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 Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Snake Creek Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 30, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	General: Marsh Specific: open water surrounded by duck weed (waist high)	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Longer + darker than LeConte's and did not have light central crown stripe. LeConte's do not show the vivid white stripes on back. Several LeContes were also present and comparison was easy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Swamp Sparrow at Sweet Marsh, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swamp Sparrow at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 18, unknown year.	Stone, Tom	Swamp Sparrow	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh	swamp grass along dike	The documentation form by Tom Stone is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Too bulky for Chipping Sparrow, Field + Tree Sparrow have wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	62
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
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1989-03-26	1989-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA on March 26, 1989.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Lincoln's Sparrow	West Des Moines	1601 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines	Shrubs in a yard - Brushy ravine feeding into yard	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen and Pam Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: no question \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1989-04-15	1989-06-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA on April 15, 22, and 23, 1989.	Allen, Reid I.	Lincoln's Sparrow	West Des Moines	1601 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines, IA	Suburban yard, with wooded area behind home consisting of large trees and brushpiles	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Song sparrow has center dot and no buffy upper breast streaking. Savannah has white dotted breast. Vesper sparrow has white out tail. Mostly distinguished because of its song which was sung two or three times and Reid played a tape and it came right up to us as we were sitting and waiting for the Armstrongs to come to our house. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow north of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-18	1988-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Lincoln's Sparrows north of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 18, 1988.	Fix, Andrew S.	Lincoln's Sparrow	High Bridge	Des Moines River Bottom north of Rt. #17 Bridge	scrubby fields with variable brush, weeds, thistle, bramble	The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: -> Song sparrow: These birds (Lincoln's Sparrows) were smaller and had shorter tails than Song Sparrow's [sic], 1 sided central spot, and had buffy breasts, also flight was not the characteristic pumping flight of Song Sparrow -> Savannah Sparrow: These birds lacked yellow lores and were in entirely wrong habitat for Savannah's and had A buffy, fine streaked breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-05	1983-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 5, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Lincoln's Sparrow	Hastings	Wilson Farm, N.E. Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from adult Song Sparrow by buffy breast + fine breast streaks, from young one by eye ring + general face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow north of Princeton, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-12-22	1982-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow north of Princeton in Scott County, IA on December 22, 1982.	Blevins, Lewis D.	Lincoln's Sparrow	Princeton	1 1/2 miles north Princeton Iowa	open marsh	The documentation form by Lewis D. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins and Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Song Sparrow because streaking was to [sic] light and no spot on breast, Swamp because of lack of darkness \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Fox Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-09-18	1995-12-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Fox Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh in Winneshiek County, IA on September 18, 1995.	Carter, Dennis L.	Fox Sparrow	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	SE corner of Cardinal Marsh	brushy fencerow	The documentation form by Dennis Carter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Zieke. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] flock of Song and White-throated Sparrows [...] a Lincoln's Sparrow. [...] The bird had a chunky appearance compared to the other sparrows present. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the mid-morning for about a minute.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	60
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sugar Bottom Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-09-30	1987-10-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sugar Bottom Area in Johnson County, IA on September 30, 1987.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Sugar Bottom Recreation Area	Sugar bottom area Johnson Co.	marsh edge of lake sandy soil	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Thomas Kent, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has lighter upperparts more buff above eye, crown is prominately [sic] streaked. Aricular [sic] area is light gray on sharp-tail this is buffy w/ a dark streak. Nape on LeContes has chestnut streaks. LeConte's has more pronounced side streaks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	North Marshall county, country gravel road (dead end) leading to timber and creek- corn fields and a wet shrubby area.	wet, marshy, weedy low spot by road in a corn field with three shrubby bushes	The documentation form by Ramona R. Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LE CONTES--too small, striped head Lincon's [sic] Sparrow--facial pattern not right--too little Henslow's--not right coloration in breast and side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:30:08.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
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 Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-14	1986-09-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene Co. - north of Rippey	Natural cat-tail marsh surrounded by prairie grass	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark crown with no light central streak eliminates the LeConte's Sparrow as does the larger size and somewhat darker color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00 intermittently.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on May 9, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Grassy field near Lacey-Keosauqua SP, Van Buren County.		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cooper's Prairie Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-19	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Cooper's Prairie Marsh in Story County, IA on May 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cooper Prairie Marsh	Cooper's Marsh, Story County	Sedge and cattails along the edge of a small marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from LeContes Sparrow by dark back, gray collar on back of neck and a dark crown lacking a central white stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 seen intermittently.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-10	1984-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one or two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on October 10, 1984.	Proescholdt, Mark	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendrickson's Marsh - Story County	Tall grass, Knee-high weeds, small willow thickets	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has white central crown stripe, chestnut streaks on nape, and a much lighter color on wings and back overall than does a Sharp-tailed Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 15:15:00/15:25:00 and 15:40:00/15:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1984-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on October 3, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendricksons Marsh - Story County - Iowa	General: Marsh Specific: three on east side of Hendricksons Marsh in weeds abt 1 foot tall: One on west side in weeds 3-4 feet tall.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light stripe thru [sic] crown & doesn't have white stripes on a very dark back. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 13:00:00 and 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on September 22, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	General: marsh edge Specific: broadleaf plants - chest high	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching, Joe Schaufenbuel, and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light streaked crown - it also has streaking in the gray nape of the neck - it has a light colored back with indistinct white streaking \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Marshall County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-22	1983-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Marshall County, IA on May 22, 1983.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	marsh edge - marshall county	marshy low ground - permenent [sic] small marsh	The documentation form by Ramona Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Contes - white stripe on head head pattern not same. Saw Le Contes at forney at IOU conference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat Slough, Jones Co., Iowa	grassy marsh, catails [sic] - NW end of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow - has crown stripe and lacks white lines on back. Also late. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at McIntosh Wildlife Area near Clear Lake, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-22	1982-06-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Sharp-tailed Sparrows at McIntosh Wildlife Area near Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 22, 1982.	Heinz, Fred	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, Clear Lake, Iowa	General: lowspot in Hayfield Specific: Wet area in Brome and alfalfa field, with very little residual cover, due to winters snowfall	The documentation form by Fred Heinz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews and Bill Ohde. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Conte's - No stripes on crown + triangle on face was very evident \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Lost Lake in Boone County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-23	1981-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Lost Lake in Boone County, IA on May 23, 1981.	Brown, Gordon	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Lost Lake	Upper ledges at Lost Lake		The documentation form by Gordon Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include George Brown.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-29	1984-03-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh in Winnesheik County, IA on May 29, 1978.	Moore, Francis L.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	North side of lake near dam at Cardinal Marsh,	Edging between grass 6" to 10" tall and cattail marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow does not have a dark stripe down the top of its head. It had a light colored head stripe (crown stripe). The orange colored eye stripe eliminates all other species except LeConte's which is eliminated by the dark crown stripe on this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Sand Point	Sand Point on Coralville Resevoir [sic], n. of Iowa City IA	extensive weedy flats - waist to head-high on shore of resevoir. [sic]	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol S. Newlon, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Crown-pattern rules out Henslows (lacks grey crown stripe) LeContes (has narrow white stripe), Grasshopper, Baird's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for LeConte's Sparrow at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for ten to twenty minimum LeConte's Sparrows at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Le Conte's Sparrow	Sand Point	Sand Point, on Coralville Resevoir [sic] n. of Iowa City IA.	V. extensive weedy flats (waist to head-high) on shore of resevoir [sic]	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Carol Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: grey face patch on yellow face, yellow-orange breast, narrow white crown stripe rule out Henslow's, sharp-tail, grasshopper, Baird's sparrows. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	58