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

Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Western Grebe, 1938-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1938-03-29	1983-05-19	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Western Grebe submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1938-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location. Document titled "The blue list."	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Western Grebe	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	39
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Common Grackle, 1979-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1979-11-17	1983-02-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Common Grackle submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1979-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Common Grackle	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Sioux Center, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-06	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on May 6, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Vermilion Flycatcher	Sioux Center	In approximately the center of Harry Kuhl's farm, located at the east end of Sioux Center, Sioux Co., Iowa. The specific area in which we found the bird consists of wet bottomlands with creek and tall willows and many broken branches, snags, and stumps. The bird used snags and branches near and over the creek as perch. The lighting, provided by partly cloudy skies which gradually clouded over completely as the afternoon wore on, was excellent, as the sun was largely behind us. We observed the bird from distances varying between 20 feet and 60 yards.	[...] a section of tall trees, extensive shrub area, open fields, and in the center, surrounded by pasture land and agricultural fields, an area of wet bottomlands transversed by a creek (beaver occurs here) through a fairly open stand of tall black willows; broken limbs and snags are scattered throughout the area (see enclosed photographs).	The documentation form by John Van Dyk forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Gordon Brown was submitted. Other observers include Ken Venhuizen, Mike Van Dyk, Jan Van Dyk, and John Kevin Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: This category hardly applies since a male Vermilion Flycatcher is quite unmistakable. If there is any bird with which it might possibly be confused -- perhaps at great distance -- it would be a Scarlet Tanager. However, our bird was much smaller, had no red on its back, had black patchy line through its eye, had a thin dark flycatcher bill instead of a light-colored tanager bill, and behaved like a flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/17:00:00 on May 6, 1983 and 06:30:00/07:00:00 on May 7, 1983.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake in Worth County, IA on May 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Anderson, Gerald	Vermilion Flycatcher	Rice Lake	Worth County North Shore Rice Lake	Edge of Timber and marsh	The documentation form by Gerald Anderson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Curt Rector. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Smaller than cardinal \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Island View Park at Rathbun Lake, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-10-25	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher at Island View Park at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on October 25, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, excerpts from Iowa Bird Life, an article in American Birds, two photographs, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Vermilion Flycatcher	Island View Park	Island View Park, Rathbun Resevoir, [sic] Appanoose Co.	open parkland, scattered trees along beach front	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tom Johnson, Ray Cummins, Thomas H. Kent, and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dot Cornett, Tim Schantz, Mary Montgomery, and many unidentified other observers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher near Holstein, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-24	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Vermilion Flycatcher near Holstein in Ida County, IA on May 24, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Rector, Curtis L.	Vermilion Flycatcher	Holstein	1531 Harvest Avenue Holstein, Iowa 51025-8117		The documentation letter by Curtis L. Rector is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his parents and nephew. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] But I could see right away that it wasn't a cardinal, as it lacked a crest, and it had dark feathers. [...] At this point, I thought it could be a Scarlet Tanager. [...] As I watched it, the bird was taking off from the grass, flying into the air to snatch an insect, then landing on a nearby fence. From this, I could tell it had to be a species of Flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sharp-tailed Sparrow near Lost Lake, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-05-23	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow near Lost Lake in Boone County, IA on May 23, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence regarding the review and sighting, a request for reconsideration of record, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	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. Another observer was George Brown.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	38
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Le Conte's Sparrow at Brenton Slough, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Le Conte's Sparrow at Brenton Slough in Polk County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Trieff, Richard	Le Conte's Sparrow	Brenton Slough	Brenton Slough - west of Granger Iowa	rolling short grass field adjacent to pothole depression	The documentation form by Richard Trieff forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Sinclair was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper sparrow - The bird I observed did not give the flat head appearance of a Grasshopper sparrow, had more distinctly striped appearance on its crown than a Grasshopper sparrow, and did not display the shy, secretive behavior of a Grasshopper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:30:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	37
John Bath letter to Thomas Kent regarding an Ovenbird sighting and birding in general, unknown date	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from John Bath to Thomas Kent about seeing an Ovenbird in Ames from December 10 to January 10, unknown year. Bath also discusses other birds he'd recently seen.	Bath, John	Red-headed Woodpecker Northern Flicker Northern Cardinal Purple Finch House Finch Ovenbird Red-bellied Woodpecker Mourning Dove Downy Woodpecker	Ames				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	37
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Northern Goshawk, 1979-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1979-11-17	1983-12-18	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Northern Goshawk submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1979-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Northern Goshawk	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	37
