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 Yellow Rail at Ventura Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-09	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Ventura Marsh in Hancock County, IA on May 9, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh, north side, 1 mile W of Ventura, Hancock County	uplands with a mixture of switchgrass and brome, ~ 80' from marsh	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora, Virginia rail - Both are darker and lack white wing patches \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Goose Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at Goose Lake in Clinton County, IA on May 10, 1984.	Petersen, Peter C.	Greater Scaup	Goose Lake	Goose Lake	marshy lake - N. side of Goose Lake, seen from dike.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Linder. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup - eliminated by head shape, heavy nail on end of bill, whitish marking on head of female + wing stripe extending nearly to end of wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Ventura Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-11	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Ventura Marsh in Hancock County, IA on May 11, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	King Rail	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh, N side, 1 mile W of Ventura, Hancock County	brome in uplands 30 feet from marsh	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews. \| Elimination of similar species: Other rails in the area are much smaller. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-12	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on May 12, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Whimbrel	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	NW corner of Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	drained area of marsh adjacent to a grassy field	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Paul Martsching was submitted later. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Mark Dixon. \| Elimination of similar species: Separated from Godwits and Willet by the long downward curved bill and the distinct head pattern. Separated from Ibis' by the strongly marked head and the mottled brown color of bird. Separated from Long-billed Curlew by much shorter bill and the strongly marked head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Mill Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-12	1984-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Mill Creek State Park in O'Brien County, IA on May 12, 1984.	Huber, James E.	Snowy Egret	Mill Creek State Park	OBrien County, Mill Creek State Park 1 mile East of Paullina	Marsh	The documentation form by James E. Huber is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Egret, Cattle Egret \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-14	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 14, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1 mi. E of Ventura, Cerro Gordo County	brome uplands	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora, Virginia rail - Both too dark and lack white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Otter Creek Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-14	1984-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on May 14, 1984.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Peregrine Falcon	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek M.	Marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape and flight eliminate buteos + accipiters. Facial mark, light axillaries, + size diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:00:00/06:01:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Sabula, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Sabula in Jackson County, IA on May 15, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Lee G.	Western Tanager	Sabula	near Sabula, Iowa along Mississippi River		The documentation form by Lee G. Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There is no other bird that this bird could be confused with. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:20:00/07:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great-tailed Grackle at Riverton Area, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great-tailed Grackle at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 15, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great-tailed Grackle	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton A, near headquarters, Fremont Co., IA	open area with a few trees near water area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, long tail and voice convince me it was not a Common Grackle. Unfortunately, we were not able to study the bird for more than a minute. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	9
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake in 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1984-05-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on April 14, 1984.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Red-necked Grebe	Little Wall Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great-tailed Grackle at Finn Pond, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Great-tailed Grackles at Finn Pond in Greene County, IA on May 17, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Brown, Mike	Great-tailed Grackle	Finn Pond Wildlife Area	Finn Pond; 1 1/2 mi west of Jefferson, Greene Co., IA T83N R31W Sec 2	Prairie Marsh; River Bulrush Dominate	The documentation form by Mike Brown is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Dinsmore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle - too small, tail shape & feather coloration. Boat-tailed Grackle - range. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:30:00/07:00:00 and around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Least Tern at Cone Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-19	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Least Tern at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 19, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of a review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Least Tern	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh	State owned marsh of about 700 Acres.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: The obvious possibilities are both Common or Forsters' Terns. At the very most, this bird was perhaps half the size of the gulls. This would put the body length in the general range of 8" long with a wingspread of 24" (according to size of Ring bills in the Natl. Geo. Guide) The Natl. Geo. Guide gives the general size range of Least Tern as 9" long with a wingspread of 20 ". The sizes of the other terns are given as Common L 14 1/2', W 30", and Forsters' L 14 1/2, W=31". Thus on size alone, Least Tern seems to be the only reasonable choice. The short but deeply forked tail also indicates Least Tern. Harrison's SEABIRDS says, on page 182, "Size and hurried flight,..., usually sufficient to clinch identification in northern hemisphere". The flight of this bird was much quicker and fluttery compared to my experience with the slower, deeper, and more deliberate flight of Common and Forster's Terns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	3
