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 Great Blue Heron at Saylorville Dam, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-07-27	1984-08-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Great Blue Herons at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on July 27, 1984 with an addendum on August 1, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Great Blue Heron	Saylorville Dam	about 2 mi S. of Saylorville Dam 0.5 mi S of 66th, east side of DSM Ranch	Heavy, mature river bottom. Very thick canopy. Nests in locust. [illegible] nearby silver maple.	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park, 1991	Administrative reports Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park in Plymouth County, IA on December 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Williams, Randall D.	Swainson's Hawk	Stone State Park	1 mile north of west entrance to Stone State Park on highway 12	hovering above loess bluff; overlooking Big Sioux River Floodplain	The documentation form by Randall D. Williams is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Franken. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk: wings held flat when soaring; presence of red tail patagial patches present, no bib. Rough-legged Hawk: dark belly-band or girdle. carpal wing patches present. Dark band on trailing edge of wing (immature). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	32
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Big Marsh, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-03-22	1997-04-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Trumpeter Swans at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on March 22, 1997.	Proescholdt, Mark	Trumpeter Swan	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big marsh - (Butler County)	Huge marshy area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: A Tundra Swan immature is much whiter by late winter than immature trumpeters. Tundra Swans have slightly concave bills and the black of the bills do not go completely to the eye in a triangle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-08-14	1981-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on August 14, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton WMA, Fremont Co IA	impound nests w/ marsh vegetation, willows	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Thomas Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: spots rather than streaks on mantle & coverts, dark flight feathers, long legs & deep bill eliminate Black-crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Albion, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Snowy Egrets at Albion in Marshall County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Dinsmore, James J.	Snowy Egret	Albion	on southwest edge of Albion, Marshall County	in flooded field/small marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Eric Munson, Hank Zaletel, Joe Schaufenbuel, "et al". \| Elimination of similar species: leg/foot color eliminates Little Blue, Cattle and Great Egret. Also the size was much smaller than a Great Egret. \| The original documentation form event lasted occurred around 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Scoter at Le Claire, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-10-26	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of six Black Scoters at Le Claire in Scott County, IA on October 26, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Black Scoter	Le Claire	1 mi. N. of LeClaire	In Mississippi River. Few other live birds in area, but many decoys set out by hunters.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, and Gerald White were submitted later. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Surf Scoter is another all dark bird, but it would have a much larger bill that extends on the same angle as a flattened forehead. The definite gray cheek and throat are not present on Surf Scoter. Female Ruddy ducks should be much browner and again have a flattened forehead in line with a larger bill. Black wings eliminate White-winged Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	20
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Silver Lake Access, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Silver Lake Access at Silver Lake in Worth County, IA on August 14, 1991.	Carter, Dennis L.	Western Grebe	Silver Lake Access	Silver Lake Access, Silver Lake, Worth Co., Iowa	Lake	The documentation form by Dennis Carter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: I know of no species that would be similar, except possibly Red-necked Grebe in winter plumage. The sharply defined black cap and black stripe down the back of the neck were unliked [sic] this other grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:50:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Barrow's Goldeneye at Forney Lake, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-03-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 17, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and thirteen documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Nolan, Michael	Barrow's Goldeneye	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake, Fremont Co.	Lake	The documentation form by Michael Nolan is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ross Silcock, Beth Proescholdt, Francis L. Moore, Bob Myers, Peter C. Petersen, Barbara Wilson, Carl J. Bendorf, Thomas J. Staudt, Thomas H. Kent, Dennis Thompson as well as Eugene and Eloise Armstrong were submitted later. Other observers include Linda Zalewski, Steve Dinsmore, Tanya Bray, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Joseph Schaufenbuel, Lewis Blevins, Corey Blevins, Brian Blevins, Paul Johnsgard, Roger Sherp, Phyllis Harris, Marilyn Lekwa, B.J. Rose, and Sharon Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Goldeneye - see above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Union Grove State Park, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Union Grove State Park in Tama County, IA on September 30, 1985.	Fuller, James L	Glossy Ibises	Union Grove State Park	Union Grove St. Park - Tama County	Lake	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Small Herons - bill shape.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at the Mehaffey Bridge area at Coralville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-19	1989-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Mehaffey Bridge area at the Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 19, 1986.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Red-necked Grebe	Mehaffey Bridge	Coralville Reservoir - Mehaffey Br. Area - Johnson Co.	lake	The documentation form by Richard Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Carol Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: After ruling out Horned & Eared Grebes due to bill size & color & shape the only possibilities for this bird are Western Grebe and smaller loons. 1. Red-throated loon seems ruled out by shape of bill. 2. In fact all loons & W. Grebe seem ruled out by bicolored bill. 3. Posture & Build were slimmer than most loons I've seen. 4. Neck which definitely was grey (in past) all the way around in front also seems to rule out there. I am puzzled by 2 things & although I'm sure it is a RN Grebe I wonder if it is in some intermediate plummage [sic]. 