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

Ross Silcock letter to Thomas Kent regarding a Smith's Longspur and other bird sighting materials, August 22, 1992	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-29	1992-08-22	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter sent on August 22, 1992 about a documentation form for a Smith's Longspur west of Almont in Clinton County, IA on December 29, 1990 by Brian Blevins. It also discusses submitting other field reports and materials from multiple years to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee. It is related to https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/9433/view and https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/9436/view.	Silcock, W. Ross	Smith's Longspur	Iowa Almont				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
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 Smith's Longspur at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on October 7, 1998.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reese WPA, Kossuth Co. SW of north side parking	Open area sparsely covered with grass (1 season restored prairie and mowed Pigweed) surrounding wetland potholes	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipits were eliminated by their totally different voice, the pattern of the underparts, and bill & tail proportions. Lapland Longspurs have obvious white (not buff) underneath which would have been especially visible on several close flybys and passes overhead. Male Laplands should show some black streaking on the upper chest in sharp contrast with the white below. There wasn't any chestnut visible on the nape or upper wing. Although I don't have enough experience with Smith's to say I heard any difference in the sound of the "tics", I didn't hear any of the "tew" notes that Laplands (but not Smith's) mix in with their tic-tic-tics. Any regular sparrow that is not eliminated by white outer tail feathers is eliminated by the unique longspur calls. The buffy/tan color underneath and the calls also rule out Horned Lark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Union Slough NWR, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1997-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Smith's Longspurs at Union Slough NWR in Kossuth County, IA on April 27, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co. main crossdike between B pool + C pool	marsh with open farm fields on both sides	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds didn't have white on the belly or black spilling from the face onto the chest or "bib" like Lapland Longspurs. There were no "tew" notes thrown in with the rattle calls, a possible point of separation between Smith's + Laps. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:10:00 and 09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Alder Flycatcher at Elys Ford at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-07-12	1981-07-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Alder Flycatcher at Elys Ford at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on July 12, 1981.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Alder Flycatcher	Elys Creek	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, Van Buren County, Iowa	General: Forested area (near Ely Ford in Lacey-Keosauqua SP). Specific: Low shrub about 10 yards from creek at edge of forest area.	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I eliminated Least and Acadian Flycatchers because of song primarily; also this bird was browner than other Empidonax I am familiar with. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	67
Rare bird documentation form for Alder Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Alder Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on June 3, 1982.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Alder Flycatcher	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City, Johnson County	Thick stand of medium size (15'-40') deciduous trees with a dense, moist understory [sic] of shrubs. At the edge of large woods.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas H. Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Discussed above. [From description field] The quality and timbre of the call were very similar to that of a Willow Flycatcher. I heard a number of Willow's this spring, and while the quality of the note was similiar, [sic] the form of it was much different. Whereas, the Willow begins with an explosive first note (or syllable) and concludes with an emphatic second and lower pitched note, the bird now calling seemed to be one slurred 'weee-ooo'. This note was quite brief, but it began and immediately slurred up and then back down in pitch. Obviously, at this point I was thinking of Alder Flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Almont, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur west of Almont in Clinton County, IA on December 29, 1990.	Blevins, Brian L.	Smith's Longspur	Almont	About 2 miles west of Almont, IA. Clinton, Co.	Harvested fields with new spread manure	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was quickly picked out of the group of about 150 of Lapland Longpsurs which were in various plumages. When this species is in 3/4 breeding plumage it is easily distinguished. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur northeast of Larrabee, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-03-04	1992-03-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur northeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on March 4, 1992.	Brewer, Marion M.	Smith's Longspur	Larrabee	3 Miles E, 1 mile N, 3/4 E of Larrabee	short grass	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland longspur, white wing patch & white edged tail, buffy belly \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/15:38:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Almont, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur west of Almont in Clinton County, IA on December 29, 1990. Attached to the documentation is a note from the IOU about its review status by the records committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Smith's Longspur	Almont	About 2 miles west of Almont, IA. Clinton, Co.	Harvested fields with new spread manure	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was quickly picked out of the group of about 150 of Lapland Longspurs which were in various plumages. When this species is in 3/4 breeding plumage it is easily distinguished. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Otter Creek Marsh, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Great-tailed Grackles at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on April 27, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Great-tailed Grackle	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh - Tama County	Cattails in marsh	The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle is smaller with different call Boat-tailed Grackle male has dark eye \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:45:00/15:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
