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

Iowa RBA, May 13, 1996	Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Parulidae \| Warblers Dial-a-message telephone calls	1996-05-13	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa RBA update for May 13, 1996. Highlights of the update include sightings of a Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Tanager, Worm-eating Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Prairie Warblers, Little Blue Heron, and Red-necked Grebe. Also included are handwritten notes for the next week’s update with sightings of several species of Shorebirds such as Marbled Godwits, American Avocets, Dunlins and a Wilson's Phalarope.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	American Avocet Little Blue Heron Marbled Godwit Red-necked Grebe Western Tanager Black-headed Grosbeak Dunlin Wilson's Phalarope Black-throated Blue Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Prairie Warbler	Coralville Lake Lake Macbride State Park Lily Pond Osceola Mehaffey Bridge Ambrose A Call State Park Macbride Nature Recreation Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	43	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Warren County Conservation Board Headquarters, 1996	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-12	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Conservation Board Headquarters in Warren County, IA on May 12, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Ken Brock to Tom Kent and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Black-headed Grosbeak	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Warrren Co. Conservation Board Headquarters	small deciduous trees	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Several [female symbol] Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were present for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Pine Lake State Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	1996-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to three Pine Warblers at Pine Lake State Park in Hardin County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pine Warbler	Pine Lake State Park	Pine Lake S.P. - (Hardin County)	Wooded area with some big white pines around and other pines, too	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Russ Widner. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has yellow spectacles, a gray rump, and an entirely different song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
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 Red-necked Grebe at Big Creek Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek L., Polk Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The shape was obviously that of a grebe. The bird was much too large for a Horned or Eared grebe, both of which were seen within an hour of this sighting. The combination of large size, white throat/cheek patch, and bill size and color eliminates all other grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res., Polk Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and bill color and size all eliminate other grebes. Note that we had just seen another Red-necked Grebe on nearby Big Creek L. 2 hours earlier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:05:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Brewer's Blackbird	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek M., Greene Co., IA	small island in pond	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bert Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark eye and lack of any rust color eliminates Rusty Blackbird, which is similar in size and shape to this bird. Common Grackle has a longer tail, females show lots of brown color, and the call note is different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:54:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Fish Crow southwest of Oakville, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-11	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Fish Crow southwest of Oakville in Louisa County, IA on May 11, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Fish Crow	Oakville	1/2 mi SW Oakville, Louisa Co, IA	Bottomland Forest along Iowa River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Crow - larger, different call, flight stronger. Due to late season no Am. Crows have fledged. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	46
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 10, 1996. Includes one record review document with votes, a photograph, correspondence about bird sighting, an Iowa Bird Life Article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	resting on beach with other gulls	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was clearly one of the "hooded" gulls. The combination of size, mantle color, and upperwing pattern eliminates all of the hooded gulls except for Franklin's Gull. The larger size, less obvious white eye crescents, larger and longer bill, and extensively dark tips to the underwings eliminated Franklin's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff south of Grimes, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff south of Grimes in Polk County, IA on May 10, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Ruff	Grimes	S. of Grimes	minimum-till corn field with standing water, old stocks	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Dennis Thompson, Reid Allen, and Pam Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: white underwings, U-Shaped white tail patch, small head, & size seem to eliminate other species. Too large for White-rumped. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 17:30:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Eldon J. Bryant letters to Thomas H. Kent regarding a possible Western Tanager that had been injured, May 8, 1996	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Feeding and feeds Wildlife rehabilitation	1996-05-08	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letters from Eldon J. Bryant to Thomas H. Kent regarding a possible Western Tanager that had been injured, May 8, 1996. The identity of the bird was in question as the wildlife rehabilitator, Gay Chapman, thought it was a Scarlet Tanager in moult. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1996.	Bryant, Eldon J.	Western Tanager Scarlet Tanager	Fairfield				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	1
Iowa RBA, May 6, 1996	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birdsongs Dial-a-message telephone calls	1996-05-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa RBA update for May 6, 1996. Highlights of the update include sightings of a Neotropic Cormorant, twenty White-faced Ibis, an immature Little Blue Heron, Cinnamon Teal, Red-necked Grebe, Bewick's Wren and a Snowy Egret. Also included are handwritten notes for the next week’s update with sightings of an adult Mute Swan, Ruddy Turnstone and a Yellow-crowned Night Heron.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	White-faced Ibis Little Blue Heron Neotropic Cormorant Red-necked Grebe Bewick's Wren Cinnamon Teal Mute Swan Snowy Egret Ross' Goose Yellow-Crowned Night Heron Ruddy Turnstone	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area George Wyth Memorial State Park Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area Lee County Little River Recreation Area Snake Creek State Game Management Area Myre Slough State Game Management Area Lakin Slough State Game Management Area Sandy Beach Public Use Area Chelsea Beaver Valley Wetland Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	43	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for White-faced Ibis at Snake Creek Marsh in 1996	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Photography of birds Rare birds	1996-05-06	2000-11-22	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for twenty White-faced Ibis at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on May 5, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and the original sighting record found in the field notes of Pam Allen and Reid Allen.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	White-faced Ibis	Snake Creek State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-04	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area in Decatur County, IA on May 4, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Neotropic Cormorant	Little River Recreation Area	Little River Rec. Area	large reservoir with numerous dead snags	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: My only concern was to adequately eliminate Double-crested Cormorant, many of which were available for direct comparisons. The size, tail length, and throat patch pattern all eliminate this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:25:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	12
