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 Henslow's Sparrow at Cayler Prairie, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-17	1988-04-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Cayler Prairie in Dickinson County, IA on April 17, 1988.	Probst, Jerry	Henslow's Sparrow	Cayler Prairie State Preserve	Cayler Prairie Dickenson [sic] Co.	Prairie Marsh	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Audubon Group and Bill Huser. \| Elimination of similar species: Bairds - median crown stripe continuous down back olive coloring Savannah - olive crown stripe plain nape with contrast with back Vesper - no white on tail, olive nape, contrast with back LeConte's - streaked on breast, olive med. crown stripe, unstreaked olive nape \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Lamoni, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Grosbeak at Lamoni in Decatur County, IA on November 8, 1984.	Livingston, Jeffrey R.	Pine Grosbeak	Lamoni	Lamoni, Iowa	A small wood lot with good undergrowth. Most of the larger trees have fallen over. Most of the small bushes have berries.	The documentation form by Jeffrey R. Livingston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Breshears. \| Elimination of similar species: Upon first seeing the bird and noticing the bill, I thought of an Evening Grossbeak, [sic] but this bird had a dark bill not a yellow-green one. The body was definitely gray not yellowish. When I saw it closer and in better light, I noticed the rust on the head and rump. This eliminated the Evening Grossbeak. [sic] The bird had no crest or prominent eye markings as do the Waxwings. The under tail coverts were gray. The waxwings are rusty. The White-winged Crossbill is lots smaller and has red on the breast and throat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park in Decatur County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Livingston, Jeffrey R.	Pileated Woodpecker	Nine Eagles State Park	Nine Eagles State Park (Decatur County)	Dense mature wood lands	The documentation form by Jeffrey R. Livingston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	62
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler at Union City Township in Allamakee County, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-01-27	1996-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler at Union City Township in Allamakee County, IA on January 27, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Union City Township	Allamakee Co.: Corner of A26 and English Bench Rd.	Cedar Grove on hillside	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Lesher. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] We clinched this bird on its call, the yellow rump, and habitat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Nezekaw Point, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	1996-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Nezekaw Point in Allamakee County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Summer Tanager	Nezekaw Point	Allamakee Co. S of Yellow River, along HWY 76, (label on topo map: "Nezekaw Point"	Forest, Upland, Oak-Hickory	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Lesher and Brian Collins. \| Elimination of similar species: It lacked the black wings of the scarlet tanager (in any plumage) and also the dark tail of the scarlet. It lacked the wing bars and bill of a female Baltimore Oriole. Its bill and crown were unlike that of a female cardinal. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-03-17	1996-06-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on March 17, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Greater Scaup	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn County	Lake	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Dankert. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser, as described above. I watched the birds for several minutes, making sure that they weren't changing crown feathers and 'hiding' the peak characteristic of L. Scaup.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Common Yellowthroat at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-11-27	1992-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Yellowthroat at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County, IA on November 27, 1992.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Common Yellowthroat	Morgan Creek Park	Morgan Creek Co. P., Linn Co., 1 mile NW of Cedar Rapids, IA	Pond and stream bordered by grass and shrubs	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I did not confuse this warbler with any other warbler. Its behavior and field marks were diagnostic of the Common Yellowthroat \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	40
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at MacBride Recreation Area, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1994-06-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at MacBride Recreation Area in Johnson County, IA on June 5, 1994.	Dankert, David L. Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Prairie Warbler	Macbride Nature Recreation Area	Johnson Co: 4/10 mi into MacBride Recreation Area, in a field on private land.	Dry upland, grassy field, with many low trees and shrubs; a few larger trees	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert and Dave Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chris Edwards. \| Elimination of similar species: The observation of the bird, singing during observation, left no doubt to its identity. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Shenandoah, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-08	1991-05-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Shenandoah in Page County, IA on May 8, 1991.	Braley, Jean B.	Bewick's Wren	Shenandoah	209 W. Thomas Ave., Shenandoah, IA.	Residential yard; large trees, variety of shrubs	The documentation form by Jean Bordner Braley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include F.M. Braley. \| Elimination of similar species: Carolina Wren: I observed the bird was white on breast + throat; tail different; have not heard Carolina sing the way Bewick's did; tailflicking/switching sideways not noticed in Carolina. \| The original documentation form event occurred on and off from 07:30:00/10:00:00 .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird at Iowa City, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-04-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 2, 1989.	Hollis, Janet	Gray Catbird	Iowa City	Iowa City	backyard, suburban, around feeders	The documentation form by Janet Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. The form was transcribed from an oral account by Richard Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: I discussed some plain birds - Female Cowbirds, some female or young grackles, showed her pictures + could not shake her opinion \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 26, 1978.	Greer, Janet	Yellow-headed Blackbird	Council Bluffs	Feeder at 341 Steven Circle, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501		The documentation form by Janet Greer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include the Greer family. \| Elimination of similar species: There are none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	75
