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 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 Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Atlantic, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-28	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rose-breasted Grosbeak at Atlantic in Cass County, IA on November 28, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Rose-breasted Grosbeak	Atlantic	Atlantic, Cass Co., Iowa	Urban yard with feeders.	The documentation form by Thomas Kent forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Donna Rourick, Ann Johnson, and Sharron Steffens. \| Elimination of similar species: The red on the breast and axillaries [sic] and the degree of streaking led us to identifying this bird as a first-year male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:20:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Gyrfalcon at Iowa Lake Wildlife Management Area in 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Photography of birds Rare birds	1992-03-27	1994-10-18	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Gyrfalcon at Iowa Lake Wildlife Management Area Kossuth Counties, IA on March 27, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, eight photographs of the bird, letters between Brad Bolduan, Peder H. Svingen, and Thomas Kent, and the published and approved sighting record found in the publication Gyrfalcon in Kossuth County in Iowa Bird Life 64:1 by Brad Bolduan.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Gyrfalcon	Iowa Lake Marsh State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Greater Prairie-Chicken at Larchwood in 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds Hunting Zoological specimens	1993-06-01	1994-10-18	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Greater Prairie-Chicken at Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on December 11, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo of the specimen, a letter from Jim Dinsmore to the Records Committee reporting the sighting and specimen, and the original sighting record found in the publication Greater Prairie-Chicken in Lyon County in Iowa Bird Life 63:55 by Marty Eby.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Larchwood				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-17	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 17, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock Number 19	Lock and Dam 19, Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa	River Rapids	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Francis L. Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull:Bill size, pattern of wingtips on upper and under surface of wings. Ringbill: size. Kumlien's Iceland: black rather than gray in wintip [sic] (Tom Kent, personal communication). Adult Glaucous has no black in wingtips. \| The original documentation form event occurred at various times on the various dates listed on the documentation form.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on October 28, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Lily Pond	Amana L., Iowa Co., IA.	large shallow lake with low water and extensive mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Separation from Semipalmated Sandpiper rests on the bill. The behavior is a bit supportive. Based on records for Iowa, we do not yet know which species is more likely. Having to travel to South America, it would seem that semipalmateds would pass through Iowa earlier, but pectorals go just as far south and some are late migrants. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Raven west of Mason City, 1966	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1966-12-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Common Raven west of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 28, 1966. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Roosa, Dean M.	Common Raven	Mason City	[...] driving from Clear Lake to Mason City		The documentation article by Dean M. Roosa forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Bailey. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Its flight pattern, size, and rounded or wedge-shaped tail distinguished it from nearby Crows.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	47
Rare bird documentation form for Hudsonian Godwit at Amana Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-28	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hudsonian Godwit at Amana Lake in Iowa County, IA on October 28, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Hudsonian Godwit	Lily Pond	Amana L., Iowa Co., IA	large shallow lake at low water with extensive mud flats.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Marbled Godwit is eliminated by the white rump, wing stripe, and lack of cinnamon or brownish coloration. Black-tailed Godwit is eliminated by the contrasting and dark underwing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lake Manawa, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-09-09	1994-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County in September 9, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bray, Tanya	Laughing Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Tanya Bray forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ross Silcock was submitted. Other observers include Babs and Loren Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird differed from Franklin's Gull in the following ways: 1. Less extensive black on head. Eye coverts were not immediately noticable [sic] due to white cheek area. 2. Longer legs, more upright posture, and generally a very long, slender bird. 3. In flight, the bird had long slender wings with completely dark primaries; no white dividing the tips of the outer primaries from the rest of wing, and no white tips to outer primaries. Underside of primaries as described above. 4. Bill was long, curved and slightly swollen and hooked at tip. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 07:35:00/07:36:00, 08:45:00, 12:15:00, and 18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-24	1994-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on September 24, 1994.	Thelen, Ed	Peregrine Falcon	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh Sac County	Marsh, grain fields	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Praire [sic] falcon eliminated by dark malar strip and also by light colored axillars. Merlin eliminated by its size.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Clear Lake, 1994	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-17	1994-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Trumpeter Swan at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 17, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Trumpeter Swan	Bluewing Marsh	a marsh on 230th st., 1/4 mi east of Cardinal ave, north of Clear Lake	a marsh approx: 600 ft x 600 ft with 2 ponds	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I really looked at Book & looked at Bird for marks since I'm not that familiar with the bird. It was gone the next day. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, fall 1994	Field notes Reports	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds Weather	1994-08-01	1994-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Thomas Kent notes that the fall season was outstanding for rarities, that the Records Committee will clarify which birds need documentation, and that a new field checklist will be published in 1995. Quarterly field report for the fall of 1984 titled "Field reports--fall 1994".	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934- Iowa Ornithologists' Union	Long-tailed Jaeger Clark's Grebe Barrow's Goldeneye Fulvous Whistling-Duck Chukar Black-necked Stilt Red Phalarope Sabine's Gull Little Gull Black-headed Gull	Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	26	3
