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 Sabine's Gull at Lock 13, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull at Lock 13 in Clinton County, IA on October 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation field report submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Sabine's Gull	Lock and Dam 13	Lock 13 flying over channel near barges		The documentation field report by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen and Dennis Carter. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] much smaller than Ringbills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-21	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on April 21, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentations submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Little Gull	Black Hawk Lake	[...] south east corner of Blackhawk Lake in Sac Co.		The documentation by Peter Ernzen forms the basis of this record. A documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The other five hooded gulls were eliminated for a variety of reasons. Franklin's and Laughing Gull would be larger, darker mantled and have a prominent eye ring. Sabine's Gull would've had a bicolored bill, forked tail and different - white triangular - pattern to its wings. The larger Common Black-headed Gull looks like a larger version of a Bonaparte's Gull with a brownish hood and a red bill. The associated Bonaparte's Gulls were darker mantled and larger. The wings were more angular in appearance with a white leading edge and black wing tips. I have observed all but the Laughing Gull - though the Sabine's Gulls were immature, the distinctive wing pattern is present in both adults and immatures - and feel confident in calling this an adult Little Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00 and 11:00:00/11:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rufous Hummingbird at McClelland Beach at Spirit Lake, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-08-21	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rufous Hummingbird at McClelland Beach at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on August 21, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and four documentations submitted to the committee.	Winebrinner, Ruth L. Winebrinner, Edward Calvin	Rufous Hummingbird	McClelland Beach	We are on the north shore of Spirit Lake, Ia.		The documentation by Ed and Ruth Winebrinner forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Ed Thelen, Lee A. Schoenewe, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Another observer is LaVonne Foote. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Brown? Imature [sic] ruby-throats aren't brown, are they? About then a hummer flew by. It was brown!! \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning and afternoon of August 21, 1996 until 10:00:00 on August 23, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Whooping Crane north of Clinton, 1972	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1972-10-31	1993-08-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Whooping Crane north of Clinton in Clinton County, IA on October 31, 1972. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record of Whooping Crane in Clinton County in Iowa Bird Life 42:98 by Peter C. Petersen seen by George Aurand.	Aurand, George	Whooping Crane	Clinton	[...] about ten miles north of Clinton.		The documentation article in Iowa Bird Life by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. The original observer was George Aurand. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00 for several minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Bluebird at Black Hawk Park, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1975-04-10	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Black Hawk Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 10, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Dowell, Virgil Eugene	Mountain Bluebird	Black Hawk Park	[...] we observed a Mountain Bluebird just after crossing Snag Creek near the entrance to Black Hawk Park. This is a county park located at the northwest edge of Cedar Falls adjoining the Cedar River and is in the Cedar River floodplain.		The documentation article by Virgil E. Dowell forms the basis of this record. Other observers include fourteen students in the Field Zoology of Vertebrates class at University of Northern Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:20:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Fejervary Park, 1950	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1950-05-07	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Fejervary Park in Davenport in Scott County, IA on May 7, 1950. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article reviewed by the committee .	Feeney, Thomas J.	Townsend's Warbler	Fejervary Park	[...] in a ravine at Fejuvary [sic] Park, Davenport.		The documentation article by Thomas J. Feeney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Thomas Morrissey. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] the distinctive face pattern, the combination of black crown and striped sides made identification certain. \| Observation lasted for ten minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Gray Owl near Quarry, 1959	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1959-05-12	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl near Quarry in Marshall County, IA on May 12, 1959. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Mitchem, Lucile	Great Gray Owl	Quarry	[...] gravel road that follows the Iowa River near the small town of Quarry.		The documentation article by Lucile E. Mitchem forms the basis of this record. Other observer includes her daughter. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I was well acquainted with the Barred Owl, the only other owl an amateur might confuse with the larger Great Gray Owl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:30:00/05:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
