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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur at Doolittle Prairie, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-03-13	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for one to two Smith's Longspurs at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on March 13, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Smith's Longspur	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Dolittle [sic] Prairie, (3 mi. S. Story City) Story Co., Iowa	wet area in weedy farm field	The documentation form by Joe P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observer was Alan Branhagen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt south of Ainsworth, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-18	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Black-necked Stilts south of Ainsworth in Washington County, IA on May 18, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Field Notes, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Black-necked Stilt	Ainsworth	Washington County - south of #92 about 1/2 mile on #218	Wet areas in field after flooded creek spilled out into fields	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Dinsmore, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Richard Tetrault, Peter Petersen, Francis Moore, Ann Johnson, Hank Zalatel, Beth Proescholdt, and Russ Widner. \| Elimination of similar species: There are no similar species that come to mind. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:10:00 on May 18, 1996 and 15:00:00/15:10:00 on May 19th, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Cedar Rapids, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on April 23, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, correspondence about bird sightings, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Walton, Robert	Mississippi Kite	Cedar Rapids	2.3 miles west of junction 218 on hiway 30 ( approx. 24 miles west of Cedar Rapids)	wet cropland (corn stubble field with water puddles)	The documentation form by Randy Walton is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sandy Walton. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape and size of bird was similar to prairie and peregrine falcons. The lack of any facial markings, the grayish coloration and presence of the black dorsal wing tips eliminate the falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:15:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-03	1986-04-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on April 3, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	wet grassy area at edge of cattails	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White patches on wings separate from other rails. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Cone Marsh Wildlife Area, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Cone Marsh Wildlife Area in Louisa County, IA on April 21, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Conesville Marsh Louisa Co. Iowa	wet grassy field and wooded edge. Conesville Marsh between lakes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include T.K. Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-10-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 14, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	w. of Greencastle corner, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	wet marshy area with low vegetation and mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Jim Fuller, Carol Thompson, and Randy Pinkston were submitted. Other observers include Jane Huntington, James Huntington, Jim Sandrock, John Cordell, John Daniel, Mary Noble, Ken Lowder, and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other species worthy of consideration is Pectoral Sandpiper. The most distinctive feature is the plain, cinnamon-buff breast without bib line or streaking centrally. The soft breast color shaded off evenly to the lower belly and throat. Some pectorals had very week [sic] breast markings, but on close inspection all had streaks and a sharp bib line. The solid rusty cap differed from any pectorals; some pectorals appeared a bit rusty on the cap, but some streaking was seen on such individuals. The eye line appeared white, and it dropped and widened posteriorly. Some pectorals had light eye lines but they were off-white, less distinct, and straighter. The juvenile feathers of the upper parts were edged with rufous; this was especially prominent on the tertials. Some pectorals appeared to have rusty edging on the tertials, but this was dependent on lighting and at least one rufous appearing pectoral had the color more in the center of the feathers with grayer edging. The gray smudging on the undertail coverts I saw once and only had a glance at a nearby pectoral for comparison, so I am not very confident of this mark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:25:00, 09:55:00/10:00:00, and intermittently 16:15:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	4
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit in Missouri Valley, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-10	1978-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Marbled Godwits in Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on April 10, 1978.	Gochenour, Ruth A.	Marbled Godwit	Missouri Valley	3 miles North of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Harrison County	Wet meadow	The documentation form by Ruth A. Gochenour is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Naomi Svenningsen and Justin Gochenour. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit. Extremely large shore bird - this bird was lacking white rump-and black tail, chestnut under parts - The cinnamon wing linings were easily seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Common Snipe at Washington Township, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-06-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Snipe at Washington Township in Winneshiek County, IA on June 12, 1986.	Dietzenbach, Mark A.	Common Snipe	Washington Township	County: Winneshiek Block: Not in survey block Location in detail: Washington Township, section one, two miles south of Calmar. One hundred yards west of Hwy 150 where it crosses concrete bridge.	Wet meadow, sedgy areas, low woody growth nearby, pasture.	The documentation form by Mark A. Dietzenbach is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Woodcock; not quite their normal habitat, Plumper, rounded wings, they produce a whisting [sic] sound when flushed. Upland Sandpiper: shorter bill, no stripes on head or back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:42:00/20:42:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	27
