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 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 Pine Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Pine Grosbeaks at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 12, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Pine Grosbeak	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City, Johnson Co Iowa	General: on edge of small forested areas, mostly deciduous with some pine plantings. Specific: Hickory Hill is about 100 acres of undeveloped park land with a creek + several branches running through it. Forested and grassy area are interspersed.	The documentation form by Richard J. DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing else looks much like the female plumaged pine grosbreaks. Evening grosbeaks have larger beaks + shorter tails. Crossbills have crossed bills. Female purple finches lack wingband and the olive coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:12:00 and 09:40:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Blue Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-03-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Great-tailed Grackles at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on March 20, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Great-tailed Grackle	Blue Lake	South Blue Lake in Monona County	marshywith [sic] several trees flooded	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Both sp. of grackle were present for comparison, up to 11 birds were seen in subsequent days, and 5 nests were observed as well. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:00:00/13:00:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
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 Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1992.	Ohde, Bill	Great-tailed Grackle	Wapello Township	SE 1/4 of section 19, T74N, R4W, Louisa County, Iowa	Rural farmstead on edge of large timber block. In tall (15') backyard shrubs.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common grackle - this bird was nearly crow-sized, longer tailed, with the peculiar whistles and rattles. Boat-tailed grackle - song was wrong. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Great-tailed Grackles at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 22, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Great-tailed Grackle	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake - Freemont [sic] County	Grassey [sic] islands in lake and bushes at lake's edge.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger + longer biled [sic] than common grackle Range would probably rule out Boat-tailed Grackle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:05:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Brewer's Blackbird	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek M., Greene Co., IA	small island in pond	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bert Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark eye and lack of any rust color eliminates Rusty Blackbird, which is similar in size and shape to this bird. Common Grackle has a longer tail, females show lots of brown color, and the call note is different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:54:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird near Mason City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Brewer's Blackbirds near Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	near Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Comparison made to Comm. Grackle above. Unlikely habitat and date for Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolingus). \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Cone Marsh, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Brewer's Blackbirds at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 6, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Brewer's Blackbird	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co, IA	Feed lot	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] These 4 birds were easy to pick out from Rustys + they staid [sic] together. [...] Rusty females were gray + darker wing and had bright yellow eye. Male Rusty were more opaque black with a refaced [?] edging on wing feathers and some [illegible] on flanks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Clinton Township in Linn County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for thirty-five Brewer's Blackbirds at Section 8 of Clinton Township in Linn County, IA on December 20, 1986.	Zobac, Aldrich	Brewer's Blackbird	Clinton Township	Section 8, Clinton Township Farm on Young Rd. in S. part of Section 8	Farmyard + corn fields adjacent to farm. Large grove of evergreens. Grove of trees.	The documentation form by Aldrich Zobac is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gladys Zobac. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Relative size of bird: Smaller than grackle Slightly larger than Cowbird. [...] Birds were feeding + flying around with huge flock of starlings + sparrows (house sparrows). At first glance - when birds were first sighted - thought we were spotting a cowbird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 26, 1978.	Greer, Janet	Yellow-headed Blackbird	Council Bluffs	Feeder at 341 Steven Circle, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501		The documentation form by Janet Greer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include the Greer family. \| Elimination of similar species: There are none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	75
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark south of Glenwood, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark south of Glenwood in Mills County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Rose, Douglas L.	Eastern Meadowlark	Glenwood	3 mi s. of Glenwood Miles [sic] Co.	plowed field bordered by grassland	The documentation form by Doug Rose is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Genny Curry and Howard Curry. \| Elimination of similar species: W. Meadowlark - pure white outer tail feathers and yellow only on throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark west of McCausland, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark west of McCausland in Scott County, IA on December 22, 1988.	Blevins, Brian L.	Eastern Meadowlark	McCausland	Road just west of McCausland, Iowa.	Pasture with livestock and livestock feeders	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Western meadowlark - eliminated by Song [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:54:00/14:57:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
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 Dickcissel at Hallet's Quarry at Ames, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dickcissel at Hallet's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on November 28, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Dickcissel	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry, Story Co., IA	weeds along gravel pit	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I immediately recognized the bird by the call note, which is very distinctive. Additionally, the black throat, yellow wash on the breast, and chestnut shoulder patch were diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:55:00/09:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	72
Rare bird documentation form for Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1984.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Indigo Bunting	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co., Iowa (S.W. Boat ramp)	Brushy, weedy tangle on lake shore, (Veg. browned Killed by frost.)	The documentation form by Joseph Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow species: White wing-bars lacking, No hint of rust on crown, back or wings. No distinct supercilium. No strong streakage. No strong head pattern. Was a nondescript small brown finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	71
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on June 11, 1993.	Proescholdt, Mark	Blue Grosbeak	Liscomb	North of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	Trees along a gravel road	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Bunting has a quite different song, is much smaller, and lacks the big bill and Chestnut wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:50:00/09:51:00 and 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 9, 1985.	Knight, Calvin A.	Blue Grosbeak	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park - Iowa City, Iowa	Creek Bottom understory on edge of meadow	The documentation form by Calvin A. Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Bunting: The Blue Grossbeak [sic] was stockier, deeper Blue with 2 rusty tan wing bars and thicker bill than the finch like bill of the Indigo \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit in Shimek Forest, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit in Shimek Forest in Lee County, IA on June 15, 1984.	Cecil, Robert I.	Blue Grosbeak	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	2 1/2 miles W. of Argyle, Ia, at Croton Unit, Shimek F., S.W. Lee County	Gravel road surrounded with open areas spotted with brush and small trees.	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I must admit that a few hours after the sighting and identification, I [sic] few doubts arose that maybe I had misidentified an Indigo Bunting. Upon reflection, I recalled that It had never occured [sic] to me that this might have been an Indigo Bunting as I was watching it, and I had seen several that morning. In addition to this bird's much larger size, it clearly lacked the brilliant blue of a June Indigo Bunting. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:00:00/07:00:005.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Lake Manawa State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least four Chestnut-collared Longspurs at Lake Manawa State Park in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 16, 1986.	Padelford, Babs	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa Rec. Area	[...] grassy-weedy area along the road to the s.e. boat dock.	The documentation form by Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It was mixed because when they flew it seemed that about half had the large white patches in the tail, and about half had narrow white edging on the sides of the tail. I was never able to get any more details on the other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00 for less than half an hour and approximately 13:00:00/13:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	68
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 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 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