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 of Red Knot at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-08-05	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on August 5, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Knot	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co.	feeding on large mud area with thousands of shorebirds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The reddish color on the underparts eliminates all shorebirds except Red Knot, Curlew Sandpiper, and Sanderling. The pale legs and bill shape eliminate Curlew Sandpiper. The larger size, bill shape, and pale legs eliminate Sanderling. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-06	1986-11-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 6, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Northern Goshawk	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	flying over dam	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The larger size, gray underparts, and white undertail coverts eliminate both Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon south of Sheldahl, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-19	1985-09-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon south of Sheldahl in Story County, IA on September 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	Sheldahl	S. of Sheldahl, Story County	open country near town	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, long pointed wings, dark back contrasting with light underparts, and the black hood eliminate all other raptors. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Big Wall Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	King Rail	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright Co.	large cattail marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and large bill eliminate Virginia Rail. The rusty (not grayish) underparts eliminate the very similar Clapper Rail (!!). \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Ames in Story County, IA on November 9, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Northern Goshawk	Ames	1 mile s. of Ames, Story Co.	flew across road and landed in a tree	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size (larger than a crow which landed nearby), gray underparts, and white eyebrow eliminates Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at State Forest Nursery, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-15	1986-09-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two House Finches at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on September 15, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	House Finch	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	large pine planting	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The lack of a facial pattern eliminated a female Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Golden-Plover at Forney Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-23	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Golden-Plover at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on November 23, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	American Golden Plover	Forneys Lake	Forney L., Fremont Co.	with Killdeer on large mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark rump and white underwing eliminates Black-bellied Plover. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Franklin's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-25	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for one to two Franklin's Gulls in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 25, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Franklin's Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large reservoir with some open water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark mantle, black hood, white eye crescents, small size, and red bill and legs eliminates all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	19
Rare bird documentation form for Dunlin at Big Creek State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dunlin at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Dunlin	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek SP-north end	feeding on mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark legs and bill eliminate Purple Sandpiper, one of only a few sandpipers likely to be around this late. All other sandpipers eliminated by the size, dark legs, long, drooping bill, dark breast, and dark, unmarked back and wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	24
Rare bird documentation form for Franklin's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-02	1987-12-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Franklin's Gulls at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Franklin's Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-above dam	resting with other gulls on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark hood and wing pattern eliminate all other gulls except Laughing Gull. The small bill and white bar separating the black wingtip from the rest of the wing eliminates Laughing Gull (in adult plumage). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:40:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	32
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-08	1987-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Oak Grove Beach in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 8, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	White-faced Ibis	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk CO.-Oak Grove Beach	landed briefly with gulls and terns on sandy beach	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The complete white border around the base of the bill and the reddish legs eliminate the similar Glossy Ibis. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:32:00/11:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Dunlin at Rice Lake, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-07-16	1989-07-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dunlin at Rice Lake in Winnebago County, IA on July 16, 1989.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Dunlin	Rice Lake	Rice L., Winnebago Co.	on large mudflat with other shorebirds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of the size, plumage, bill shape and length, and light wing stripe eliminates other shorebirds, especially Red Knot and Curlew Sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	24
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation forms for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir near Jester Park in Polk County, IA on September 29, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir-near Jester Park	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of large size, buffy color on the neck and breast, white throat, and yellowish bill eliminates all other grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:05:00/17:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of large size, brown body color, light patches on the cheek, and white wing patch eliminates all other ducks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-10-27	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Jaeger species bird at Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 27, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Jaegers	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Jester Park	landed with other gulls roosting on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The body color and wing pattern eliminates all other larids. I was not able to identify the bird to species because of the poor light. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:56:00/17:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Saylorville Reservoir dam, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Saylorville Reservoir dam in Polk County in October 11, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Saylorville Dam	beaver ponds below the Saylorville Reservoir dam, Polk County.	edge of small pond surrounded by dense Willow thickets	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The black bill, finer spotting on underparts, darker back with som [sic] gray wash on the tail, bright yellow legs, and legs protruding well beyond the tail eliminate immature Black-crowned Night heron. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull north of Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull north of Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Thayer's Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-north of Jester Park	feeding in river channel with thousands of other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill and leg color and size eliminates all gulls except Herring, Thayer's, and Iceland gulls. The uniform dark color of the wings, lack of a lighter "window" on the inner primaries, and the silvery color of the underside of the flight feathers eliminates 1st-winter Herring and Iceland gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:38:00/14:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on December 22, 1998.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ross' Goose	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch WMA Guthrie Co. IA	Sitting on ice with other Geese. Small amount of open water.	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Geese were big with large bill that had a grin patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Long-billed Dowitcher at Big Creek State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-billed Dowitcher at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Long-billed Dowitcher	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park-north end	muddy area along lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Short-billed Dowitcher eliminated by the birds call note (should be softer notes for Short-bill) and by the combination of gray/brown underparts, gray back with light feather edgings, and barred undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:05:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at State Forest Nursery, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at State Forest Nursey in Ames in Story County, IA on February 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Merlin	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	flushed out of a row of Pine trees	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharp-shinned Hawk eliminated by lack of narrow pointed wings, heavily streaked underparts. Am. Kestrel eliminated because this bird had no red on back or tail. This bird also had a uniformly dark colored back unlike Am. Kestrel. Am. Kestrel also lacks the strongly barred tail this bird exhibited. This bird also lacked strong facial pattern of Am. Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing north of Ledges State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Boehmian Waxwing north of Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on November 28, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Bohemian Waxwing	Ledges State Park	3 miles n. of Ledges State Park, Boone Co.	feeding in large cedar grove	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: see above [...] As the bird perched with four Cedar Waxwings, I saw that it was larger, grayer, had a longer crest, had more rufous color on the face, had rusty undertail coverts, and had red, yellow, and white on the wing. The bird called several times and sounded like a loud, hoarse Cedar Waxwing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lake Manawa, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-14	1986-03-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 14, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Surf Scoter	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa	large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: other scoters eliminated by the white spots on the cheek and the lack of a wing patch \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-28	1987-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Black Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 28, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black Scoter	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-above dam	swimming on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other scoters eliminated by the dark wings and distinct throat patch. The orange knob on the male's bill eliminated other scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-10	1987-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation forms for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co-above dam	swimming on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other grebes eliminated by the large size and light crescent on the cheek. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 24, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Surf Scoter	Polk City Wildlife Area	Polk City Wildlife Refuge, adjacent to Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	large backwater area of reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other ducks eliminated by size, uniform dark color, lack of wing markings, and bill size and shape. White-winged Scoter eliminated by lack of white wing patches. Imm. or female Black Scoter eliminated by white spots on cheek instead of white throat and by bill shape. All male Scoters eliminated by Black, rather than brown, body color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11