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

Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on November 16, 1983.	Martsching, Paul	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	Ames, Story County, Iowa [with a drawing and detailed description on second page of document]	in town	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon is light brown. Merlin is much smaller. accipiters have wide wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Brookside Park in Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-12	1985-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a House Finch at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 12, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	House Finch	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	youngish maple trees along Squaw Creek	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch - does not have brown streaks on side (Male); back & wings are rosey. [sic] \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-08	1985-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a House Finch at Ames in Story County, IA on July 8, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	House Finch	Ames	Ames, Story County, Iowa	in town	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch - male has a purplish or rosey [sic] red color & no streaking on breast; song is different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:45:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper east of Colo, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper east of Colo in Story County, IA on May 14, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Western Sandpiper	Colo	pothole one mile east of Colo, Iowa (on old highway 30)	pothole in plowed field	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sandpiper article in American Birds shows both Semipalm and Western with spooned bills and partial webbing between toes, but Semipalms bill is shorter and doesn't droop at end (except in extreme cases with same Semipalm females) and in any case doesn't have the orangish feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Larson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-02	1984-09-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Larson Marsh in Ames in Story County, IA on September 2, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Larson Marsh	Larson Marsh, east of Ames, Story County, Iowa	marsh in midst of corn & soybean fields.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow hawk - kestral [sic]; smaller, & has rust on tail or back; has bold face pattern. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:00:00/17:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on October 10, 1983.	Martsching, Paul	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	Ames, Story County, Iowa	flying over town	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow hawk & Merlin much smaller. Prairie Falcon brown & unlikely anyway. Nighthawk has white bar on wings - floppy flight. other hawks would have wider wings & tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:15:00/17:15:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Smith's Longspurs west of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 30, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Smith's Longspur	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	3 1/2 miles West of Hendricksons Marsh, Story County, Iowa	General: agricultural area Specific: soybean stubble field	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - has longer tail (There were two of these by the road) Pipit - has longer tail (these birds (Smith's) were easy to distinguish from Laplands because of so much more white on the sides of the tail) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Philadelphia Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-03	1982-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Philadelphia Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 3, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Philadelphia Vireo	Brookside Park	Ames (Brookside Park) Story County, Iowa	General: woods Specific: in smallish (20-25 ft) tree by creek	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Warbling Vireo - dark mark between bill and eye; yellow all the way across breast. Red Eyed Vireo - This bird was grayish not greenish; eye stripe not prominent or outlined with black; yellow breast. Yellow Throated Vireo - didn't have specticles [sic]; didn't have wing bars. Nashville Warbler - even the palest Nashville's have eye rings. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00/10:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	80
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Pine Warblers at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 18, 1983.	Martsching, Paul	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park in Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: forested park with some open area and some area with all underbrush removed. Specific: tree in part without undergrowth.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yel Thr Vireo-has yellow specticles [sic], thicker beak, heavier build, no streaking on breast. fem Cap May W has much heavier streaking below, yellowish rump patch; wing bar(s) more or less run together. Palm has chestnut cap & wags tail. fem Blackburnian has dark streaks below, streaks on back, more prominent head markings. Even faintly marked Magnolias have all yellow breast & belly & rump. fem Blackpoll isn't yellow breasted. fem Blk Thr Grn is yellow on side of face & black between chin & breast & some dk streaks on sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-09-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on September 6, 1983.	Martsching, Paul	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: forest Specific: shrubby area	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow Throated Vireo - did not have yellow specticles [sic]; had faint streaks on breast. fall Blackpoll or Bay Breasted Warbler - had no stripes or marks on back; was yellowish on head and head yellow breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Solitary Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Solitary Vireos at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 27, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Blue-headed Vireo	Brookside Park	Brookside Park in Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: woods Specific: woods (bottomland) a lot of trails. most of trees lost 3/4 or more of leaves.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow Throated Vireo - specticles [sic] not yellow; throat not yellow White Eyed Vireo - specticles [sic] not yellow (they both had darkeyes, as does imm. White Eye) Bell's Vireo - specticles [sic] wider - prominent white wing bars \| The original documentation form event occurred once at 14:45:00 and again at 14:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	78
