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 for Smith's Longspur north northwest of Lone Tree, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for around a few hundred Smith's Longspurs north northwest of Lone Tree in Johnson County, IA on April 6, 1990.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Smith's Longspur	Lone Tree	2 mi. NNW of Lone Tree, Johnson Co., Iowa	[...] In large hay stubble field with scattered bales, [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Non-descript really, eye-ringed, suggestive of a Vesper Sparrow but for entirely buff underparts. [...] Also seen were a Red Fox and an alternate-plumaged male Lapland Longspur. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
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 Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit in Shimek Forest, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at the Croton Unit in Shimek Forest in Lee County, IA on June 15, 1984.	Cecil, Robert I.	Blue Grosbeak	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	2 1/2 miles W. of Argyle, Ia, at Croton Unit, Shimek F., S.W. Lee County	Gravel road surrounded with open areas spotted with brush and small trees.	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I must admit that a few hours after the sighting and identification, I [sic] few doubts arose that maybe I had misidentified an Indigo Bunting. Upon reflection, I recalled that It had never occured [sic] to me that this might have been an Indigo Bunting as I was watching it, and I had seen several that morning. In addition to this bird's much larger size, it clearly lacked the brilliant blue of a June Indigo Bunting. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:00:00/07:00:005.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1979-09-08	1979-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on September 8, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Anderson Township	Wilson farm: T73-N, R-41W, Sec 26, NE Mills County, Ia.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: these are Rose-breasted Grosbeaks or Blackheaded Grosbeaks. Or hybrids. Unfortunately, the identification depends on things I do not know. Ruth Green informs me that some Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in early September are so orange on the breast one would think them Black-headeds. Are these young Rose-breasted? What about the call? Do Rose-breasted Grosbeaks make a lower-pitched call, more mellow than the distinctive high-pitched call that is the only one I know for them? If you know, please tell me. These were odd-looking grosbeaks but I can't really identify them. \| The original documentation form events occurred around 08:45:00 and in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Rare bird documentation memo for Blackheaded Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak hybrid at Ingham Township in Franklin County, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-10	1979-07-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation memo for a Blackheaded Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak hybrid at Ingham Township in Franklin County, IA on July 10, 1979.	Priebe, Carl	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Ingham Township	The bird was sighted in the NW 1/4 Sec. 12 T-92N R-19W in Franklin County.	[...] The bird was sighting in a timbered area of approximately 20 acres on a hill overlooking the West Fork of the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Carl Priebe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was definately [sic] a grosbeak as it had the thick, heavy bill. [...] What makes me think it is a hybrid is that the orange-yellow of ghe [sic] breast was only in the upper part, identical to the rose bib of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Rare bird documentation form for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Lake Manawa State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least four Chestnut-collared Longspurs at Lake Manawa State Park in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 16, 1986.	Padelford, Babs	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa Rec. Area	[...] grassy-weedy area along the road to the s.e. boat dock.	The documentation form by Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It was mixed because when they flew it seemed that about half had the large white patches in the tail, and about half had narrow white edging on the sides of the tail. I was never able to get any more details on the other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00 for less than half an hour and approximately 13:00:00/13:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	68
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-19	1999-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on April 19, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reece [sic] Wettlands [sic], Koss Co, Iowa near Union Slough	wettlands [sic] + old bean stubble	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Matthew Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: No other birds in immediate area, other than ducks, I had seen two Savannah Sparrows at beginning of area and knew these were larger than Savannah's and different coloring and marks. I have seen Laplands but they don't have this rich buffy color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on October 7, 1998.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reese WPA, Kossuth Co. SW of north side parking	Open area sparsely covered with grass (1 season restored prairie and mowed Pigweed) surrounding wetland potholes	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipits were eliminated by their totally different voice, the pattern of the underparts, and bill & tail proportions. Lapland Longspurs have obvious white (not buff) underneath which would have been especially visible on several close flybys and passes overhead. Male Laplands should show some black streaking on the upper chest in sharp contrast with the white below. There wasn't any chestnut visible on the nape or upper wing. Although I don't have enough experience with Smith's to say I heard any difference in the sound of the "tics", I didn't hear any of the "tew" notes that Laplands (but not Smith's) mix in with their tic-tic-tics. Any regular sparrow that is not eliminated by white outer tail feathers is eliminated by the unique longspur calls. The buffy/tan color underneath and the calls also rule out Horned Lark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Union Slough NWR, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1997-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Smith's Longspurs at Union Slough NWR in Kossuth County, IA on April 27, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co. main crossdike between B pool + C pool	marsh with open farm fields on both sides	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds didn't have white on the belly or black spilling from the face onto the chest or "bib" like Lapland Longspurs. There were no "tew" notes thrown in with the rattle calls, a possible point of separation between Smith's + Laps. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:10:00 and 09:20:00.	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.	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 northeast of Larrabee, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-03-04	1992-03-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur northeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on March 4, 1992.	Brewer, Marion M.	Smith's Longspur	Larrabee	3 Miles E, 1 mile N, 3/4 E of Larrabee	short grass	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland longspur, white wing patch & white edged tail, buffy belly \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/15:38:00.	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
