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 Whimbrel at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Whimbrel at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Whimbrel	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Edge of water. Mudflat in drying slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size + beak indicate a curlew. Long-billed eliminated by shorter bill + head pattern. Eskimo Curlew eliminated by wing linings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:05:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	12
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-26	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 26, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Park Farm, NE Mills County, near Willow Slough	unplowed cornfield	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger, with a longer bill (not lavender), and head not rounded. Snow Geese have a black 'grin' on bill, which I could see in the telescope on the larger geese as I looked at Ross's. \| The original documentation form event occurred around a half an hour near sunset.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hastings, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-26	1983-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at the John Wilson farm in Hastings in Mills County, IA on November 26, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Northern Goshawk	Hastings	John Wilson farm, NE Mills County, Ia.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tail too long + flight too quick + direct for a Red-tail. Wings rounded - not a falcon. Young accipiter (+ many buteos) would be streaked below. Adult accipiters of other kinds would be barred below, but reddish or brown, not gravy. Marsh Hawk would fly with a more leisurely pace + have longer wings. As I saw it, identifications went clicking through my brains one after another. Red tail? No.. Marsh Hawk! - No ... Coopers Hawk! Yes - no - its gray! I certainly did not expect a Goshawk.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-faced Ibis	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Wading in pool behind beaver dam in marshy slough, No large vegetation on there; Eleocharis at edges.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: That large, dark with decurved bill it must be a Glossy or White-faced Ibis. Complete, wide white stripe around the face indicates White-faced. Perhaps soft-parts color tells too but I don't know. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Common Tern at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-19	1980-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Common Terns at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Common Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The more common Forster's Tern has wings all one color or paler on the primaries. One was present at the slough this day. However, young Forsters, I've been told, can have dark primaries. If this is so + they return those feathers in the spring, the possibility of Forster's Tern is not entirely eliminated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	42
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-24	1980-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seven Red-necked Phalaropes at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 24, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-necked Phalarope	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The more common Wilson's Phalarope is eliminated by hood pattern, wing stripe, + dark rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-02	1979-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 2, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Least Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There aren't any other birds this small, white with narrow wings + swooping tern - like flight, I think. Too small for Black Tern + differs from even winter - plumage ones in head pattern, wing pattern, rump + tail color, + behavior. Too small + wrong pattern for Forster's Tern + relatives. Not acting or patterned like a gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1979-09-08	1979-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on September 8, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Anderson Township	Wilson farm: T73-N, R-41W, Sec 26, NE Mills County, Ia.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: these are Rose-breasted Grosbeaks or Blackheaded Grosbeaks. Or hybrids. Unfortunately, the identification depends on things I do not know. Ruth Green informs me that some Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in early September are so orange on the breast one would think them Black-headeds. Are these young Rose-breasted? What about the call? Do Rose-breasted Grosbeaks make a lower-pitched call, more mellow than the distinctive high-pitched call that is the only one I know for them? If you know, please tell me. These were odd-looking grosbeaks but I can't really identify them. \| The original documentation form events occurred around 08:45:00 and in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-01	1979-08-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 1, 1979 and several other dates.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Little Blue Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Shallow lake + marsh that is Willow Slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This heron resembles every other White Heron or egret. Albino Heron: this is what I thought it was at first, but it turned out to have color in bill & legs. "Great White Heron" can be eliminated by size and range. Snowy Egret: has black legs and bill. Great Egret: has yellow bill w/out black tip, & dark legs. Cattle Egret: has yellow to orange bill without black tip, has yellow to dark (not green legs) & is sociable, & wouldn't spend over a week in a marsh. Reddish egret: has a similar bill, but with base flesh-colored rather than gray. Has bluish, not green, legs, has a shaggy neck, and is unlikely to be found in Iowa. The white primaries eliminate other white large birds. The only thing left is immature Little Blue Heron.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Red-breasted Merganser at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-breasted Merganser at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 4, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-breasted Merganser	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Anderson Township., Mills Co., Iowa.	open water on a lake, near shore	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was no Common Merganser. This bird's throat color was light and so unsharp in its border that the color really started fading at the crown to get to the light of the throat.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	17
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Siskin at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Siskin at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on May 15, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Pine Siskin	Anderson Township	Ben Wilson's farm: T-73N, R-40W, Sec. 30, Mills Co., Ia.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Uniform brown streaks on face eliminate Purple Finch, as does the thin bill. Sparrows are similar, usually have stouter bill + are less uniformly streaked - they have dark streaks on light underparts, + this one is just streaked all over. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for at most a minute.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	85
