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 of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-17	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 17, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Just above the Lock + Dam 15 (Davenport, Ia)	Frozen ice above the dam in the Mississippi River	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: Herring Gull - eliminated by the dark eye and by the lack of black on the primary tips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Blevins, Brian L.	Peregrine Falcon	Davenport	Downtown Davenport, Masonic Temple (Scott Co., IA)	Inner City of Davenport overlooking River	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: Merlin - By size and full head cap. Gyrfalcon - By size and by full head cap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 13, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Lock and Dam 13 in Clinton County, IA on December 28, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 13	Lock + Dam 13 on Mississippi River	Mississippi River Flyway just Below the Dam	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and Jennifer Anderson. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull -> eliminated by the light brown color continuous all the way throughout the wingtips, thus there was not a darkening towards the wing tips. The mantle was also lighter than those of the nearby Herring Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-15	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 15, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock + Dam 15 on Mississippi River	Mississippi River Flyway just below the Dam	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull -> Immature - eliminated by the light brown color continuous all the way throughout the wingtips, thus there was not a darkening towards the wing tips. Adult - eliminated by the light mantle getting lighter towards the wingtips, with just a few grey spots on the primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Sabula, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-26	1999-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Sabula in Jackson County, IA on December 26, 1998.	Blevins, Brian L.	White-winged Scoter	Sabula	Mississippi River at Sabula, Iowa. Jackson County	small open section of water with ice surrounding	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: white cheek patch and white secondaries eliminate other scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:48:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 16, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-27	1999-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine County, IA on December 27, 1998.	Blevins, Brian L.	Great Black-backed Gull	Mississippi River Lock Dam Number Sixteen	Below Lock + Dam #16 in Muscatine County, Muscatine, Iowa	Below Lock + Dam #16 on the shoreline of Muscatine, Iowa. Mississippi River plus boat harbor that is iced over where the gulls like to roost.	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey T. Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Pink feet eliminates - Yellow footed Lesser Black-backed Size + Jet Black mantle eliminates - Western Slaty-Backed \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:52:00/09:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at Cone Marsh, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-08	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 8, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Black Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Conesville, IA, Louisa Co.	Large Marsh in Conjunction with the	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Petersen and Don Moeller. \| Elimination of similar species: CALL very distinct. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:10:00/05:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at the interchange of IA-130 and Interstate 80 in Davenport, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-01-23	1985-02-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at the interchange of IA-130 and Interstate 80 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 23, 1985.	Blevins, Brian L.	Peregrine Falcon	Interchange 292	Northwest Blvd. and the I-30 [actually IA-130] + I-80 turn-off	Open grassland and cropland near interchange	The documentation form by Brian L. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kenneth Brehmer. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than crow, but not as heavily winged or bodied as Goshawk. Bird was definitly [sic] larger than Kestrel or Merlin. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:30:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Gyrfalcon on the Mississippi River between Davenport and Rock Island, IL, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-22	1997-01-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gyrfalcon on the Mississippi River between Davenport in Scott County, IA and Rock Island in Rock Island County, IL on December 22, 1996.	Blevins, Brian L.	Gyrfalcon	Davenport Rock Island	Mississippi River between Davenport in Scott Co., IA and Rock Island in Rock Island County, Ill. between Big Island + Credit Island. From Ill side.	Directly on Mississippi River Channel with most of the river frozen over.	The documentation form by Brian L. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lewis D. Blevins and Corey T. Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The only bird close or similar is the Peregrine. It was easily eliminated by the lack of a dark cap, shear bulk and size and the total light grayness. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:26:00/10:29:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	33
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Loess Hills in northwest Plymouth County, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-24	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for three Black-billed Magpies at Loess Hills in northwest Plymouth County, IA on January 24, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Smith, Brian L.	Black-billed Magpie	Plymouth County	Northwest Plymouth County	Loess Hills (prairie)	The documentation form by Brian L. Smith is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mike Martin. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing similar w/ long tail + white wing patches.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Four Mile Lake, 1993	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-09	1993-06-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Grebes at Four Mile Lake in Emmet County, IA on June 9, 1993.	Ehresman, Bruce Flaherty, Molly	Red-necked Grebe	Four Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area	T99N, R34W, Sec 8 SE 1/4 at Four Mile Lake Restored Area. ~150 yds NW of NW corner of furthest east parking lot along County Rd. A22.	Restored wetland w/ emergent vegetation - surrounded by grassland	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman and Molly Flaherty is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Head similar to Western Grebe, but this grebe's neck is rusty red color. Body also smaller than western grebe, and bill not as long and pointed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-shinned Hawk at Lucas County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-06-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-shinned Hawk at Lucas County, IA on June 16, 1988.	Ehresman, Bruce	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Lucas County	T-71N, R 23 W, Sec. 17 (NW Qtr)	Flying over bottomland deciduous timber 2 mi s. of Stephen's Forest	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk is larger and normally has rounded tail. I've never seen a Cooper's with a notched tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/13:13:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	23