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 King Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-27	1985-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 27, 1985.	Proescholdt, Mark	King Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie - (Story County)	wet prairie potholes	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Ramona Sommerlot. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rails are only 1/2 the size of this rail and Virginia rails have gray cheeks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-06	1983-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on May 6, 1983.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	King Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie, Ames, Iowa	Wet prairie, pothole fringe.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. In size the bird was easily larger than a Virginia Rail and about the size of a halfgrown pheasant. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur northwest of Red Oak, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-03-28	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven Smith's Longspurs northwest of Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on March 28, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Smith's Longspur	Red Oak	2 1/2 mi W. of Red Oak, U.S. 34, then 2 mi North on gravel road near stream Montgomery Co.	wet short grass field	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur does not have buffy breast or buffy colored collar around side of throat on to nape. Lapland Longspur does not have as much white in tail (outer tail feathers) as these birds did. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:55:00/15:58:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Northwest Warren County, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-14	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a White-faced Ibis at Northwest Warren County, IA on May 14, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	White-faced Ibis	Warren County	north-west Warren Co.	wet spot in corn stubble adjacent to North	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Taylor Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: It was definitely an ibis. Glossy eliminated by the bill and leg coloration and the white facial border. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Larson's Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Larson's Marsh in Story County, IA on September 23, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Yellow Rail	Larson Marsh	Larson's Marsh, Story Co.	wet, grassy area along edge of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other rails eliminated by the white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Cone Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-04	1983-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 4, 1983.	White, Gerald	Yellow Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Field on East and end of North dike at Cone Marsh	Wet, grassy field (10" grass)	The documentation form by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tim Dwyer. \| Elimination of similar species: No other rail has white on the wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	North Marshall county, country gravel road (dead end) leading to timber and creek- corn fields and a wet shrubby area.	wet, marshy, weedy low spot by road in a corn field with three shrubby bushes	The documentation form by Ramona R. Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LE CONTES--too small, striped head Lincon's [sic] Sparrow--facial pattern not right--too little Henslow's--not right coloration in breast and side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:30:08.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-05-17	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on May 17, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a field report, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Black-headed Gull	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Swan Pen - Dickinson County	Wetland - open water not many emergents 2 islands	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonapartes Gull - size and color of hood Franklins - color of hood, wing markings (upper and lower) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Big Creek State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-07	1980-09-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cinnamon Teals at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on September 7, 1980.	Zaletel, Hank	Cinnamon Teal	Big Creek State Park	entrance of Big Creek into Big Creek State Park lake in Polk Co.	wetlands - entrance of stream into lake, area contained mudflats, marsh (cattails) and open water	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Robinson, Paul Martsching, Dick Mooney and Pauline Mooney. \| Elimination of similar species: Since the bird was the same size as a Blue-winged Teal, the chief factor in differentiating the two species, was the rusty-red color on the bird's neck breast and tail feathers. When the two species flew, it was easy to separate the light tan breast of the Blue-winged Teal from the rusty-red breast of the Cinnamon Teal.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Hudsonian Godwit at Spring Run, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-19	1995-12-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hudsonian Godwit at Spring Run in Dickinson County, IA on October 19, 1995. Letter from Ed Thelen to Tom Kent about a video of the sighting on unknown date.	Thelen, Ed	Hudsonian Godwit	Spring Run Complex Wildlife Management Area	Spring Run - Dickinson County	Wetlands - mudflat	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White rump eliminated marbled godwit.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	13
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-19	1999-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on April 19, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reece [sic] Wettlands [sic], Koss Co, Iowa near Union Slough	wettlands [sic] + old bean stubble	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Matthew Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: No other birds in immediate area, other than ducks, I had seen two Savannah Sparrows at beginning of area and knew these were larger than Savannah's and different coloring and marks. I have seen Laplands but they don't have this rich buffy color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on November 14, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh near Tripoli, Bremer Co., Iowa	White pine planting on North side of Marsh, SW of rangers residence	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers Hawk does not have a white stripe above its eye and I have never seen a Coopers with fluffy undertail coverts. Red-tailed Hawk does not have the coloration this hawk had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:40:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-25	1988-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1988.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-25	1998-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1998.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Coralville Lake, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-10-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Coralville Lake in Johnson County, IA on October 28, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-necked Grebe	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Lake, Johnson Co, Iowa	wide area of reservoir near shore, west of Jolly Roger recreation area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller than Western Grebe, larger than Horned or Eared. Neck-band bill longer than smaller grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:40:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Jolly Rogers Campground at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-16	1990-12-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Franklin's Gull at Jolly Rogers Campground at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Franklin's Gull	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Reservoir (Jolly Roger), Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Carol Thompson, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's [handwritten note - 'neither is Franklins!] not hooded at this time of year and has lighter wing with white leading edge. In the last several years, Franklin's Gulls in alternate plumage have been recorded in the midwest in winter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00 estimate.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32