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

Criteria for Iowa Important Bird Area (IBA) site selection	Administrative records	Birds--Conservation Birds--Habitat Rare birds	2003-01-01	2003-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Document by the Iowa Ornithologist's Union stating various categories that can be used to designate a site as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Item includes lists of birds covered by each category, as well as "habitats nominated for IBA status" by Iowa county.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	5	7
Rare bird records reviewed by the records committee of the Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Administrative records	Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	2002-06-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The document includes a history of the committee and explains the process of peer review to determine an accepted rare bird sighting in Iowa.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	1
Iowa Ornithologists' Union records committee, records reviewed 1980-1999 by species	Administrative records	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	2000-11-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The document lists rare bird sightings reviewed between 1980-1999. It includes the dates and locations of sightings with observer names and the results of the review process.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	2
Iowa Ornithologists' Union records committee, records reviewed 1980-1999 by record number	Administrative records	Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	2000-11-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The document includes a list of reviewed species to determine whether rare bird identifications were accepted. It also includes the dates and locations of sightings.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	3
Alphabetical list of species, records committee files through 1999	Administrative records	Birds--Identification Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	2000-11-26	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Alphabetical list of peer reviewed accepted rare bird species observed in Iowa through 1999.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bullock's Oriole at Elk Horn, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-12-17	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bullock's Oriole at Elk Horn in Shelby County, IA on December 17, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Bullock's Oriole	Elk Horn	Yard of Randy and Rhea Leete, Elk Horn, Iowa (Shelby County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H. Kent was submitted later. Other observers include Karole Fuller, Mike Overton, Dixie Overton, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: This is the only orange oriole that exhibits a large white wing patch, and a dark eye line on an otherwise orange face. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Hichcock Nature Area, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-12-05	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Hitchcock Nature Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 5, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Orsag, Mark	Ferruginous Hawk	Hitchcock Nature Area	Hitchcock Nature Area (Lodge Hawkwatch Point)	Loess Hills / Missouri River Valley. The bird was coming from out of the valley. It crossed the wooded ridges of HNA and headed southeast.	The documentation form by Mark Orsag is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I considered 5 other species of raptor in total. I eliminated two possibilities (Rough-legged Hawk and Northern Harrier) within seconds of seeing the bird in question. I eliminated two others (Bald Eagle [imm.], and Red-tailed Hawk more or less during the minute or so that I had the bird in view. ** I reviewed, in my head, the fine points of the Krider's Red-tailed Hawk for a few seconds after the bird had disappeared from view. The fifth species came to mind just before I started writing this report (the next day). I retroactively eliminated it. In reconstructing my reasoning, I believe: Rough-leg was eliminated due to the unmarked white throat, breast, underwings, and underside. Northern Harrier was eliminated due [sic] the large size and robust shape of the bird, the flight pattern (especially wingbeat), the unstreaked white throat, etc. Immature Swainson's Hawk later eliminated by dark head, white wing patches on primaries, lack of dark flight feathers on underwing, unlikelihood of December sighting. Bald Eagle immature- (whitebelly I-II) was eliminated by the downpushing wingbeat, the colors of the bird's dorsal surface, the lack of a contrast on the dorsal surface between the brown-gray forward part of the wing and the darker flight feathers (a little known good fieldmark for Immature BE), and the confining of the white coloration to the primaries, etc. Red-tailed Hawk-This species, in light of its similar (but smaller) size and variable plumages, posed the greatest problems. The dark upper surface, dark head, pointed wings, and pattern of flight (dihedral in glide posture), as well as the distinct and identical nature of the white markings on the upperwings and the lack of patagial marks, "commas", or other dark markings on the underside, were considered in total and used to rule out the immature light-morph Red-tail and, on reflection, a partial albino Red-tail. Krider's Red-tailed Hawk was the toughest to rule out. Here are my reasons: 1. Krider's heads appear white/light in contrast to the darker (gray or brown) color of the back. This bird's head was not lighter in color (on top) than the back. Back coloring was too dark (brown-reddish) for Krider's-no white mottling seen. Wings were pointed not rounded. No 'headlight' fieldmark [sic] was seen and the 'points of light' fieldmark [sic] was. Dihedral in glide unusual but not impossible for a Red-tail, but the wingbeat (fluid and downpushing rather than centered on the downstroke at the wrist) did not look like a Red-tailed's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow-billed Loon at Little Wall Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-12-02	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-billed Loon at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on December 2, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, a print of four photos, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-billed Loon	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake, Hamilton Co., IA	Natural lake in glaciated area. All open water.