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 near Cedar Rapids, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-09-30	1979-12-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon near Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on September 30, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Cedar Rapids	Weir Nelson's house, Linn Co. IA (on IA 30, a few miles w. of I-380)	mixed area of woods and cropland, a few miles north of the Cedar river	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, Weir Nelson, Michael C. Newlon, Bernie Knight, and Calvin Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: build, prominent 'sideburns' rule out all other middle-sized N Am hawks; build rules out accipiters and broad-wing: sideburns rule out prairie falcon (wd. be very rare in this area). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Dunbar Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1980-09-21	1980-09-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, IA on September 21, 1980.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Dunbar Slough	Dunbar Slough, Greene Co. IA	marshy slough surrounded by farmland	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, Tom Shires, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration, lack of strong facial marks, banded tail, eliminates Am. Kestrel; size eliminates larger falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Lake Diamond County Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-21	1980-09-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Lake Diamond County Park in Poweshiek County, IA on September 21, 1980.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Diamond Lake County Park	Lake Diamond County Park, Poweshiek Co, IA	County park surrounded by pasture/cropland. Drawn-down pond with shorebirds at muddy edge, surrounded by trees.	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, Thomas Kent, and Tom Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, strong 'sideburns' rule out Kestrel, Merlin, Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:32:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for American Avocet at Johnson County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-10-21	1979-12-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Avocet at Johnson County, IA on October 21, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	American Avocet	Johnson County	Johnson Co, IA	Shallow pool with muddy edges; rather large reservoir flood plain - weedy flats, willow thickets. surrounded by fields, second-growth woods	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, Carl Bendorf, Rick Hollis, and many members of the IC bird club. \| Elimination of similar species: unmistakable: white plumage, upturned bil [sic] rule out godwits, stilt, willet, etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	6
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Sand Point	Sand Point on Coralville Resevoir [sic], n. of Iowa City IA	extensive weedy flats - waist to head-high on shore of resevoir. [sic]	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, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Crown-pattern rules out Henslows (lacks grey crown stripe) LeContes (has narrow white stripe), Grasshopper, Baird's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-15	1978-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 15, 1978.	Newlon, Michael C.	Little Blue Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co, Iowa	large marsh, bordered by wooded river bottoms, woods, cropland.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Carol S. Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Uniform dark-blue coloration rules out other herons: neck folded back on shoulders indicates that this bird was a tern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Sand Point	Sand Point, on Coralville Reservoir N. of Iowa City, IA	Reservoir & many dead trees emerging from water - bordered by wide weedy flats. Surrounded by cropland to S, a wooded ridge to N.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Carol S. Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Build rules out all raptors except falcons. Large size, prominent 'side burn' transverse barring on lower parts rule out Prairie Falcon (not expected in IA), Kestrel, Merlin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for LeConte's Sparrow at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten to twenty minimum LeConte's Sparrows at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Le Conte's Sparrow	Sand Point	Sand Point, on Coralville Resevoir [sic] n. of Iowa City IA.	V. extensive weedy flats (waist to head-high) on shore of resevoir [sic]	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Carol Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: grey face patch on yellow face, yellow-orange breast, narrow white crown stripe rule out Henslow's, sharp-tail, grasshopper, Baird's sparrows. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	58
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 Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-05-27	1976-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 27, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Hooded Warbler	Coralville Lake	wooded hillside n. of Co. Rd 'F', just w of highway 218	Specific: a wooded hillside, with mature oaks + shagbark hickories and a dense understory of 6'-10'- high shrubs, and forbs. General: above is part of a large tract of woodland that borders the n. shore of the Coralville Reservoir, separated from the resevoir [sic] by a road and a belt of second-growth woods. to the w. is an old farm, brushy grown-up pastures; to the n. is farmland.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Song, black 'hood' eliminate Kentucky, Canada Warblers - Canada has necklace of streaks, not solid black on throat; Kentucky has no black on throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa City, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-01	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa CIty in Johnson County, IA on November 1, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Northern Flicker	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	lawn with many large hickory trees, in Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City - park contains second growth woods, pastures, brush old fields surrounded on 3 sides by residential areas, farmland on the other side.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: local 'yellow-shafted' has (1) yellow linings to wing + tail, (2) yellow shafts to primaries -> rectrices, (3) black mustache-mark, (4) brown face + grey crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	61
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-10-28	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 28, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, NW of Iowa City, IA	Coralville Res. - wooded ridge to N., extensive water and bare grassy flats in Res. area, then farmland to S.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: imm. Bald Eagle; proportions of head, neck and tail, no white in wing-linings black r-l hawk: lack of any white in primaries and secondaries, large size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Coralville Reservoir, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-09-12	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 12, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res.	reservoir, bordered by wide grassy flats	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: dark tail, lack of face pattern elim. sparrow hawk. Small size + falcon build (long pointed wings, long squared-off tail) rule out other hawks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hickory Hill Park, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-09-18	1977-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on September 18, 1977.	Newlon, Michael C.	Northern Goshawk	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City, IA	park on east edge of Iowa City, stream valley with second-growth woods, pasture, open meadows, thickets.