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 Semipalmated Sandpiper at Fairport State Fish Hatchery, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-21	1983-10-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Semipalmated Sandpiper at Fairport State Fish Hatchery in Muscatine County, IA on October 21, 1983.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Semipalmated Sandpiper	Fairport State Fish Hatchery	State Fish Hatchery, Fairport, Iowa, Muscatine County	Drained fish hatchery pond along the Mississippi River. Exposed mudflats and shallow water with algae present in a drained fish hatchery pond.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-rumped Sandpiper has a white rump; Least Sandpiper usually has a distinct breast band, yellowish legs and browner body plumage; Western Sandpiper's bill length averages longer, with a droop at the end, and this species also tends to have rufous traces in the scapulars in the late fall. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:40:00/12:52:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	17
Rare bird documentation form for Louisiana Waterthrush at Brookside Park in Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-04	1981-04-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentaiton form for a Louisiana Waterthrush at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 4, 5, and 6, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Louisiana Waterthrush	Brookside Park	Brookside Park; Ames, Iowa; Story County, Washington Twsp, Sect. 3	General: small deciduous woodland bordering a medium sized stream Specific: a medium sized stream bordered by overhanging deciduous trees and shrubs and containing many exposed mudflats, rocks and logs.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Audrey Moore, Linda Zaletel, Hank Zaletel, and Bill Robbins. \| Elimination of similar species: Ovenbirds have a medium crown stripe and an eyering and do not walk with bobbing motions. Spotted Sandpipers -- are larger and have longer bills. Thrushes (Turdidae) -- lack an eyestripe Northern Waterthrush -- has a streaked throat, smaller bill, buffy cream eyestripe and more yellow on underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	38
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Rough-winged Swallow at Coralville Reservoir, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Northern Rough-winged Swallows at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 22, 1983.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Coralville Lake	"Refuge" section of Coralville Reservoir		The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Debaetes and Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The flight pattern of the three lead birds attracted my attention, as the wings were held differently (slightly farther out and broader) than the wings of the Tree Swallows which are often held at a more acute angle to the body. [...] All other swallows in the loose flock (20 - 25 birds) were obvious Tree Swallows. None of the swallows showed a deeply forked tail such as that seen in the Barn Swallow. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	86
Rare bird documentation form for Louisiana Waterthrush at Ledges State Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Louisiana Waterthrush at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on April 2, 1982.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Louisiana Waterthrush	Ledges State Park	Ledges State Park, Boone County, Iowa	A fast-moving, freshwater canyon stream, lined intermittently with trees.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Robbins and Mark Loeschke. \| Elimination of similar species: Ovenbirds have eye rings and an orange crown streak. Northern Waterthrush has a streaked throat, underparts conspicuously washed with yellow, a buffy-yellow eyestripe, a relatively smaller bill, + a different song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:25:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	38
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-01	1980-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for Western Grebe at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 1, 1980.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Western Grebe	De Soto Lake	De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge Harrison County	Oxbow lake - bordered by second-growth poplar stands, it was seen in the open portion of the lake, where the water depth was about 5 to 10 feet.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Frederick and Rebecca Rogge. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - Loons are much larger, have thicker necks, & hold their necks in a different posture. Red-necked Grebe - This species does not have a distinctly white neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Peterson Pits, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Peterson Pits in Story County, IA on May 8, 1982.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Little Blue Heron	Peterson Pits Recreation Area	Peterson Pits, Story County, Iowa	Riparian area with sparse vegetation and several large dug-out pits, most of which held variable amounts of water.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Green Heron is smaller, has orange legs, a stouter neck and white areas on its ventral surface. Louisiana Heron shows conspicuous white areas on the ventral surface. Great Blue Heron is much larger, with a two-tone coloration in the wings, a slower wingbeat , and white areas on the upper neck and head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-21	1982-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1982.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Northern Goshawk	Hanover Township	Iowa; Allamakee County, Hanover Twsp., Sect. 8	Steep flood plain bluffs with mixed (cedar and deciduous) forest vegetation	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk: Although size overlap is possible, this species lacks the blue-gray underparts and bold facial patterns mentioned above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek Lake, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on November 21, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Lake, Polk Co.,	Deciduous slope next to a lake - In the middle of a deciduous grove of trees.