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 Barrow's Goldeneye near Montrose, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-12-18	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye near Montrose in Lee County, IA on December 18, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form (two copies) submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Barrow's Goldeneye	Pool 19	Pool 19, Montrose, Lee Co.	river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore and John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: The only possible confusion would be with a male Common Goldeneye, thousands of which were available for direct comparison. The bill and head shapes, shape of the white facial spot, and mantle pattern were all diagnostic of an adult male Barrow's Goldeneye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Rare bird documentation form for Caspian Tern at Lock 16, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-06-30	1999-07-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Caspian Tern at Lock 16 in Rock Island County, IL on June 30, 1999.	White, Gerald	Caspian Tern	Lock and Dam 16	Lock 16 on Mississippi River	River	The documentation form by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Was not a Gull because of the feeding pattern, the bird was diving in the water. Forsters Tern is smaller and has smaller bill. Royal Tern has smaller bill and tail has deeper notch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:02:00 minimum.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-11-21	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 21, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below Red Rock Dam- Marion County	River	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson, Chuck Fuller, and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull (first winter) compared above. [...] I first saw this bird flying, and the underwing was translucent throughout the primaries to the end of the wing (Herring Gull had dark outer primaries, although most also had a lighter window type area medial to this dark area). The bird was about the same size or a little smaller than the Herrings. The upperwing in flight was much lighter in the primaries than the first winter herrings. [...] It had a more rounded head than the herrings. [...] It's color was more uniform than the herrings and also lighter- a brownish color. There was a dark smudge around the eye. The feather edging (whitish) provided more contrast with the brown on the back than in the herrings, and the folded tail was brownish, not black. When in flight the tail band was brownish not blackish like the herrings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 28, 1990.	Porter, Diane C.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir	River	The documentation form by Diane Porter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Most gulls don't have forked tails. Sabine's gull's mantle pattern is different, grey on inner part of wing and black only on outer part. Little gull doesn't have black legs and is very small.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Keokuk Wasterwater Plant, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-25	1993-12-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Keokuk Wastewater Plant in Lee County, IA on December 25, 1993.	Cecil, Robert I.	Great Black-backed Gull	Keokuk Wastewater Plant	Near Sewage treatment plant, Mississippi River, Keokuk, Lee Co. IA	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: All other gulls eliminated based upon size alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 and 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Canvasback at Pool 19, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-25	1984-07-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Canvasbacks at Pool 19 near Montrose in Lee County, IA on June 25, 1984.	Cecil, Robert I.	Canvasback	Pool 19	Mississippi River, Pool 19 near Montrose, Lee County, Iowa	River	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Redhead: These had much flatter forehead than a redhead. The bill on these birds was also a uniform black, not bi-colored. (I didn't realize this was a field mark until later when I was reviewing my notes and looking through a field guide.) \| The original documentation form event occurred several times during day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	7
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 21, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Glaucous Gull	Red Rock Dam	Below the dam - Red Rock Reservoir - Marion County	River	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson, Chuck Fuller, and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Iceland Gull is smaller; first winter bird has smaller all dark bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:34:00/13:15:00 and 14:05:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lock and Dam 18, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-21	1987-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for four Surf Scoters at Lock and Dam 18 north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on October 21, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Surf Scoter	Lock and Dam Number 18	Miss. River Lock and Dam 18 North of Burlington, Des Moines Co., Iowa	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Elizabeth Christiansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Head pattern unlike Black Scoter. Similar to White-winged, but white in wing never noted. We viewed birds at rest for sometime, and saw them rear up once or twice, so should have seen white if present. Similar to female scaup but for bill shape in relation to head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Ottumwa, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-01-06	1997-01-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on January 6, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Wapello Co., IA	river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was in the company of Ring-billed and Herring gulls which were easily eliminated on the basis of mantle color. California Gull is slightly smaller, is lighter-mantled, and shows more white in the primaries. Great-black-backed, Slaty-backed, and Western gulls are all larger and have heavier bills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-17	1992-01-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 17, 1992.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock and Dam 15	Lock and Dam 15, Davenport, Iowa. Rusty Pelican Restaurant	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See above discussion. [...] The wingtip pattern is what caught my attention. There was much less darkening to the outer primaries than on accompanying gulls. [...] When viewed fro [sic] underneath, the wingtips of the subject bird were white to the tips, with the exception of very narrow black tips at the tips of the primaries. This was very different from the adult Herring/Ring-bills which had substantial black towards the end of the underwings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-06	1990-11-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on November 6, 1990.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock Number 19	Behind Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	River	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small, to [sic] uniform in color for Herring. Slight darkening at wingtips eliminates Iceland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:00:00 and 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 28, 1988.	Thomas, Michael K.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Red Rock Dam	just below Red Rock Dam - south tailwater area - Marion Co., IA	river - gravel base	The documentation form by Mike Thomas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Ringbill: collar, eye patch, black pattern on wings Bonaparte's: collar, size Red-legged Kittiwake: thickness of collar, black legs/feet \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:55:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, 1989	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-11-24	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on November 24, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, four photographs, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lock Number 19	Behind Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk in Lee County, Iowa (Iowa side)	River (Mississippi)	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cecil, Tom Kent, and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Only probable similar species is Herring, which has contrasty wings - dark trailing edge and darker wingtips. The Thayer's were obviously a lighter shade of brown than any Herrings present. I judged these birds to be somewhat smaller than any Herring. I could not totally rule out first year Glaucous-winged. According to NGS, Glaucous-wing has less mottling or scalloping. The Keokuk birds were obviously mottled. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird northwest of Mason City, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-13	1999-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight Brewer's Blackbirds northwest of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 13, 1998.	Goranson, Rita	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	Wheelerwood Drive, north + west of Mason City, 1 mile before intersection with Killdeer Ave	River + trees on one side - farm land on other side	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Had been seeing grackles - a larger bird - larger tail. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-26	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 26, 1997 and December 30, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA (below dam)	river below dam	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James J. Dinsmore, Kay Niyo, and many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, dark gray mantle, yellow legs and bill pattern eliminates other gulls, especially Great Black-backed, California, and Slaty-backed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/16:55:00 on December 26, 1997 and 13:40:00/16:05:00 on December 30, 1997.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lock 14, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-01-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lock 14 in Scott County, IA on January 2, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Lock and Dam 14	Lock 14 Scott Co. IA	River below dam, Mississippi River at Lock 14, Iowa Side	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:05:00 approx.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Wood Stork at Washta, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-10-11	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Wood Stork near Washta in Cherokee County, IA on October 11, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Wood Stork	Washta	4 miles S of Washta	River bottom	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: snow goose. black secondarys [sic] \| The original documentation form event occurred in the mid afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Hartman Reserve, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-16	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Hartman Reserve in Blackhawk County, IA on May 16, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and one documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Hartman Reserve, Cedar Falls, Iowa	River bottom and large field with scattered trees. The bird glided over from south to north and disappeared.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: We were looking for a Swallow-tailed Kite reported the day before, but this bird did not have the forked tail and contrasting black and white of that species. The underparts and tail were not white as would be expected for Black-shouldered Kite. I did note any contrast in the upper wing (white posterior edge of inner wing) -- I may not have seen this or this could of been a first-year bird that lacks this mark. The failure to flap wings and overall gray color is inconsistent with any falcon. I saw a Swainson's Hawk earlier in the morning and its contrasting underwing was very different than this bird. A Red-tailed Hawk was also seen earlier and had an obvious buteo shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:27:00/10:29:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-07	1985-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on May 7, 1985.	Knight, Calvin A.	Peregrine Falcon	Sand Point	@ North end of Sandy Point, Hawkeye Wildlife Area - Coralville Res. Johnson Co., Iowa	River Bottom but completely open because of previous high water.	The documentation form by Calvin A. Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Kestral [sic]: But no rusty tail. Merlin: But no prominent tail barring; also; the Peregrine showed the black cap with black sideburns on white background. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 19:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Eared Grebe at Cedar Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-04-08	1994-04-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eared Grebe at Cedar Lake in Linn County, IA on April 8, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Eared Grebe	Cedar Lake	Cedar L., Linn Co., Iowa	river bottom lake in city	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: The head shape and small bill on this small dark grebe caught my eye. The neck and lower face were too dark for a winter-plumaged Horned Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/17:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	14
Rare bird documentation form for Baird's Sparrow at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1976	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baird's Sparrow at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on April 27, 1976.	Bray, Tanya	Baird's Sparrow	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend N. Wildlife Refuge, Missouri Valley, Iowa	River Bottom Land - Nat. Wildlife Refuge Plowed strip with road on one side, small trees and underbrush bordering it on the other.	The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marian Meier.\| Elimination of similar species: This bird had no yellow above eye as in Savannah. Also the breast stripes were confined to necklace. No noticable [sic] white on tail as in Vesper. No buff on breast as in Lincolns, LeContes, or Henslows. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	7
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon along the Skunk River in Ames, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-06	1983-11-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon along the Skunk River in Ames in Story County, IA on November 6, 1983.	Martsching, Paul	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	along Skunk River east side of Ames, Story County, Iowa	river bottom land. over open field	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Pigeon (dark) smaller - white rump patch; wings wider; tail shorter; Usually doesn't fly rapidly any distance in a straight line. Merlin - smaller. Prairie Falcon - I think even in the poor lite [sic] it would have looked brownish if it had been a Prairie Falcon. This bird looked nearly black from above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:30:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Merritt County Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Merritt County Park in Carroll County, IA on January 1, 1998.	Thelen, Rob	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Merritt County Park	Merritt Access Racoon [sic] River Carroll Co.	River bottom scattered dead tree + underbrush	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ed Thelen and Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden Crowned Kinglet. This Kinglet had no Golden Crown [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-30	1982-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1982.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Little Blue Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Old Man Slough near Cone Marsh Louisa County Iowa	river bottom slough	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret is larger, has a yellow bill and black legs. Cattle Egret has thick yellow-orange bill, thick short neck and in breeding plumage on orange patch on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane east of Hills, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane east of Hills in Johnson County, IA on March 13, 1983.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Sandhill Crane	Hills	1 e. of Hills, Johnson Co. Iowa	River bottom soybean stubble field	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: none. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1