Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-backed Woodpecker east of Hull, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-05-13	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-backed Woodpecker east of Hull in Sioux County, IA on May 13, 1979. Includes one record review document with votes and a documentation article reviewed by the committee.	Blankenspoor, Gilbert W.	Black-backed Woodpecker	Hull	[...] grove of trees on my parents' farm, located four miles east of Hull in Sioux County, Iowa		The documentation form by Gilbert W. Blankenspoor is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Identifying marks such as the golden crown, black-back and three-toed condition were clearly visible. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-backed Woodpecker at Mason City in 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1978-03-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Black-backed Woodpecker at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on January 7, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication 1977 Ia. Christmas Bird Count Summary in Iowa Bird Life 48:30-43 by Ross Silcock.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black-backed Woodpecker	Mason City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-backed Woodpecker at Crocker Woods in Des Moines in 1924	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1933-12-01	1993-08-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Black-backed Woodpecker at Crocker Woods in Des Moines in Polk County, IA on February 18, 1924. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Revised List of Birds of Iowa by Philip A. DuMont seen by Anna K. Bernard and A.T. Watson.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black-backed Woodpecker	Crocker Woods Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Harris's Hawk at Hillsboro in 1895	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Copy prints Descriptions (documents)	Birds--Identification Captive wild birds Rare birds Trapping Zoological illustration	1907-01-01	2000-07-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Harris's Hawk at Hillsboro in Van Buren County, IA in 1895. Includes a record review document with votes, a reproduction of a painting of the bird by William Savage, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by Walter Savage, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Harris's Hawk	Hillsboro				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA around May 22, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article and cover page from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form with an attachment submitted to the committee.	Quinn, Christine A.	Green-tailed Towhee	West Des Moines	605-5th West Des Moines Iowa (residential city)	Open backyard wildlife habitat- under/around quince bushes	The documentation form by Christine A. Quinn is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Robert J. Naisbitt. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] This cap was quite noticeable & large (much larger than a catbird's cap). The bird seemed to be a little larger than a catbird (I have a pair nesting in my yard to [sic] I seem them a lot) and not as large as a robin. [...] He put me in mind very much of a catbird in size and contours. \| The original documentation form event lasted around "evenings and 1 morning" from around May 22 to the first week of June 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Green-tailed Towhee at Storm Lake, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1975-05-05	2000-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Green-tailed Towhee at Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, IA on May 5, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes and an Iowa Bird Life article reviewed by the committee.	Crocker, Virginia R.	Green-tailed Towhee	Storm Lake	306 W. Ninth St., Storm Lake		The article by Virginia R. Crocker forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Edwin Crocker, Emily Ruth Campbell, Verne Campbell, Barney Campbell, and Georgia Campbell. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-backed Woodpecker at Camp Arrowhead near Ottumwa, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-28	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-backed Woodpecker at Camp Arrowhead near Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on December 28, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and an article submitted to the committee.	Hoskins, Nelson R.	Black-backed Woodpecker	Camp Arrowhead	[...] former YMCA Camp Arrowhead, 3 miles east and 1 mile south of Ottumwa, Wapello County		The documentation form by Nelson R. Hoskins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld, Margorie Heusinkveld, Charles Ayres, and Darleen Ayres. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-backed Woodpecker north of Boyden, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-12-23	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-backed Woodpecker north of Boyden in Sioux County, IA on December 23, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stravers, Jay A.	Three-toed Woodpecker	Boyden	2 1/2 miles North of Boyden Iowa on east side of county highway L14	General: 3000 m farm grove in wide open (formerly prairie) gently rolling farm land. Specific: grove is a thick growth of shrubs, weedy plants, Ash trees, and American + Chinese Elms. many of the Elms are dead and fallen. There are 2 rows (closely spaced) of Ponderosa Pine on the North side of the grove. The grove is surrounded with mature honeysuckle shrubs. Ground covered with 0.5 m. of snow in the grove.	The documentation form by Jay Stravers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Loren Stravers, Henry O. Stegeman, and Aaron Stegeman. \| Elimination of similar species: There are really no other species that could be confused other than possibly a Pileated Woodpecker who is much too large + has 4 toes instead of 3 \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 13:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bachman's Sparrow east of Des Moines in 1884	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Eggs Birds--Identification Rare birds Birds--Collection and preservation	1889-02-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Bachman's Sparrow and nest east of Des Moines in Polk County, IA on June 2, 1884. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Preliminary Annotated Catalogue of the Birds of Iowa in the Proceedings of the Davenport Academy Natural Sciences 5:113-161 by Charles R. Keyes and H.S. Williams seen by J.B. Green and J.A. Allen, and referenced by four other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Bachman's Sparrow	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-06-21	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake in Wright County, IA on June 21, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, an excerpt from Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Western Wood-Pewee	Elm Lake	Elm Lake, near Belmond, Wright County	The bird was found in a narrow grove of mature Cottonwood surrounding Elm Lake, the lake is in the mist of farmland with a small pasture on the north.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe is larger and wags its tail. Empidonaxes are smaller with shorter wings and tail. Confusion with the Eastern Pewee is certain if plumage is used. Subtle differences in plumage were noted in my observation of the Western Pewee, when compared to my experience with the Eastern Pewee. The throat appeared whiter and contrasted more with the breast and head than a Eastern, also, as mentioned before, the color of the upper-parts appeared more grayish and not as green. Since the call was heard at close range, and having seen the vocalizing bird as well as my familiarity with the Western Pewee's call I believe the identification totally on voice is a valid one. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-throated Sparrow at Waterloo, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-03-17	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-throated Sparrow at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on March 17, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in American Birds, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Black-throated Sparrow	Waterloo	Feeder of Maurice and Ruby Hanson, 1262 Ackermant, Waterloo (Black Hawk County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter C. Petersen, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, James Scheib, Randy Pinkston, and Ray Cummins were submitted. Other observers include Francis Moore, Ken Lowder, Maurice Hanson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Dick Tetrault, Rita Goranson, Jan Walters, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Curt Nelson, Marty Pauley, Carolyn Fischer, Beth McBride, Tim Fallon, Pat Hanson, Hank Zaletel, Tim Schantz, Tom Stone, Ruby Hanson, and Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The black bib in combination with the wide white face stripes is distinctive. No other sparrow-like bird has these features. The other desert southwest birds which are similar are Sage and Five-striped Sparrows, both of which have white throats and a dark stickpin on the breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:44:00/07:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	33
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Alder Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park in 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1977-06-01	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for two Alder Flycatchers at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on May 19 to 25, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 47:60 by Nicholas Halmi also seen by Mike Newlon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Alder Flycatcher	Hickory Hill Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	33
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Alder Flycatcher at Iowa City in 1974	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1974-06-01	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for an Alder Flycatcher at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 15, 1974. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 44:44 by Woodward H. Brown seen by Nicholas Halmi.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Alder Flycatcher	Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	33
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 16, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Least Flycatcher	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Primarily open edge and grassy area with pine tree plantings	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tim Schantz was submitted. Other observers include Roy Godwin and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Body and bill shape and behavior identified this bird as a flycatcher. The size, eye-ring and wing bars eliminated all but Empidonax flycatchers. Because of the late date on this bird, it is difficult to get an understanding of molt sequences which may or may not be helpful. From what I can find on molts, however, the following is based on best available information. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:55:00 and approximately 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting north of Burlington, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-30	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 30, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Lark Bunting	Burlington	North of Burlington off Highway 99	Farm land--freshly plowed field, low hedge rows	The documentation form by Charles Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The Bird sighted on a dirt road feeding with a Vesper Sparrow--within 3 feet for comparison. The most conspicuous field mark were the large creamy white wing patches (Not bars). The bird was slightly larger than the Vesper Sparrow with heavy sparrow bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-14	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Flycatcher at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on November 14, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, excerpts from Western Birds, articles in Pennsylvania birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, eight photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Empidonax Flycatchers	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi State Park, Warren County, IOWA	Woodland edge consisting primarily of honeysuckle and junipers	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Brian Blevins were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Peter Petersen, Kelly McKay, Corey Blevins, Jim Scheib, Jim Sinclair, John Daniel, Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Chuck Fuller, David Youngblut, Beth Brown, Sherry Dragula, Bill Overland, Jane Overland, John Miller, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The date of observation is historically good for a vagrant