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

Field notes contributed by Robert K. Myers, fall 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-13	1985-11-23	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds contributed by Robert K. Meyers. Highlights include the sighting of a White-winged Scoter at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge on November 13, 1985 and a second sighting at Big Creek State Park on November 23, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	White-winged Scoter Golden Eagle Tennessee Warbler Pine Warbler	Big Creek State Park Saylorville Lake DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-14	1985-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 14, 1985.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	Spirit Lake	Big Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa	seen on open water of Big Spirit Lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - no white evident on wings or head. Surf Scoter -- no white evident on head (immatures of either of these species might appear similar to Black Scotor, except for presence of orange knob) Coot - smaller, has a whitish bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge at Harrison County, IA on November 15, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	White-winged Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Oxbow near Lakeview area of DeSoto Bend N.W.R., Harrison Co., IA	Open water of Oxbow of Missouri River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: No other black duck has white secondaries as this bird had. The other scoter species have dark wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 15, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Oxbow near Lakeview area of DeSoto Bend N.W.R., Harrison Co., IA	Open water in Oxbow of Missouri River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Scoter female has white throat and face, White-wing Scoter may have white spots on the side of the head but also has a white speculum. This bird did not have the white speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-16	1985-11-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend in Harrison County, IA on November 16, 1985.	Proescholdt, Beth	White-winged Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend, Nebr. side of channel, flying down middle of channel	Refuge area of Horseshoe Bend, Lake view	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Jim Dinsmore, Steve Dinsmore, and Mark Dixon. \| Elimination of similar species: Surf Scoter - this bird had the white wing patches that eliminated a Surf Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-16	1985-11-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 16, 1985.	Proescholdt, Beth	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend, Horseshoe Bend, Lakeview	horseshoe bend, center of channel, + nearing Iowa shore.	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Mark Proescholdt, Jim Dinsmore, Steve Dinsmore, and Mark Dixon. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - by the difference in shape of white facial spot by bill - the much large, much whiter spots, + perpendicular to bill, not oval, we decided it was a Surf Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at DeSoto Bend, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-16	1985-11-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at DeSoto Bend in Harrison County, IA on November 16, 1985.	Proescholdt, Beth	Black Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend, Horshoe Bend, far south end	Center of channel, flying to Iowa side near beach	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruddy Duck - this bird was much larger than Ruddies close by, bill was different, no pointed tail as Ruddies have - also this bird had light cheeks, extending further than Ruddies. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Northern Goshawk		Big Creek - Polk Co, Iowa	near marsh with small bunches of trees around & pasture-like areas.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: much too big for Sharp-shinned & Coopers; Coopers doesn't have lite eye line. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Hickory Grove Lake in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-20	1985-11-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Hickory Grove Lake in Story County, IA on November 20, 23, and 27, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Greater Scaup	Hickory Grove Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at George Wyth State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on November 21, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	George Wyth Memorial State Park	approx. .1 mi. E. of entrance to George Wyth State Park along U.S. 20, Black Hawk Co., IA	Open cropland near woods of George Wyth State Park	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk is not this large and does not have as wide and bold a supercilliary line as this bird had, Cooper's also does not have long fluffy undertail coverts as this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:43:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-23	1985-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1985.	Zaletel, Hank	White-winged Scoter	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park	lake	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore, Steve Dinsmore, and Bob Meyer. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 24, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Lake	(upstream side of dam) Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, Iowa		The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Scoter & Surf Scoter don't have white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:55:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 27, 1985.	Silcock, W. Ross Padelford, Babs	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-11-30	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	open patch of water on large, frozen reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation form by Robert K. "Bob" Myers were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by overall size, bill shape and size, and white spots on back. Arctic Loon eliminated by bill shape and black of crown not reaching eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/13:00:00 and 13:45:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle near Saylorville Dam, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-12-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle over the Des Moines River near Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 4, 1985.	Engebretsen, Bery	Golden Eagle	Saylorville Dam	Des Moines River, just below Saylorville Dam	Des Moines river channel below Saylorville Dam - Open water, modest sized maple, cottonwood, mallards and few other ducks in area (goldeneye, C. merganser)	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White in wing of imm. Bald in less vivid, blotchy and on coverts, not base of primaries. Also white on tail not so vivid or banded as was this one. Body color was darker than Bald. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Field reports of Iowa birds	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1985-12-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A compiled list of bird sightings (Vireos-Finches) for Fall 1985, printed December 6, 1985. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	1
