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

Walter Rosene letter to Philip DuMont regarding creating a new Birds of Iowa list, January 17, 1928	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Geographical distribution Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1928-01-17	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Walter Rosene to Philip DuMont dated January 17, 1928. Rosene sends DuMont a list of birds he has never sighted in Boone County, those he has sighted and thinks are common although DuMont considers them rare, and those he has sighted but considers to be rare.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941		Boone County				Philip A. Dumont Papers \| MS 153	1	25
Walter Rosene letter to Philip DuMont regarding Barred Owl observations and Goose identification, April 11, 1928	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Behavior Birds--Food Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Water birds	1928-04-11	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Walter Rosene to Philip DuMont dated April 11, 1928. Rosene discusses his observations of a Barred Owl, how he identifies geese, and some recent sightings.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	Barred Owl Snow Goose Canada Goose	Ogden Boone County Long Pond				Philip A. Dumont Papers \| MS 153	1	25
Barbara L. Wilson letter to Robert K. Myers regarding a weather report, June 2, 1988	Correspondence	Weather	1988-06-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Barbara L. Wilson to Robert K. Myers regarding a weather report. The report notes that the months January through April 1988 were the driest four months in thirty years. Southeast Iowa was the driest part of the state breaking a ninety-nine year record. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of spring 1988.	Wilson, Barbara L.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	5
Walter Rosene letter to Philip DuMont regarding likely birds to sight in June, May 10, 1928	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology	1928-05-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Walter Rosene to Philip DuMont dated May 10, 1928. Rosene plans for a bird outing with DuMont during the next month and reports on the progress of his lifelong and yearly sighting lists.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	Upland Sandpiper Great Horned Owl Le Conte's Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker	Ogden				Philip A. Dumont Papers \| MS 153	1	25
Walter Rosene letter to Philip DuMont regarding Waterfowl Census, October 20, 1928	Correspondence	Bird surveys Birds--Migration Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Water birds Emberizidae \| Sparrows Presidents--United States--Election--1928 Families	1928-10-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Walter Rosene to Philip DuMont dated October 20, 1928. In this letter Rosene reports on his trip to Long Pond for the Waterfowl Census, and discusses the presidential election and family activities.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941		Long Pond				Philip A. Dumont Papers \| MS 153	1	25
Walter Rosene letter to Philip DuMont regarding Iowa weather, February 12, 1929	Correspondence	Bird watching Nature photography Weather	1929-02-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Walter Rosene to Philip DuMont dated February 12, 1929. Rosene envies DuMont living in Florida given the harsh winter weather in Iowa. Rosene also mentions some birds he has sighted.	Rosene, Walter, 1880-1941	Rough-legged Hawk Short-eared Owl Snowy Owl	Iowa Paton Florida				Philip A. Dumont Papers \| MS 153	1	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Spirit Lake, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-01	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of five Eurasian Wigeons at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on April 1, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Foote, LaVonne	Eurasian Wigeon	Spirit Lake	In a marsh about 7 miles west of Spirit Lake, Iowa on Highway No. 9 on the South side of the road.	marsh	The documentation form by LaVonne Foote is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mavis Wunder and Jan Ortmeier. \| Elimination of similar species: American wigeon - Easy to tell apart as male colors are so different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00 and 15:30:00/16:05:00 on April 1, 1985 as well as 11:21:00/12:15:00 on April 2, 1985.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
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 Carolina Wren in Cherokee County, 1983	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Carolina Wren in Cherokee County, IA on January 30, 1983. The documentation form was included with an undated letter from Dick Bierman to Thomas Kent regarding the bird sighting and documentation form.	Bierman, Dick	Carolina Wren	Cherokee County	Farm Grove 13 mi west, 1 mi north of Cherokee Iowa.	Farm grove. Box elder, mulberry, cottonwood, blue spruce, brushy under growth.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Krekow and Lois Krekow. \| Elimination of similar species: House Wren, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Fox Sparrow, Bewick's Wren \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	88
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Magpie at Hitchcock Wildlife Area near Crescent, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-09-27	1999-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Magpie at Hitchcock Wildlife Area near Crescent in Pottawattamie County, IA on September 27, 1999. It is accompanied by an e-mail from Sue Mattix to James Fuller dated September 28, 1999 regarding the bird sighting.	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. Other observers include 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	34	83
Rare bird documentation form for Stellar's Jay at Des Moines, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-07-05	1978-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Stellar's Jays at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 5, 1978. It was included with a Woodward H. Brown letter to Nick Halmi dated July 8, 1978 regarding the documentation form and sighting.	Brown, Woodward H. Collins, Paul B., Mrs.	Stellar's Jay	Des Moines	close to house; 1017 - 26th Des Moines Iowa	in adjacent yard	The documentation form by Mrs. Paul Collins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue Jay \| The original documentation form event occurred briefly around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	82
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Pleasant Creek State Park, 1995	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-07-31	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on July 31, 1995. It was submitted with a letter from Jim Dinsmore to Thomas Kent on an unknown date.	Dankert, David L.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Pleasant Creek State Park	Approx. 2 miles s Pleasant Creek S.P. NW Linn Co	cut hayfield	The documentation form by David L. Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Observing the bird when perched length was approximately three times the size of the A. Goldfinch that was perched close by. Body mass was about the size of an A. Robin. [...] Some field guides suggest confusion can be made between juvenile Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Western Kingbird juvenile but the head of the bird I observed was whiter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:40:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Garganey at Forney Lake, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-02	2000-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Garganey at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on April 2, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, photos, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schmid, Rick	Garganey	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake; Fremont County; Iowa, between the towns of Bartlett and Thurman. The bird was seen in the water near the shore closest to the road at a point exactly one mile east of Western Ave. Later, it was seen in flight over the water in the same area.		The documentation form by Rich Shmid is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Loren & Babs Padelford, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Michael D. Overton, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Edwards, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Dennis Henrickson, Clem Claphake, Jim Kovanda, and Sandy Kovanda. \| Elimination of similar species:From first glance, the Garganey was conspicuously different from other nearby ducks on the lake. It was swimming with a pair of Blue-Winged Teal and appeared about the same size as the teal, but its body was much lighter overall, with contrasting dark head and breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red-throated Loon at Lake Manawa, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-27	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red-throated Loons at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 27, 1989. Includes a record review document and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Red-throated Loon	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya E. Bray is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Marc Lund, and Bob Myers were submitted later. