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 Prairie Falcon northeast of Spirit Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-12-31	1996-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon northeast of Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 31, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Prairie Falcon	Spirit Lake	NE of Spirit Lake - Dickinson County	Gravel roadside - on telephone pole	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine & Gyrfalcon don't have dark axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Hudsonian Godwit at Spring Run, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-19	1995-12-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hudsonian Godwit at Spring Run in Dickinson County, IA on October 19, 1995. Letter from Ed Thelen to Tom Kent about a video of the sighting on unknown date.	Thelen, Ed	Hudsonian Godwit	Spring Run Complex Wildlife Management Area	Spring Run - Dickinson County	Wetlands - mudflat	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White rump eliminated marbled godwit.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	13
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1995-10-06	1995-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Surf Scoters at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 6, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Surf Scoter	Spirit Lake	West side of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County	Glacial Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - how white-wing patch. Surf Scoter - white on side of head - these birds has 2 patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north and east of Superior, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-16	1995-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north and east of Superior in Dickinson County, IA on October 16, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Superior	1 mile north, 1 mile East, 1.5 miles North of Superior in Dickinson County	Gravel Roadside - on telephone wire between glacial knob and wetland	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Benedict and Dan Lempianen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Welch Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-01	1986-11-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three White-winged Scoters at Welch Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 1, 1986.	Thelen, Ed	White-winged Scoter	Welch Lake	Welch Lake, Dickinson County 3 mi W, 2 mi N Spirit Lake	75 acre open water shallow lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Tigges. \| Elimination of similar species: Surf Scooter [sic] - large white wing patches when they flew identified them as White-wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Harrier Marsh, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-15	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a White-faced Ibis at Harrier Marsh in Boone County, IA on August 15, 1997. Includes one record review document with votes, a documentation form, and an Iowa Bird Life article.	Thelen, Ed	White-faced Ibis	Harrier Marsh	Harrier Marsh - Boone County	Marsh, wetland complex with good mud flat	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James J. Dinsmore, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: According to Kaufman "Advanced Birding" pp 40-41 If you can see the red eyes the bird is a white-faced ibis. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow north of Newell, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-20	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow north of Newell in Buena Vista County, IA on December 20, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Lark Sparrow	Newell	1 mile N. of Newell along black top road	Roadside - open fields - only cover in ditch	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Thelen and the Thelen children. \| Elimination of similar species: unmistakable - clear breast, dark spot - white tipped tail - strong facial pattern \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at West Okoboji Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-03	1988-12-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 3-5, 1988.	Thelen, Ed	Surf Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	South shore of West Okoboji Lake at Terrace Park, Dickinson County	Natural Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: White-wing Scoter - white on wings, concave head. Black Scoter - Rounder head, dark legs, pale cheeks cover larger area on angle of beak, side of head. Ruddy duck - smaller size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Diamond Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-12-30	1996-01-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Diamond Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 30, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Merlin	Diamond Lake	West side of Diamond Lake, Dickinson County	Cedar plantings in open field	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen and Wally Jorgenson. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - dark back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire at Lake Anita State Park, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-03-18	1995-03-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on March 18, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Townsend's Solitaire	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park - Cass County	Oak - cedar lakeshore	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen, Joe Clark, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: [female symbol] mountain bluebird has shorter tail \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-24	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on March 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Swan Enclosure in Dickinson County - west of Big Spirit Lake	Open - praire [sic] pothole - fenced	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maury Muhm, Gary Wee, Tim Waltz, and Bryan Hellier. \| Elimination of similar species: - Eastern + Western bluebird were eliminated by the blue on breast - shape, color, size and habits eliminated indigo bunting \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-02-11	1996-02-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on February 11, 1996.	Thelen, Ed	Thayer's Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Black Hawk Lake Sac County	Natural Lake - near open water from aerator	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Thelen and Peter Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull has dark lesser coverts and dark feathers under the wing tips. More distinct tail band + larger bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-24	1994-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on September 24, 1994.	Thelen, Ed	Peregrine Falcon	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh Sac County	Marsh, grain fields	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Praire [sic] falcon eliminated by dark malar strip and also by light colored axillars. Merlin eliminated by its size.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at East Okoboji, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-28	1988-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at East Okoboji in Dickinson County, IA on November 28, 1988.	