Field reports of Iowa birds	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1985-12-07	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A compiled list of bird sightings (Flycatchers-Starlings) for Fall 1985, printed December 7, 1985. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	1
Field reports of Iowa birds	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1985-12-07	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A compiled list of bird sightings (Plovers-Woodpeckers) for Fall 1985, printed December 7, 1985. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-10	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 10, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Res. Tailwater		The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Francis L. Moore, Bob Myers, Beth Proescholdt and Mark Proescholdt, and Dennis Thompson were submitted. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel, Darwin Koenig, Steve Dinsmore, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Thayer's Gull is a difficult bird to identify. In researching this problem, I have found several helpful sources in addition to the standard field guides and I have tried to understand what it takes to know a Thayer's Gull when you see one. Nearly every reference makes it clear that Thayer's cannot be identified on the basis of one or two positive field marks. It takes a combination of characters to come to a conclusion of any certainty. In discussing this particular observation, I will examine each of the fieldmarks and compare and contrast to similar species with liberal reference to the literature, especially Lehman (1980). The most likely similar gulls in this case are 1st winter Herring and 1st winter Iceland (Kumlien's). The Kumlien's form is the darker form of the Iceland Gull and is the form that breeds in the Baffin Island area and winters mainly on the Atlantic coast. Lehman's article deals mainly with Kumlien's. Several similarly sized and possible but unlikely candidates can be eliminated rather quickly. A 1st winter California should not have an all dark bill and would show much darkening in the primaries in flight. Lesser Black-backed Gull could be about the right size, but in flight a 1st winter bird should show darker primary and secondary coverts, more extensively dark primaries, even compared to Herring Gull. A 1st summer Slaty-backed Gull is also light uniform brown with an all dark bill, but it should exhibit extensive darkening in the primaries on the upper wing. A 1st winter Glaucous-winged Gull would be very similar to Thayer's but should be larger, with a larger bill, and less mottling to the body color. Except for the first two, one would probably not consider the likelihood of their occurrence in Iowa to be very great. One hybrid, Glaucous-winged X Western, might be similar but should have a quite heavy bill. [...] Summary: Of the most likely similar species, 1st winter Herring Gull and 1st winter Kumlien's Iceland Gull, each is eliminated by one or more of the features discussed above. The wing pattern is especially damaging to the possibility of Herring, along with the bill shape and size. Iceland is ruled out by the presence of the noticeable tail band and by the darker secondaries on the upper wing. To identify a Thayer's Gull, one must see a combination of field marks. I feel that the bird I saw at Red Rock is consistent on every point.\| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Field reports of Iowa birds	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1985-12-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A compiled list of bird sightings (documentations) for Fall 1985, printed December 12, 1985. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	1
Field reports of Iowa birds	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1985-12-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A compiled list of bird sightings (Loons-Cranes) for Fall 1985, printed December 12, 1985. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of Fall 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	22	1
Rare bird documentation for Varied Thrush at Spirit Lake in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1985-12-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation for a Varied Thrush at the southeastern shore of Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA during a Christmas Bird Count on December 15, 1985.	Harr, Douglas C.	Varied Thrush	Spirit Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-18	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge in Clinton County, IA on December 18, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kaufman, Sharon	Wood Thrush	Eden Valley County Refuge	West Valley at Eden Valley Refuge (Lost Nation CBC)	Shrubs at hardwood timber edge	The documentation form by Sharon Kaufman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Jack Wohlstadter. \| Elimination of similar species: Hermit and Grey Cheeked Thrush. This bird had more conspicuous eye, larger and more numerous breast spots. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	8
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 21, 1985.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Boat ramp area; Riverton GMA.	Floodplain, open deciduous	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barb Wilson. It was compiled by Betty Walters. \| Elimination of similar species: small, bigger than Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull near Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Tables (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-22	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Iceland Gull near Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 22, 1985. Includes record review documents with votes, articles in Illinois Birds and Birding as well as American Birds, correspondence about the bird sighting, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Iceland Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Location: Davenport. County: Scott	General: Chanel [sic] of Miss. R., near middle of river when standing. Specific: 1/2 - 3/4 mi. above Lock + Dam 15.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Barker, Mary Lou Petersen, and Bill Barker were submitted. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Paul Martsching, Pete Wickham, Mark Brogie, Lewis Blevins, Corey Blevins, Brett Ashford, and Dale Dickinson. \| Elimination of similar species: Glaucous Gull eliminated by size, wing extention [sic] well beyond tail. Flight, headshape, all emphasized by direct comparison with Glaucous Gulls. The next afternoon Bill Barker compared this bird to two different sized Glaucous Gulls and it was smaller than the smaller Glaucous Gull. Plumage lighter than Glaucous also. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4