Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll north of Graettinger in 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1978-02-28	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll north of Graettinger in Palo Alto County, IA on February 5, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the field notes submitted by Ray Cummins, and referenced in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 48(1):47-52 by Nicholas S. Halmi.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Hoary Redpoll	Graettinger				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Buffalo Creek Conservation Area in 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1978-02-28	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two to five Hoary Redpolls at Buffalo Creek Conservation Area in Kossuth County, IA on February 12, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the field notes submitted by Ray Cummins, and referenced in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 48(1):47-52 by Nicholas S. Halmi.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Hoary Redpoll	Buffalo Creek State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Species on the Iowa Ornithologists Union checklist for which neither a known specimen nor a diagnostic photograph, motion picture or sound recording exists	Research notes	Ornithology--Methodology Photography of birds Rare birds	1978-03-01	1978-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Research notes by Nicholas S. Halmi containing a "list of species for which no tangible documentation in Iowa seems to exist." This document was used to inform bird watchers of what types of birds to photograph so that evidence of their presence in Iowa could be established. The list was created in cooperation with Woodward H. Brown and Peter C. Petersen. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring, 1978.	Halmi, Nicholas S.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Trumpeter Swan at Riverton Area in 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1978-03-01	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Trumpeter Swan at Riverton in Fremont County, IA on December 18, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Possible immature Trumpeter Swan in Fremont County in Iowa Bird Life 48:52-53 by W.R. Silcock seen by Clifford Miles as well.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Trumpeter Swan	Riverton Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-backed Woodpecker at Mason City in 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1978-03-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Black-backed Woodpecker at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on January 7, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication 1977 Ia. Christmas Bird Count Summary in Iowa Bird Life 48:30-43 by Ross Silcock.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black-backed Woodpecker	Mason City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	30
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Mississippi River, SW of Davenport, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-03-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for thirty-five Greater Scaups at Mississippi River (SW of Davenport) in Scott County, IA on March 11, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Davenport	Mississippi River (S.W. of Davenport)	Mississippi River - half open water, half ice covered	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser scaup. The head shape and wing stripe differences are noted above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverside Township in Fremont County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-03-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverside Township in Fremont County, IA on March 19, 1978.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Riverside Township	Riverside Twp Fremont Co, Iowa	Nishnabotna River Bottom, Corn stubble fields (frozen)	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Accipiters- Wings were pointed, not rounded, and bird did not sail, but flew with rapid, continuous strokes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:30:10.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Brookside Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-03-20	1978-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on March 20, 1978.	Johnson, Ellen J.	Merlin	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	park near Iowa State University. Deciduous woods with many trails - flew over Squaw Creek	The documentation form by Ellen Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ornithology Class (Pam Keigley, Pam White, John Hemphill, and Robin Bruegman). \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - too large for a kestrel. Sharp-shinned hawk - it had more pointed wings. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike north of Waukon, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike north of Waukon in Allamakee County, IA on March 25, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Shrike	Waukon	Five miles North of Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa	Hilly wooded areas, surrounded by cultivated lands. Some scattered brushy spots. Road was a loose crushed gravel type, with weed filled ditches.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerheaded Shrike; my bird seemed large and big billed. The small mask, light colored distal area. In flight the white rump(which is dark in the loggerhead), and the bird's lethargic behavior proves it was a Nortern [sic] Shrike. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at George Wyth State Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-03-25	1978-06-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for fifteen Greater Scaup at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on March 25, 1978.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Greater Scaup	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	open water in river with woodland bordering.	The documentation form by Tom Stone Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis L. Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup has short white wing line. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle near Waukon, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-03-26	1978-03-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle near Waukon in Allamakee County, IA on March 26, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Golden Eagle	Waukon	Ten miles North of Waukon, on Highway 76, Allamakee County, Iowa	The general area under the soaring bird was a bluff, covered mostly with Oak, Maple, Birch and scattered Junipers. The bluff rises about 150 feet from the floodplain of the Upper Iowa River. There are many other bluffs similar to the one briefly described here, that surround the area of sighting.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Alan Branhagen. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle; my bird was not mottled as an immature Bald is, also my bird had totally dark under wing coverts. The distinct demarcation of light to dark on my bird also was rather un-Baldlike. Since an on the spot size comparison was made with a buteo, and the latter was found to be much smaller, I feel safe to say all others of this genus can be rolled out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-08	1978-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 8, 1978.	Newlon, Michael C.	Long-tailed Duck	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co, Iowa	pond with marshy borders, surrounded by woods and cropland	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Richard Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: No other N. Am. Duck, or duck-like bird, has a white head with a black face-patch, and a black chest. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit in Missouri Valley, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-10	1978-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Marbled Godwits in Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on April 10, 1978.	