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 Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1984	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on June 23, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Martsching, Paul	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: I once saw a Prairie Falcon flying the same way in S. Dakota. Specific: in town (southwest of intersection of 13th & Grand)	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon, not overall tannish. Marsh Hawk, no white rump, wings too dark below, wings too pointy \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/18:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	5
Mark Widrlechner letter to Boone County Bird Count Participants regarding the 1999 Christmas Bird Count results, January 9, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Methodology	1999-01-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Mark Widrlechner to Boone County Bird Count Participants regarding the 1999 Christmas Bird Count results, January 9, 1999. The letter thanks the participants for their efforts in assisting in the count during inclement weather and provides count numbers on the 58 species of birds that were seen on count day as well as three others seen during count week. Of special note were the observations of two species reported for the first time that year: Hooded Merganser and Merlin. Also included are the results from the first twelve Boone County Christmas Bird Counts, January 1, 1986 through January 1, 1998.	Widrlechner, Mark	Merlin Hooded Merganser	Ames Boone County				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	1	5
Jim Sinclair letter to Thomas Kent regarding bird documentation, October 2, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1999-10-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Jim Sinclair to Thomas Kent dated October 2, 1999. Sinclair discusses bird documentation. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1999.	Sinclair, Jim	Arctic Tern Connecticut Warbler	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	28	5
Two letters sent between Rushton G. Cortelyou and Thomas H. Kent, regarding a Piping Plover sighting, July 1986	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1986-05-28	1986-07-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rushton G. Cortelyou letter to Thomas Kent, July 10, 1986, regarding a Piping Plover nest at the MidAmerican Energy Settling Ponds near Council Bluffs, IA on May 28, 1986. There is a response from Kent about Piping Plover sightings as well as how Nebraska ornithologists should report Iowa bird sightings dated July 12, 1986.	Green, Ruth Cortelyou, Rushton G.	Piping Plover	MidAmerican Energy Ponds				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	5
Douglas E. Trapp letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding raptor migration watch, October 3, 1986	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds of prey Birds--Migration Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1986-10-03	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Douglas E. Trapp letter to Thomas H. Kent regarding a raptor migration watch at War Eagle Park in Sioux City, Iowa with field biologist Kevin J. Loftus. It includes other topics such as weather conditions and raptor migration patterns. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of fall 1986.	Trapp, Douglas E.	Red-tailed Hawk Swainson's Hawk Cooper's Hawk American Kestrel Turkey Vulture Osprey Peregrine Falcon	Sioux City War Eagle Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens, 1979	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-30	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on April 30, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting from Claudia Wilds to Mike Newlon, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Purple Sandpiper	Laurens	7 miles south of Laurens, Iowa	large farm mud puddle with corn stubble.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Dick Bierman was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Short bright yellow legs eliminates all similar species, except the Wander [sic] Tattler which has a barred belly \| The original documentation form event occurred from 09:00:00/19:00:00 at the times of 09:00:00, 13:00:00, and 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Purple Sandpiper near New Albin, 1946	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1946-05-12	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Purple Sandpiper near New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on May 12, 1946. Includes a record review document with votes, an account of the sighting in An Annotated List of the Birds of Iowa by Woodward H. Brown, and the original sight record of the Purple Sandpiper in Iowa in Iowa Bird Life 16:70 by A.C. Stewart.	Stewart, C.A.	Purple Sandpiper	New Albin	[...] vicinity of New Albin, Allamakee County, in the extreme northeast corner of the state.	[...] About one-half mile from where the north fork opens into the Mississippi there is a low, rocky waterfall, surrounded by a sand flat.	The documentation form by Charles A. Stewart is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Silver Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-07	1996-04-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Silver Lake in Worth County, IA on May 7, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walter, Janice L.	Red-throated Loon	Silver Lake Wildlife Management Area	Silver Lake, Worth Co., Ia [sic]	Shallow lake	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - above comparisons. Pacific Loon - has straight, unangled bill which is not uptilted, doesn't have the white area above and in front of the eye, has sharp division between white and dark of neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-01-31	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on January 31, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bostian, Kelly	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	East side of Iowa State University Campus	Tree top approximately 40-45 ft. east of Heady Hall (East Hall)	The documentation form by Kelly Bostian is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon: Absence of dark terminal band on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Bean Goose at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-29	1994-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Bean Goose at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County on December 29, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles from bird publications, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Grenon, Alan G. Wright, Rick	Bean Goose	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	In air over DeSoto Lake, east of Wood Duck Nature Trail, Washington Cty., NE, and Pottowatomie Cty., IA, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge		The documentation form by Alan Grenon and Rick Wright is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren Padelford and Babs Padelford, Tanya Bray, Francis L. Moore, Thomas H. Kent, Ross Silcock, Barbara L. Wilson, and Steve Dinsmore were submitted later. Other observers include Jim Dinsmore, Betty Grenon, Graham Chisholm, David Starr, B.J. Rose, Duane Bright, Nancy Curry, Al Werthman, and Melba Wigg. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was noticed flying with seven greater white-fronted geese (A. albifrons), first noticed as significantly larger than accompanying A. albifrons, flew pas several times at distances greater than 200m. Some primaries were damaged. The A. albifrons all had visible pink bills, white faces, and speckled bellies (all adults) The A. fabalis was ca. 125% the size of A. albifrons, with a longer neck, longer bill, and a swan-like profile. Underside plain, grading from the dark brown at chin to white at the vent. Gray-brown above, back feathers with contrasting light edges, primaries dark. Bill: significantly longer than A. albifrons, dark with light area near or at tip, long head profile. Feet: orange. White above and at tip of tail as in A. albifrons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-10-29	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 29, 1997. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Clear Lake, IA Cerro Gordo Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Carolyn J. Fischer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon: smaller loon, bill not heavy, no white indentation mid-neck. Pacific Loon: bill wasn't horizontal, no chin strap, area between front and back of neck was not defined. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on April 13, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, a photo and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Recreation Area (Linn County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include John Daniel, Ken Lowder, and Dale Fye. \| Elimination of similar species: The other smaller loon, Pacific has darker gray upperparts and minimal white marks on the back, gray surrounding the eye, a straight bill, black eye, a more rounded top of the head, and often displays a chin strap, all features which differ from Red-throated Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:37:00/14:54:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-27	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1996. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and shape were clearly those of a loon. The combination of small size, thin, upturned bill, paler head, and speckled mantle eliminates other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:23:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Sioux Center, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-19	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on April 19, 1996. Includes a record review document, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Red-throated Loon	Sioux Center	in a large gravel pit/quarry five miles south of Sioux Center, Sioux County, Iowa.		The documentation form by James Van Dyk is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, upturned bill, slender build, and white-spotted back distinguished this bird from the other Loons. The grayish bill and loon profile eliminated any possible confusion with a Grebe (e.g., Western or Clark's Grebe). \| The original documentation form event did not list a time other than in the afternoon for about 35 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-16	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 16-17, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller size, neck pattern, and bill shape and size eliminated other species of loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:48:00/16:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-11	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on November 11, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek L.	artificial, deep-water lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size of the bird, shape of the bill, and contrast between light and dark argued against Common Loon. Pacific Loon would have a straight bill and darker top of head and back of neck. I did not see any chin strap, but this would have been difficult to see. The fact that I saw the eye in the white area appears to exclude Pacific Loon. The upper parts were lighter than in the two Pacific Loons that I saw this fall. The relatively white fore-neck and face suggests an adult. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-29	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 29, 1995. Includes a record review document and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis "Denny" Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller size, slimmer appearances, and bill size and shape eliminate other loon species, especially Pacific and Common. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:55:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of three Red-throated Loons at Little Wall Lake, 1995.	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-04-22	2000-11-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on April 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red-throated Loon	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake - (Hamilton County)	small lake with trees along edges	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Beth Proescholdt, John Paulin, and Thomas Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Russ Widner, Caryn Hurd, Chris Paulin, Andy Hurd, Stacy Smithson, and Dawn Schwebach. \| Elimination of similar species: A Basic-Plumaged Pacific Loon has no white or pale area above or in front of the eye. It also has a sharp vertical division between dark and light on its neck. A Common Loon is bulkier and bigger and has a large thick bill whose mandibles are straight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa, 1994	Administrative reports Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-25	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 25, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa State Park, Pottawattamie		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roland Barth. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller with a more slender neck and bill than Common Loon. There was no tri-color line on sides of neck (white, dark gray & light gray) that would indicate a Pacific Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Owl at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Owl at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Starr, Robert E.	Snowy Owl	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	"Orchard" area on DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Scattered trees	The documentation form by Robert Starr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	50
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Owl west of Nevada, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Owl west of Nevada in Story County, IA on March 25, 1982.	Roosa, Dean M.	Snowy Owl	Nevada	Story Co. 2 mi W. of Nevada, along Hwy 30	roadside ditch + adjacent agric. fields	The documentation form by Dean M. Roosa is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Short-eared Owl - flight completely different facial disc. short 'ears' Great Horned Owl - Arctic Horned Owl - } distinct 'horns' perching stance vy [sic] different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	50
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret south of Sweet Marsh in 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-30	1980-09-13	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret south of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 30, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Snowy Egret	Sweet Marsh				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	50
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Owl in North Marshall County, 1984	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-28	1984-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Owl in North Marshall County, IA on November 28 - 29, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Snowy Owl	Marshall County	n. Marshall County		The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Garry Brandenburg, Jon Stravers, and Carl Kurtz.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	50
Rare bird documentation form for Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Recreation Area, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-07-11	1981-07-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Recreation Area in Fayette County, IA on July 11, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Clay-colored Sparrow	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga River Rec. Area	General: a clearing in otherwise quite dense woods along old road Specific: 1 cedar tree in opening and many sumacs and other short (10') trees	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: The only real probable problem is the imm. chipping sparrow but song + brown rump ruled this out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	50
Rare bird documentation form for Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-07	1985-07-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Park in Fayette County, IA on July 7, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Clay-colored Sparrow	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga Lake State Pake [sic], Fayette Co., IA	Second growth area with mainly Sumac and E. Red Cedar in overgrown field	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: This birds song and coloration clearly marked it as a Clay-colored Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	50