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 Hermit Thrush at Muscatine County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush at Muscatine County, IA on December 28, 1997.	Blevins, Corey T.	Hermit Thrush	Muscatine County	Muscatine County, IA		The documentation form by Corey T. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and Catherine Bland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull south of Muscatine, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull south of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 28, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	Thayer's Gull	Muscatine	just south of Muscatine, IA., Muscatine county standing on ice shelves.		The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gerry White. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was about the size of a herring gull (slightly smaller), but much paler.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Ross's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ross Silcock, Duane E. Bright, Stephen J. Dinsmore, and Jerry Probst and Bill Huser were submitted. Other observers include Gordon Brown, Sandra Kovanda, Jim Kovanda, R. Craig Hensley, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Since it was the only gull on the lake, the only birds to compare it with were Ruddy Ducks which appeared smaller and a drake Common Merganser which was larger than the gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00 and 15:15:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	11
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Thomson Causeway, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for over two hundred Tundra Swans at Thomson Causeway in Carroll County, IL on December 27, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	Tundra Swan	Thomson	Mississippi River out from Thomson Causeway; Carroll County	open water in the middle of the river, surrounded by iced-over stump fields.	The documentation form by Kelly McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Carlson, Fred Lesher, and Carol Rogers. \| Elimination of similar species: Mute Swan - has knobbed bill which is pinkish-orange. Trumpeter Swan - most have wing or neck bands, tend to occur in lesser numbers. Also, no curve from bill to forehead. Snow Goose - much smaller, with black primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Andover, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1998-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Andover in Clinton County, IA on December 27, 1997.	Blevins, Brian L.	Merlin	Andover	Andover, IA. Jackson Co. Iowa	Open country, the bird was in only tree at farm house were he was watching smaller birds at a pole birdfeeder.	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins and Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminate Kestrel by size and coloring. Eliminate Peregrine by size and lack of dark head cap. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:23:00/09:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1997-12-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 27, 1997.	Proescholdt, Mark	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below dam at Red Rock - (Marion County)	Gravel Bar below dam and churning water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dale Fye, Helen Fye, Pat Miller, and many others. \| Elimination of similar species: The other black mantled gulls (Great Black-backed, Slaty-backed, Western, and Yellow-footed) are all much larger than this gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:20:00/11:10:00 and 13:30:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-26	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 26, 1997 and December 30, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA (below dam)	river below dam	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James J. Dinsmore, Kay Niyo, and many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, dark gray mantle, yellow legs and bill pattern eliminates other gulls, especially Great Black-backed, California, and Slaty-backed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/16:55:00 on December 26, 1997 and 13:40:00/16:05:00 on December 30, 1997.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for American White Pelican at Oakville, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-23	1998-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American White Pelican at Oakville in Louisa County, IA on December 23, 1997.	Ohde, Bill	American White Pelican	Oakville	Iowa River, 1 mile NW of Oakville, Louisa County, Iowa	large shallow river with sandbars, forested shorelines.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Cross. \| Elimination of similar species: Our first thought was swan when we saw the the [sic] large white bird in the water. We first used binoculars and immediately saw the huge orange bill. Then I got out the spotting scope to take a close look. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow north of Keokuk, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1997-12-22	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Field Sparrow north of Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Field Sparrow	Keokuk	along River Road about 4 mi north of Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	weedy area	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The most similar species would be American Tree and Chipping Sparrows. The combination of white eyering, lack of a breast spot, and pink bill eliminates both of these species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:32:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Blue-winged Teal at Montrose, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-22	1997-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue-winged Teal at Montrose in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Blue-winged Teal	Montrose	Montrose, Lee Co., IA	shallow, muddy marsh	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size eliminates all other waterfowl except for Green-winged Teal. Green-winged Teal has a smaller bill, lacks white on the face, and has green and rust color in the speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	5
