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 Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: bottom land forest Specific: in small (around 15 ft) tree	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo doesn't have streak on sides of breast and doesn't sound like this bird; doesn't have white tail spots. Solitary Vireo's breast isn't yellow with streaks & also doesn't sound like this bird. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur at Larson Marsh, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two or three Smith's Longspurs at Larson Marsh in Story County, IA on April 18, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Martsching, Paul	Smith's Longspur	Larson Marsh	Larson's Marsh (east of Ames) Story County, Iowa	General: marsh with pond nearby Specific: wet grassy area - much old tall grass bent down by snow last winter.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include an unidentified observer. \| Elimination of similar species: After seeing the first one and going thru all the pictures of sparrows was at a lose [sic] to know what I'd seen. Later we went back. The only sparrows with black & white face pattern (Wh Crnd & Wh Throated) are only black & white from the eyes up. Only realized was seeing a longspur about the time the last male disappeared in the grass. Were unable to flush. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:00:30 and 17:15:00/17:16:00 for the female bird and 17:15:00/17:15:10 for the male bird.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur east of Larson Marsh, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for eight or more Smith's Longspurs east of Larson Marsh in Story County, IA on April 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Martsching, Paul	Smith's Longspur	Larson Marsh	pothole one eigtth [sic] mile east of Larson Marsh in Story County, Iowa	General: near pothole in cornfield. Specific: grassy areas along waterfilled roadside ditch	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Whitford. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland longspur - has less white on tail edges, much whiter below; male reddish patch on back of neck & fairly heavy black streaks on sides - most of the males were more or less changed to breeding plumage, altho few had completely changed. Vesper Sparow does not have orange tan breast + belly or white shoulder patch. [...] had more or less black faces \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-26	1981-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Martsching, Paul	Hooded Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park Ames - Story County	undergrowth in bottomland forest	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include George Brown and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning Warbler - yellow face Connecticut Warbler - yellow face. \| The original documentation form event lasted for about ten minutes in the late morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Big Creek Reservoir, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-07	1980-09-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten Cinnamon Teals at Big Creek Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 7, 1980.	Martsching, Paul	Cinnamon Teal	Big Creek Lake	headwaters of Big Creek reservoir	shallow water interspersed with marsh & some mud flat edge	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel & John _. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue Wing Teal had completely rust colored head, neck, breast & belly Green Wing Teal. Ruddy Duck - didn't' have blue bill or cheek patch or act like a Ruddy Duck. \| The original documentation form event occurred in mid afternoon for 12-15 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-15	1982-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek in Polk County, IA on February 15, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek, Polk Co., Iowa	fields and patches of forest.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: When first saw it thought of Marsh Hawk. Did not have prominent white rump of Marsh Hawk. Marsh Hawk doesn't have the wide white eye brow stripe on very dark head. Wings wider than on Marsh Hawk. Much larger than other accipiters. Other accipiters don't have wide white eye brow stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for about twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1984-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on October 3, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendricksons Marsh - Story County - Iowa	General: Marsh Specific: three on east side of Hendricksons Marsh in weeds abt 1 foot tall: One on west side in weeds 3-4 feet tall.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light stripe thru [sic] crown & doesn't have white stripes on a very dark back. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 13:00:00 and 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on May 7, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie, Story County	wet prairie	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John E. Mayfield. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora does not have white patches on top side of wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:20:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Bell's Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-05	1984-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bell's Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 5, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Bell's Vireo	Brookside Park	Brookside Park - Ames - Story County - Iowa	low land woods	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joseph Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruby-crowned Kinglet is smaller; more active; wing bars more prominent. Warbling Vireo + Philadelphia Vireos do not have wing bars, + don't have eye rings. Solitary Vireo is bigger; more prominent spectacles, back greenish; wing bars more prominent. Orange Crowned + Tennessee Warblers don't have eye ring or wing bars - are greener. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 08:30:00/08:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	77
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope east of Colo, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Red-necked Phalaropes east of Colo in Story County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Red-necked Phalarope	Colo	pothole 2 1/2 miles East of Colo, Story Co, Iowa	agriculture land - with 'trash' + 'stubble.' pothole	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Nolan. \| Elimination of similar species: Wilson's Phalarope - does not have white stripe down wing. head not so dark. Sanderling has white stripe down wing - details seen when swimming rule it out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at State Forest Nursery, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on March 2, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery in Ames, Story County, Iowa	Tree nursery	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - has rusty back. Tail more or less rusty. Has obvious dark markings on lite face. female has rusty wings - male bluish wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Hallett's Quarry in Ames, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-19	1985-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Red-throated Loons at Hallett's Quarry in Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Red-necked Grebe	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallet's [sic] Quarry - Ames, Story County, Iowa	gravel & sand quarry pit	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, and Eric Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned Grebe-much smaller; beak dark; in summer does not have white cheek patch; in winter has lot of white on side of head and all down neck. Eared Grebe-much smaller; beak much smaller; in summer has 'topknot' & yellow on side of head; in winter cheek dark. Pied Billed-much smaller; beak not right shape; is more brown; stripes on young not the same. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-27	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 27, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir - Polk Co., Iowa (at the dam)		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: Kestrel - this bird had no rust or rufous on back, wings, or tail; or blue in wings like a male Kestrel. And did not have strong face pattern of Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the AM.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
