, "forked" or V shaped "tail", and that unique bill. Then the fact that the bird I saw had no red and two side by side white breast areas confirmed that it was a female Magnificent Frigatebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville on edge of Louisa and Muscatine County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ferruginous Hawk	Conesville	1 mi. W. conesville edge of Muscatine and Louise Cos., IA	cultivated fields	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian, Corey, and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged hawk - underwing would show more dark in the underwing coverts, well defined tail band. Kriders Red-tail - has a very light head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lesser Goldfinch at Sioux City in 1964	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1964-12-01	1993-09-07	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Record Committee review for two Lesser Goldfinches at Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on January 16, 1964. Includes a record review document with votes, letter regarding the bid sighting, and the original sighting record found in the publication Lesser Goldfinch at Sioux City in South Dakota Bird Notes 16(4):102-103 by Darrell and Evelyn Hanna also seen by Carol Rogers and Herrold Asmussen.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Lesser Goldfinch	Sioux City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Harlequin Duck at Big Lake in 1895	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1907-01-01	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Record Committee review for rare bird sighting for two Harlequin Ducks at Big Lake in Pottawattamie County, IA on September 26, 1895. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by I.S. Trostler, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Harlequin Duck	Big Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Brant at Charles City in 1916	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Migration Rare birds	1916-09-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Record Committee review for five Brants at Charles City in Floyd County, IA on March 17, 1916. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication 1922-23 by C.L. Fenton seen by John R. Waller, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Brant	Charles City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur north of Red Oak, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-03-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for approximately thirty Smith's Longspurs north of Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on March 18, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Smith's Longspur	Red Oak	4 mi. north of Red Oak - Montgomery Co.	last years hay field - on hill top - very rolling country	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Barbara L. WIlson and Tanya Bray were submitted. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Betsy Myers, B.J. Rose, Melba Wigg, Babs Padelford, Jim Kovanda, John Upchurch, Ruth Green, Sandy Kovanda and many unidentified observers from Omaha. \| Elimination of similar species: I really can't think what looks similar to Smith's in adult breeding plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00 on March 18, 1983 and several other times on March 18 and 19, 1983.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42