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Keokuk, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-22	1997-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Keokuk	along River Road n of Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	brushy area along river edge	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, greenish coloration, and shape identified the birds as kinglets. One of the birds was compared directly to Golden-crowned Kinglets, and was separated from that species by the eyering and lack of yellow on the crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:06:00/08:19:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at Brenton Slough, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-21	1997-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at Brenton Slough in Polk County, IA on December 21, 1997.	Sinclair, Jim	Lincoln's Sparrow	Brenton Slough	Brenton Slough	marsh edge	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: smaller, more compact bird than Song Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Eastern Towhee 12-21-97 Julie Charlesworth	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Identification Rare birds	1997-12-21	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes for the Eastern Towhee near Bettendorf in Scott County, IA throughout the late fall and early winter 1997. The account was reported by Julie Charlesworth to Kelly McKay on December 21, 1997.	McKay, Kelly Charlesworth, Julie	Eastern Towhee	Bettendorf				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	47
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at George Wyth State Park, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on December 21, 1997.	Moore, Francis L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	George Wyth Memorial State Park	On southside of Cedar River between Cedar Falls and Waterloo opposite George Wyth S.P.	Open river front	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Al Brown, Opal Uher, Maurice Hanson, Ruby Hanson, and Tom Stone. \| Elimination of similar species: No other adult gull has this combination of fieldmarks, all yellow bill, black legs, black outer primaries, smudge on back of head on to the nape, black eyes, rest of body all white, white slightly forked tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for American White Pelican at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-21	1998-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a American White Pelican at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	American White Pelican	Bettendorf	Bettendorf, IA. shoreline of Missisippi River, Scott County		The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Kingman, Chris Kingman, Keith Blunt, Donna Blair, and Mary Foulk. \| Elimination of similar species: All swans - dark torsi and they all lack the lark dark punched bill and black primaries and secondaries. Snow Goose - much smaller and lacks the large pale punched bill and black secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Eden Valley Refuge, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-19	1998-01-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Eden Valley Refuge in Jackson County, IA on December 19, 1997.	Wickham, Walt	Turkey Vulture	Eden Valley County Refuge	1 1/2 miles south, 1 mile west of Eden Valley Refuge	mixed cropland and woods	The documentation form by Walt Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chip Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: lack of head feathers, \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned) in Sioux City, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-18	1998-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned) in Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 18, 1997.	Huser, Bill F.	Prairie Falcon	St. Joseph Hospital (historical)	St. Joseph's Hospital (abandoned), Sioux City, Woodbury, IA	tall brick buildings with broken windows providing roosting sites for hundreds of Rock Doves. Numerous perches and open space for flight.	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst and Bob Moritz. \| Elimination of similar species: The distinct tear marks eliminated all hawks but falcons and also eliminated the Merlin. Long wings, relative to the tail, and body size eliminated Gyrfalcon. Size and direct comparison eliminated Kestrel. Lack of dark "helmet" eliminated Peregrine Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Heard on the Birdline, December 15, 1997-March 15, 1998	Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Laridae \| Gulls and Terns Rare birds Dial-a-message telephone calls	1997-12-15	1998-03-15	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Summary of the Iowa Birdline update for December 15, 1997-March 15, 1998. Highlights of the update include sightings of two Ross's Gulls, an adult Black-legged Kittiwake, and seven different Snowy Owl observations in December. Very unusual reports of a Common Raven and a Sprague's Pipit were reported in February. Other interesting observations were of a mid-winter sighting of a Summer Tanager in January and February as well as a continued winter presence of White-winged Crossbills.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon Ross's Gull Summer Tanager Sprague's Pipit Varied Thrush White-winged Crossbill Snowy Owl Long-tailed Duck Black-legged Kittiwake Common Raven Hoary Redpoll Northern Saw-whet Owl	Decorah Dickinson County Dubuque Hamilton County Iowa City Lake Red Rock Lake Manawa Red Rock Dam Scott County Sioux City West Branch Wright County Fort Madison O'Brien County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	40	18
