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 Thayer's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1981	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-03-19	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and comments about the sighting, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Thayer's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Peter C. Petersen, and Robert K. Myers were submitted later. Other observers include Tom Shires, James Kovanda, Sandra Kovanda, Tanya Bray, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, B.J. Rose, and four unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The above description separates by direct comparison first-year Thayer's and Herring Gulls, the most similar species present. Thayer's may be confused in first year plumage with Kumlien's form of Iceland Gull, but the Thayer's had primaries slightly darker than the mantle (from above), whereas the opposite occurs in Iceland Gull (Lehman). Lehman also notes that some first-year Western Gulls may show translucent primaries from below in certain light, but these observations took place in excellent light at fairly close range. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Little Clear Lake, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Little Clear Lake in Pocahontas County, IA on March 22, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Glaucous Gull	Little Clear Lake Park	Little Clear Lake	aerial	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull + Ivory \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-24	1981-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 24, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co. Ia	Lake and marsh in Nishnabottna River bottoms. - Willow S.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-24	1981-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 24, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Lake Manawa	L. Manawa, Pottawattamie Co. IA	Large round lake in Missouri River bottoms at south edge of Council Bluffs - Lake Manawa	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup--head shape and wing stripe were the differential features noted. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-26	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 26, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Park Farm, NE Mills County, near Willow Slough	unplowed cornfield	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger, with a longer bill (not lavender), and head not rounded. Snow Geese have a black 'grin' on bill, which I could see in the telescope on the larger geese as I looked at Ross's. \| The original documentation form event occurred around a half an hour near sunset.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-28	1981-03-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 28, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough (SW Iowa)	marsh at very low water level - mud flat	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow goose is bigger - has grinning patch - has longer neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:15:00/07:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire north of Redfield, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire north of Redfield in Dallas County, IA on March 29, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Townsend's Solitaire	Redfield	1 1/2 mile north of Redfield, Iowa	General: a deep ravine with a small decidious [sic] bottom land lined with 200 yds of dense red cedar growth on both sides. Specific: small decidous [sic] tree in bottom	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Alan Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Catbird - to [sic] dark - lacks eye ring Blackbird - to [sic] dark - to [sic] chunky - eye ring to [sic] small Phoebe - breast to light - lacks eye ring Mockingbird - to [sic] large - has white wing bars - no eye ring - light breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Burrowing Owl south of Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Burrowing Owl south of Ames in Story County, IA on April 1, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Burrowing Owl	Ames	1 mi. S. of Ames IA	farm land - plowed field, grass edge and grassy yard 1 mi S. of U.S. 30 on Elwood, Ames IA	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Kent, Hank Zaletel, James Dinsmore, and unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: no similar species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	51
Rare bird documentation form for Louisiana Waterthrush at Brookside Park in Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-04	1981-04-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentaiton form for a Louisiana Waterthrush at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 4, 5, and 6, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Louisiana Waterthrush	Brookside Park	Brookside Park; Ames, Iowa; Story County, Washington Twsp, Sect. 3	General: small deciduous woodland bordering a medium sized stream Specific: a medium sized stream bordered by overhanging deciduous trees and shrubs and containing many exposed mudflats, rocks and logs.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Audrey Moore, Linda Zaletel, Hank Zaletel, and Bill Robbins. \| Elimination of similar species: Ovenbirds have a medium crown stripe and an eyering and do not walk with bobbing motions. Spotted Sandpipers -- are larger and have longer bills. Thrushes (Turdidae) -- lack an eyestripe Northern Waterthrush -- has a streaked throat, smaller bill, buffy cream eyestripe and more yellow on underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	38
Rare bird documentation form for White-eyed Vireo at Sunken Grove, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-05	1981-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bid documentation form for a White-eyed Vireo at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on April 5, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	White-eyed Vireo	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove	General: deciduous woods Specific: large oak and secondary growth	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: all other species with a yellow spectacle are eliminated by the white iris and white breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	76
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh near Parkersburg, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-05	1981-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh near Parkersburg in Butler County, IA on April 5, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Marbled Godwit	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh near Parkersburg, IA (Butler County)	Marsh, Shallow and mostly drained marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Jody Hines, Antoinette Camarata, and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit has white upper-tail coverts and no cinnamon in the under-wing linings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1981-04-05	1981-04-15	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on April 5, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Marbled Godwit	Big Marsh Wildlife Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Roberts Riverside Park in Van Buren County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-11	1981-04-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Roberts Riverside Park in Van Buren County, IA on April 11, 1981.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Yellow-throated Warbler	Keosauqua	Roberts Riverside Park - one mile north of Keosauqua, Van Buren County, Iowa on Des Moines River. Bird seen at extreme north end of park.	General: High up in sycamore tree on river bank Specific: Bird varied altitude from 30-75' in sycamore tree; flew to small sapling about 25' in front of me for short time.	