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Zirbel Slough, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-08-04	1988-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on August 4, 1988.	Walter, Janice L.	Red-necked Grebe	Zirbel Slough	East-west dike on north side of Zirbel Slough, Cerro Gordo Co., Ia	small open pool in dense marsh. Pool at base of dike.	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape and behavior of Grebe. Size eliminated Pied-billed, Eared, and Horned Grebes. Reddish instead of white neck and thicker, heavier bill eliminated Western Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:14:00/20:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Northwestern States Portland Cement Co. (Lehigh Cement Co. now) in Mason City, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Northwestern State Portland Cement Co. (Lehigh Cement Co. now) in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Walter, Janice L.	Mute Swan	Mason City	Northwestern States Portland Cement Co., Mason City, Ia.	Open water pond on cement plant grounds	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Walter, Curt Nelson, and plant workers. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, color, and shape eliminate all but Tundra and Trumpeter Swans. Neck curve and bill coloration eliminate them. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Rock Falls, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-10	1992-05-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Rock Falls in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 10, 1992.	Walter, Janice L.	Golden Eagle	Rock Falls	About 3/4 mi w. of S-62, 1 1/2 mi. n. of B-20, Rock Falls, Iowa	Plowed field and pasture with stream through it	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim B. Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Small head, longer tail, absence of any white in plumage eliminated Bald Eagle. Size much larger than common, familiar Red-tailed Hawk eliminated dark morph buteos as did lack of strong contrast between flight feathers and under wing linings. It did not have the 2-toned under wings, strong dihedral or rocking flight of the Turkey Vulture. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Mason City, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-02-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 28, 1991.	Walter, Janice L.	Peregrine Falcon	Mason City	Mason City		The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim B. Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Size was much larger than the Kestrels we're used to seeing \| The original documentation form event lasted for twenty minutes in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Mason City, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-23	1990-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 23, 1990.	Walter, Janice L.	Summer Tanager	Mason City	934 - 13th S.E., Mason City, Ia.	Urban yard with Large Green Ash trees	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The reddish not greenish yellow color of the underparts eliminated female Scarlet Tanager. The thicker bill, not pointed at the tip, eliminated female Northern Oriole. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 13:50:00/13:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Willet at Cone Marsh, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-03-27	1994-06-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Willets at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 27, 1994.	Scheib, James	Willet	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co.	marsh	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sharon Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: No other shorebird of this area has the Willet underwing markings combined with the uniformly drab body. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	10
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-04	1992-04-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Hawk at Round Pond in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on April 4, 1992.	Scheib, James	Swainson's Hawk	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Just east & south of Round Pond in Hawkeye WIldlife Area, Johnson Co.	Over trees lining a grassy field on south side of Swan Lake Road.	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sharon Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: I assumed a Red-tailed hawk until I put my binoculars on it and saw that it lacked the patagial marks of a RTH and had a dark mottled pattern underneath including the breast, thus really getting my attention. I next assumed a Rough-legged Hawk and looked to the wing pattern, but the wrist markings were dark commas, not the large carpal patch in a RLH. See above for RTH & RLH. From the first I never considered it to be a Red-shouldered Hawk because of the highly contrasting patterning of the underside as opposed to the duller, finer underside of the RSH. The size was also that of a larger hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Casey Barrow, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-08-16	1992-08-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five King Rails at Casey Barrow in Des Moines County, IA on August 16, 1992.	Scheib, James	King Rail	Casey Barrow Landing	Casey Barrow, N. of Burlington	Edge of sand bar with tall growth	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Randall Pinkston and Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Size ruled out Virginia and Sora. Other large rails have dark underparts on young birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/19:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993.	Scheib, James	Nashville Warbler	Hancher Auditorium	W. side of Hancher lot, Iowa City	Evergreens, Pines bordering lot	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Fuller and John McClure. \| Elimination of similar species: N. Parula has white wing bars and incomplete eye ring; Magnolia has wing bars, yellow rump, and breast streaking; Pine has wing bars, streaking, white undertail coverts; Mourning and Connecticut do not have yellow throat; Canada has breast streaking and white undertail coverts: Common Yellowthroat immature does not have gray head and face. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 21:00:00/21:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	20
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 15, 1993.	Scheib, James	Pine Warbler	Hickory Hill Park	Hiclory [sic] Hill Park, Iowa City	Oak tree near pavilion	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape was not a vireo or a flycatcher. 'No other bright yellow-breasted warbler, lacking other conspicuous marks, has white wing bars.' R.T. Peterson. (In spring...JES) \| The original documentation form event lasted from appoximately 07:35:00/07:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
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 Rough-legged Hawk east of Mount Vernon, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-11	1982-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Rough-legged Hawk east of Mount Vernon in Linn County, IA on May 11, 1982.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Rough-legged Hawk	Mount Vernon	1-2 miles east of Mt. Vernon, IA (Linn County) on Highway 30.	N/A	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Did not have the red tail of Red-tailed Hawk; a Northern Harrier would be slimmer with longer, narrower tail and wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:32:00/15:35:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	30
Rare bird documentation form for Magnolia Warbler at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-18	1982-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Magnolia Warbler at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on April 18, 1982.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Magnolia Warbler	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Lacey-Keosauqua SP, Van Buren County, IA	Shrubs and saplings along creek.	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was not a Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) Warbler since it lacked yellow cap, had heavily streaked yellow breast, and showed wing patches rather than wing bars. The yellow patch before each wing (which would be characteristic of Yellow-rumped Warbler) was absent on this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:05:00/07:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	23
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler at Roberts Riverside Park in Van Buren County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-18	1982-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler at Roberts Riverside Park in Van Buren County, IA on April 18, 1982.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Bay-breasted Warbler	Keosauqua	Roberts Riverside Park, Van Buren County, IA	Oak/sycamores on riverbank	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other bird has this combination of size, coloration, etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 16:00:00/16:01:00 for about ten seconds.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32