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 of Common Raven west of Mason City, 1966	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1966-12-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven west of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 28, 1966. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Roosa, Dean M.	Common Raven	Mason City	[...] driving from Clear Lake to Mason City		The documentation article by Dean M. Roosa forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Bailey. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Its flight pattern, size, and rounded or wedge-shaped tail distinguished it from nearby Crows.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Green-tailed Towhee at Storm Lake, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1975-05-05	2000-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Green-tailed Towhee at Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, IA on May 5, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes and an Iowa Bird Life article reviewed by the committee.	Crocker, Virginia R.	Green-tailed Towhee	Storm Lake	306 W. Ninth St., Storm Lake		The article by Virginia R. Crocker forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Edwin Crocker, Emily Ruth Campbell, Verne Campbell, Barney Campbell, and Georgia Campbell. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Frank Starr Park, 1969	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1969-05-08	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Frank Starr Park in Buena Vista County, IA on May 8, 1969. Includes one record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Crocker, Virginia R.	Western Tanager	Frank Starr Park	[...] West Park is a state-owned 13 acre strip of land between Storm Lake and Little Storm Lake on the west side of Iowa 110.		The article by Virginia Crocker is the only one reviewed and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ruth Thornton. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Many insects were flying, and we were watching the large number of Myrtle Warblers feeding on the insects when Ruth exclaimed, "What is that bird with the bright red head?--I've never seen one like it before." Then the bird came into full view. The brilliant colors were breath-taking, and we had little trouble identifying it as a male Western Tanager. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-09-08	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a California Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 8, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and the article California Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Iowa Bird Life 61:20 by Stephen Dinsmore reviewed by the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	California Gull	Oak Grove Recreation Area	[...] Oak Grove Beach Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County.		The article by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...]The bird was similar in size to the largest Ring-billed Gulls, but slightly larger than others. I approached closer and noted that, when compared to a Ring-billed Gull, the bird had duller yellow legs, a stouter bill with black and red spots near the tip of the lower mandible, and a darker gray mantle. [...] The bird was slightly larger than most of the Ring-billed Gulls, although one or two of the biggest Ring-billed Gulls were as large as the bird I was studying. Proportionately, the bird was heavier and larger-headed than a Ring-billed Gull. [...] I estimated the mantle color to be about midway between those of Ring-billed Gull and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. [...] The bill was heavier than the bill of a Ring-billed Gull and had a distinct gonys. The legs were pale gray-green, unlike the bright yellow legs of a Ring-billed Gull. Leg length appeared similar to a Ring-billed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1969	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1969-06-22	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on June 22, 1969. Includes a record review document with votes and an article reviewed by the committee.	Bramel, Grover C.	Western Tanager	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge		The article by Grover C. Bramel forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It was identified as a male Western Tanager in full breeding plumage, by the following: Size; comparable to more common Scarlet Tanager or Baltimore Oriole; [...] At about the same time and location a bird of similar appearance except for the red face, was seen flying between trees, and may have been the female Western Tanager. \| The original documentation form event lasted around a minute.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Burrowing Owl east of Larchwood, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-08-30	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Burrowing Owl east of Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on August 30, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a photograph submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Burrowing Owl	Larchwood	[...] probable nest site three miles east of Larchwood.		The article by Doug Harr forms the basis of this record. Another observer is Dolly Zangger. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I saw no evidence of other owls on this or subsequent visits.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Grosbeak at Holstein, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-11-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pine Grosbeak at Holstein in Ida County, IA on November 5, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a letter from Curtis Rector to Tom Kent with Pete Ernzen and James Dinsmore copied.	Rector, Curtis L.	Pine Grosbeak	Holstein	near Somerset Apartments in Holstein, Iowa		A letter from Curtis L. Rector to Tom Kent forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:16:00 on November 5, 1997, and 14:10:00/14:15:00, 15:45:00, and 16:15:00/16:25:00 on November 6, 1997 .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-03-19	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on March 19, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopies of three photographs, an article in American Birds, an article in Birding, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence about related bird sightings and review, documentation form for a related sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee for this review.	Brees, Aaron	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Dam, Marion County, Iowa	rock bar below dam, in association with Ring-billed and Herring Gulls		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Winter of 1974-75, Red Rock area and Pleasantville, Iowa field notes, and Snowy Owl reports	Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird kills Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1974-12-01	1975-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Winter of 1974-75, Red Rock area and Pleasantville, Iowa field notes were submitted by Gladys Black along with a cover letter to Vernon M. Kleen dated March 19, 1975, a newspaper article and a map. The article was one she wrote for the Des Moines Register called "Reports two Snowy Owls seen in central Iowa," and the map showed the number of Snowy Owl observations in Iowa counties, November 1974-March 1975. The letter summarized the findings on Snowy Owls from responses to the newspaper article, and the impact of a blizzard January 10-11 in northwest Iowa that killed many birds and livestock. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1974-1975.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl	Des Moines Iowa Lake Red Rock Pleasantville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	14