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: accipiter build, grey upper parts + clear grey underpants eliminate all other E. N. hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:05:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco at Iowa City, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-03-30	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Dark-eyed Juncos at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 30, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Dark-eyed Junco	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	feeding on lawn in flock of slate-colored's. , in residential neighborhood.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] head + 'bib' lighter grey than slate-colored's \| The original documentation form event lasted for around a half an hour.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Kent Park, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-12-06	1975-12-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Kent Park in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	F W Kent County Park	Kent Park, ~10 miles west of Iowa City IA	soaring over area of stubble fields, old fields growing up to brush, farms	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: 'ringed' tail, proportion of head, neck, bill; lack of any white in wing-lining on body plumage: all eliminate imm. bald eagle. great size, lack of white in primaries eliminate black rough-leg. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 13:30:00/14:35:00 (seen twice) (total ~ 20 minutes).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-04-10	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 10, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Harris' Sparrow	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir Iowa City, Iowa 52240	woodlot with tall trees, weed patches, brush pile, in an area of fields and second-growth woods.	The documentation form by Michael C Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers are unidentified in the documentation form. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] large sparrow, built like a white-crown but larger, longer-tailed, posture less erect.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Manhattan Point at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 21, 1999.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Manhattan Point	West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson Co., 21 Nov 1999		The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was standing on Manhattan Point with several Herring Gulls of various ages and many more Ring-billed Gulls, facing quarter-on towards Lee Schoenewe and I. It was a dark 1st year gull, similar to, but slightly smaller than, other 1st year Herring Gulls present. It had an all black bill that was smaller than the other Herrings. [...] Lee and I waited for about 10 minutes for the bird to turn to the side, showing us blackish wingtips and dark tertials, eliminating the Thayer's Gull possbility we had been considering. The wing tips extended farther beyond the body than on the Herring Gulls. [...] There was no pale 'window' in the inner primaries as in a Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the early afternoon for approximately 10 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Whimbrel at Algona, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-06-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Whimbrel at Algona in Kossuth County, IA on June 26, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Whimbrel	Algona	behind HyVee Store Algona, Kossuth, Co. Ia.	almost - dry ponds / large mudflats	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karla Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: wrong sizes, no head stripes and lack of records eliminate long-billed curlew + eskimoe [sic] curlew lack of head stripes + upturned bills eliminate godwits no underwing marking seen, but willet has straight bill + no head stripes \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	12
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Irvington, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Irvington in Kossuth County, IA on October 23, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Prairie Falcon	Irvington	2 mi E of Irvington, Kossuth Co. Ia	open, harvested fields	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karla Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird did not have dark color of Peregrine's back, dark cap, or heavy 'sideburns'. Did not have the heavy barring on the underside of the tail like the Merlin. Dark axillaries and dark bar on underwing are features of no other raptor, falcon or other wise. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Algona, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-05	1999-11-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Algona in Kossuth County, IA on November 5, 1999.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Summer Tanager	Algona	at birdbath in my backyard [...] 709 N. Phillips, Algona, Iowa 50511		The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his family. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The thick, blunt bill shape and larger bill size eliminates warblers and vireos, and it was a larger bird than those by comparison with the Cardinal. Female Scarlet Tanager is eliminated by the lack of olive tones to the plumage, especially in the wing, which was the same color as the back and not darker. The reddish tinge to the yellow on parts of the bird is consistent with some female Summer Tanagers, but not Scarlet Tanager. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:05:00/17:06:00 on November 5, 1999 and around 07:50:00 on November 7, 1999.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-22	1997-10-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on October 22, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Western Sandpiper	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co., south side of B14	mudflats in marsh	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carolyn Fischer and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Semipalmated only true possibilitys [sic] bill difference - long, dropped, tapered call difference rufous scapular edges gray basic plumage in place \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Solitary Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Solitary Sandpipers at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on May 24, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Solitary Sandpiper	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough Nat. W.R., Kossuth Co., Ia., south side of Titonka blacktop, East shore	Marsh	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: They did not have the yellow legs of the yellow legs. The eye ring is definately [sic] the mark of the solitary. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	9
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Union Slough NWR, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1997-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Smith's Longspurs at Union Slough NWR in Kossuth County, IA on April 27, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co. main crossdike between B pool + C pool	marsh with open farm fields on both sides	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds didn't have white on the belly or black spilling from the face onto the chest or "bib" like Lapland Longspurs. There were no "tew" notes thrown in with the rattle calls, a possible point of separation between Smith's + Laps. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:10:00 and 09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Forster's Tern at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Forster's Tern at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on April 11, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Forster's Tern	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough N.W.R., Kossuth Co., Ia.	Marsh, open water pools on either side of dike.	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The common has darker wingtips than wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	43