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: bottom land forest Specific: in small (around 15 ft) tree	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo doesn't have streak on sides of breast and doesn't sound like this bird; doesn't have white tail spots. Solitary Vireo's breast isn't yellow with streaks & also doesn't sound like this bird. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-26	1981-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Martsching, Paul	Hooded Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park Ames - Story County	undergrowth in bottomland forest	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include George Brown and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning Warbler - yellow face Connecticut Warbler - yellow face. \| The original documentation form event lasted for about ten minutes in the late morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Big Creek Reservoir, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-07	1980-09-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten Cinnamon Teals at Big Creek Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 7, 1980.	Martsching, Paul	Cinnamon Teal	Big Creek Lake	headwaters of Big Creek reservoir	shallow water interspersed with marsh & some mud flat edge	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel & John _. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue Wing Teal had completely rust colored head, neck, breast & belly Green Wing Teal. Ruddy Duck - didn't' have blue bill or cheek patch or act like a Ruddy Duck. \| The original documentation form event occurred in mid afternoon for 12-15 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-15	1982-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek in Polk County, IA on February 15, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek, Polk Co., Iowa	fields and patches of forest.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: When first saw it thought of Marsh Hawk. Did not have prominent white rump of Marsh Hawk. Marsh Hawk doesn't have the wide white eye brow stripe on very dark head. Wings wider than on Marsh Hawk. Much larger than other accipiters. Other accipiters don't have wide white eye brow stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for about twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1984-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on October 3, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendricksons Marsh - Story County - Iowa	General: Marsh Specific: three on east side of Hendricksons Marsh in weeds abt 1 foot tall: One on west side in weeds 3-4 feet tall.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light stripe thru [sic] crown & doesn't have white stripes on a very dark back. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 13:00:00 and 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on May 7, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie, Story County	wet prairie	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John E. Mayfield. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora does not have white patches on top side of wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:20:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Bell's Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-05	1984-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bell's Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 5, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Bell's Vireo	Brookside Park	Brookside Park - Ames - Story County - Iowa	low land woods	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joseph Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruby-crowned Kinglet is smaller; more active; wing bars more prominent. Warbling Vireo + Philadelphia Vireos do not have wing bars, + don't have eye rings. Solitary Vireo is bigger; more prominent spectacles, back greenish; wing bars more prominent. Orange Crowned + Tennessee Warblers don't have eye ring or wing bars - are greener. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 08:30:00/08:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	77
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope east of Colo, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Red-necked Phalaropes east of Colo in Story County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Red-necked Phalarope	Colo	pothole 2 1/2 miles East of Colo, Story Co, Iowa	agriculture land - with 'trash' + 'stubble.' pothole	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Nolan. \| Elimination of similar species: Wilson's Phalarope - does not have white stripe down wing. head not so dark. Sanderling has white stripe down wing - details seen when swimming rule it out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at State Forest Nursery, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on March 2, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery in Ames, Story County, Iowa	Tree nursery	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - has rusty back. Tail more or less rusty. Has obvious dark markings on lite face. female has rusty wings - male bluish wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Hallett's Quarry in Ames, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-19	1985-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Red-throated Loons at Hallett's Quarry in Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Red-necked Grebe	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallet's [sic] Quarry - Ames, Story County, Iowa	gravel & sand quarry pit	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, and Eric Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned Grebe-much smaller; beak dark; in summer does not have white cheek patch; in winter has lot of white on side of head and all down neck. Eared Grebe-much smaller; beak much smaller; in summer has 'topknot' & yellow on side of head; in winter cheek dark. Pied Billed-much smaller; beak not right shape; is more brown; stripes on young not the same. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-27	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 27, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir - Polk Co., Iowa (at the dam)		The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - this bird had no rust or rufous on back, wings, or tail; or blue in wings like a male Kestrel. And did not have strong face pattern of Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the AM.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Northern Goshawk		Big Creek - Polk Co, Iowa	near marsh with small bunches of trees around & pasture-like areas.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: much too big for Sharp-shinned & Coopers; Coopers doesn't have lite eye line. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 25, 1987.	Martsching, Paul	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co, Iowa		The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Was much larger than immature Little Gull. Sabine's doesn't have black bar on inner half of wings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow in western Ida County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Harris' Sparrow in western Ida County, IA on September 18, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Harris' Sparrow	Ida County	Western Ida County	Shrubby	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:03:00/12:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64