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 Bewick's Wren at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-01	1986-09-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on September 1, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bewick's Wren	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest. 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle in Lee County, Iowa	Heavily overgrown brushy area/multiflora rose, saplings, some middle maturity and older trees.	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. [...] I observed a conspicuous superciliary strip but otherwise, the bird did not look right for a Carolina. The body appeared slimmer than a Carolina, and the tail was longer. [...] I heard the song a couple of times, but will not try to describe it except that it was clearly not the song of a Carolina or a House Wren. \| The original documentation form event occurred from 07:30:00/07:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha, 1988	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Trapping	1988-02-09	1988-02-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha in Linn County, IA on February 9, 1988.	Bradley, Rob	Chipping Sparrow	Hiawatha	Home patio feeder - 1 mile west fo [sic] Hiawatha, Iowa (Linn County)	Low bushes and trees around a cement patio	The documentation form by Robert Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karen Bradley. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree sparrow too large. Cap with only a few rufous feathers. No central breast spot. No black eyeline. Buff supercilliary [sic] line. Breast was gray as compared with buff on clay colored sparrow also gray rump instead of brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00 on February 9, 1988 - 07:30:00 on February 10, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	49
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire southwest of Washta, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1997-02-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire southwest of Washta in Cherokee County, IA on February 23, 1997.	Thelen, Rob	Townsend's Solitaire	Washta	app. 1 3/4 m. SW of Washta in Cherokee Co.	Cedar Tree's, Timber, River Ridge	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Clark, Marty Thelen, Wes Thelen, and Peter Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: came to Solitaire Tape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
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 Hooded Warbler at MacNiders Woods in Mason City, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1994-05-08	1994-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at MacNiders Woods in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 8, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Hooded Warbler	MacNiders Woods	McNider [sic] Woods Mason City IA	Park of cotton wood, willows, ash + under growth	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Cap reminded me of Wilson's but the black throat was different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird northwest of Mason City, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-13	1999-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight Brewer's Blackbirds northwest of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 13, 1998.	Goranson, Rita	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	Wheelerwood Drive, north + west of Mason City, 1 mile before intersection with Killdeer Ave	River + trees on one side - farm land on other side	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Had been seeing grackles - a larger bird - larger tail. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Lime Creek Nature Center near Mason City, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-22	1988-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Lime Creek Nature Center near Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 22, 1988.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Henslow's Sparrow	Lime Creek Nature Center	Lime Cr. Nature Center - in or near Mason City, IA (	field being restored to Prairie / although it had some 18" aspen or cottonwood trees	The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barbara Wilson, Carol Thompson, Bob Cecil, John Cecil, Francis Moore, Jim Hanson, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and other unidentified observers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow near Tiffin, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Field Sparrow near Tiffin in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Field Sparrow	Tiffin	~1/2 mi. s. of Tiffen [sic], Johnson Co., Ia. at Clear Creek Bridge	Creek bed with forested area to north and open field to south. Deep snow covered most of area. South-facing north slope of creek provided open grassy area as snow had mostly melted. Several song sparrows were in same area.	The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: The Tree Sparrow, usually abundant in winter around Iowa City, has a dark upper bill and lacks the white eye ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-24	1978-02-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Pine Grosbeaks at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines in Polk County, IA on January 24, 1978.	Mooney, Richard D., 1905-1997	Pine Grosbeak	Glendale Cemetery	Glendale Cemetary [sic]-50th St. & University Ave. Des Moines	Cemetary [sic] with numerous assorted evergreen trees and various other trees.	The documentation form by Richard D. Mooney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pauline Mooney, Ruth Binsfeld, Woodward Brown, and Mary Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Evening Grosbeak eliminated by coloration. Purple Finch eliminated by size and coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1989-04-15	1989-06-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA on April 15, 22, and 23, 1989.	Allen, Reid I.	Lincoln's Sparrow	West Des Moines	1601 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines, IA	Suburban yard, with wooded area behind home consisting of large trees and brushpiles	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Song sparrow has center dot and no buffy upper breast streaking. Savannah has white dotted breast. Vesper sparrow has white out tail. Mostly distinguished because of its song which was sung two or three times and Reid played a tape and it came right up to us as we were sitting and waiting for the Armstrongs to come to our house. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	Council Bluffs	Off I-29 at south Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) with more rounded crown, characteristic call notes, much less likely to occur in Iowa. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) much smaller, different call notes, female lacks rich brown foreparts and superciliary stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on June 23, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Prairie Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa	Clearing in mature mixed woodland with second growth consisting of many small pines.	