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 White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-07	1984-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	White-winged Scoter	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek St. P., Polk Co., n. of Des Moines	open lake	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Phyllis Harris and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: immature Surf Scoter - but when the bird flew + showed the white wing patches in its secondaries there was no doubt but that it was a White-winged Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-23	1985-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1985.	Zaletel, Hank	White-winged Scoter	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park	lake	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore, Steve Dinsmore, and Bob Meyer. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Big Creek State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-12	1986-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 12, 1986.	Proescholdt, Mark	Black Scoter	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park - (Polk Co.)	Large to medium-sized Lake with many bays	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Bob Myers, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: A winter Ruddy Duck is much smaller than a scoter, has a different look than a scoter, is lighter in coloration, and the cheek patch is different color or markings of male and female Ruddy than a scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Big Creek State Park, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-12	1991-05-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 12, 1991.	Proescholdt, Mark	Summer Tanager	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park - (Polk Co.) - along 146th St. Road	Hedgerows along gravel road	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner, Carol Strohmeyer, and Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: A male Western Tanager has wingbars and is yellowish on breast and belly. A male Scarlet Tanager has black wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Long-billed Dowitcher at Big Creek State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-billed Dowitcher at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 19, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Long-billed Dowitcher	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park-north end	muddy area along lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Short-billed Dowitcher eliminated by the birds call note (should be softer notes for Short-bill) and by the combination of gray/brown underparts, gray back with light feather edgings, and barred undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:05:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Big Creek State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-05	1987-10-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Big Creek State park in Polk County, IA on October 5, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Greater Scaup	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	swimming on large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roger Sedlacek. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup eliminated above. Both birds had smoothly rounded heads, not peaked like Lesser Scaup. Both birds seemed to have larger, heavier bills than Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-17	1988-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Greater Scaups at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 17, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Greater Scaup	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	with other ducks near muddy area at north end of lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andrew Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup eliminated above. The birds were bigger than nearby Blue-winged Teal, but smaller than a Mallard. Identified the bird as a Greater Scaup by the very large, almost spatulate bill, very wide bill nail, large size compared to a Mallard (the bird wasn't much smaller than the Mallard), rounded head (not peaked like a Lesser Scaup), and white wing stripe extending on to the primaries (seen when the bird preened). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Big Creek State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-12	1986-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black Scoters at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 12, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black Scoter	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	large body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Mark Proescholdt, and Beth Proesholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck shows the combination of a dark body, a white cheek patch, and dark wings lacking speculums. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Pectoral Sandpiper at Big Creek State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-01	1987-12-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pectoral Sandpiper at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on December 1, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pectoral Sandpiper	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	mudflat area at north end of lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bart Ballard. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, yellowish legs, and well defined 'necklace' eliminates all other shorebirds except Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. The fact the the [sic] eyeline did not broaden behind the eye and the streaked rather than buffy breast eliminates Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	23
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 Big Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	1984-04-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on March 25, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk County	overgrown pasture with red/cedars + honey locust next to the lake	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing similar when we saw at such good advantage the gray accipiter with dark crown + white eye stripe, the fluffy undertail coverts & darker gray back \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-25	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on November 25, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats at end of freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unknown number with unknown names. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, yellow/orange legs eliminated most other shorebirds. In order to differentiate from the greater yellowlegs, I compared body size to the killdeer with which it was feeding and the bill size to the head. Both field marks eliminated the greater and confirmed the lesser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-15	1982-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek in Polk County, IA on February 15, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek, Polk Co., Iowa	fields and patches of forest.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: When first saw it thought of Marsh Hawk. Did not have prominent white rump of Marsh Hawk. Marsh Hawk doesn't have the wide white eye brow stripe on very dark head. Wings wider than on Marsh Hawk. Much larger than other accipiters. Other accipiters don't have wide white eye brow stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for about twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Red-tailed Hawk near Fraser, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-tailed Hawk on the Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River east of Fraser in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Healy, Kevin	Red-tailed Hawk	Fraser	Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River about 1 mile east of Fraser IA.		The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rosanne Healy, Amy Yoakum, and Molly Havlik. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	29
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Big Marsh, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-03-22	1997-04-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Trumpeter Swans at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on March 22, 1997.	Proescholdt, Mark	Trumpeter Swan	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big marsh - (Butler County)	Huge marshy area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: A Tundra Swan immature is much whiter by late winter than immature trumpeters. Tundra Swans have slightly concave bills and the black of the bills do not go completely to the eye in a triangle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Big Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-29	1983-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on April 29, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh - Butler Co.	Marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrels Tails do not have the bold black bands, and show reddish on tail + back (NOT overall blue-gray). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh near Parkersburg, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-05	1981-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh near Parkersburg in Butler County, IA on April 5, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Marbled Godwit	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh near Parkersburg, IA (Butler County)	Marsh, Shallow and mostly drained marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Jody Hines, Antoinette Camarata, and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit has white upper-tail coverts and no cinnamon in the under-wing linings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-24	1984-03-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on March 24, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, Butler Co., IA	Open fields at edge of Marsh with rows of trees and hedges	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk does not have a bold white superciliary line like this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Big Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-21	1983-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on May 21, 1983.	Proescholdt, Beth	King Rail	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, north of Parkersburg, Iowa	flooded marsh, dike	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt and Phyllis Harris. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rail - this bird was twice as large as the Virginia Rails we were flushing, and it had no gray cheeks \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Rock Park in Pella, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-26	1983-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Rock Park in Pella in Marion County, IA on November 26, 1983.	Brand, Gordon James	Northern Goshawk	Big Rock City Park	Big Rock Park, Pella, Iowa	80 acre timber tract but near Red Rock Reservoir.	The documentation form by Gordon Brand is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Raymond Brand. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers Hawk. This Hawk had no horizontal barring on the belly. It was larger and had very pronounced dark eyepatch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Big Sand Mound, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-08	1984-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Big Sand Mound in Muscatine County, IA on September 8, 1984.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve	Big Sand Mound Muscatine Co.	extensive sandy prairie w/ scattered small trees	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: falcon shape, banded tail, lack of distinct face pattern yield ID. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-14	1985-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 14, 1985.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	Spirit Lake	Big Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa	seen on open water of Big Spirit Lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - no white evident on wings or head. Surf Scoter -- no white evident on head (immatures of either of these species might appear similar to Black Scotor, except for presence of orange knob) Coot - smaller, has a whitish bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Big Wall Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	King Rail	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright Co.	large cattail marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and large bill eliminate Virginia Rail. The rusty (not grayish) underparts eliminate the very similar Clapper Rail (!!). \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Big Wall Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1986-09-14	1986-09-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area	Big Wall Lake, Wright Co.	in wet, grassy area at north end of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow eliminated by the lighter back color, lack of a gray nape, and different head pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-09-05	1998-09-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 5, 1998.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-winged Scoter	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright County	open water of large freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and color immediately pointed toward a scoter. Eye patch immediately identified it as White-winged, further cooroborated [sic] when white wing patch seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12