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

Rare bird documentation form for Horned Grebe at New Lake, 1987	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-27	1987-08-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Horned Grebe at New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on March 27, 1987.	Livermore, Bob	Horned Grebe	New Lake	New Lake, Woodbury County, Iowa	small Mo. River oxbow with marshy borders	The documentation form by Bob Livermore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Huser and Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: Eared Grebe: The tuft was starting on a line from the eye and above. Also since the bird was mostly in winter plummage [sic] it still had a very light neck down to water line. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	12
Documentation of a Black-headed Gull sighting, Peder H. Svingen, July 16, 2005	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	2005-07-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Documentation of a Black-headed Gull sighting at Spirit Lake contributed by Peder H. Svingen, July 16, 2005. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 2005.	Svingen, Peder H.	Black-headed Gull	Spirit Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	39	12
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird at Ames, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird at Ames in Story County, IA on December 21, 1996.	Oesterreich, Wolfgang	Gray Catbird	Ames	Ames, Iowa	deciduous woodland - near confluence of Onion & Squaw Creeks	The documentation form by Wolfgang Oesterreich is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing in this area. (Mockingbird doesn't have black cap, mostly undertail coverts; plus it has white wing patches.) \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird west of Hiawatha, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird west of Hiawatha in Linn County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Bradley, Rob	Gray Catbird	Hiawatha	420-0914 - 1 1/2 miles west of Hiawatha off Blairs Ferry Rd Linn Co.	Sumac - Blackberry - Multiflora Rose overgrown pasture w. small clumps of Hawthorn trees	The documentation form by Robert Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Demermuth. \| Elimination of similar species: Can't think of anything in this area that resembles a Gray Catbird maybe Junco but way to [sic] small. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:30:02.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird at Iowa City, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-04-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 2, 1989.	Hollis, Janet	Gray Catbird	Iowa City	Iowa City	backyard, suburban, around feeders	The documentation form by Janet Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. The form was transcribed from an oral account by Richard Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: I discussed some plain birds - Female Cowbirds, some female or young grackles, showed her pictures + could not shake her opinion \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Sabula, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-26	1999-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Sabula in Jackson County, IA on December 26, 1998.	Blevins, Brian L.	White-winged Scoter	Sabula	Mississippi River at Sabula, Iowa. Jackson County	small open section of water with ice surrounding	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: white cheek patch and white secondaries eliminate other scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:48:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-09-05	1998-09-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 5, 1998.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-winged Scoter	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright County	open water of large freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and color immediately pointed toward a scoter. Eye patch immediately identified it as White-winged, further cooroborated [sic] when white wing patch seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-11-15	1982-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-winged Scoters at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 15, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Larger Reservoir, surrounded by wooded hills.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniform dark brown, with white eye and orange bill separates the birds from other two scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-04-08	1982-04-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on April 8, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Dam	By Saylorville Reservoir Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Open Reservoir above dam.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other large species of Duck female is so uniformly brown with a white speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Lake Anita State Park in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1981-11-06	1981-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four White-winged Scoters at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on November 6, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	White-winged Scoter	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park, one mile south of Anita, Iowa	Large, open lake	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The surf scoter and black scoter are similar. However, the specimans [sic] that I observed had the white wing patch that these two species do not have. In addition, two of the birds seen had white about their eyes, as neither of the other two have. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Little Wall Lake, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-11-10	1979-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three White-winged Scoters at Little Wall lake in Hamilton County, IA on November 10, 1979.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-winged Scoter	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake, Hamilton Co., IA	open water of freshwater lake	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Scoter- these birds had white wing patches Surf Scoter- no evidence of white patch on back of head, also wing patches Double-crested Cormorant-wing patches, didn't hold bill up like cormorants do, coloration on head not like cormorant. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Horned Grebe at Oakland, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Horned Grebe at Oakland in Pottawattamie County, IA on August 16, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Horned Grebe	Oakland	lagoons at Oakland, Pottawattamie Co.	swimming and feeding on small lagoon	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andy Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: Eared Grebe eliminated by the thicker bill, flatter crown, and entirely white throat and breast. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	12
