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 South Polar Skua at Credit Island, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-04-02	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a South Polar Skua at Credit Island in Scott County, IA on April 2, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, three different copies of a photograph, an article in American Birds, an article in Birds of Missouri, correspondence about the sighting, a documentation form, and an audiotape transcription submitted to the committee.	Hodges, Herbert James	South Polar Skua	Credit Island	Credit Island, Davenport, IA.	frozen harbor off Miss. River	The documentation form by Jim Hodges is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No Jaeger or Gull has a comparable white streak down the primary bases into the secondaries. Lack of a dorsal view made species id. impossible. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	14
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 30, Number 7, April 1995	Newsletters	Bird watching Environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife management areas Waterfowl Books--Reviews	1995-04-01	1995-04-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 30, Number 7, April 1995. Highlights of the newsletter include details of the next program "Iowa's Watchable Wildlife Guide" presented by Bruce Ehresman, a report of a March field trip in which several species of waterfowl were observed, and a call for society members to forward uncommon or out-of season bird sightings to Stephen J. Dinsmore for a compilation, "The Birds of Story County".	Dragula, Sherry Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)		Little Wall Lake Ames Ada Hayden Heritage Park Bob Pyle Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff at Riverton Area, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-04-01	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on April 1, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Ruff	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton Area (Fremont County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ross Silcock, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Tim Schantz, James Scheib, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Differences from Pectoral pointed out in description. Yellowlegs have different leg color, breast pattern is more spotted, and the bill is longer and thinner. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:35:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Eider at Jester Park, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-26	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Common Eider at Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 26, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Common Eider	Jester Park	off Jester Park boat ramp, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, IA	open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: ID based solely on head profile whichwas [sic] identical to the Red Rock bird studied at length earlier in the year. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:55:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Kettleson Hogsback Area, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-24	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Mountain Bluebirds at Kettleson Hogsback Area in Dickinson County, IA on March 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Swan Enclosure in Dickinson County - west of Big Spirit Lake	Open - praire [sic] pothole - fenced	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maury Muhm, Gary Wee, Tim Waltz, and Bryan Hellier. \| Elimination of similar species: - Eastern + Western bluebird were eliminated by the blue on breast - shape, color, size and habits eliminated indigo bunting \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1995-03-22	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ferruginous Hawk at Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on March 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, drawings of the bird, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Mattsson, James P	Ferruginous Hawk	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	Louisa Division of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge near Wapello, Iowa.		The documentation form by James P. Mattsson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Michael Bornstein. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was most similar to the dark phase rough-legged hawk (Bureo lagopus) in size and general shape, but the latter species lacks the deep rust coloration on the upper wing coverts, scapulars, and upper back, and also has some dark banding on the outer one-half of the tail. Although by no means a conclusive characteristic, the subject bird did not hover during the period we observed it, a characteristic typical of hunting Rough-legged hawks. Dark phase Swainson's hawk have much darker, barred flight feathers and tail when viewed from below than that of the subject bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire at Lake Anita State Park, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-03-18	1995-03-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on March 18, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Townsend's Solitaire	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park - Cass County	Oak - cedar lakeshore	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen, Joe Clark, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: [female symbol] mountain bluebird has shorter tail \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-03-03	1995-03-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 3, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Treynor Carson	between Treynor and Carson on highway 92, Pottawattamie Co., IA	gently rolling hills; small stream with scattered trees.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The falcon shape was clear to us. The bird was flying directly into a strong southwest wind, but I don't think an accipiter's wing could be that pointed even in a strong wind. The bird was too large and plain to be a kestrel and the flight pattern and behavior were unlike any of the many kestrels seen that day. The light color and open farmland habitat favor Prairie over Peregrine. A Merlin would be smaller and darker. However, I would not have identified this bird as to species with out seeing the underwing pattern. \| The original documentation form event occurred at approximately 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 30, Number 6, March 1995	Newsletters	Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc Natural areas International Migratory Bird Day	1995-03-01	1995-03-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 30, Number 6, March 1995. Highlights of the newsletter include details on an upcoming field trip to Ringgold County to view and photograph Prairie Chickens, a report of a February field trip to the Des Moines River valley, and an article on the celebration of International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) happening on May 13.	Dragula, Sherry Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Ames Des Moines River Ringgold County Camp Hantesa				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	5
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, spring 1995	Field notes Reports	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1995-03-01	1995-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the spring of 1995. It is published in Iowa Bird Life 65:69-79, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Fish Crow Mountain Bluebird Chestnut-collared Longspur Lazuli Bunting Glossy Ibis Common Eider Long-billed Curlew Ruff Laughing Gull	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	26	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Grosbeak at Spencer, 1995	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-02-27	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Pine Grosbeaks at Spencer in Clay County, IA on February 27, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Pine Grosbeak	Spencer	Riverside cemetary & residence at Prospect Dr., Spencer	Pine trees & Ash trees in suburban neighborhood & cemetary	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Doug Harr and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Crossbill: bill shape, size & long tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00 and 16:45:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	13