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Other accipiters are smaller than Great Horned Owls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Big Creek Lake, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cinnamon Teals at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on September 7, 1980.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Cinnamon Teal	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Lake, Polk County.	Shallow lake area with much emergent vegetation. Mudflat near the edge of the lake.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel, Paul Martsching, Dick Mooney, and Pauline Mooney. \| Elimination of similar species: Green-winged Teal: Blue was seen in the forward edge of the wing when the birds described above were observed. Chestnut coloration also eliminates the Green-winged Teal. Head markings of male Green-winged Teal were not seen. Blue-winged Teal: Chestnut color on breast and lack of a white face mark eliminate the Blue-winged Teal. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-05	1981-11-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Ames in Story County, IA on Novermber 5, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Northern Goshawk	Ames	Ames, Iowa; Story Co.,	Rows of conifer trees and conifer saplings next to an agricultural field. Found roosting in a row of Eastern Red Cedar trees.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk: this species is smaller and lacks a definite white eye-stripe and black eyeline; underparts are not pale gray. \| The original documentation form events occurred around 08:00:00 on November 5 and around 16:00:00 on November 7.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-10	1981-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Prairie Falcon	Township of Saint John	1 mile west of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Harrison Co., St. Johns Twsp., Sect. 17.	Open agricultural land; few trees; Winter wheat field (growth of winter what less than 4 inches tall).	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: this species lacks black axillars and white superciliary stripe; moustache is thicker on this species. Merlin: this species is much smaller and lacks moustache and black facial pattern. Gyrfalcon: this species is larger and lacks superciliary stripe and black axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Sundown Ski Area near Asbury, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1981-12-26	1981-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush Sundown Ski Area near Asbury in Dubuque County, IA on December 26, 1981.	Miller, John Carl	Hermit Thrush	Asbury	Along the Heritage Trail across the crick from the longest ski run of Sundown Ski Area.	Streamside cover consisting of: understory (shrubs and bushes). Young tree growth and some mature trees (all deciduous). Cedars nearby.	The documentation form by John Carl Miller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Larson. \| Elimination of similar species: smaller than a robin larger than a sparrow \| The original documentation form event occurred from 08:30:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-27	1986-09-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentaiton form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on September 27, 1986.	Cecil, John	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Lacey Keosauqua S.P. Nr. Keosauqua, Iowa Near Ely Ford	along trail in woods.	The documentation form by John Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Cecil and James Sandrock. \| Elimination of similar species: Cerulean warbler has white throat and streaks on sides. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Mason City, 1982	Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-01	1983-03-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at Lake Cona Toma in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 1982. It also includes an article "Sign of spring" in the Mason City Globe Gazette on March 22, 1983 about the bird sighting.	Powell, John M., 1913-1995	Mute Swan	Lake Cona Toma	Mason City, Iowa - Lake Conatoma [sic]	Man made lake -13 acres-	The documentation form by John M. Powell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include wife, daughter, grandson, and 47 residents. \| Elimination of similar species: Whistling Swan - Black straight bill - Pictures for proof. Orange bill with black knob at base is Mute Swan. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning and evening.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe near Rock Sioux Access, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Say's Phoebe near Rock Sioux Access in Sioux County, IA on May 7, 1979.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Say's Phoebe	Rock Sioux Access	[...] near bridge across Rock River, about 12 miles due west of Sioux Center, in Sioux Co., Iowa.	[...] The general habitat is a mixture of open fields, rolling hills, and woods along the Rock River. The bird was observed in an open area.	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was obviously not a Robin, with which it could possibly be confused. The brick-red of the Robin is quite different. The Robin is also larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:30:00/07:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in the Fairview area, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in the Fairview area in Sioux County, IA on January 4, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Fairview Area	Iowa in Sioux County just east of the Big Sioux River in the Fairview area		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I at once ruled out a Peregrine: the bird did not have strong head markings (no dark crown, and no heavy 'sideburns') and was altogether too light to be a female Peregrine.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Rock Valley Wildlife Area, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Rock Valley Wildlife Area in Sioux County, IA on September 21, 1994.