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Le Conte's Sparrow at Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-25	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Le Conte's Sparrow at Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge in Jasper County, IA on February 25, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and field notes submitted to the committee.	Friedrick, Denise	Le Conte's Sparrow	Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge	[...] along Walnut Creek	[...] "Grass-riparian" area	The field notes by Denise Friedrick were the only ones submitted and form the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:52:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	37
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Say's Phoebe at L & S quarry buildings in Appanoose County, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Say's Phoebe at L & S quarry buildings in Appanoose County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Say's Phoebe	L & W Quarries Inc	L & S quarry buildings, Appanoose Co.	Open country with and scattered groups of trees.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kay Malmberg, Katherine White, and Charles White. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	37
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Say's Phoebe at Cone Marsh, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-16	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Say's Phoebes at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 16, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Durbin, James O.	Say's Phoebe	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh		The documentation form by James Durbin is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Other flycatchers \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	37
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-04-22	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow northwest of Ida Grove in Ida County, IA on April 22, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Baird's Sparrow	Ida Grove	Ida County (see map attached)	See attached sheet [...] The first sighting birds flew west across the corn field - see map - [...]	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Don Poggensee was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrow, Le Contes Sparrow Savannah Sparrow - Dirty yellow down top of crown Henslows wrong color, Le Contes dirty yellow initially thought this Sparrow (Yellow was first thing noticed) eliminated after further study for more detail on all see attached sheets. [...] Baird's Sparrow was the last of the sparrows in my decision making. I arrived at this conclusion primarily because of the head color/down the middle of the crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-05-13	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Baird's Sparrow at Anderson Prairie State Preserve at Emmet County, IA on May 13, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Baird's Sparrow	Anderson Prairie State Preserve	Anderson Prairie State Preserve, Emmet Co., Iowa	General: Open Grassland Specific: Tall-Grass Prairie	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe, Bob Moats, Bob Madson, Mrs. Madson, Ellen Heine, Russ Heine, Pearl Osher, Dave Kuel, and three unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: Savannah Sparrow - narrower median stripe, more of pale yellow-white. Heavier streaking on breast and down sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:42:00/08:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	36
A ten year calendar of three hundred and eighty-one wild birds of Iowa	Checklists Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology--Bibliography	1919-04-25	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	A notebook containing a checklist of birds and distributed to the Boy Scouts of Iowa at cost. In this notebook Philip DuMont recorded his bird sightings from 1918 to 1927.	Cole, Gertrude Mansfield Boy Scouts of America		Iowa				Philip A. Dumont Papers \| MS 153	1	36
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, American Goldfinch, 1981-1982	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Birds--Infancy	1981-09-01	1982-09-29	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the American Goldfinch submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1981-1982. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	American Goldfinch	Marshall County Paullina				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eastern Phoebe east of Lost Nation, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-19	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eastern Phoebe east of Lost Nation in Clinton County, IA on December 19, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dietrich, Renee	Eastern Phoebe	Lost Nation	Five miles East of Lost Nation	Woodland	The documentation form by Renee Dietrich is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karen Brix and Gloria Friederichsen. \| Elimination of similar species: Due to the lack of a black cap the chicadee [sic] was eliminated. Size of the bird also eliminated this possibility as well as coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	36
Breeding Evidence Observations, Bob Cecil, 1985	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Breeding Birds--Identification Rare birds	1985-06-20	1985-07-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes about Worm-eating Warbler breeding habits at the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA from June 20 to July 16, 1985. This document is related a letter and field notes by Bob Cecil: https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/3902/view.	Cecil, Robert I.	Worm-eating Warbler	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	36
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Common Goldeneye, 1954-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1954-05-10	1983-05-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Common Goldeneye submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1954-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Goldeneye	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	35
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 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
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Hudsonian Godwit, 1964-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1964-10-18	1983-05-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Hudsonian Godwit submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1964-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Hudsonian Godwit	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	34
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, field report compiled data, Marbled Godwit, 1960-1983	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research	1960-04-17	1983-05-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Compilation of sightings data for the Marbled Godwit submitted to the Iowa Ornithologists' Union by members between the years 1960-1983. The document also includes the name of the observer, date, and location.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Marbled Godwit	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	36	34
Field report for Black-and-white Warbler at Clear Lake, Carolyn Fischer, 1995	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds	1995-11-04	1995-12-13	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field report for a Black-and-white Warbler at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 4, 1995. The report is accompanied by a letter from Carolyn Fischer to Thomas Kent on December 13, 1995, that mentions a flock of Lapland Longspurs.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Black-and-white Warbler Lapland Longspur	Clear Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	34