1 White patch at waterline in front. I saw this distinctly & sketched it on 11/9 as well as on a brief look at the bird on 11/16. 2 Dark cap seems to extend farther down the head than any of the plates would lead me to expect. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on April 12, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Red-necked Grebe	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-necked Grebe nearly one third bigger than nearby horned grebe. Horned and eared grebes do not have white cheek patch in summer plumage. Winter plumage horned and eared grebes do not have red necks. Red throated loon does not have white cheek patch and back of neck is not red. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Forney's Lake, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-20	1982-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cattle Egrets at Forney's Lake at Fremont County, IA on November 20, 1982.	Downs, Kraig	Cattle Egret	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake	Lake and Marsh Area	The documentation form by Kraig Downs is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Great egret and snowy egret. The size and that there had been 125-150 Cattle Egret on Forney's earlier that season. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-24	1981-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 24, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co. Ia	Lake and marsh in Nishnabottna River bottoms. - Willow S.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-06	1990-05-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch in Gurthrie County, IA on May 6, 1990.	Proescholdt, Mark	White-faced Ibis	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch - (Guthrie County)	Lake area with mud flat edges	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol McMillan, Russ Widner, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis does not have a large, noticeable white strip completely about the base of the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Rush Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-06-29	1981-07-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Western Grebes at Rush Lake in Osceola County, IA on June 29, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Grebe	Rush Lake	Rush L., Osceola Co, IA	Lake with extensive marshy edge N. side of lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Douglas Harr. \| Elimination of similar species: None similar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on October 26, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Western Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	Lake, at dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: too small, slender for Loon species. Head, bill neck, characteristic of this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-02-28	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on February 28, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Obrecht, Josh	Barrow's Goldeneye	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend national WIldlife Refuge Missouri Valley, Iowa	Lake, Forest	The documentation form by Josh Obrecht is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Obrecht. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Goldeneye. I eliminated this species out because the bird I saw had only a little white on the speculum and a large yellow eye with a small pupil. The common Goldeneye has a lot of white on the speculum and a large pupil in the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-28	1985-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 28, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ross' Goose	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont Co, IA	Lake; Roosting Area for Snow Geese	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ione Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose -Bill Shape, Size & Color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	large body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned and Western and Clark's Grebes eliminated by combination of size, large yellowish bill, and reddish tinge on neck and shoulders. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:35:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Jolly Rogers Recreation Area, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-10-30	1979-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Jolly Rogers Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 30, 1979.	Shires, Thomas K.	Red-necked Grebe	Jolly Rogers Campground	Jolly Roger recreation area - Coralville Reservoir	Large body of water	The documentation form by Thomas Shires is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: horned grebe: size, bill, wing patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-12	1999-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on May 12, 1999.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry - north of Ames - (Story County)	Large gravel pit filled with water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Hank Zaletel, Jim Dinsmore ,Tom Kent, Russ Widners, etc. \| Elimination of similar species: The chin strap, small size and small bill, and the sharp demarcation line on the side of the neck eliminate Common, Red-throated, and Yellow-billed Loons. No white flank marks eliminate Arctic Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:50:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Spring Lake Park in Cherokee, 1987	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Spring Lake Park in Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on April 28, 1987.	Bierman, Dick	Ross' Goose	Spring Lake Park	Spring Lake Park Cherokee, Cherokee County	Large Gravel Pit Park with many Ducks & Geese	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Big Creek State Park, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on October 20, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek SP, Polk County	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and longer, thicker bill eliminate Horned and Eared Grebes. The bird was not large enough to be a W. Grebe. The white on the leading edge of the wing and long neck also eliminate loons, and W. or Clark's Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Trumbull Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-08	1981-05-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Trumbull Lake in Clay County, IA on May 8, 1981.	Brewer, Marion M.	Red-necked Grebe	Trumbull Lake	South end of Trumble [sic] Lake	Large lake with a very marshy edges, edges with cat tails	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include "1 None Birder". \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than eared or horned grebe & was on same end of lake as 7 western grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-21	1999-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 21, 1999.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Clear Lake Ia	Large lake, northside	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Jan Walter, and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - was also present, could see larger loon, heavy bill, Pacific Loon - straight bill, black cap extends to eye -	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8