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Rock Wildlife Area	Rock Valley Wildlife Area		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I had seen Sharp-shinned Hawks in this area a week before, but the pointed wings made me recognize at once I was looking at a falcon. [...] no Kestrel-like head markings. \| The original documentation form event lasted around twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1998-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park in Sioux County, IA on December 2, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Surf Scoter	Winterfeld Boat and Fish Area	Winterfeld Park along the north side of Rock Valley in Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I rule out any possible confusions, as follows: - White-winged Scoter has white in the wing and lacks sharp contrast between crown and face - Black Scoter has rounded forehead and lacks pale head patches - Ruddy Duck is smaller, has differently shaped bill and dark line across cheek - Female Scaups have white in the wing, differently shaped white patch at base of bill, and little contrast between crown and face. \| The original documentation form event occurred for around 20 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin between Sioux-Rock public access and Oak Grove Park, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin between Sioux-Rock public access and Oak Grove Park in Sioux County, IA on September 24, 1994.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Oak Grove State Park Rock River Access	Between the Sioux-Rock public access area and Oak Grove Park		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In addition, it would fly every few minutes or so, back and forth between several dead trees, displaying it pointed wings, brownish upperparts, banded tail, and absence of any rufous on its upper parts. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sioux Center, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-09-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on September 16, 1993.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Peregrine Falcon	Sioux Center	Sioux Center, IA 51250		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Its clear head markings definitely rule out a Prairie Falcon (which is now becoming a regular visitor here in winter), and the bird was much too large to be a smaller (e.g., Merlin). \| The original documentation form event occurred for around five minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Big Sioux Recreation Area, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Big Sioux Recreation Area in Sioux County, IA on September 7, 1994.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Big Sioux Reacreation Area	[...] South Pits just south of Hawarden in western Sioux County.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: My first thought was that I was looking at a Kestrel. A second look, however, immediately revealed the absence of the facial markings characteristic of a Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-03	1979-02-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon in O'Brien County, IA on February 3, 1979.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Townsend's Solitaire	East Lawn Cemetery	East Lawn cemetery, Sheldon (extreme western O'Brien Co.), Iowa. This cemetery covers an extensive area and is planted with many large evergreen, viz., spruce (mostly Norway Spruce), pine (Austrian Pine, I think), and a species of cedar or juniper (I am not sure of the species; it resembles the Red Cedar of the East somewhat, but has a more open crown); these junipers carry many blue berries.	among evergreen, moving from tree to tree, selecting mostly the juniper/cedar trees, see above: Location	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: one who knows neither the Solitaire not the Mockingbird might conceivably mistake it for the latter. But the Mockingbird is larger, has no eye ring, shows no buff on the wing, and flashes conspicuous white in wing and tail in flight. I have lived both in California and in southern New York, where the Mockingbird is common: I am very familiar with the Mockingbird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin west of Sioux Center, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-09-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin west of Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on September 17, 1988.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	Sioux Center (Sioux Co).		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was either a female or a juvenile: brownish above, and striped (lengthwise) breast. There was no possible confusion with a Kestrel: the bird possessed no distinctive Kestrel head markings and no rufous on back and tail.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on March 27, 1987.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	Sioux Center (Sioux Co).		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There were many migrating Kestrels in the area, but I recognized this bird at once as a Merlin because of its distinctively striped breast (it was facing the road) [...] Size about of a Kestrel, but no distinctive Kestrel-like head markings and no rufous on back and tail. [...] I rule out Kestrel on basis already indicated above, as well as Sharp-shinned Hawk, since this bird had pointed wings and the breast striping was lengthwise on light background, rather than crosswise on reddish or rusty background.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon in Western Sioux County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon in Western Sioux County, IA on October 24, 1990.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Peregrine Falcon	Sioux County	Western Sioux County (about 11 miles straight west of Sioux Center)		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was most definitely not a Prairie Falcon. Its slaty upper parts and very dark head markings completely rule out such a possible confusion. \| The original documentation form event lasted for five minutes or so.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34