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 near Pocahontas, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-17	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on December 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of record, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, a photograph, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Smith's Longspur	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA.	General: Back yard opening to a 100 acre farm field. Evergreens, bushes, trees. Specific: Foot of tray feeder beside tree.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Ronald Harms and Rita DeWall were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Water Pipit near Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-02-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Water Pipit near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on February 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Water Pipit	Pocahontas	Rural Pocahontas, IA	General: Rural back yard (about 1 acre). Young trees + shrubs bounded on three sides by 100+ acre fields. Specific: Base of stone fireplace with feeder on top. Fireplace is 6' from concrete patio in back yard.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper sparrow. Breast not streaked as heavily as vesper sparrow + white outer tail feathers more prominent than on vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	12
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park in Pocahontas County, IA on November 29, 1980.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Golden Eagle	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, Pocahontas County	General: Woods around lake. Specific: edge of woods around lake	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Bald Eagle at Sunken Grove, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bald Eagle at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on November 29, 1980.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Bald Eagle	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, Pocahontas County	Woods around lake, edge of woods around lake	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-03	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on June 3, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	House Finch	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA Rt 2 Box 9 50574	Backyard. Trees, shrubs, bird baths, feeders, etc.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Betty Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00 and 18:00:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sunken Grove, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-06	1980-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Goshawks at Sunken Grove at Pocahontas County, IA on September 6, 1980.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Northern Goshawk	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, Pocahontas County	Woods around lake, edge of woods around lake	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Harms. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Eden Valley Refuge, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-19	1998-01-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Eden Valley Refuge in Jackson County, IA on December 19, 1997.	Wickham, Walt	Turkey Vulture	Eden Valley County Refuge	1 1/2 miles south, 1 mile west of Eden Valley Refuge	mixed cropland and woods	The documentation form by Walt Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chip Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: lack of head feathers, \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Little Spirit Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of around six Greater Prairie-Chickens at Little Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on August 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Baker, Warren L.	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Little Spirit Lake Wildlife Management Area	South end - west side Little Spirit Lake, Iowa	- cut field, next to lake	The documentation form by Warren L. Baker is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Karen Baker were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharpe [sic] Tailed grouse \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Rare bird documentation form for Magnolia Warbler at Sioux City, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1995-07-04	1995-07-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Magnolia Warbler at Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on July 4, 1995.	Livermore, Wayne	Magnolia Warbler	Sioux City	4713 Tyler St Sioux City Ia 51108	Urban back yard	The documentation form by Wayne Livermore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated yellow-rumped because of white breast. Wrong facial coloring for Cape May. All similar species have very disimilar [sic] song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	23
Rare bird documentation form for Glossy Ibis at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-11	1984-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Glossy Ibises at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984.	Hovell, Leroy E. Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibis	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa		The documentation form by Wayne Stanley & Leroy Hovell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcolm, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| Elimination of similar species: All characteristics matched Glossy Ibis including the blue skin at the base of the curved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-11	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two birds (Ibis species) at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibises	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	The starting point was on the northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa		The documentation form by Wayne Stanley and Leroy Hovell is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Leroy Hovell was submitted later. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcom, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| The original documentation form event occurred after 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Moorehead Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-01-27	1996-02-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on January 27, 1996.	Thelen, Wes	Northern Goshawk	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park - Ida County	Oak - Cedar - Edge	The documentation form by Wes Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen and Matt Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk - Has a more rusty chest and no rear eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-10-09	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands in Plymouth County, IA on October 9, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fields, Will	Black-billed Magpie	Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve	Broken Kettle Grasslands (a Nature Conservancy Preserve, Plymouth Co., IA)		The documentation form by Will Fields is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unidentified members of Iowa State University Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Club. \| Elimination of similar species: The American crow and the common raven lack do not have such a long tail and they usually do not have white in their plumage. I had seen American crows flying around the preserve earlier that morning. This bird definitely had a longer tail than the American crows. Ring-necked pheasants also have a long tail, but they do not normally have a black and white plumage. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-10-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve in Plymouth County, IA on October 9, 1999.	Fields, Will	Black-billed Magpie	Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve	Broken Kettle Grasslands (a Nature Conservancy Preserve, Plymouth Co., IA)		The documentation form by Will Fields is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unidentified members of the Iowa State University Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Club. \| Elimination of similar species: The American Crow and the Common Raven lack do not have [sic] such a long tail and they usually do not have white in their plumage. I had seen American Crows flying around the preserve earlier that morning. This bird definitely had a longer tail than the American Crows. Ring-necked Pheasants also have a long tail, but they do not normally have a [sic] black and white plumage. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	83
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Sparrow south of Mystic, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Sparrow south of Mystic in Appanoose County, IA on December 22, 1981.	Cummings, William G.	Lark Sparrow	Mystic	Appanoose County - South of Mystic	Shrub - Fence row Brush	The documentation form by William G. Cummings is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree & Song Sparrow also English Sparrow because of size & markings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	53