Rare bird documentation form for American Wigeon at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-08-07	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for American Wigeon at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 7, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	American Wigeon	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Uniformly brown head eliminates Wood Duck. Normal bill eliminates Shoveler. Size + rusty sides, lack of white in tail (not mentioned above) eliminates Mallard. Size + rusty sides eliminate Blue-winged Teal. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:55:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	3
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-13	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, IA on September 13, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: When it was parachuting, the bird farmed its wings enough it resembled an accipiter, but when it flew the wings were obviously pointed, + the bird's rowing wingbeats were like a falcon's. Size limits the question to: Kestrel or Merlin? The tail banding + uniformly gray upper parts (the latter seen only briefly) make it a Merlin. I've never seen anything behave like that. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 7, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North 1 1/2 miles west of Hastings, Iowa Mills Co.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White outer tail feathers + face pattern = Vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:33:00/10:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on December 23, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North, 1 1/2 miles west of Hasings, [sic] Iowa Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White outer tail feathers on a streaked Sparrow suggests strongly Vesper Sparrow. Lapland Longsurs have white over tail feathers, but lack the white eye ring, are streaked on the sides but not, or only faintly, across the breast. Longspurs do not typically sit in trees. Longspurs have short tails, too. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-16	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 16, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Long-tailed Duck	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred late in the evening.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds), 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-12	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight or more Greater Scaups at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds) in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 12, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power + Light Settling ponds	Large pond	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, and BJ Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup has square to slightly crested head. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-09	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 9 ,1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs	Oxbow lake	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, BJ Rose, W. Ross Silcock, and others.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-03-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Tundra Swans at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 21, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Tundra Swan	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maureen Pace. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose: eliminated by size, relative length of neck, and bill color. Trumpeter Swan eliminated by yellow spots on bills.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Coralville Reservoir, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-23	1983-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 23, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-winged Scoter	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tanya Bray and Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: Differs from most ducks by black color, + from the other scoters by white in wings + around eye. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Ruddy Turnstone at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruddy Turnstone at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 30, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ruddy Turnstone	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough	mudflats at edge of what water remains in the slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tayce Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing looks like a breeding-plumage Ruddy Turnstone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:45:00/19:00:00 and other times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	15
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-23	1980-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, IA on September 23, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Bay-breasted Warbler	Mills County	Wilson Farm, NE Mills County, Iowa	General: edge of woods Specific: Oak dominant	The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll Warbler eliminated by tan sides + under tail coverts. (I couldn't see leg color). Pine Warbler - eliminated by back streaks, sides \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:15:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32
Rare bird documentation form for Black Duck at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-07	1980-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Duck at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 7, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	American Black Duck	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Darker than most dabbling duck females. Similar to Mallard. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:55:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	4
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-05	1983-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 5, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Lincoln's Sparrow	Hastings	Wilson Farm, N.E. Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from adult Song Sparrow by buffy breast + fine breast streaks, from young one by eye ring + general face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-24	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on April 24, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Peregrine Falcon	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I believed this to be a buteo until it flew + I saw the pointed wings. Gray color + sharply contrasting face pattern would be very unusual in a buteo. Prairie Falcon would have dark in axillar area. I could easily have seen this dark pattern if the bird had had it, but it did not. Face pattern is also wrong for Prairie Falcon - too solid + too black-and-white. Face pattern eliminates Gyrfalcon. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34