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 Trumpeter Swan at Mississippi River in Davenport, 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-23	1998-12-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Trumpeter Swan at Mississippi River near Enchanted Island in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 23, 1998.	McKay, Kelly	Trumpeter Swan	Horse Island	~0.25 mile downstream of Enchanted Island, Davenport (Scott Co.)	Mississippi River side channel. Surrounding habitat consists of a backwater slough and a developed shoreline.	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra Swan - Smaller, more of an angle between bill and forehead. Snow Goose - Smaller, pink bill, black primaries. American White Pelican -'pouched' bill, black primaries and secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Heady Hall at Iowa State University, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-31	1984-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon near Heady Hall at Iowa State University in Ames in Story County, IA on January 31, 1984.	Bostian, Kelly	Peregrine Falcon	Heady Hall	East side of Iowa State University Campus	Tree top approximately 40-45 ft. east of Heady Hall (East Hall)	The documentation form by Kelly Bostian is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon: Absence of dark terminal band on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Merganser at Fraser Dam, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Merganser at Fraser Dam at Fraser in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Healy, Kevin Healy, Rosanne Niyo, Kayleen Gardner, Anna	Hooded Merganser	Fraser	Des Moines River just below Fraser Dam		The documentation form by Kay Niyo, Rosanne Healy, Kevin Healy, and Anna Gardner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar species could be Common Merganser, but the bird seen was much smaller with no white breast. Also, Bufflehead would have white on the breast and sides and white behind the eye and no crest. Redbreasted Merganser would be much larger than the bird seen and would have an orange bill and some white on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:50:00 and 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	15
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Laurens, 1985	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Carlson, Judith	Swainson's Thrush	Laurens	318 W. Garfield - Laurens	Town yard - many high bush Canberry [sic] bushes	The documentation form by Judith Carlson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Harms. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Rigby Farm in Laurens, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Rigby Farm, Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on April 14, 1983.	Rigby, Joyce	Northern Goshawk	Laurens	Rigby Farm,	Farm grove, shrubbry in backyard	The documentation form by Joyce Rigby is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Rigby. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
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 Northern Goshawk at Yellow River Forest, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Yellow River Forest at Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Goshawk	Yellow River State Forest	Yellow River Forest (Headquarters), Allamakee Co., Iowa	Mostly mature Maple/Basswood, with some farmland.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross Silcock and Barb WIlson. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteos: rather long tail, short wings. Uniform gray underparts. Cooper's Hawk: Too large, gray, and flapped too slowly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-11-15	1982-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-winged Scoters at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 15, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Larger Reservoir, surrounded by wooded hills.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniform dark brown, with white eye and orange bill separates the birds from other two scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Scaup X Ring-necked Duck hybrid at New Lake, undated	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Scaup X Ring-necked Duck hybrid at New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on June 26 in unknown year.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Diving Ducks	New Lake	New Lake, Woodbury Co., IA	Ox bow lake surrounded by cattails.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: NA. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	9
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-29	1982-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Goshawks at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on October 29, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Goshawk	Saylorville Dam	East side of Saylorville Reservoir Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Hickory - Oak Hillside, along Reservoir	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteo shape and flight different. Cooper's Hawk would be smaller, with a more rapid wing beat and have rusting or streaked underparts. \| The original documentation form event occurred at two different times first 11:00:00 and second 13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Sioux Center, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-03-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on March 28, 1993	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Sioux Center	Sioux Center, IA 51250		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wendy Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I quickly determined it to be a Kinglet, and, given the time of year, initially assumed it would be a Golden-crown [...] the little creature looked like a Ruby-crown. In fact, I was sure it was: I saw an eye-ring and could not detect any kind of striping on its head. But I could not be absolutely sure since I studied the bird from a distance of at least 25 yards [...] we observed the bird in a leisurely fashion: eye-ring and no stripes of any kind on its crown. A Ruby-crown, without any doubt. \| The original documentation form event lasted all day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Sioux Center, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-06-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on June 8 ,1997.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Swainson's Thrush	Sioux Center	Sioux Center		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wendy and Susan Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: Gray-cheeked Thrush: The eye-ring and buff on face and upper breast were unmistakable. Veery: The spots on the breast were bold and clear, and the upper parts showed no tan or reddish hue. Wood Thrush: The upperparts were clear -- no heavy round spots like the Wood thrush, and no reddish upperparts. Hermit Thrush: No reddish tail, and no sign of the characteristic tail-wagging. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on January 1, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	farmyard just a little bit east of our home in Sioux Center		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tina Van Dyke and Wendy Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: I saw at once that the bird was not a Kestrel but a Merlin. The bird was about the size of a Kestrel, but lacked the bold facial markings, exhibited no rufous on back or tail, showed vertically streaked underparts, and its tail was barred. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon with two sightings with one for an unknown length of time and the other for three to four minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Sioux Center, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on February 6, 1982.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Sioux Center	approximately three miles south-west of Sioux Center (Sioux Co.)		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Kevin. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-03	1989-10-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on October 3, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	top of a dead tree in a neighbor's yard.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his wife Susan Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was about the size of a Kestrel, but lacked the bold facial markings. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for more than twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden in western Sioux County, IA on November 23, 1990.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Hawarden	some five miles east of Hawarden in western Sioux County.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park in Sioux County, IA on November 6, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Golden Eagle	Oak Grove State Park	Oak Grove Park area in western Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon in Western Sioux County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon in Western Sioux County, IA on October 24, 1990.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Peregrine Falcon	Sioux County	Western Sioux County (about 11 miles straight west of Sioux Center)		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was most definitely not a Prairie Falcon. Its slaty upper parts and very dark head markings completely rule out such a possible confusion. \| The original documentation form event lasted for five minutes or so.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on March 27, 1987.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	Sioux Center (Sioux Co).		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There were many migrating Kestrels in the area, but I recognized this bird at once as a Merlin because of its distinctively striped breast (it was facing the road) [...] Size about of a Kestrel, but no distinctive Kestrel-like head markings and no rufous on back and tail. [...] I rule out Kestrel on basis already indicated above, as well as Sharp-shinned Hawk, since this bird had pointed wings and the breast striping was lengthwise on light background, rather than crosswise on reddish or rusty background.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin west of Sioux Center, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-09-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin west of Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on September 17, 1988.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	Sioux Center (Sioux Co).		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was either a female or a juvenile: brownish above, and striped (lengthwise) breast. There was no possible confusion with a Kestrel: the bird possessed no distinctive Kestrel head markings and no rufous on back and tail.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-03	1979-02-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon in O'Brien County, IA on February 3, 1979.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Townsend's Solitaire	East Lawn Cemetery	East Lawn cemetery, Sheldon (extreme western O'Brien Co.), Iowa. This cemetery covers an extensive area and is planted with many large evergreen, viz., spruce (mostly Norway Spruce), pine (Austrian Pine, I think), and a species of cedar or juniper (I am not sure of the species; it resembles the Red Cedar of the East somewhat, but has a more open crown); these junipers carry many blue berries.	among evergreen, moving from tree to tree, selecting mostly the juniper/cedar trees, see above: Location	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: one who knows neither the Solitaire not the Mockingbird might conceivably mistake it for the latter. But the Mockingbird is larger, has no eye ring, shows no buff on the wing, and flashes conspicuous white in wing and tail in flight. I have lived both in California and in southern New York, where the Mockingbird is common: I am very familiar with the Mockingbird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Big Sioux Recreation Area, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Big Sioux Recreation Area in Sioux County, IA on September 7, 1994.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Big Sioux Reacreation Area	[...] South Pits just south of Hawarden in western Sioux County.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: My first thought was that I was looking at a Kestrel. A second look, however, immediately revealed the absence of the facial markings characteristic of a Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sioux Center, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-09-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on September 16, 1993.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Peregrine Falcon	Sioux Center	Sioux Center, IA 51250		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Its clear head markings definitely rule out a Prairie Falcon (which is now becoming a regular visitor here in winter), and the bird was much too large to be a smaller (e.g., Merlin). \| The original documentation form event occurred for around five minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin between Sioux-Rock public access and Oak Grove Park, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin between Sioux-Rock public access and Oak Grove Park in Sioux County, IA on September 24, 1994.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Oak Grove State Park Rock River Access	Between the Sioux-Rock public access area and Oak Grove Park		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: In addition, it would fly every few minutes or so, back and forth between several dead trees, displaying it pointed wings, brownish upperparts, banded tail, and absence of any rufous on its upper parts. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1998-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park in Sioux County, IA on December 2, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Surf Scoter	Winterfeld Boat and Fish Area	Winterfeld Park along the north side of Rock Valley in Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I rule out any possible confusions, as follows: - White-winged Scoter has white in the wing and lacks sharp contrast between crown and face - Black Scoter has rounded forehead and lacks pale head patches - Ruddy Duck is smaller, has differently shaped bill and dark line across cheek - Female Scaups have white in the wing, differently shaped white patch at base of bill, and little contrast between crown and face. \| The original documentation form event occurred for around 20 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11