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Distinct reddish-brown streaks on green back. [...] Sang characteristic song repeatedly during my observation, from small pines or the clearing's edge. [...] With a good look such as this, and watching the bird give the characteristic song, the adult male is unmistakeable. [sic] \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:55:00/19:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on May 28, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Bewick's Wren	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Lacey-Keosauqua St. Pk. campground, Van Buren Co., Iowa.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Pinkston. \| Elimination of similar species: Song and tail alone rule out House and Carolina Wrens. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:30:59.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 28, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Prairie Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek St. For., Lee Co., Iowa. Same bird reported by others.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Pinkston. \| Elimination of similar species: Combination of habitat, song and facial pattern are diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Parula at Lake MacBride State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Parulas at Lake MacBride State Park in Johnson County, IA on May 30, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Northern Parula	Lake Macbride State Park	Lake MacBride St. Pk., Johnson Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Pinkston and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Song is diagnostic. Only similar species is Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi) which has black mask, lacks eye-ring and blue-gray breast band. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 07:30:00 and 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	21
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-20	1993-06-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least five Great-tailed Grackles at MidAmerican Energy Ponds at Pottawattamie County, IA on June 20, 1993. There are details of another sighting of another Great-tailed Grackle near Osceola in Clark County, IA on June 26, 1993 on the documentation form.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	South IPL pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa (4+ males, 1 female); along Hwy. 2 in Nebraska City bridge area, Fremont County, Iowa (1 male)	[...] Observed in cattails at edge of IPL pond in Pottawattamie County [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation for Smith's Longspur north northwest of Lone Tree, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for around a few hundred Smith's Longspurs north northwest of Lone Tree in Johnson County, IA on April 6, 1990.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Smith's Longspur	Lone Tree	2 mi. NNW of Lone Tree, Johnson Co., Iowa	[...] In large hay stubble field with scattered bales, [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Non-descript really, eye-ringed, suggestive of a Vesper Sparrow but for entirely buff underparts. [...] Also seen were a Red Fox and an alternate-plumaged male Lapland Longspur. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Chuck-will's Widow at Ida Grove, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-17	1993-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Chuck-will's Widow at Ida Grove in Ida County, IA on May 17, 1993.	Ernzen, Peter	Chuck-will's-widow	Ida Grove	Ida Grove Iowa	In migration?	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None with this song. Whip Poor Will similar, but each song is distinctive and identifiable on its own. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00 - approximately 11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	57
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark east of Muscatine, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark east of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Petersen, Peter C.	Eastern Meadowlark	Muscatine	2 mi. E. Muscatine along Hwy 22	grassy roadside	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Walter Zuurdeeg and Chris Reed. \| Elimination of similar species: Western has 6-7 note call, much less musical \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:01:00/08:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1979-05-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 14, 1979.	Petersen, Peter C.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park, Muscatine Co, Iowa	General: creek bottom - juncture of Pine Creek + small stream coming from Devil's Punch bowl. Specific: bottomland forest, large clearing, trees well spaced, surrounded by more dense forest.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackburnian Warbler Female it is orange through eye, different call Call reminded me of La. Waterthrush which was calling from lower areas nearby at the time. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
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
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Smith's Longspurs west of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 30, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Smith's Longspur	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	3 1/2 miles West of Hendricksons Marsh, Story County, Iowa	General: agricultural area Specific: soybean stubble field	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - has longer tail (There were two of these by the road) Pipit - has longer tail (these birds (Smith's) were easy to distinguish from Laplands because of so much more white on the sides of the tail) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-08	1985-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a House Finch at Ames in Story County, IA on July 8, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	House Finch	Ames	Ames, Story County, Iowa	in town	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch - male has a purplish or rosey [sic] red color & no streaking on breast; song is different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:45:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Mud Creek Park in Henry County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1997-06-02	1997-08-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Mud Creek Park in Henry County, IA on June 2, 1997.	Allen, Pam	Prairie Warbler	Mud Creek County Recreation Area	Henry County; just west of entrance to Mud Creek Park.	Area of brushy, overgrown vegetation populated with young sapling trees about 15-20 feet high.	The documentation form by Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Pine Warbler would not have the unique facial pattern of the bird observed nor would it be as small. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:45:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Mud Creek Park in Henry County, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-19	1988-06-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Mud Creek Park in Henry County, IA on May 19, 1998.	Allen, Pam	Prairie Warbler	Mud Creek County Recreation Area	Henry County; just west of entrance to Mud Creek Park.	Area of brushy, overgrown vegetation populated with young sapling trees about 15-20 feet high.	The documentation form by Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Pine Warbler would not have the unique facial pattern of the bird observed nor would it be as small. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30