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 Black-legged Kittiwake at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-10	1990-11-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1990.	Johnson, Ann	Black-legged Kittiwake	Jester Park	Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	Open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and Des Moines Audubon. \| Elimination of similar species: Although a number of first year gulls show some type of dark "M", none of the expected, or even unexpected, species have the combination of the wing pattern and neck collar that this bid had. Bonaparte's, Ross', Com. Black-headed, Little and Sabine's gulls could all be eliminated by the presence of the collar. Red-legged Kittiwake, the one gull to share the neck collar, was eliminated by the black carpal bar and black tips to tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Jester Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1990-11-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1990.	Johnson, Ann	Surf Scoter	Jester Park	Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	Open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engrebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and others from the Des Moines Audubon. \| Elimination of similar species: Most ducks were eliminated by the angle/slope of the head and bill and the size of the bill. Although there was a similarity of head profile to the Common Eider, the facial spots eliminated any eider. Black Scoter would have a more rounded head with a uniform lighter cheek area as opposed to the spots on this bird. White-winged Scoter should have shown more rounded angle form the top of the head to the bill, generally would have less distinct facial spots, and definitely would have had white wing patches when the bird raised its wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-03-01	1989-04-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Reinbeck in Black Hawk County, IA on March 1, 1989.	Johnson, Ann	Prairie Falcon	Reinbeck	4 miles e. Reinbeck, Black Hawk County, IA	Farmstead with silos, open fields	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Chuck Fuller, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Other hawks were eliminated by the long, pointed wings and general body shape. Size eliminated all falcons but the peregrine, but the presence of the black axillars confirmed that this was indeed a Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:56:00/18:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Cedar Lake, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-11-01	1991-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Cedar Lake in Linn County, IA on November 1, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Black-legged Kittiwake	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA	Lake formed by backwater of Cedar River	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown, Tim Schantz, and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: A first winter Bonaparte's Gull, the most likely gull to be confused with this bird, was eliminated by the presence of a distinct black collar, black outer primaries, and white trailing edge of the wings. Other gulls which show a distinct "M" in flight include Little - eliminated by gray richer than brown mantle, lack of cap, pure white secondaries, and size; Ross's - eliminated by presence of collar, shape of tail, and extensiveness of tail band; Sabine's - eliminated by combination of gray mantle with full tail band and black carpal bar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for American Tree Sparrow at Sweet Marsh, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Tree Sparrow at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 18, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	American Tree Sparrow	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	marsh	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Lark Sparrow - no facial pattern; rusty cap Swamp Sparrow - breast spot Song Sparrow - no streaking on underparts Chipping Sparrow - breast spot; song different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	48
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle in northern Harrison County, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-08	1991-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle in northern Harrison County, IA on April 8, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Golden Eagle	Harrison County	Along I29 in northern Harrison Co., IA	Primarily agricultural land in Missouri River bottom	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Swainson's Hawk and other dark-morph buteos were eliminated by size and less contrast between flight feathers and underwing coverts. Turkey Vulture was eliminated by size, underwing contrast, feathered head and flight style. Bald Eagle was eliminated by lack of any white visible from below and the short head/long tail profile. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for American Pipit at Runnells Wildlife Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-10	1991-08-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two American Pipits at Runnells Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on August 10, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	American Pipit	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells Wildlife Area, Polk County, IA	Mudflats of Des Moines River floodplain	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Beth Brown, and Wyman Borts. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrows and longspurs were eliminated by bill shape and posture. The rarer Sprague's Pipit was eliminated based on the relatively plain back and darker face. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	15
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 24, 1993.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below Red Rock Dam, Marion County, Iowa	Open river with gravel bars	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Raymond Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark eye and head/bill structure eliminated Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-25	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on November 25, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats at end of freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unknown number with unknown names. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, yellow/orange legs eliminated most other shorebirds. In order to differentiate from the greater yellowlegs, I compared body size to the killdeer with which it was feeding and the bill size to the head. Both field marks eliminated the greater and confirmed the lesser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Princeton Marsh, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-12-19	1992-01-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Tundra Swans at Princeton Marsh in Scott County, IA on December 19, 1991.	Barker, Ann M.	Tundra Swan	Princeton State Wildlife Management Area	Princeton Marsh 3/4 mi N of pumping station on dike	Patch of open water surrounded by ice - river backwater	The documentation form by Ann M. Barker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Moeller, Diann Huysinger, and Bernie Carpenter. \| Elimination of similar species: Trumpeter Swan - immature had definite pink at base of bill, Trumpeter immature would show black at base. Both were seen straight on; white of forehead at base of bill appeared to come down between the eyes, unlike the Trumpeter, whose bill appears more straight across between the eyes. Black of bill did not include the eye as it would in Trumpeter. Mute Swan - birds in question had no knob at base of bill and necks were held straight rather than curved. Secondaries not raised. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Ross's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ross Silcock, Duane E. Bright, Stephen J. Dinsmore, and Jerry Probst and Bill Huser were submitted. Other observers include Gordon Brown, Sandra Kovanda, Jim Kovanda, R. Craig Hensley, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Since it was the only gull on the lake, the only birds to compare it with were Ruddy Ducks which appeared smaller and a drake Common Merganser which was larger than the gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00 and 15:15:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	11