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Mason City, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-25	1995-03-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 25, 1995.	Goranson, Rita	Varied Thrush	Mason City	115 Lakeview Dr, Mason City, Ia	back yard with open field next to it	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andrea Goranson. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - Robin has white around eye not an orange stripe Robin doesn't have banding on breast Robin solid color on back - \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:02:00 and 12:30:00/12:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 12, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock and Dam 15, Davenport, Scott Co., IA	Mississippi River, mostly frozen above dam.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tim Schantz and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and pattern do not fit any other species or plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-05	1995-02-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 5, 1995 and February 12, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)		The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib, Thomas Kent, Dan Dorrance, Barker, Peter C. Petersen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other dark mantled gull with yellow legs is the Yellow-footed Gull. That bird has never been seen away from the extreme southwest portion of the country, and it should be much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00 on February 5, 1995 and 11:40:00/11:55:00 on February 12, 1995.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 4, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Above Lock and Dam 15, Davenport, Scott Co., IA	Mississippi River, river open.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include several unnamed people. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and mantle color exclude Great Black-backed Gull. The mantle was too dark for a California Gull. Slaty-backed Gull would likely appear larger, have a darker mantle, and more white in tertials. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/13:00:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lindsay Park Harbor in 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-03	1995-02-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lindsay Park Harbor in Scott County, IA on February 3 and 16, 1995.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lindsay Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 30, Number 5, February 1995	Newsletters	Bird watching Birds--Counting Local government and environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation Natural areas	1995-02-01	1995-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 30, Number 5, February 1995. Highlights of the newsletter include details of the next program "Natural Areas of Ames: A Closer Look at Our Own Backyard presented by Bill Norris, the results from the 1994 Boone County and Saylorville Christmas Bird Counts, and an update on the benefits of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) which may be lost if the Congress fails to preserve the federal agricultural program in the 1995 Farm Bill.	Dragula, Sherry Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)		Ames Saylorville Lake Boone County				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Eider at Red Rock Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-01-27	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Common Eider at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 27, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence over the sighting, photos, drawings of the bird sighting, articles in Iowa Bird Life, Field Notes, and other publications, and twelve documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Common Eider	Red Rock Dam	Des Moines River below Red Rock dam - Marion Co., Iowa	open stretch of river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, Mark Proescholdt, Chris Edwards, Peter C. Petersen, Ray Cummins, Robert Cecil, and Diane Porter were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: See above discussion (Description). Steller's Eider eliminated by size. Female and immature King Eider eliminated by pattern of barring on flanks, size of bill, position of eye, faint white supercilium, and pattern of feathering on bill. Spectacled Eider eliminated by facial pattern and bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	18
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 14, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 14 in Scott County, IA on January 3, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 14	Lock and Dam 14, Scott Co., IA	Mississippi River dam	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I looked at many variable first-winter Herring Gulls today. All had more dark on wing tip and darker tail band. This bird was easy to pick out over and over again. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-02	1995-02-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: No other first-winter gull has the large size, the large all-black bill, and in particular the black and white checkered pattern of the mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Gyrfalcon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-01-02	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Gyrfalcon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 2, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Gyrfalcon	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co. above the dam	flyover the ice	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The lack of facial pattern and white throat and chest rule out peregrine, as the bird was flying almost directly into the sun (perpendicular to me). It wasn't as pale or brown as a prairie, and with shadow and distance there wasn't any dark/light pattern to the underwing. It wasn't black as a crow + the shape was wrong. Eagles were patterned and obviously larger. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	4
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-01	1995-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on January 1, 1995.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Dam, Marion Co., IA	gravel bar below dam	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Structure, darker mantle, dark eye, and gray primaries eliminate Herring Gull. Other gulls of intermediate size - Lesser Black-backed eliminated by relative gray of mantle, leg color, and primary color. California eliminated by leg color, primary color, and lack of black marking on bill. Iceland eliminated by dark mantle color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 30, Number 4, January 1995	Forms (documents) Newsletters	Bird feeders Bird populations Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Counting Environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-01-01	1995-01-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 30, Number 4, January 1995. Highlights of the newsletter include details on the upcoming meeting featuring a presentation by Jim Pease, the results of the 1994 Ames Christmas Bird Counts, and the 1995 Winter Bird Feeder Survey with instructions and a documentation form to complete.	Dragula, Sherry Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa)		Ames				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Chukar at Davenport, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Introduced birds Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-18	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for seven Chukars at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 18, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Decker, Jacqueline Ruth	Chukar	Davenport	Division & Cheyenne Aves. N.W. Davenport, Scott Co., IA	urban, near edge of city and ag land.	The documentation form by Jacqueline Ruth Decker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen and Leonard Decker. \| Elimination of similar species: Gray Partridge- bill & legs not red, no white & black pattern on head, throat and sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Great Black-backed Gull	White Breast Creek	Whitebreast Point, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Flying over open water and ice	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size (larger than Herring) eliminated most others. White head and black and white checkering eliminate Lesser Black-backed and Herring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8