Thelen, Ed	Sandhill Crane	East Okoboji Lake	N. End of East Okoboji, Dickinson county	Natural Lake - Frozen	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include three other fellow DNR employees. \| Elimination of similar species: straight neck eliminated Great Blue Heron and color eliminated Whooping Crane \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Credit Island, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Credit Island in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 18, 1988.	Timper, Edward	Northern Goshawk	Credit Island	Credit Island. Davenport, IA	open woodland along Miss. River	The documentation form by Ed Timper is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk - smaller, no distinctive white eyeline. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lock and Dam 15, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1993-01-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Timper, Edward	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lock and Dam 15	Opening lock wall, Lock and Dam #15, Rock Island Arsenal	River system, open water	The documentation form by Ed Timper is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Oberg. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring Billed Gull: This gull had no ring bill, was lighter built with distinctive black legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Toolsboro, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-12-31	1983-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Turkey Vultures at Toolsboro in Louisa County, IA on December 31, 1982.	Wiederrecht, Ed	Turkey Vulture	Toolesboro	near Toolsboro [sic], IA	Bottomland forest	The documentation form by Ed Wiederrecht is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Mast. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteo hawks (dark phases) - dark brown plumage, not black, head not small or reddish, no V to wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Rare bird documentation from for Turkey Vulture at Mark Twain Refuge, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-19	1987-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Turkey Vultures at Mark Twain Refuge near Toolesboro in Louisa County, IA on December 19, 1986.	Wiederrecht, Ed	Turkey Vulture	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Big Timber Division	Sky over Mark Twain Refuge at Mississippi river bluff no Road Toolsboro IA.	Woods, River Bluff, Ponds, Sloughs etc.	The documentation form by Ed Wiederrecht is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald Cross. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagles are approximately same size but the adults have white heads. Tails & the immatures do not have the distinctive 2 toned pattern on their flight feathers under the wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Gyrfalcon at Bettendorf, 1992.	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-01-20	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Gyrfalcon at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on January 20, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Timper, Edward	Gyrfalcon	Bettendorf	Devils Glen & Middle Road, Bettendorf, Hwy Z30 & Indiana Ave, Rural Scott Cty.	Residential with fields, and rural farm area with picked fields	The documentation form by Edward Timper is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I am a master falconer, and have handled and flown many large falcons, including gyrfalcons, peregrines, prairie falcons, and large exotics such as saker falcons and lanners. I am positive that this is a gerfalcon [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	4
Rare bird documentation for American Magpie at Tyson Bend, 1974	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1974-10-14	1974-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for an American Magpie at Tyson Bend in Harrison County, IA on October 14, 1974.	Loth, Edward W.	Black-billed Magpie	Tyson Bend Wildlife Area	Tyson Bend, 4 mi. west of Modale, Harrison County, Iowa	General: Wooded area of Missouri River flood plain. Specific: A series of cattail marshes interspersed with willows and cottonwoods.	The documentation form by Edward W. Loth is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None - the only bird I am familiar with that is black and white and has a long tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:31:00 and 18:20:00/18:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	83
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Diamond Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-31	1986-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Black Scoters at Diamond Lake in Poweshiek County, IA on October 31, 1986.	Miller, Edwin J.	Black Scoter	Diamond Lake	Diamond Lake, Montezuma IA (Poweshiek Co.)	Open water	The documentation form by Edwin Miller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig and Doug Phillips. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - no white on wing - or small patches of white markings on head. Ruddy Duck - much larger than Ruddy - although did see one lift tail like a ruddy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 9, 1978.	Johnson, Ellen J.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: park near Iowa State University Specific: deciduous woods with many trails - near Squaw Creek	The documentation form by Ellen Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Aimee Boden, Larence Lewis, and Gary Frederick. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackburnian warbler - throat was bright yellow, not orange, white markings on face, not yellow or orange. Saw top of head really well + was all black \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Brookside Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-03-20	1978-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on March 20, 1978.	Johnson, Ellen J.	Merlin	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	park near Iowa State University. Deciduous woods with many trails - flew over Squaw Creek	The documentation form by Ellen Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ornithology Class (Pam Keigley, Pam White, John Hemphill, and Robin Bruegman). \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - too large for a kestrel. Sharp-shinned hawk - it had more pointed wings. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Portland Township in Cerro Gordo County, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-11	1988-12-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Portland Township in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 11, 1998.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Portland Township	Cerro Gordo County, Portland township Sec 31 (13675 Spruce Ave Mason City IA 50401)	deciduous wood edge	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other species considered, unmistakable \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lesser Goldfinch at Rockford, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-05	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Goldfinch at Rockford in Floyd County, IA on August 5, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Lesser Goldfinch	Rockford	1105 200th St, Rockford, IA - Floyd Co. Rockford Township Sec 5	Scattered oak trees, open pasture, brush-along Winnebago R.	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Barb McKinstry. \| Elimination of similar species: American goldfinch - bird was smaller, entire crown was black, had yellow undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:35:00/17:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	17