western flycatcher species, so this was in the back of my mind in assessing the characteristics observed. The presence of both eye ring and wing bars, in addition to size and shape, indicate that the bird fits the Empidonax complex. The combination of green back, yellow throat and pure orange lower mandible with no markings would eliminate Least, Hammond's, Dusky, Gray, Buff-breasted, Alder, and Willow Flycatchers. A juvenile Acadian can be eliminated by the short primary extension, color of the wings, size and shape of the eye ring, and active behavior. Only three species are indicated by the green upper parts and yellow under parts. Two are separable only by voice. The choices were between Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Western (Cordilleran and Pacific-slope) Flycatcher. Back color is greener in Yellow-bellied and more olive in Western. Although the back looked olive, this was rather subjective. According to the Audubon Master Guide, behavior would be more indicative of a Yellow-bellied in that the bird was not flicking both tail and wings. According to Kaufman, however, behavior is quite variable. Three characteristics made me lean more toward Western complex. They were peaked appearance to the head (usually smooth and rounded in Yellow-bellied); almond-shaped eye ring (round, narrow, and more even in Yellow-bellied); and browner wings than eastern Empidonax. The color of the wings is again subjective, but the contrast between wing color and wing bars was less than the black/white (or even black/buff in fall birds) of eastern birds. Even with the variability that may occur in any Empidonax, it is unlikely that these three characteristics, which are common to the Western Flycatcher, would appear simultaneously in a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. Further support is found in the Audubon Master Guide to Birding where it states in the description of Western Flycatcher, "...olive wash on the breast, flanks, and especially the sides tends to highlight a midventral yellow stripe" - one of the more obvious characteristics when viewed at close range from the front. IF the call notes heard belonged to this bird, it would indicate a Cordilleran Flycatacher, the most likely vagrant. None of us were able, however, to get the bird to call as we were observing it. Cal Knight played a tape and the bird became very agitated but did not call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/14:00:00 on November 14, 1992 and 11:30:00/13:45:00 on November 15, 1992.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Iowa before 1870	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1870-01-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Baird's Sparrows at Iowa before 1870. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication A Catalogue of the Birds of Iowa by J.A. Allen in White's Geological Survey in 1870.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Grinnell in 1885	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1886-08-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for five or six Baird's Sparrows at Grinnell in Poweshiek County, IA on April 25, 1885. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Baird's Sparrow in Iowa in the Ornithologist and Oologist 11:117 by Lynds Jones, and referenced by seven other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Grinnell				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Grinnell in 1886	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1886-08-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for three to four Baird's Sparrows at Grinnell in Poweshiek County, IA from March 24 to April 20, 1886. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Baird's Sparrow in Iowa in Ornithologist and Oologist 11:117 by Lynds Jones, and referenced by seven other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Grinnell				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Grinnell in 1886	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1887-07-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Baird's Sparrows at Grinnell in Poweshiek County, IA from October 4 to 15, 1886. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Baird's Sparrow in Fall in Ornithologist and Oologist 12(7):106 by Lynds Jones, and referenced by five other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Grinnell				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Pottawattamie County before 1907	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1907-03-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Baird's Sparrows at Pottawattamie County, IA before 1907. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by Isadore S. Trostler, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Pottawattamie County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Polk County in 1925	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1931-10-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Baird's Sparrows at Polk County, IA on April 29, 1925. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Polk County Iowa by Philip A. DuMont seen by Kenneth Nelson, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Polk County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Polk County in 1927	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1931-10-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Baird's Sparrows at Polk County, IA on April 23, 1927. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Polk County Iowa by P.A. DuMont seen by Kenneth Nelson, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Polk County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at the Sioux City region in 1933	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1933-12-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Baird's Sparrows at the Sioux City region in Woodbury County, IA around 1933. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Revised List of Birds of Iowa by Philip A. DuMont.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Sioux City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Akron in 1963	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1963-12-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for Baird's Sparrows at Akron in Plymouth County, IA on September 15, 1963. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Field Reports in Iowa Bird Life 33(4):86-91 by Woodward H. Brown seen by Eldon J. Bryant, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Baird's Sparrow	Akron				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36