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 a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Resevoir, 1987	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-11-05	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 5, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence with the California Bird Records Committee between from Don Roberson and Ronald E. Goetz to Thomas H. Kent, and two documentation forms.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Jester Park	swimming on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt was submitted later. Other observers were Beth Proescholdt, Dennis Thompson, and Berry Engebretson. \| Elimination of similar species: The slimmer, shorter bill, rounded head, and sharp contrast between the neck and the back eliminates Common and Yellow-billed loons. The shorter, straight bill and unmarked back eliminates Red-throated Loon. \| The original documentation event lasted from 11:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tufted Duck at Lake Manawa, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-03-15	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tufted Duck at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 15, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, internal correspondence about the sighting, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Joranson, Eric G.	Tufted Duck	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, Iowa 150-200 yds from S. Shore		The documentation form by Eric G. Joranson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Caughey. \| Elimination of similar species: Shot R-n Ducks before. Never seen a Tufted before. R-n duck head "lobey" in contrast with Tufted's crest.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Garganey at Forney Lake, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-02	2000-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Garganey at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 2, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, photos, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schmid, Rick	Garganey	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake; Fremont County; Iowa, between the towns of Bartlett and Thurman. The bird was seen in the water near the shore closest to the road at a point exactly one mile east of Western Ave. Later, it was seen in flight over the water in the same area.		The documentation form by Rich Shmid is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren & Babs Padelford, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Michael D. Overton, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Edwards, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Dennis Henrickson, Clem Claphake, Jim Kovanda, and Sandy Kovanda. \| Elimination of similar species:From first glance, the Garganey was conspicuously different from other nearby ducks on the lake. It was swimming with a pair of Blue-Winged Teal and appeared about the same size as the teal, but its body was much lighter overall, with contrasting dark head and breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Spirit Lake, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-01	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of five Eurasian Wigeons at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on April 1, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Foote, LaVonne	Eurasian Wigeon	Spirit Lake	In a marsh about 7 miles west of Spirit Lake, Iowa on Highway No. 9 on the South side of the road.	marsh	The documentation form by LaVonne Foote is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mavis Wunder and Jan Ortmeier. \| Elimination of similar species: American wigeon - Easy to tell apart as male colors are so different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00 and 15:30:00/16:05:00 on April 1, 1985 as well as 11:21:00/12:15:00 on April 2, 1985.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Trumpeter Swan at Otter Creek Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Trumpeter Swans at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County on December 23, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence over the sighting, photos from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Trumpeter Swan	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek M., Tama Co., IA	large riverbottom marsh, central drainage open, ponds partly free of ice. Birds were in pond near east end of south dike.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Gladys Black. \| Elimination of similar species: Bill shape and voice exclude Tundra Swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	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 of Brant at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, IA, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-11-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Brant north of Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on November 18, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Wildlife Notes, internal correspondence, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Priebe, Don	Brant	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	6 mi. N of Riverton on No. 2	Corn field	The documentation form by Don Priebe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Benson, Carl Priebe, and Jim Priebe.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Columbus Junction, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-25	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Columbus Junction in Louisa County, IA on April 25, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, an e-mail about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Columbus Junction	2 miles north of Columbus Junction, Louisa Co., Iowa	A backwater slough adjacent to highway 70 and close to the Iowa River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ted Allen, Bill Ohde, and Jim Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling-Duck lacks the gray face, orange bill, and white wing patch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-11-01	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on November 1, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, two photographs, an article in The Southwestern Naturalist, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, James J.	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh	freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rodney Steere. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing it could be confused with	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-09-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two birds (Ibis species) at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on September 27, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the records review, a hand-written description of the birds, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Glossy Ibises	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh near Chelsea, Tama Co., N.E. side of marsh	Marshy, low water amoung cattails between two Northern dikes.	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 Ed Weiner. \| Elimination of similar species: White ibis is not this dark even in immature plumage. All dark colored heron do not have long decurved bill like these birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tricolored Heron at Cone Marsh, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tricolored Heron at Cone Marsh, Louisa County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes record review documents with votes, articles in Iowa Bird Life and the Loon, maps of Tri-Colored Heron sightings and breeding areas, correspondence about the sighting from Ross Silcock to Carl Bendorf, from to Dick Shaffer to Thomas H. Kent, from Bruce Peterjohn to Thomas H. Kent and committee votes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Tricolored Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louise Co., IA	marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Shaffer. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and white belly eliminate other herons. Apparently an immature or non-breeding plumaged adult. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:59:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	18
