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 for Hoary Redpoll at Kensett, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-19	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Hoary Redpolls at Kensett in Worth County, IA on February 19, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Goranson, Rita	Hoary Redpoll	Kensett	7th & Oak St., Kennett, Ia.	at feeder's	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: In with 40+ Common and these two were noticeably lighter and varied in coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Claybanks Preserve, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-11-23	1997-12-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles at Claybanks Preserve in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 23, 1997.	Goranson, Rita	Golden Eagle	Claybanks Forest	on Wren ave - at Claybanks Preserve, Cerro Gordo Co	wooded & river	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Carolyn Fischer, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: later we saw (white head white tail) adult eagles = not the coloring of the first one. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:10:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-21	1999-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 21, 1999.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Clear Lake Ia	Large lake, northside	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Jan Walter, and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - was also present, could see larger loon, heavy bill, Pacific Loon - straight bill, black cap extends to eye -	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-20	1999-08-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 20, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Iowa - on lake north side	water	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common loons were out further but darker with dark around face and around neck, bill larger & darker. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-19	1999-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on April 19, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reece [sic] Wettlands [sic], Koss Co, Iowa near Union Slough	wettlands [sic] + old bean stubble	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Matthew Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: No other birds in immediate area, other than ducks, I had seen two Savannah Sparrows at beginning of area and knew these were larger than Savannah's and different coloring and marks. I have seen Laplands but they don't have this rich buffy color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-12-17	1994-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 17, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Vesper Sparrow	Cerro Gordo County	220th St. + Violet, Cerro Gordo Co, IA	Farmland near a farmstead	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joel Hanes. \| Elimination of similar species: not a junco - not the color of not a meadowlark - too small not a longspur - did not have the eye line + lighter eyebrow like longspurs no face patch effect \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Wilson's Phalarope at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-17	1997-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a WIlson's Phalarope at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 17, 1997.	Goranson, Rita	Wilson's Phalarope	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Greencastle ave no. of F28 Johnson Co. Hawkeye Wildlife Area		The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Red necked Phalarope has a very distinctive black + gray + white coloring in winter Red Phalarope has a different bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for White-crowned Sparrow at Cedar Rapids, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-06-23	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-crowned Sparrow at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on June 23, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bradley, Rob	White-crowned Sparrow	Cedar Rapids	S.W. Side Cedar Rapids - Residence	Back yard with Cedar and Maple trees	The documentation form by Rob Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Greg Plotz and Dawn Zimpfer. \| Elimination of similar species: White throated Sparrow Had no white throat and no yellow spot between eye + bill. On the white throats that don't show much, if any yellow, and a very dull white throat, the head is not as distincty [sic] marked with the black + white stripes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 20:00:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	39
Rare bird documentation form for Broad-winged Hawk at Cedar Rapids, unknown date	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Broad-winged Hawk at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 20, unknown year.	Bradley, Rob	Broad-winged Hawk	Cedar Rapids	N.E. Cedar Rapids Izaak Walton	Open woods	The documentation form by Rob Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roger Heidt. \| Elimination of similar species: Red tail - too small - tail band. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the AM for 10 sec approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	27
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird west of Squirrel Hollow County Park, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-03-06	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds west of Squirrel Hollow County Park in Greene County, IA on March 6, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Mountain Bluebird	Squirrel Hollow County Park	Greene Co. 2 1/2 m. N of Int. P30 + E57, then 1/4 m W.	River bottom, pasture hillside with scattered Shrubs	The documentation form by Rob Thelen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, and Ed Thelen were submitted. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Jane Fuller, Alicia Thelen, Melinda Thelen, Natasha Thelen, Gordon Thelen, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird, Mt. Bluebird is all Blue \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Swan Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-06-03	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Swan Lake in Carroll County, IA on June 3, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Western Tanager	Swan Lake	Swan Lake Carroll Co.	Grassy Area with scatter tree up to 15' tall	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tanagers - had wing bars. N. Oriole Thicker bill + yellow rump and olive back \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-06-06	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton in Greene County, IA on June 6, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail correspondence about the documentation, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Lark Bunting	Scranton	Greene County,1 mile south of Scranton on Highway 25 ,then 3/4 mile east.	Pasture with cows on South side, Row crops on North side	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: I don't know of any other bird of this size that has white wing patches. I couldn't find any other info in any of my bird guides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:00:06.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Merritt County Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Merritt County Park in Carroll County, IA on January 1, 1998.	Thelen, Rob	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Merritt County Park	Merritt Access Racoon [sic] River Carroll Co.	