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Chris Edwards, Jim Dinsmore, Stephen J. Dinsmore, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Kevin Healy, Dick Tetrault, Reid Allen, Pam Allen, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Beth Proescholdt, Kay Niyo, Eric Haley, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and thick bill exclude Red-throated and Pacific Loons. The features that favor Yellow-billed over Common Loon include the bill shape, dark line to mid culmen, small eye, auricular patch, and the pattern of the foreneck and face (little extension of white and mottled color). The back pattern (wavy white lines rather than fuzzy white lines with dark bars) and paleness of the auricular patch indicate a juvenile. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Hitchcock Nature Area, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-11-24	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Jaeger species bird at Hitchcock Nature Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 24, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and two copies of a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Orsag, Mark	Jaegers	Hitchcock Nature Area	Hitchcock Nature Area Hawkwatch	Missouri River Valley Floodplain	The documentation form by Mark Osrag is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sue Mattix. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark immature gulls were eliminated by flight pattern, body-to-wing shape profile (as above), and the well seen identical translucent patches on the wings. Other jaeger species were eliminated by the bird's size. It thermalled above a wetland area beyond HNA's 'Westridge' with a group of Ring-billed Gulls. Size comparison was perfect-revealing a noticeably larger, heavier-bodied bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-10-09	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands in Plymouth County, IA on October 9, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fields, Will	Black-billed Magpie	Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve	Broken Kettle Grasslands (a Nature Conservancy Preserve, Plymouth Co., IA)		The documentation form by Will Fields is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unidentified members of Iowa State University Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Club. \| Elimination of similar species: The American crow and the common raven lack do not have such a long tail and they usually do not have white in their plumage. I had seen American crows flying around the preserve earlier that morning. This bird definitely had a longer tail than the American crows. Ring-necked pheasants also have a long tail, but they do not normally have a black and white plumage. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Spirit Lake, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-10-01	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 1, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Black-headed Gull	Spirit Lake	North Shore Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	Rock jetty, fishing pier + shallow bay + marsh	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's - Bill color and underwing smudging \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:20:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Hitchcock Wildlife Area, 1999.	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-27	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie at Hitchcock Wildlife Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on September 27, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, an e-mail from Sue Mattix to Jim Fuller, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Mattix, Sue	Black-billed Magpie	Hitchcock Nature Area	Hitchcock Wildlife Area, Crescent, IA	forest	The documentation form by Sue Mattix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Howard Mattix. \| Elimination of similar species: Only similar species would be yellow billed magpie - this one had a black bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Brown Pelican at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-22	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records committee review of a Brown Pelican at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 22, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Brown Pelican	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, off Campground #4 of Jester Park (Polk Co.)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, James Dinsmore, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Tom Staudt, James Huntington, Aaron Brees, Eloise Armstrong, Chris Caster, and Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Only other North American pelican is White, and size, body color, and bill color alone eliminate it. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager near Meservey in 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1999-09-17	2000-11-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager near Meservey in Cerro Gordo County, IA around May 10, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in a note, and a letter about the sighting from Jan Walter to Tom Kent.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Western Tanager	Meservey				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Woodpecker Marsh, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-07	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Woodpecker Marsh in Wayne County, IA on September 7, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, two letters from Charlotte Scott to Thomas Kent, and a letter from Thomas Kent to Charlotte Scott.	Scott, Charlotte	Black-headed Grosbeak	Woodpecker Marsh	on a country road near Woodpecker Marsh			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Horseshoe Bend Unit of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-09-04	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Red Knot at Horseshoe Bend Unit of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on September 4, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Red Knot	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Horseshoe Bend Division	Horseshoe Bend Unit Mark Twain NWR. Off "F" Avenue 5 miles east and 3 miles south of Wapello (Louisa County).	Water pool and mudflats remaining from earlier high water.