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 Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 25, 1987.	Martsching, Paul	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co, Iowa		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: Was much larger than immature Little Gull. Sabine's doesn't have black bar on inner half of wings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Des Moines, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-02	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on May 2, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Rowe, Pauline	Western Tanager	Des Moines	2801 Madison, Des Moines, IA - Back yard	On our birdfeeder - large evergreen nearby.	The documentation form by Pauline Rowe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:30:00 and 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Marble Rock, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-09	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Marble Rock in Floyd County, IA on May 9, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Knoop, Pearl	Black-headed Grosbeak	Marble Rock	Floyd county, about a mile south of Marble Rock, along river	Narrow tree and shrubby area along the Shellrock. This type of habitat extends along the river on both sides. More bushy in some places than others. There are nearby cultivated fields and tree areas.	The documentation form by Pearl Knoop is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: female rose-breased [sic] grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Long-tailed Jaeger at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-04	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Long-tailed Jaeger at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on September 4, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photocopy of two photos, field notes of the sighting, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Long-tailed Jaeger	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh - Sac Co about 2 1/2 miles N of Lake View on M68. West sided of Hiway.	Marsh.	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford, Ross Silcock, Harold White, Lee A Schoenewe, Peter C. Petersen, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Don Poggensee, Mark Proescholdt, and Beth Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Joshua Ernzen, Nancy Shoenewe, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, Pam Poggensee, Dan Smith, Bob Livermore, Jim Sinclair, Bill Huser, Dick Tetrault, Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, Kelly McKay, Roland Barth, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Jaeggers [sic] - Long tail & no brown on chest. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Black Hawk Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-07	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Pacific Loon at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on November 7, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Pacific Loon	Black Hawk Lake	SE Corner of Blackhawk Lake in Sac Co.	Lake	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon longer no chin strap -neck border indistinct - Red-throated Loon bill upturned, white above eye speckled back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:22:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow in western Ida County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Harris' Sparrow in western Ida County, IA on September 18, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Harris' Sparrow	Ida County	Western Ida County	Shrubby	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:03:00/12:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Solitary Vireo at Moorehead Park, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-08-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Solitary Vireo at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on August 20, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Blue-headed Vireo	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park	Wooded shrubby	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 12:00:00 - 13:00:00 for several minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	78
Rare bird documentation form for Canada Warbler at Moorehead Park in Ida County, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Canada Warbler at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on October 8, 1995.	Ernzen, Peter	Canada Warbler	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead P.	Habitat was brushy shrubs along wooded stream.	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 16:30:00/17:00:00 for around two minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	43
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-10-23	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on October 23, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Great Black-backed Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Black hawk Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Because I did not see the bird from front I could not eliminate other species - However due to its extreme size I eliminated all other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:34:00/10:34:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids, 1990	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Wickham, Peter P.	Baltimore Oriole	Cedar Rapids	Bird feeder, 100 Thompson Drive S.E., Cedar Rapids	Suburban area, with condominiums, private homes, lawns & trees	The documentation form by Pete Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Durbin and three unidentified people with other bird feeders. \| Elimination of similar species: There are no similar species that I can think of. It wasn't a Bullock's type, which would have orange on the face and a big white wing patch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock 15 in Davenport, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-24	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 24, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock 15, Davenport	General: Mississippi River Specific: just below roller dam	The documentation form by Peter C Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tim Dwyer and Jerry White. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - wing tips not black on this bird, + its eye was dark. Iceland (Humelius) - wing tips not as pale grey, legs not pale pink. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:15:00 on December 24, 1986 and 14:40:00/14:42:00 on December 25, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3