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records committee review of a Snowy Plover at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on May 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Plover	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Saylorville Res., Polk Co., IA-Oak Grove Beach	sandy beach	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The plover shape, size, and overall color were enough to eliminate all shorebirds except Piping. [sic] Plover. Piping Plover was eliminated by the dark legs and bill, pattern of black on the head, and bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Iowa RBA, April 29, 1996	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Dial-a-message telephone calls	1996-04-29	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa RBA update for April 29, 1996. Highlights of the update include sightings of White-faced Ibis, Little Blue Heron, Piping Plover, Red-necked Phalarope, Marbled Godwit and a White-winged Scoter. Also included are handwritten notes for the next week’s update with sightings of Willets, Stilt Sandpipers and a Long-billed Dowitcher.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	White-faced Ibis Little Blue Heron Marbled Godwit Long-billed Dowitcher White-winged Scoter Piping Plover Willet White-rumped Sandpiper Stilt Sandpiper Red-necked Phalarope	Dunbar Slough Sac County Lily Pond Ada Hayden Heritage Park Rock Creek Lake Polk City Wildlife Area Sand Point				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	43	3
Jack A. Holloway III email to James J. Dinsmore regarding a Spotted Towhee sighting, April 26, 1996	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting	1996-04-26	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field note about a Spotted Towhee sighting contributed by Jack A. Holloway III in an email to James J. Dinsmore. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1996.	Holloway, Jack A.	Spotted Towhee	Sioux City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	1
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope north of Lake View, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-04-26	1996-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Phalarope north of Lake View in Sac County, IA on April 26, 1996.	Thelen, Rob	Red-necked Phalarope	Lake View	little pond 1/4 m No. of Lake View	Shed water in a pasture by a creek	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: It was smaller than Wilsons had dark legs + dark back. short bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Iowa RBA, April 22, 1996	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birdsongs Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Dial-a-message telephone calls	1996-04-22	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa RBA update for April 22, 1996. Highlights of the update include sightings of Little Gull, Red-throated Loon, Snowy Egret, Marbled Godwit and a Fish Crow. Also included are handwritten notes for the next week’s update with sightings of Willets, Dunlins and Wilson's Phalaropes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Little Blue Heron Marbled Godwit Red-throated Loon Fish Crow Snowy Egret Dunlin Wilson's Phalarope Willet Hudsonian Godwit Little Gull	Bay Branch Decorah Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge Sioux County Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Black Hawk Lake Sullivan Slough				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	43	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-21	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on April 21, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentations submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Little Gull	Black Hawk Lake	[...] south east corner of Blackhawk Lake in Sac Co.		The documentation by Peter Ernzen forms the basis of this record. A documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The other five hooded gulls were eliminated for a variety of reasons. Franklin's and Laughing Gull would be larger, darker mantled and have a prominent eye ring. Sabine's Gull would've had a bicolored bill, forked tail and different - white triangular - pattern to its wings. The larger Common Black-headed Gull looks like a larger version of a Bonaparte's Gull with a brownish hood and a red bill. The associated Bonaparte's Gulls were darker mantled and larger. The wings were more angular in appearance with a white leading edge and black wing tips. I have observed all but the Laughing Gull - though the Sabine's Gulls were immature, the distinctive wing pattern is present in both adults and immatures - and feel confident in calling this an adult Little Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00 and 11:00:00/11:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Sioux Center, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-19	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on April 19, 1996. Includes a record review document, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Red-throated Loon	Sioux Center	in a large gravel pit/quarry five miles south of Sioux Center, Sioux County, Iowa.		The documentation form by James Van Dyk is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, upturned bill, slender build, and white-spotted back distinguished this bird from the other Loons. The grayish bill and loon profile eliminated any possible confusion with a Grebe (e.g., Western or Clark's Grebe). \| The original documentation form event did not list a time other than in the afternoon for about 35 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Dorothy Aldrich letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding White-winged Crossbill and Sandhill Crane sightings, April 17, 1996	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification	1996-04-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Dorothy Aldrich to James J. Dinsmore regarding White-winged Crossbill and Sandhill Crane sightings, April 17, 1996. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1996.	Aldrich, Dorothy	White-winged Crossbill Sandhill Crane	Grundy Center Chelsea				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	27	1
Iowa RBA, April 15, 1996	Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Dial-a-message telephone calls	1996-04-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa RBA update for April 15, 1996. Highlights of the update include sightings of two female Surf Scoters, Cattle Egrets, Great-tailed Grackles and a Hudsonian Godwit. Also included are handwritten notes for the next week’s update with sightings of the first Orange-crowned Warbler of the season, Louisiana Waterthrush and a Yellow-throated Warbler.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	American Avocet Mute Swan Yellow-throated Warbler Cattle Egret Surf Scoter Hudsonian Godwit Orange-crowned Warbler Louisiana Waterthrush Lincoln's Sparrow Great-tailed Grackle	Blue Lake Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area Jester Park Moorehead Pioneer Park Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge Lily Pond Starr's Cave Nature Center Corydon				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	43	3
Iowa RBA, April 8, 1996	Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Dial-a-message telephone calls	1996-04-08	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa RBA update for April 8, 1996. Highlights of the update include sightings of a Cassin's Finch, Cinnamon Teal, Smith's Longspur, Glaucous Gull and Sandhill Cranes. Also included are handwritten notes for the next week’s update with sightings of a Mute Swan at Otter Creek Marsh.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Smith's Longspur Cinnamon Teal Mute Swan Ross' Goose Osprey Glaucous Gull Snow Goose Greater White-fronted Goose Sandhill Crane Cassin's Finch	Big Creek Lake Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area Lone Tree Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge Plymouth Palo Northwood				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	43	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1996	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on April 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about bird sightings, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	below dam at Red Rock, Marion Co.	D.M. River	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird did not have the large headed, large billed 'predatory' look of a Glaucous Gull. The overall lightness and the lack of dark primaries and no tail band would eliminate Thayers Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:54:00/10:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4