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only form submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Stilt Sandpiper in basic plumage lacks undertail covert checking, has a much longer bill and yellow-green legs. Lesser Yellowlegs also lacks undertail covert checking, and has yellow legs and a much longer and thinner bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Collared Dove at Mason City, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-20	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eurasian Collared Dove at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on August 20, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Eurasian Collared Dove	Mason City	Paulette Lugg 12 ST. N.W. Mason City	Backyard with many feeders -	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter, Paulette Lugg, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning Dove - long pointed tail, darker gray-brown wings lacking in this dove Ringed Turtle Dove - lacking dark tail, darker overall + white patches + black stripes on neck -	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Arctic Tern at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-19	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Arctic Tern at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 19, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Arctic Tern	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, Iowa	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore and Tom Kent were submitted. Other observers include Jim Sinclair and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of smaller size, bill size, leg length, and wing pattern eliminates other Sterna, especially Common and Forster's Terns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:15:00/19:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Arctic Tern at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-18	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Arctic Tern at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 18, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, four photographs, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Arctic Tern	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, Iowa	large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by James J. Dinsmore and Ann Johnson were submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, bill shape and color, white cheek, dark gray underparts, leg length, and wing pattern eliminate other species of Sterna. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Collared Dove at Ankeny, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-18	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eurasian Collared Dove at Ankeny in Polk County, IA on August 18, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Eurasian Collared Dove	Ankeny	Ankeny, Polk County, Iowa	urban neighborhood	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pale coloration and black collar eliminate all doves except Eurasian Collared-Dove and Ringed Turtle-Dove. The combination of larger size, darker gray undertail coverts, and darker primaries eliminates Ringed Turtle-Dove from consideration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:04:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lesser Goldfinch at Rockford, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-05	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Goldfinch at Rockford in Floyd County, IA on August 5, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Lesser Goldfinch	Rockford	1105 200th St, Rockford, IA - Floyd Co. Rockford Township Sec 5	Scattered oak trees, open pasture, brush-along Winnebago R.	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Barb McKinstry. \| Elimination of similar species: American goldfinch - bird was smaller, entire crown was black, had yellow undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:35:00/17:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff at Harrier Marsh, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-07-17	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff at Harrier Marsh in Boone County, IA on July 17, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Ruff	Harrier Marsh	East Harrier Marsh - South of Ogden		The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Feeding beside pectorals Body posture much the same Pectorals had bibs no breasted markings on the ruff. Bill much longer and head larger than a buffbreasted. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Dickinson County Landfill, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-07-10	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-headed Gull at Dickinson County Landfill in Dickinson County, IA on July 10, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Black-headed Gull	Dickinson County Landfill	Dickinson County Landfill	Open field	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Huser and five unidentified members of the Loess Hills Audubon Society. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's Gull and Bonaparte's Gull - Dark brown head and wing pattern w/ dark underneath. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Collared Dove at Rutland, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-06-15	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for six Eurasian Collared Doves at Rutland in Humboldt County, IA during late June, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Smeltzer, John F.	Eurasian Collared Dove	Rutland	Town of Rutland, Humboldt County, Iowa	Seen repeatedly and photographed at bird feeder/waterer.	The documentation form by John F. Smeltzer, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include entire Smeltzer family (wife, daughter, son, father, mother, and brother). \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning dove.....they were too large and the wrong color. Common pigeon.....too small, wrong color as well. Ringed dove......domestic and too fragile for the environment they were surviving in.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-06-06	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton in Greene County, IA on June 6, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail correspondence about the documentation, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Lark Bunting	Scranton	Greene County,1 mile south of Scranton on Highway 25 ,then 3/4 mile east.	Pasture with cows on South side, Row crops on North side	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: I don't know of any other bird of this size that has white wing patches. I couldn't find any other info in any of my bird guides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:00:06.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34