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 Smith's Longspur at Cone Marsh in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1988-04-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for one hundred fifty Smith's Longspurs at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 6, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Smith's Longspur	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Oakland Township in Louisa County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-15	1987-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six to ten Smith's Longspurs at Oakland Township in Louisa County, IA on April 15, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Smith's Longspur	Oakland Township	Louisa Co. - NW Corner of section 24 of Oakland Township	short grassy hay field just east of Cone Marsh	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Carl Bendorf, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrows are not buffy like this and have a very different color pattern. Other longspurs are not buffy like this and have different tail patterns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 1, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lapland Longspur	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	mudflat	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The face pattern made me think of Smith's Longspur, but the chestnut color and black bib excluded this. Chestnut-colored Longspur has a yellow or buff throat and more extensive black on front. The color and face pattern do not fit Horned Lark or American Pipit. Horned Larks were present on the flats and I saw pipits later at another location. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/17:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	66
Request for more information regarding Lapland Longspur sighting at Union Slough in 1995	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1995-09-27	1995-11-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Request for more information form filled out by Matt Kenne regarding a Lapland Longspur sighting at Union Slough in Kossuth County, IA on September 27, 1995. The document includes information about additional bird sightings at Union Slough.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Lapland Longspur Harris' Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Dark-eyed Junco	Algona Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	66
Rare bird documentation form for Acadian Flycatcher at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Acadian Flycatchers at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Acadian Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek Forest, 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle, Lee County, Iowa	Streamside woods and thickets	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Visually similar or identical to other empidonax. Others eliminated by voice (others do not give accented 'pit-see!') Habitat perfect for Acadian, although this would not eliminate all others. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	66
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco at Moorehead Pioneer Park in Ida County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dark-eyed Junco at Moorehead Pioneer Park in Ida County, IA on September 14, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Dark-eyed Junco	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park	Shrubby woods	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Heusinkveld, Marjorie	Dark-eyed Junco	Ottumwa	South and west of RockBluff Road near Ottumwa, Iowa	Gravel road with many weeds and old pasture nearby.	The documentation form by Marjorie Heusinkveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to N. Junco, but the dark brown hood, rusty brown back and rusty sides declared him to be different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco at Iowa City, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-03-30	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Dark-eyed Juncos at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 30, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Dark-eyed Junco	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	feeding on lawn in flock of slate-colored's. , in residential neighborhood.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] head + 'bib' lighter grey than slate-colored's \| The original documentation form event lasted for around a half an hour.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 17, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City	General: under brush and scattered trees to deep woods. Specific: main valley at Hickory Hill Park and woods to north	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: least, alder, willow flycatchers \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:00:00/07:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	65
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-09-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on September 19, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Hickory Hill Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	65
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated (i.e. Yellow-bellied) Flycatcher at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on September 2, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa		The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Although the yellow was dull, it was unmistakably yellow, in what I felt was obvious contrast to the faint hint of yellow wash of the Acadians in the area. Most of the empidonax sp. I have seen this fall have shown no yellow at all. Also conspicuous about this bird was the yellowish eye ring. Again, this contrasts with the whitish or eggshell color of the eyerings of other empids in the area. The bird remained within the canopy of the thicket, occasionally darting out, then returning. This behavior is different that other empids I have observed, which seem to utilize a more exposed perch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	65
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Wood-Pewee at Brookside Park in Ames, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-13	1982-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Eastern Wood-Pewee at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 13, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Eastern Wood-Pewee	Brookside Park	Brookside Park Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: woods. Specific: trees at edge of woods. These trees were still in the area where the grass is mowed; it flew off into the more natural woods area.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Phoebe: lower part of beak light; wing bars; no tail wagging; no contrast between head and back. Empidonax: bigger; darker; no eye ring; lazier; no olivish on back; or trace of yellowish below \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	64
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow north of Muscatine, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-27	1999-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows north of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 27, 1998.	White, Gerald Forbes, Janet	Harris' Sparrow	Muscatine	Home feeder, RR 4 Box 30	small woods surrounded house in urban area	The documentation form written by Gerald White based on the observations of Janet Forbes is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Looked up sparrows in the Peterson Eastern Bird guide and found the picture that matched the bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-04-10	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 10, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Harris' Sparrow	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir Iowa City, Iowa 52240	woodlot with tall trees, weed patches, brush pile, in an area of fields and second-growth woods.	The documentation form by Michael C Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers are unidentified in the documentation form. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] large sparrow, built like a white-crown but larger, longer-tailed, posture less erect.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64