Wood Duck nesting records, volume one, 1939-1953	Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Nests Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Birdhouses Eggs--Incubation Ducks--Counting Ducklings Wood duck--Behavior	1939-01-01	1953-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Wood Duck nesting records covering the years 1939-1953 compiled by Frederic Leopold. The mostly handwritten volume contains Leopold's detailed notes on the nesting habits of Wood Ducks, including the following: nest site selection, egg laying, incubation, hatching, and departure from the nest. Also included in this volume are a few hand-drawn illustrations, newspaper clippings and a twelve page photocopied article from volume 53 of The Condor titled "A study of nesting Wood Ducks in Iowa" written by Leopold.	Leopold, Frederic, 1895-1989	Wood Duck	Burlington				Frederic Leopold Papers \| MS 113	9	1
Wood Duck nesting records, volume two, 1954-1966	Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Nests Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Birdhouses Eggs--Incubation Ducks--Counting Ducklings Wood duck--Behavior	1954-01-01	1966-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Wood Duck nesting records covering the years 1954-1966 compiled by Frederic Leopold. The mostly handwritten volume contains Leopold's detailed notes on the nesting habits of Wood Ducks, including the following: nest site selection, egg laying, incubation, hatching, and departure from the nest. Also included in this volume are newspaper clippings, correspondence, Clemson Agricultural College Leaflet No. 20 on the Wood Duck written by Robert E. Ware, instructions on how to build a Wood Duck nesting box, and an article from National Wildlife titled "Of spring and an egg" written by Jean George.	Leopold, Frederic, 1895-1989	Wood Duck	Burlington				Frederic Leopold Papers \| MS 113	9	2
Wood Duck nesting records, volume three, 1967-1978	Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Printed ephemera Field notes	Birds--Eggs Birds--Nests Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Birdhouses Eggs--Incubation Ducks--Counting Ducklings Wood duck--Behavior	1967-01-01	1978-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Wood Duck nesting records covering the years 1967-1978 compiled by Frederic Leopold. The mostly handwritten volume contains Leopold's detailed notes on the nesting habits of Wood Ducks, including the following: nest site selection, egg laying, incubation, hatching, and departure from the nest. Also included in this volume are newspaper clippings, a few hand-drawn illustrations, correspondence, and the program for the 50th Annual Convention of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union where Leopold gave a presentation titled "Nesting Habits of the Wood Duck".	Leopold, Frederic, 1895-1989	Wood Duck	Burlington				Frederic Leopold Papers \| MS 113	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for an Ibis species at Little Wall Lake in 1958	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Ciconiiformes \| Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, Ibises, and Storks Threskiornithidae \| Ibises Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1958-05-16	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for an Ibis species at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on May 16, 1958. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Cattle Egret and other uncommon Iowa waterbirds in Iowa Bird Life 31:44-45 by Milton W. Weller.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee		Little Wall Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Glossy Ibis at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Photography of birds Rare birds Ornithological illustration	1992-05-04	1996-04-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Glossy Ibises at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on May 4, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from J.V. Remsen to Tom Kent, letters between Tom Kent and Bob Janssen, a letter from Matt Kenne to Tom Kent, a letter from Bruce Fall to Tom Kent, five photographs, a page with two ibis head sketches, the original sighting record found in the publication Iowa Bird Life 53:68 by Matthew Kenne, and the article Field identification of White-faced and Glossy Ibises by H. Douglas Pratt, published in Birding 8(1):1-5. The Glossy Ibises were seen by Bobbi Webber and photographed by Dave Bunkofske.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Glossy Ibis	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ferruginous Hawk at Cedar Falls in 1901	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Zoological specimens	1907-03-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Ferruginous Hawks at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on June 25, 1901. Includes a record review document with votes, letter from Dave Conrads to Barb Wilson, the original sighting record found in the publication The Birds of Iowa published by Davenport Academy of Science by Rudolph M. Anderson in 1907 seen by G.W. Walters, and referenced by three other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ferruginous Hawk	Cedar Falls				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Plover at Credit Island in 1964	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Animal migration--Climatic factors Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1964-06-01	1993-08-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Mountain Plover at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on March 25, 1964. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Mountain Plover at Davenport in Iowa Bird Life 34:49 by Peter C. Petersen also seen by Elton Fawks.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Mountain Plover	Credit Island				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	19
Report of sighting at Lake Manawa on the south edge of Council Bluffs, Ia on apr 5, 1988	Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-04-05	1988-06-07	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes by Robert E. Starr for two Glaucous Gulls at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County on April 5, 1988 recorded on June 7, 1988. Included with the field notes is a "Notes from Nature" article by Ruth C. Green published in A Birds Eye View, volume 16, number 5, May 1988, that discusses Starr's sighting among others.	Green, Ruth Starr, Robert E.	Glaucous Gull	Lake Manawa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37