Gochenour, Ruth A.	Marbled Godwit	Missouri Valley	3 miles North of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Harrison County	Wet meadow	The documentation form by Ruth A. Gochenour is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Naomi Svenningsen and Justin Gochenour. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit. Extremely large shore bird - this bird was lacking white rump-and black tail, chestnut under parts - The cinnamon wing linings were easily seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1978-04-15	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County on April 15, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life seen by Evelyn Conrad.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-15	1978-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 15, 1978.	Newlon, Michael C.	Little Blue Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co, Iowa	large marsh, bordered by wooded river bottoms, woods, cropland.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Carol S. Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Uniform dark-blue coloration rules out other herons: neck folded back on shoulders indicates that this bird was a tern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-16	1978-04-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Peregrine Falcon	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located 1 mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh, where bird was first perched is a grazed grassy pasture. Which after much rain in recent weeks, is partially flooded, and often had attracted shorebirds of several species.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's and Goshawk do not have pointed wings, and never perch in open. Merlin is much to [sic] small, size of a big Blue Jay, my bird was larger than a Crow. Prairie Falcon, the falcon I saw was grey not dull olive. [start handwritten annotation] ? (brown, NSH) [end handwritten annotation]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for an Ibis species at Russell in 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Ciconiiformes \| Herons, Bitterns, Egrets, Ibises, and Storks Threskiornithidae \| Ibises Rare birds	1978-04-18	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for eleven Ibis species at Russell in Lucas County, IA on April 18, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Field reports in Iowa Bird Life 48:69-77 by Nick Halmi seen by Charlotte Scott.			Russell				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Churdan, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-21	1978-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four White-faced Ibises at Churdan in Greene County, IA on April 21, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-faced Ibis	Churdan	1 mile North, 2 1/4 miles East of Churdan, Iowa	Creek pasture, non-timbered, no trees for 1/4 mile, creek bayou (old bed); some vegetation along edges	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Stephen Dinsmore and Dan Towers. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron; this Great Blue Heron is the only other bird I've ever seen around here that even comes close to resemblance, and it's not even close. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Lake Manawa, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-23	1978-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form with handwritten annotations for a Snowy Egret at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 23, 1978.	Brown, Larry D.	Snowy Egret	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, southeast quarter of lake	Standing along shore of lake in shallow water near a muskrat den. Lake shore environment with some reeds and cattails along shore plus other vegetation growing in shallow water where bird was observed.	The documentation form by Larry D. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his wife and two other birders. \| Elimination of similar species: Approximately 10-15 feet to the west of the Snowy stood an American Egret which was identified by its yellow bill and much larger size. By comparing the field marks and size of both, they could both be identified. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation from for Ibis species at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Ibises at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Glossy Ibises	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer Co. Iowa	The ibis settled down in a cattail marsh which covered several hundred acres. Apparently they prefered [sic] shallow water openings in the cattails. Sweet Marsh has a variety of habitats including open water, grassy marsh and cattail marsh.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Farmer. \| Elimination of similar species: None of the herons or cranes has curved beak, and none as far as I know exibit [sic] the alternately flapping and gliding flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-29	1978-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh where the bird was flushed had a water depth of about two feet. Many large and small clumps of grass covered mounds of earth, there was a shallow marshy spot that was heavily vegitated. Otherwise the area surrounding sighting was similar. This type of habitat covered several acres. The grasses were mostly remanent [sic] of last years growth, with new sprouts over a foot in height. The water was slightly stagnant, and water level was slightly higher than normal because of recent rains.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I can think of no species of bird of similar size with a white patch on hind wing. Other rails would be uniform dark and larger. Perching birds such as a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza gerogiana) have long tails. Extreme comparisons could be made with Common Snipe (Capella gallinago) which is long billed, has pointed wings, and has a rapid zig-zag flying style. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Conesville Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or three Yellow Rails at Conesville Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Conesville Marsh Louisa County IA	hay field with scattered marshy areas in it	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Newlon, Rich DeCoster and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-30	1978-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1978.	Newlon, Michael C.	Yellow Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co., Iowa	alfalfa field bordered to w. and s. by ledges + more fields; to n, second-growth woods; to e., extensive area of woods and marsh.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent, Thomas Staudt, Rich DeCoster, Nicholas Halmi, Carol Newlon, and Thomas Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora-like build, yellow-ochre underparts, white patch on wings, eliminate all other rails. Imm. sora would lack yellow beneath + white wing patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-01	1978-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm in Story County, IA on May 1, 1978.	Heagy, Patricia A.	Prairie Falcon	Story County	Iowa, Story County, T84N, R24W, Sec 30; ISU Beef Farm	wooded pasture, surrounded by grassy pasture, cropland, and woods. Open woodland pasture along Onion Creek	The documentation form by Patricia A. Heagy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel - smaller and without dark axillar. They also have rusty backs, and do not have complete tail bands. Peregrine Falcon - has a darker face pattern and a slate-colored back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-04	1978-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 4, 1978.	Fredricks, Gary	Yellow-throated Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa	General: open woods on edge of thick woods. Specific: found in hackberry tree (celtis occidentalis.)	The documentation form by Gary Frederick is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Magnolia Warbler - no white belley [sic] Blackburnian " - no yellow throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28