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie east of Lindsay Wilderness Area, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-11-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie east of Lindsay Wilderness Area in Van Buren County, IA on November 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Vickers, William P.	Black-billed Magpie	Lindsay Wilderness Area	East of Lindsay Wilderness, Bonaparte, Ia	Second growth woodland near open pasture	The documentation form by William Vickers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W.C. Cockerell and Mike Bentler. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerhead shrike, which is much smaller \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird at Ames, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird at Ames in Story County, IA on December 21, 1996.	Oesterreich, Wolfgang	Gray Catbird	Ames	Ames, Iowa	deciduous woodland - near confluence of Onion & Squaw Creeks	The documentation form by Wolfgang Oesterreich is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing in this area. (Mockingbird doesn't have black cap, mostly undertail coverts; plus it has white wing patches.) \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-08-01	1992-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Peregrine Falcons at Ames in Story County, IA on August 1, 1992.	Oesterreich, Wolfgang	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	downtown Ames		The documentation form by Wolfgang Oesterreich is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Grosbeak at Saylorville Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-22	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pine Grosbeak at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on December 22, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Oesterreich, Wolfgang	Pine Grosbeak	Saylorville Lake	woods at end of NW 100th St @ Big Creek Lake T81N R25W NE 1/4 sec. 21	She was perched at the top of a deciduous tree (locust?) in a small wooded area, dominated by deciduous trees. Some conifers were present. Kevin stated that when he first saw the bird it flew like a woodpecker (undulating) and landed in the tree.	The documentation form by Wolfgang Oesterrichis the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Kevin Healy. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration and size eliminated the other finches. Too large and wrong coloration for Goldfinches. Coloration, bill shape, size not like crossbills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pygmy Nuthatch at Des Moines, 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-01-26	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pygmy Nuthatch at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on January 26, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, multiple articles from Iowa Bird Life, correspondence related to bird sighting and review, and two documentations submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Pygmy Nuthatch	Des Moines	[...] 5400 Woodland Ave.		The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Nicholas Halmi was submitted later. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Mary Brown, Dorothy Ely, Peter C. Petersen, Mary Lou Petersen, Margaret Brooke, Lillian Serbousek, Allen Mueller, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] According to plumage descriptions of the Pigmy and Brown-headed Nuthatches, the only noticeable difference between the two (short of having the bird in hand) is in the color of the crown and nape. The field guides are agreed that the crown of the Brown-headed is brown, but there is a lack of unanimity in their descriptions of the crown of the Pigmy. [...] Margaret Brooke, in writing up the observation for IBL, describes the cap as being "brownish" but has no doubt about this nuthatch being a Pigmy. Mary and I feel the grayish olive description comes closest and cinches the Pigmy identification. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	51
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Des Moines, 1971	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1971-11-04	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1971. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Western Tanager	Des Moines	Des Moines, IA	Well-kept back yard of apartment in the heart of Des Moines	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mary Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for goldfinch, wing bars eliminate Summer or Scarlet Tanagers which would not be here at this time. Bill obviously not oriole or finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted briefly, mid-afternnon [sic].	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Boreal Chickadee at Des Moines, 1976	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1976-11-17	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Boreal Chickadee at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1976. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, multiple articles from Iowa Bird Life, a request for reconsideration of record, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Woodward H.	Boreal Chickadee	Des Moines	Des Moines, IA	General: urban, residential Specific: large back yard with both evergreen and deciduous trees and large stand of yew adjacent to feeders	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Mooney, Nicholas Halmi, Lurene Warters, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Superficially similar to any of the chickadees \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	49
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at St. Mary's in Warren County, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-tailed Hawk at St. Mary's in Warren County, IA on April 10, 1979.	Brown, Woodward H.	Mute Swan	Saint Marys	3 miles south of St Mary's. Warren Co., IA in farm pond	pastures/hedgerows/woods	The documentation form by Woodward H. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Richard Mooney, Margaret Brooke, Jeannette Eyerly, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Whistling Swan - smooth bill, neck less curved. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for McCown's Longspur near De Soto National Wildlife Reserve, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-16	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a McCown's Longspur near De Soto National Wildlife Reserve in Harrison County, IA on December 16, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee for review.	Starr, David	McCown's Longspur	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	North of railroad tracks on L-16, north of hwy. 30 (by DeSoto Refuge)	Tilled cornfield	The documentation form for Extraordinary Bird Sighting in Iowa by David Starr forms the basis of this record. The documentation form Supporting Details: Uncommon or Rare Species/High Numbers was also submitted by David Starr. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Prairie Warbler at Greenfield Township in Warren County, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-14	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Warbler at Greenfield Township in Warren County, IA on September 14, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form with an addendum submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Prairie Warbler	Greenfield Township	My Yard - small acreage in northern Warren County, IA	Mixed open woods and field edge with creek and many shrubs	The documentation form with an addendum by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Palm Warbler - no streaking on breast; chestnut cap not evident; streaking was black; breeding plumage unlikely on this date Pine Warbler - belly and undertail coverts bright yellow; wingbars not as distinct as the wing was not as dark nor the bars as white: streaking on the sides darker than a pine [...] Magnolia Warbler - Magnolia's body and wings too dark; adult eliminated because of no streaking on breast (only sides) and no black facial mask; immature does not have heavy enough streaking nor yellow extending up the face and around the eye far enough and the wingbars are too contrasting (black and white) Cape May Warbler - vibrant yellow undertail coverts would seem to by and large eliminate the Cape May, especially when combined with no streaking on the breast and belly; wing bars were two distinct pale yellowish markings, not white or blotched together Blackburnian Warbler - unstreaked back; no distinct cheek patch; no white wing bars on dark wings Blackpoll/Bay-breasted Warbler - unstreaked back; primary identification of fall blackpoll is white undertail coverts which eliminates this bird immediately. Also this complex normally has more distinct white wing bars on darker wings and the streaking on the sides is not the stark black on brilliant yellow but a more muted yellowish wash. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:45:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	22