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Crossbill at Logan Park Cemetery in Woodbury County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-13	1998-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for thirteen White-winged Crossbills at Logan Park Cemetery in Woodbury County, IA on December 13, 1997.	Huser, Bill F.	White-winged Crossbill	Logan Park Cemetery	Logan Park Cemetery, Woodbury County, IA	savannah [sic] of conifer and deciduous trees, including fruiting white (?) spruce	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst, Bob Moritz, and Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: The bright colored plumages eliminate Pine Siskins and all female Carpodacus finches. The male birds' rosy coloration was more extensive and uniform than that of male Carpodacus Finches. The crossed mandibles eliminate all finches including Pine and Evening Grosbeaks. The bold wing bars eliminate Red Crossbills. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	84
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1997-12-12	1998-01-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA from December 12, 1997 to December 27, 1997.	McKay, Kelly Statser, Jack L.	Baltimore Oriole	Bettendorf	1515 29 Street Bettendorf, Scott County, IA.	suburban yard surrounded by a wooded ravine.	The documentation form by Kelly McKay and Jack Statser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vera Blevins. The documentation form was written by Kelly McKay from a phone conversation with Jack Statser. \| Elimination of similar species: Orchard Oriole - smaller; much darker red-orange underparts; all dark tail. American Redstart - very much smaller; all black with orange restricted to spots on sides, wings, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Ames, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Ames in Story County, IA on December 6, 1997.	Dinsmore, James J.	Varied Thrush	Ames	3616 Ross Road, Ames	crab apple tree in urban neighborhood	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Lane. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing else to confuse it with \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Cape May Warbler at Indianola in 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird feeders Birds--Food Birds--Identification Rare birds	1997-12-01	2000-11-22	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Cape May Warbler at Indianola in Warren County, IA from November 14 to December 18, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph by Stephen Dinsmore, and the original sighting record found in the publication A Record Late Cape May Warbler in Iowa in Iowa Bird Life 67(4):132-33 by Jim Sinclair also seen by Taylor Sinclair.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Cape May Warbler	Indianola				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	16
Winter Birds 97-98	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-01	1998-02-25	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds and locations contributed by Aaron Brees. Includes a note to Thomas H. Kent.	Brees, Aaron	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Iowa RBA, November 24, 1997	Field notes	Bird watching Exotic birds Rare birds Dial-a-message telephone calls	1997-11-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa RBA update for November 24, 1997. Highlights of the update include sightings of a Bohemian Waxwing, White-winged Crossbills, Common Redpolls, Long-tailed Ducks, and a first year Glaucous Gull. Also of interest were reports of an exotic Eurasian Goldfinch and an unconfirmed report of Harlequin Ducks. Also included are handwritten notes for the next week's update with sightings of a Northern Shrike and an immature Mute Swan.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Ruffed Grouse Cedar Waxwing Eurasian Collared Dove Harlequin Duck Mute Swan White-winged Crossbill Red-breasted Merganser Common Redpoll Long-tailed Duck Trumpeter Swan Bohemian Waxwing Hooded Merganser Golden Eagle Glaucous Gull Red-breasted Nuthatch Tundra Swan Common Merganser Northern Shrike Eurasian Goldfinch	Cedar Lake Grinnell Hawarden Iowa City Lake Manawa Pleasant Creek State Park Yellow River State Forest DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge Black Hawk Lake Fort Madison Riverview Cemetery Upper Iowa River Paint Creek Lock and Dam 16 Pool 9 Marble Beach State Recreation Area Dallas Center Riverside Cemetery				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	43	6
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Claybanks Preserve, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-11-23	1997-12-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles at Claybanks Preserve in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 23, 1997.	Goranson, Rita	Golden Eagle	Claybanks Forest	on Wren ave - at Claybanks Preserve, Cerro Gordo Co	wooded & river	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Carolyn Fischer, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: later we saw (white head white tail) adult eagles = not the coloring of the first one. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:10:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31