River bottom scattered dead tree + underbrush	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ed Thelen and Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden Crowned Kinglet. This Kinglet had no Golden Crown [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire southwest of Washta, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1997-02-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire southwest of Washta in Cherokee County, IA on February 23, 1997.	Thelen, Rob	Townsend's Solitaire	Washta	app. 1 3/4 m. SW of Washta in Cherokee Co.	Cedar Tree's, Timber, River Ridge	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Clark, Marty Thelen, Wes Thelen, and Peter Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: came to Solitaire Tape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in Cerro Gordo County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-02-22	1997-02-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 22, 1997.	Thelen, Rob	Prairie Falcon	Cerro Gordo Wind Farm	1/2 m. S of 210th + Cardinal, Cerro Gordo Co.	Dead Cottonwood in Farmland (Open)	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Clark. \| Elimination of similar species: This Falcon had the Dark Armpits. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope north of Lake View, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-04-26	1996-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Phalarope north of Lake View in Sac County, IA on April 26, 1996.	Thelen, Rob	Red-necked Phalarope	Lake View	little pond 1/4 m No. of Lake View	Shed water in a pasture by a creek	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: It was smaller than Wilsons had dark legs + dark back. short bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Wall Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-03-12	1996-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Wall Lake in Sac County, IA on March 12, 1996.	Thelen, Rob	Prairie Falcon	Wall Lake	1 m. East of Wall Lake	Gravel pits, Railroad Tracks, and Farmland	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Natasha Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin - was to [sic] big to be a Merlin didn't have strong tail bars. Peregrine - didn't have strong face marks or cap on head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Iowa City, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-06-13	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Iowa City on Johnson County, IA on June 13, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Berry, Robert	Mississippi Kite	Iowa City	The north edge of Iowa City, near the Rochester Hy-vee.	Above a wooded residential area.	The documentation form by Robert Berry is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Glorine Berry and Diane Amundson. \| Elimination of similar species: I consulted three books and Jim Fuller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha, 1988	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Trapping	1988-02-09	1988-02-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha in Linn County, IA on February 9, 1988.	Bradley, Rob	Chipping Sparrow	Hiawatha	Home patio feeder - 1 mile west fo [sic] Hiawatha, Iowa (Linn County)	Low bushes and trees around a cement patio	The documentation form by Robert Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karen Bradley. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree sparrow too large. Cap with only a few rufous feathers. No central breast spot. No black eyeline. Buff supercilliary [sic] line. Breast was gray as compared with buff on clay colored sparrow also gray rump instead of brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00 on February 9, 1988 - 07:30:00 on February 10, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	49
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird west of Hiawatha, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird west of Hiawatha in Linn County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Bradley, Rob	Gray Catbird	Hiawatha	420-0914 - 1 1/2 miles west of Hiawatha off Blairs Ferry Rd Linn Co.	Sumac - Blackberry - Multiflora Rose overgrown pasture w. small clumps of Hawthorn trees	The documentation form by Robert Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Demermuth. \| Elimination of similar species: Can't think of anything in this area that resembles a Gray Catbird maybe Junco but way to [sic] small. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:30:02.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12
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 Mississippi Kite at suburban Des Moines, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-06-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Mississippi Kites at suburban Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, photocopy of an Iowa Bird Life magazine cover page photograph, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Suburban Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa	Wooded residential	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim and Jane Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Ann Johnson, and Barbara L. Wilson were submitted later. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Dennis Thompson, Cecile Thompson, Ross Silcock, Tanya Bray, Beth Proescholdt, Ann Crane, Fred Crane, Jim Dinsmore, Sue Spieker, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Brown, John Cecil, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed kite has white tail, black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:10:00 on June 22, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Purple Gallinule north of Burlington, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-06-21	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Purple Gallinule north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on June 21, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Purple Gallinule	Burlington	Just north of Burlington in Des Moines County, Iowa	Recently flooded farm pond with emergent vegetation, dead trees and shrubs.	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, and Diane Porter were submitted later. Other observers include Elizabeth Chrstiansen, Chuck Fuller, Jane Fuller, Gary Wagner, Cal Knight, and Michael Porter. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Moorhen slate-colored, not purple, and has red, not blue frontal shield. This bird was pretty unmistakable. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:00:00 on June 21, 1988 and 13:30:00/14:00:00 on June 28, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	14
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated (i.e. Yellow-bellied) Flycatcher at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on September 2, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa		The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Although the yellow was dull, it was unmistakably yellow, in what I felt was obvious contrast to the faint hint of yellow wash of the Acadians in the area. Most of the empidonax sp. I have seen this fall have shown no yellow at all. Also conspicuous about this bird was the yellowish eye ring. Again, this contrasts with the whitish or eggshell color of the eyerings of other empids in the area. The bird remained within the canopy of the thicket, occasionally darting out, then returning. This behavior is different that other empids I have observed, which seem to utilize a more exposed perch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	65
Rare bird documentation form for Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-31	1988-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 31, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bonaparte's Gull	Keokuk	Miss. River at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	Lock and Dam 19 Tailwaters	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Black-headed has dark underwings. I would have noticed this. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	33