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Sperry Township in Clayton County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-20	1984-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least six Henslow's Sparrow at Sperry Township in Clayton County, IA on May 20, 1984.	Ewert, David N.	Henslow's Sparrow	Sperry Township	Clayton Co : Sperry Tnshp. (T92N, R6W, Sect 29)	Bromel alfalfa pasture	The documentation form by David Ewert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Stone. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinctive song couple w/ sketchy view of bird while singing \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Elk Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-21	1984-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Elk Lake in Clay County, IA on May 21, 1984.	Brown, Mike	Red-necked Grebe	Elk Lake	Just south of county road, north of Elk Lake Clay Co. IA T95N R35W Sec. 36	Farm Pond	The documentation form by Mike Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Heinz and R.R. Ruthner \| Elimination of similar species: Only other grebe with redneck is Horned Grebe. Horned Grebe is much smaller, has smaller bill, and has ear tufts. Only other long-necked grebe - Western - has white neck and longer, narrower bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rock Wren north of Stone State Park, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-21	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rock Wren north of Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 21, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in American Birds, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Rock Wren	Stone State Park	0.6 mi. n. of NE entrance to Stone P. Woodbury Co., Iowa	Road cut in loess hill.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by W. Ross Silcock was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, uncocked tail, slight eye-line, bobbing, and note eliminate other wrens. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:55:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	1
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Waubonsie State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Bray, Tanya	Bewick's Wren	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie State Park Fremont County, Iowa	Loess Hills Oak-Hickory Forest The wren was seen in a narrow strip of woodland bordered on one side by the park road, on another side by an open and mowed picnic area, and backed by an area of low shrubby tangles. Across the road was a deep, wooded ravine	The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose and Babs Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Nearly size of Carolina Wren, but with a slimmer more elongated 'look'. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden in Sioux County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Lark Bunting	Hawarden	5 mi e, 1 mi s, JCT 10+12 in Hawarden, Sioux Co, Iowa	Farmland	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink- No white on head or back. Small bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:08:00/10:08:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: bottom land forest Specific: in small (around 15 ft) tree	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo doesn't have streak on sides of breast and doesn't sound like this bird; doesn't have white tail spots. Solitary Vireo's breast isn't yellow with streaks & also doesn't sound like this bird. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Worth Township in Boone County, 1984	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Worth Township in Boone County, IA on May 30, 1984.	Ehresman, Bruce	Barn Owl	Worth Township	Boone County, Worth Township (T-83N, R-26W) Sec. 21	Deciduous woodland edge (Wildlife Research Station)	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Dietz. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Finn Pond in Greene County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-31	1984-06-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Great-tailed Grackles at Finn Pond in Greene County, IA on May 31, 1984.	Dinsmore, James J.	Great-tailed Grackle	Finn Pond Wildlife Area	Finn Pond (2 miles west of Jefferson, Greene Co)	freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle-size Boat-tailed Grackle- range and eye color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Bluestem Flyer, Volume 18, Number 9, June 1984	Newsletters	Bird watching Birds--Migration Local government and environmental policy Ornithology--Societies, etc Parulidae \| Warblers Wildlife conservation	1984-06-01	1984-06-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 18, Number 9, June 1984. Highlights of the newsletter include updates on conservation efforts and environmental issues, notes on bird observations by Paul Martsching, and reports on the Iowa Ornithologists' Union and Iowa Audubon Council meetings.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) van der Linden, Judy	Black-bellied Plover American Golden Plover	Ames Brookside Park Larson Marsh				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-02	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Black-necked Stilts at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on June 2, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a photocopy of a photo, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Black-necked Stilt	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge - Kossuth County, Iowa	General: Large cattail marsh. Specific: Shallow muddy pool on north edge of Refuge.	The documentation form by Robert Myers forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted. Other observers include Russell Hays and several unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing really is similar. American Avocet has upturned bill and shows much white in wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:58:00/08:00:00 and 08:30:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Rare bird documentation form for Glossy Ibis at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-11	1984-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Glossy Ibises at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984.	Hovell, Leroy E. Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibis	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa		The documentation form by Wayne Stanley & Leroy Hovell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcolm, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| Elimination of similar species: All characteristics matched Glossy Ibis including the blue skin at the base of the curved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-11	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two birds (Ibis species) at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibises	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	The starting point was on the northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa		The documentation form by Wayne Stanley and Leroy Hovell is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Leroy Hovell was submitted later. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcom, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| The original documentation form event occurred after 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting in Garfield Township in Sioux County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-14	1984-09-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Lark Buntings in Garfield Township in Sioux County, IA on June 14, 1984.	Thompson, Carol A.	Lark Bunting	Garfield Township	Fairview QUad T96N R47W Sec 17/20 Sioux Cnty [sic]	Upper terrace between Big Sioux and Rock River, unplanted semi-plowed field at time, high water conditions	The documentation form by Carol Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink - did not have light patch on back of head nor any white in body or rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54