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Otter Creek Marsh, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Great-tailed Grackles at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on April 27, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Great-tailed Grackle	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh - Tama County	Cattails in marsh	The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle is smaller with different call Boat-tailed Grackle male has dark eye \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:45:00/15:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for White-throated Sparrow at Emmet Township in Emmet County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-07-20	1984-07-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-throated Sparrow at Emmet Township in Emmet County, IA on July 20, 1984.	Ewert, David N.	White-throated Sparrow	Emmet Township	Emmet Co.: T100N, R34W, S7 (NW1/4)	Edge of mature woods in raspberry thicket w. of Des Moines River	The documentation form by David Ewert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Moats. \| Elimination of similar species: White-throat and yellow lores clearly distinguished from White-crowned Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	63
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Oakland Township in Louisa County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-15	1987-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six to ten Smith's Longspurs at Oakland Township in Louisa County, IA on April 15, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Smith's Longspur	Oakland Township	Louisa Co. - NW Corner of section 24 of Oakland Township	short grassy hay field just east of Cone Marsh	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Carl Bendorf, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrows are not buffy like this and have a very different color pattern. Other longspurs are not buffy like this and have different tail patterns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 7, 1986.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Smith's Longspur	Iowa City	Eden Farm S. of Iowa City in Johnson Co. same location as previous years	open fields - bean stuble [sic] to full plowed	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow has a chestnut colored shouldered patch and eye ring. Other possible Longspurs have whitish underparts, not buffy. The bill on this bird was thinner and longer than on other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Smith's Longspurs west of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 30, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Smith's Longspur	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	3 1/2 miles West of Hendricksons Marsh, Story County, Iowa	General: agricultural area Specific: soybean stubble field	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - has longer tail (There were two of these by the road) Pipit - has longer tail (these birds (Smith's) were easy to distinguish from Laplands because of so much more white on the sides of the tail) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-23	1985-04-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one hundred twenty Smith's Longspurs south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 23, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Smith's Longspur	High Bridge	1 mile south of the HWY 17 Bridge across Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	on grassy road shoulder and gravel along road	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Erik Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from other longspurs and Vesper Sparrow by combination of buffy underparts, white shoulder patch on males, white on outer tail feathers and distinctive black markings on males head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 1, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lapland Longspur	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	mudflat	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The face pattern made me think of Smith's Longspur, but the chestnut color and black bib excluded this. Chestnut-colored Longspur has a yellow or buff throat and more extensive black on front. The color and face pattern do not fit Horned Lark or American Pipit. Horned Larks were present on the flats and I saw pipits later at another location. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/17:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	66
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco at Moorehead Pioneer Park in Ida County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dark-eyed Junco at Moorehead Pioneer Park in Ida County, IA on September 14, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Dark-eyed Junco	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park	Shrubby woods	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Heusinkveld, Marjorie	Dark-eyed Junco	Ottumwa	South and west of RockBluff Road near Ottumwa, Iowa	Gravel road with many weeds and old pasture nearby.	The documentation form by Marjorie Heusinkveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to N. Junco, but the dark brown hood, rusty brown back and rusty sides declared him to be different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco at Iowa City, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-03-30	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Dark-eyed Juncos at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 30, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Dark-eyed Junco	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	feeding on lawn in flock of slate-colored's. , in residential neighborhood.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] head + 'bib' lighter grey than slate-colored's \| The original documentation form event lasted for around a half an hour.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow in western Ida County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Harris' Sparrow in western Ida County, IA on September 18, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Harris' Sparrow	Ida County	Western Ida County	Shrubby	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:03:00/12:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow north of Muscatine, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-27	1999-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows north of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 27, 1998.	White, Gerald Forbes, Janet	Harris' Sparrow	Muscatine	Home feeder, RR 4 Box 30	small woods surrounded house in urban area	The documentation form written by Gerald White based on the observations of Janet Forbes is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Looked up sparrows in the Peterson Eastern Bird guide and found the picture that matched the bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-04-10	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 10, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Harris' Sparrow	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir Iowa City, Iowa 52240	woodlot with tall trees, weed patches, brush pile, in an area of fields and second-growth woods.	The documentation form by Michael C Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers are unidentified in the documentation form. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] large sparrow, built like a white-crown but larger, longer-tailed, posture less erect.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64