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 29, 1989.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Black Scoter	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power and Light North Settling pond, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than Ring-necked ducks which were also present for comparison. It had rounded forehead as opposed to the sloping forehead of the White-winged and Surf Scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 29, 1989.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Long-tailed Duck	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power & Light North Settling Pond, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Small duck, smaller than Redhead ducks and much smaller than Black Scoter, both present for direct comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Cap May Warbler at Martin Chapel Cemetery near Glenwood, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cap May Warblers at Martin Chapel Cemetery near Glenwood in Mills County, IA on September 16, 1984.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Cape May Warbler	Martin Chapel Cemetery	[...] feeding in cedar trees at the Martin Chapel cemetery in Mills Co.		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	24
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Mid-America Power Plant south pond, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-13	1998-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Mid-America Power Plant south pond in Pottawattamie County on November 13, 1998.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Red-throated Loon	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Mid-America Power Plant south pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Glaucous Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than Ring-billed gulls. Bill was also much larger than the bills of the Ring-billed gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-04	1990-11-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 4, 1990.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Black-legged Kittiwake	Carter Lake	Carter Lake, Iowa and Nebraska		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rushton G. Cortelyou, Alice Rushton, Tanya Bray, and B.J. Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was approximately the same size or possibly slightly smaller than Ring-billed Gull. [...] Not as large as the bill of the Ring-billed Gulls. [...] The mantle was a darker gray than the Ring-billed Gulls. It was dark enough to distinguish easily by the darker mantle from the Ring-billed Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lake Manawa, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Surf Scoters at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Surf Scoter	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tanya Bray. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00 and 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at Big Creek Barrier Dam, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at Big Creek Barrier Dam in Polk County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Sandhill Crane	Big Creek Barrier Dam	Barrier dam, Big Creek, Polk Co.		The documentation form by Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Baird's Sandpiper at Lake Manawa, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-21	1982-12-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Baird's Sandpipers at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 21, 1982.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Baird's Sandpiper	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa	Sludge Ponds	The documentation form by Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Kovanda, Sandy Kovanda, Phil Swanson, Tanya Bray, and B.J. Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: The bills seemed shorter & thinner at base than a Western, & buffy coloring on breast eliminated semi-palmated. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	22
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Folsom Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three King Rail at Folsom Lake in Mills County, IA on September 15, 1984.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	King Rail	Folsom Lake	Folsom Lake (Mills Co.)		The documentation form by Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: There were also 2 juvenile king rails which appeared to be slightly smaller in size, but still much larger than a va. rail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Lake Manawa State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least four Chestnut-collared Longspurs at Lake Manawa State Park in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 16, 1986.	Padelford, Babs	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa Rec. Area	[...] grassy-weedy area along the road to the s.e. boat dock.	The documentation form by Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It was mixed because when they flew it seemed that about half had the large white patches in the tail, and about half had narrow white edging on the sides of the tail. I was never able to get any more details on the other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00 for less than half an hour and approximately 13:00:00/13:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	68
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Manawa, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 24, 1988.	Padelford, Babs	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Alan Grenon, Betty Grenon, Sandy Kovanda, and Jim Kovanda. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger size and black bar on nape of neck separate this species from Sabine's Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation for Whimbrel at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-11	1992-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Whimbrel at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on May 11, 1992.	Padelford, Babs	Whimbrel	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Mud flat on the west side of the main pool at Riverton Waterfowl Refuge in Fremont Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose and Loren Padelford. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	12
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon near the Bellevue Bridge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon near Bellevue Bridge in Mills County, IA on October 20, 1981.	Bray, Tanya Kovanda, Sandra Padelford, Babs	Prairie Falcon	Bellevue Bridge	Mills County, Highway 370, approx 1 1/2 miles east of the Bellevue Bridge	Missouri River bottomland; cornfields	The documentation form by Babs Padelford, Sandy Kovanda, and Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pale brown upperparts and black axillars elimate [sic] Peregrine Falcon. Size and black axillars eliminate Merlin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35