Records Committee review for Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park in Washington County, IA on September 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in the Iowa Bird Life, an article from the Loon, correspondence by mail and e-mail, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Anhinga	Lake Darling State Park	Lake Darling S.P., Washington Co.	soaring high over lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorants are the only birds likely to be confused with an Anhinga. I have seen thousands of Double-crested Cormorants and I have never seen one soar in this manner. Also, a Double-created Cormorant has a neck which is always longer than the tail (in flight) and looks conspicuously large-headed and thick-necked when seen overhead. Neotropic Cormorant is much smaller and, although it is longer-tailed than a Double-crested, the tail is still shorter than the neck in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:42:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Cone Marsh, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-05	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Cone Marsh in Louise County, IA on May 5, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting from Bruce Peterjohn to Thomas H. Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Clark's Grebe	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh (Louisa County)	Marsh; open pond.	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes James G. Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was significantly larger than Pied-billed Grebe; Eared Grebe; and Horned Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Letter to members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union announcing the Iowa Birdline is now in operation, December 1981	Correspondence	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Citizen science	1981-12-01	1981-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter to members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union announcing the Iowa Birdline is now in operation. A handwritten note by Richard Jule Hollis at the bottom of letter thanks Hank Zaletel for all his help.	Bendorf, Carl J. Hollis, Richard Jule		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1986-11-01	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 1, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, revotes on sighting, correspondence regarding sighting from Ronald E. Goetz to Thomas H. Kent, article from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Prairie Flower Recreation Area, Saylorville Reservoir	large body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by the more rounded forehead, the smaller, darker bill, the paler nape and crown, the gray necklace on the throat, and by the overall smaller size(a small Common Loon should still show the features of a normal Common Loon). Red-throated Loon was separated by the straight (not upturned) bill, the dark, unspeckled [sic] back, and the gray necklace. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-27	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red-throated Loons at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 27, 1989. Includes a record review document and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya E. Bray is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Marc Lund, and Bob Myers were submitted later. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, Roger Rose, Dave Starr, and Jerry Toll. \| Elimination of similar species: Pacific Loon, eliminated by red color of throat patch and shape of bill. This bird's bill was more like that of a Eared Grebe; that is, very slender and not as loon-like as that of Pacific Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Common Loon: eliminated by size of bird, shape of bill, and red throated patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Southwest Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas Newsletter (SWIBBAN)	Correspondence	Birds--Counting Birds--Habitat Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-01-01	1988-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The southwest Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas Newsletter (SWIBBAN) is compiled by Barbara L. Wilson of Hastings, Iowa and outlines the scope of the Breeding Bird Atlas project. The newsletter includes meeting minutes, a map of southwest Iowa atlas block work in progress, and the Department of Natural Resources block priority list.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Warbling Vireo	Wilson Island State Park Hastings				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	20
Laura Spess Jackson letter to the Breeding Bird Atlas Committee regarding priority block coverage, April 10, 1989	Correspondence	Birds--Habitat Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter to the Breeding Bird Atlas committee regarding completing priority blocks for the atlas project. The letter includes a plan to recruit state of Iowa personnel to help accomplish the work.	Jackson, Laura Spess		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	20
Laura Spess Jackson letter to Carol A. Thompson regarding additional funding for the Breeding Bird Atlas Project, April 10, 1989	Correspondence	Birds--Counting Birds--Habitat Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Laura Spess Jackson letter to Carol A. Thompson regarding federal money received to help with the Breeding Bird Atlas Project for 1989. In the letter, Laura Spess Jackson asks Carol A. Thompson if she is interested in completing four blocks for the project.	Jackson, Laura Spess		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	20
Breeding Bird Atlas block map for Princeton Township, May 26, 1989	Correspondence Maps (documents)	Birds--Habitat Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-05-26	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Breeding Bird Atlas block map is a topographic map covering Princeton Township in Scott County, Iowa. Included with the map is a note from James L. Dinsmore to Carol A. Thompson regarding atlas block boundaries, May 26, 1989.	Dinsmore, James J.		Scott County Princeton				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	20
Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinators Newsletter	Correspondence	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Ornithology--Study and teaching	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas coordinators newsletter gives an update on the project. The project has been in progress for three years and is ongoing. The newsletter includes a request for more "birders" to help with the project.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Breeding Bird Atlas Committee		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	20
Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinators Newsletter	Correspondence	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Ornithology--Study and teaching	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinators Newsletter gives an update on the project. The project has been in progress for three years and is ongoing. The newsletter includes a list of atlas committee members.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Breeding Bird Atlas Committee		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	20
Letter to Iowa Ornithologists' Union members regarding an Iowa Birdline	Correspondence	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Citizen science	1981-09-01	1981-09-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter to Iowa Ornithologists' Union members regarding a working proposal for an Iowa Birdline (phoneline). The letter includes a survey to gather information in order to set up the Birdline.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Hollis, Richard Jule		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	18
Letter to members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union regarding setting up a Birdline	Correspondence	Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Citizen science	1981-06-01	1981-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter to members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union announcing a proposal to set up a Birdline. Includes advantages of using a phone number (Birdline) for members to call to report bird sightings. The letter is also asking members to contribute money towards the cost of set up.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Hollis, Richard Jule		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	18
Richard Jule Hollis letter to Hank Zaletel regarding the Iowa Birdline, December 17, 1981	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Richard Jule Hollis letter to Hank Zaletel announcing that the Iowa Birdline is now in operation. The letter includes directions on how to use the Iowa Birdline. This letter was sent to Hank Zaletel in advance of sending a letter to all members of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Hollis, Richard Jule		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	18