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, Roger Rose, Dave Starr, and Jerry Toll. \| Elimination of similar species: Pacific Loon, eliminated by red color of throat patch and shape of bill. This bird's bill was more like that of a Eared Grebe; that is, very slender and not as loon-like as that of Pacific Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Pacific Loon's bill looks like a small Common Loon. Common Loon: eliminated by size of bird, shape of bill, and red throated patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Trumpeter Swan at Otter Creek Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-23	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Trumpeter Swans at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County on December 23, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence over the sighting, photos from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Trumpeter Swan	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek M., Tama Co., IA	large riverbottom marsh, central drainage open, ponds partly free of ice. Birds were in pond near east end of south dike.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Gladys Black. \| Elimination of similar species: Bill shape and voice exclude Tundra Swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mute Swan at South Clay County, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-08	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a a Mute Swan at South Clay County, IA on April 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a page of copied photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, internal correspondence, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Mute Swan	Clay County	5 East of 71 on 374	Large farm pond, rolling hills most of which were in cultavation [sic]	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Beirman. \| Elimination of similar species: Was from the mute swan because of the straight neck and the Tundra swan because of the dark base of the bill. The wings were not held high like on the Mute swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Brant at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, IA, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-11-18	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Brant north of Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on November 18, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Wildlife Notes, internal correspondence, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Priebe, Don	Brant	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	6 mi. N of Riverton on No. 2	Corn field	The documentation form by Don Priebe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Benson, Carl Priebe, and Jim Priebe.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Columbus Junction, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-25	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Columbus Junction in Louisa County, IA on April 25, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, an e-mail about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Columbus Junction	2 miles north of Columbus Junction, Louisa Co., Iowa	A backwater slough adjacent to highway 70 and close to the Iowa River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ted Allen, Bill Ohde, and Jim Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling-Duck lacks the gray face, orange bill, and white wing patch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-11-01	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on November 1, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, two photographs, an article in The Southwestern Naturalist, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, James J.	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh	freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rodney Steere. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing it could be confused with	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-09-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two birds (Ibis species) at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on September 27, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the records review, a hand-written description of the birds, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Glossy Ibises	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh near Chelsea, Tama Co., N.E. side of marsh	Marshy, low water amoung cattails between two Northern dikes.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Ed Weiner. \| Elimination of similar species: White ibis is not this dark even in immature plumage. All dark colored heron do not have long decurved bill like these birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tricolored Heron at Cone Marsh, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tricolored Heron at Cone Marsh, Louisa County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes record review documents with votes, articles in Iowa Bird Life and the Loon, maps of Tri-Colored Heron sightings and breeding areas, correspondence about the sighting from Ross Silcock to Carl Bendorf, from to Dick Shaffer to Thomas H. Kent, from Bruce Peterjohn to Thomas H. Kent and committee votes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Tricolored Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louise Co., IA	marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Shaffer. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and white belly eliminate other herons. Apparently an immature or non-breeding plumaged adult. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:59:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	18
Records Committee review for Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Anhinga at Lake Darling State Park in Washington County, IA on September 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in the Iowa Bird Life, an article from the Loon, correspondence by mail and e-mail, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Anhinga	Lake Darling State Park	Lake Darling S.P., Washington Co.	soaring high over lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cormorants are the only birds likely to be confused with an Anhinga. I have seen thousands of Double-crested Cormorants and I have never seen one soar in this manner. Also, a Double-created Cormorant has a neck which is always longer than the tail (in flight) and looks conspicuously large-headed and thick-necked when seen overhead. Neotropic Cormorant is much smaller and, although it is longer-tailed than a Double-crested, the tail is still shorter than the neck in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:42:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Cone Marsh, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-05	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Cone Marsh in Louise County, IA on May 5, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting from Bruce Peterjohn to Thomas H. Kent, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Clark's Grebe	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh (Louisa County)	Marsh; open pond.	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes James G. Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was significantly larger than Pied-billed Grebe; Eared Grebe; and Horned Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Resevoir, 1987	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-11-05	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 5, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence with the California Bird Records Committee between from Don Roberson and Ronald E. Goetz to Thomas H. Kent, and two documentation forms.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-off Jester Park	swimming on large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt was submitted later. Other observers were Beth Proescholdt, Dennis Thompson, and Berry Engebretson. \| Elimination of similar species: The slimmer, shorter bill, rounded head, and sharp contrast between the neck and the back eliminates Common and Yellow-billed loons. The shorter, straight bill and unmarked back eliminates Red-throated Loon. \| The original documentation event lasted from 11:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1986-11-01	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 1, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, revotes on sighting, correspondence regarding sighting from Ronald E. Goetz to Thomas H. Kent, article from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Prairie Flower Recreation Area, Saylorville Reservoir	large body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon eliminated by the more rounded forehead, the smaller, darker bill, the paler nape and crown, the gray necklace on the throat, and by the overall smaller size(a small Common Loon should still show the features of a normal Common Loon). Red-throated Loon was separated by the straight (not upturned) bill, the dark, unspeckled [sic] back, and the gray necklace. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7