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Johanna K. Sandrock. \| Elimination of similar species: not yellow-rumped warbler because of white throat and black breast-ring \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-11	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 11, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs	Lake -oxbow lake	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Differs from Lesser Scaup in head shape, size, size of bill. Differs from many Lessers in white flanks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/18:15:00 or more.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Martin Marietta Sand Pits, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-12	1981-04-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Martin Marietta Sand Pits in Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on April 12, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Red-necked Grebe	East Lake	Martin Marietta Sand Pits, Waterloo, IA (Adjacent to George Wyth S.P.) Black Hawk County	Open water and flooded sand pit	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone, Jr. and Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Stocky appearance, long red neck and large white or gray patch on throat that extended through the auricular and into the nape, distinguished this bird from the Western, Horned, or eared Grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Iowa City, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 17, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Bewick's Wren	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	General: Brush, wooded draw with junk--between yards in city Specific: N. Summit St Iowa City N. of cemetery and w. of Hickory Hill Park, behind apartments	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: House wren brown, shorter tail, no eye-line Carolina Wren much redder \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/17:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Diamond Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Diamond Lake in Poweshiek County, IA on April 23, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Snowy Egret	Diamond Lake	Diamond L., Montezuma, Poweshiek Co IA	antipied lake, water level low, N. Cove at Diamond L.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret - size, bill + feet color wrong. Immature Little Blue heron - season, bill and feet color, plumes wrong. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:40:00/18:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
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 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at East Amana, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-26	1981-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at East Amana in Iowa County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	East Amana	East Amana, Iowa Co IA	General: pasture with scattered multiflora rose, bordered by a stand of saplings and two groves of large trees. Specific: stream valley with pastures, wood lots.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include C.S. Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: long forked tail, pale head, crimson axillaries rule out forked-tailed flycatcher, only similarly-built species \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:40:00/18:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near East Amana, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Photography of birds Rare birds	1981-04-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near East Amana in Iowa County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	East Amana	near E. Amana, Iowa County, Iowa	General: Pasture with trees and small shrubs. Specific: 1 mi. E. 1 1/2 mi N. 1/8 mi E of East Amana	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Thomas Shires, Rick Hollis, and two couples from Amana. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:00:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher northeast of East Amana, 1981	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-26	1981-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher northeast of East Amana in Iowa County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	East Amana	2miles [sic] NE of East Amana, IA. Iowa County	Along dry sandy road in open rolling pastureland with scattered small to large trees. Across road was large open grassy field.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lanny Haldy, Randy Graesser, Tom Kent, Tom Shires, and Rick Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Kingbird- would not have scarlet wing linings and distinct scissor type tail. This was an immature bird as an adult scissor-tail would have a tail twice as long as the body. There might also be more indication of red on the shoulder beside the folded wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Forney's Lake, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Forney's Lake near I-29 in Fremont County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Bray, Tanya Kovanda, James, Jr. Kovanda, Sandra	Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Forneys Lake	I-29 Lake at Forney's Exit; Fremont County	Small pond with mud bar	The documentation form by Tanya Bray, Sandy Kovanda, and Jim Kovanda is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-26	1981-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Sandy Beach, n. shore of Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co, IA	Reservoir set amid cropland, pasture, forest, some 'suburban' housing. Arm of reservoir with mudflats, willow thickets.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol S. Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: unbanded tail & large size eliminate Merlin, heavy contrast between under & upper parts, 'moustache', lack of dark axillaries eliminate Prairie Falcon. (Size & build definitely rule out other types of hawks.) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Riverton State Wildlife Management Area, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-04-26	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Riverton State Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on April 26, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of the review, correspondence from Barb Wilson to Tom Kent about the sighting, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Black-headed Gull	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton State Wildlife Management Area Fremont County, Iowa		The documentation form by Tanya Bray forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Rick Wright, and W. Ross Silcock were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonoparte's [sic] Gull; The main differences noted were the size and shape of the bill(much longer and heavier than Bonoparte's [sic]) and the style of flight.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee Review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Amana Lake, 1981	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-04-28	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on April 28, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee. The bird was initially reported as an Arctic Loon but was found to be a Pacific Loon.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Pacific Loon	Lily Pond	Amana Lake-- near Amana, IA. in Iowa County	On water of Amana Lake. Man-made lake and very shallow-less than four feet anywhere.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Michael C. Newlon and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Tom Staudt, James Huntington, Carl Bendorf, James Sandrock, Lanny Haldy, Tom Shires, and Carol Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon is eliminated. No neck ring was present. Distinct lighter color on back on head and upper neck is not like solid head color of loon. Red-throated Loon is eliminated by presence of distinctive light patches on back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7