Rare bird documentation form for Cooper's Hawk at Story County, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-19	1998-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cooper's Hawk at Story County, IA on December 19, 1998.	Ehresman, Bruce	Cooper's Hawk	Story County	Story Co., T-82N, R-22W, Sec 6, NW 1/4	Indian Creek, woods on west	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Liessa Thomas and Marlene Ehresman. \| Elimination of similar species: Was too large for sharp shinned hawk, did not have white rump patch of harrier. Too large to be Merlin and wing shape + flight pattern different than Merlin (this bird had rounded wings and flew in flap-flap glide pattern as it left the area). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	24
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Jackson Township in Boone County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-07-08	1983-07-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Jackson Township in Boone County, IA on July 8, 1983.	Ehresman, Bruce	Barn Owl	Jackson Township	Boone County, Jackson Township (T-84N, R-25W) Sec. 11 + 14	Corn/Beans/oats - grassy roadside	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marlene Ehresman. \| Elimination of similar species: Barred owl is larger and gray. Great Horned Owl is larger, has ear tufts, and not pure white on all underparts. Short-eared owl has darker face and black wrist patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:50:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Luther, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-30	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon north of Luther in Boone County, IA on July 30, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ehresman, Bruce	Prairie Falcon	Luther	Along Hwy 17, 1/2 mi. N of jct. with county rd. E (2 1/2 me. N of Luther)	Harvested oat-field surrounded by cornfields	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marlene Ehresman. \| Elimination of similar species: The white patch on the lower back made me think "Harrier," but the black patches on the axillars of the underside of the wing and the pointed wings are falcon characteristics. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whooping Crane east of Davenport, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whooping Crane east of Davenport in Scott County, IA on April 10, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, correspondence about bird sightings from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Lorenzen, Frederick J. Lorenzen, Ted	Whooping Crane	Davenport	just E. of Davenport John Deere Plant. N. of IPO and W of Jersey Ridge Road	small lake	The documentation form by Bruce Peterjohn is relaying a report by Fred and Ted Lorenzen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: G. Egret - black wing tips, Am. White Pelican- long legs, Sandhill Crane - white plumage, Swan - long legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Wood-Pewee at Credit Island Park, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-23	1983-10-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Eastern Wood-Pewee at Credit Island Park in Scott County, IA on October 23, 1983.	Peterjohn, Bruce G.	Eastern Wood-Pewee		Credit Island Park, Davenport, Scott County, Iowa	Open parkland; a grove of large oak trees and fairly short grass	The documentation form by Bruce Peterjohn is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen, Carl Bendorf, John Robinson, and twelve or more unidentified members of the IOU. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe was eliminated by the pink lower mandible, absence of yellow on the underparts and absence of tail wagging behavior; phoebes also have grayer upperparts and have a different "jizz", appearing larger with a relatively larger head than a pewee. Western Wood Pewee was eliminated by the call note. The Western Wood Pewee has a single or double call note that has a distinctly buzzy character. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:10:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	64
Rare bird documentation form for Forster's Tern at Coralville Reservoir, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Forster's Tern at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 21, 1983.	Peterjohn, Bruce G.	Forster's Tern	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	foraging over the open waters of the reservoir	The documentation form by Bruce Peterjohn is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent, Carl Bendorf, Tom Staudt, and Rick Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Tern was eliminated by flight pattern (more rapid + deeper wing beats) + apparent head pattern (Common Terns have more extensive black on the head). \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:00:00/09:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	43
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Green Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-08	1986-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black-throated Green Warblers at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 8, 1986.	Shephard, Burt	Black-throated Green Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa	Deciduous bottomland forest	The documentation form by Burt Shephard is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Block, Joe Stratton, and around five other unidentified members of bird study class. \| Elimination of similar species: no question about identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	27
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird at West Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-03	1984-11-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird at West Ames in Story County, IA on November 3, 1984.	Shephard, Burt	Western Kingbird	Ames	West Ames, IA.	mixed deciduous, bordering on open field at edge of urban area	The documentation form by Burt Shephard is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Terry Shephard. \| Elimination of similar species: Scarlet Tanager - shape of bill, gray on head and white edge on tail feathers. Other Kingbirds - chest color, white outer tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/dusk.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
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 Golden Eagle at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-03	1988-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, IA on February 3, 1988.	Knight, Calvin A.	Golden Eagle	Booth Township	W ctr. Section 20, Booth Township (T 94N, R 34W) Palo Alto Co., Iowa	Open Field (snow blown clear) near frozen Marsh	The documentation form by Calvin A. Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bernie Knight and Ron Reese. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle (immature) underwing markings & tail eliminated bald eagle. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31