Rare bird documentation form for Swan species at Silver Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-19	1994-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swan species at Silver Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on November 19, 1994.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Swans	Silver Lake	Silver Lake, Palo Alto Co	Open Water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:30:00 on November 19 and 14:30:00/15:15:00 on November 20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird sighting for Prairie Falcon at Hitchcock Nature Area in 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-25	1994-12-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting for a Prairie Falcon at Hitchcock Nature Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 25, 1994.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Prairie Falcon	Hitchcock Nature Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-12-17	1994-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 17, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Vesper Sparrow	Cerro Gordo County	220th St. + Violet, Cerro Gordo Co, IA	Farmland near a farmstead	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joel Hanes. \| Elimination of similar species: not a junco - not the color of not a meadowlark - too small not a longspur - did not have the eye line + lighter eyebrow like longspurs no face patch effect \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Mason City, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-27	1994-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 27, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Northern Goshawk	Mason City	115 Lakeview Drive, Mason City Iowa	a backyard with trees in between a wooded park and a wooded private lot	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawks live close here - I've had them in my backyard also - this one hunted different - acted different. Cooper hawks come through here quite often - This one was larger, thicker, tail was equal to wings not longer. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-02	1995-02-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: No other first-winter gull has the large size, the large all-black bill, and in particular the black and white checkered pattern of the mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lindsay Park Harbor in 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-03	1995-02-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lindsay Park Harbor in Scott County, IA on February 3 and 16, 1995.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lindsay Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-05	1995-02-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 5, 1995 and February 12, 1995.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River above Lock & Dam #15 (Scott County)		The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib, Thomas Kent, Dan Dorrance, Barker, Peter C. Petersen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other dark mantled gull with yellow legs is the Yellow-footed Gull. That bird has never been seen away from the extreme southwest portion of the country, and it should be much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00 on February 5, 1995 and 11:40:00/11:55:00 on February 12, 1995.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Band-tailed Pigeon west of Fort Dodge, 1970	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1970-09-05	1995-02-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Band-tailed Pigeon west of Fort Dodge in Webster County, IA on September 5, 1970. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Crawford, John	Band-tailed Pigeon	Fort Dodge	[...] seven miles West of Fort Dodge, Webster County, Iowa on the farm of Joseph R. Crawford.		The documentation article by John A. Crawford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joseph R. Crawford. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] This bird first caught my attention by the fact that it lacked the typical white rump of a Rock Dove.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	7
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-01-01	1995-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on January 1, 1995.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Dam, Marion Co., IA	gravel bar below dam	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Structure, darker mantle, dark eye, and gray primaries eliminate Herring Gull. Other gulls of intermediate size - Lesser Black-backed eliminated by relative gray of mantle, leg color, and primary color. California eliminated by leg color, primary color, and lack of black marking on bill. Iceland eliminated by dark mantle color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-03-03	1995-03-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 3, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Treynor Carson	between Treynor and Carson on highway 92, Pottawattamie Co., IA	gently rolling hills; small stream with scattered trees.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The falcon shape was clear to us. The bird was flying directly into a strong southwest wind, but I don't think an accipiter's wing could be that pointed even in a strong wind. The bird was too large and plain to be a kestrel and the flight pattern and behavior were unlike any of the many kestrels seen that day. The light color and open farmland habitat favor Prairie over Peregrine. A Merlin would be smaller and darker. However, I would not have identified this bird as to species with out seeing the underwing pattern. \| The original documentation form event occurred at approximately 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Mason City, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-02-25	1995-03-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 25, 1995.	Goranson, Rita	Varied Thrush	Mason City	115 Lakeview Dr, Mason City, Ia	back yard with open field next to it	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andrea Goranson. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin - Robin has white around eye not an orange stripe Robin doesn't have banding on breast Robin solid color on back - \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:02:00 and 12:30:00/12:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire at Lake Anita State Park, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-03-18	1995-03-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on March 18, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Townsend's Solitaire	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park - Cass County	Oak - cedar lakeshore	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen, Joe Clark, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: [female symbol] mountain bluebird has shorter tail \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Partridge near Shenandoah, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-04-22	1995-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Partridge near Shenandoah in Page County, IA on April 22, 1995. It was submitted as an e-mail from Steve Matherly to Ann Johnson on April 25, 1995.	Matherly, Steve	Gray Partridge	Shenandoah	Go west on State Hwy 2 from Shenandoah, Iowa to the country road that goes south to Riverton, Iowa. Proceed west to the next county road (gravel) (approx. one mile) and turn south. Proceed one-quarter of a mile to first farm house (right or west side). Bird was seen along fencerow north of the house.		The documentation form by Steve Matherly is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Matherly and Maribel Matherly. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird easily distinguishable from other possibilities such as hen pheasant, bobwhite quail, and prairie chicken both by size and colorization. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:00:00 .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	37