Rare bird documentation form for Horned Grebe at Tama, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-19	1986-03-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Horned Grebe at Tama in Tama County, IA on March 19, 1986.	Kubik, Nicholas A.	Horned Grebe	Tama	TAMA, IOWA. The surfaced road as it turns west from the airport.	flooded roadside ditch	The documentation form by Nick A. Kubik is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Eared Grebe should have a gray neck in winter or a black neck in summer, but not white. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:50:00 (est.).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-04	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Neotropic Cormorant at Little River Recreation Area in Decatur County, IA on May 4, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Neotropic Cormorant	Little River Recreation Area	Little River Rec. Area	large reservoir with numerous dead snags	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: My only concern was to adequately eliminate Double-crested Cormorant, many of which were available for direct comparisons. The size, tail length, and throat patch pattern all eliminate this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:25:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black Rail at Sycamore Slough near Iowa City in 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1982-05-06	1993-09-01	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Black Rail at Sycamore Slough in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 6, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the field report by Thomas J. Staudt, and a summary of the review.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black Rail	Sycamore Greenway				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Neotropic Cormorant at Riverton Area, 1997	Administrative records Field notes Reports	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1997-05-10	2000-11-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a a Neotropic Cormorant at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on May 10, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication Details of Birds Fremont County Iowa by B.J. Rose, Doug Rose, and Roger Rose.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Neotropic Cormorant	Riverton Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	12
Nicholas S. Halmi letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds sighted during winter 1972-1973, including rare birds, March 20, 1973	Correspondence Field notes	Bird populations Bird watchers Bird watching Birds--Habitat Birds--Migration Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds Country life	1973-03-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Nicholas S. Halmi to Vernon M. Kleen describing birds sighted during winter 1972-1973 in the Iowa City area and discussing other birdwatchers. Rare birds reported by Halmi were a Goshawk, Evening Grosbeaks, Red Crossbills, and Snow Buntings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1972-1973 report.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Snow Bunting Evening Grosbeak Northern Goshawk Red Crossbill	Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, fall 1973	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1973-08-01	1973-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the fall of 1973 compiled by Woodward H. Brown and titled "Fall migration season." The report is a draft with manual annotations, and a note at the top indicates is was sent by Peter C. Petersen to Vernon M. Kleen to help provide information for American birds.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Brown, Woodward H.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12
Lake Red Rock and Red Rock Refuge, fall migration, 1973	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1973-08-01	1973-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Gladys Black listed birds observed at Lake Red Rock and Red Rock Refuge during the fall migration, 1973. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1973.	Black, Gladys		Lake Red Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rosy Finch at Oelwein, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-03-12	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rosy Finch at Oelwein in Fayette County, IA on March 12, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Des Moines Register, a letter from Richard Wilkinson to Thomas H. Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom	Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch	Oelwein	Oelwein, IOWA	Feeds on feeder. Come to a Rocky Ravine like spot by house.	The documentation form by Tom Stone is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Nicholas Halmi was submitted later. Other observers include Russel Hays, Frank Moore, Joe Schaufenbuel, Tom Kent, Tom Shires, Peter Petersen, Bernie Knight, Robert Myers, and eight more birders from Cedar Rapids-Marion. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird doesn't have any black on back or breast like the Black Rosy Finch. This bird had gray on head to distuinguish [sic] it. From the Brown capped Rosy Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:28:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for American Pipit at Island View Park at Rathbun Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-19	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an American Pipit at Island View Park at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on December 19, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	American Pipit	Island View Park	Islandview East Lake Rathbun CBC	Mowed grass point with a limestone rock road	The documentation form by Ray Cummins forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Bill Heusinkveld and Marjorie Heusinkveld were submitted. Other observers include Bob Bergstrom, Sr., Mark Hoffman, and Bob Bergstrom, Jr. \| Elimination of similar species: Sprague's Pipit was begrudgingly eliminated for the following reasons: 1) Bold white eyebrow line. 2) Dark gray back pattern, there was no tan or brown in the back 3) Thin black malar stripe 4) Bird was in short grass and not particularly wary. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Water Pipit near Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-02-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Water Pipit near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on February 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Water Pipit	Pocahontas	Rural Pocahontas, IA	General: Rural back yard (about 1 acre). Young trees + shrubs bounded on three sides by 100+ acre fields. Specific: Base of stone fireplace with feeder on top. Fireplace is 6' from concrete patio in back yard.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper sparrow. Breast not streaked as heavily as vesper sparrow + white outer tail feathers more prominent than on vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ivory Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-24	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Ivory Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 24, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article and front page, a page from American Birds, an article in Knoxville Journal Express, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ivory Gull	Red Rock Dam	below Red Rock Reservoir dam, Marion Co., IA		The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ann Johnson, Mark Proescholdt, Randall Pinkston, Thomas H. Kent, Raymond Cummins, Jim Fuller, Carl Bendorf, Tanya Bray, Peter Petersen, and Diane Porter were submitted. Other observers include James Huntington, Alan Grenon, Rick Wright, Jim Scheib, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Bob Myers, B.J. Rose, Ken Lowder, John Daniel, Carol Thompson, Tim Schantz, Reid Allen, Pam Allen, Beth Proescholdt, Beth Brown, Curt Nelson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Dick Tetrault, Jim Dinsmore, Kelly McKay, Mary Lou Petersen, and many unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was really quite distinctive and not likely to be confused with any other gull. The white plumage, black legs, bill shape and color, dark area at base of bill, and pattern of black spots on wings and body eliminates all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:02:00/16:54:00 on December 24, 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ivory Gull at Rathbun Reservoir, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1975-12-20	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Ivory Gull at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on December 20, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, request for reconsideration, correspondence about the sighting and review including an unreviewed documentation form, and a documentation form submitted to the committee and reviewed.	Ayres, Charles C., Jr.	Ivory Gull	Rathbun Lake	Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, Iowa, 7 miles north of Centerville. Surface area 11,000 acres, about 180 miles of shoreline. Corps of Engineers project.		The documentation form by Charles C. Ayres, Jr. is the only one reviewed and forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tom Johnson was submitted and not reviewed. Other observers include Blossom H. Hallberg, Virgil Corzette, Jean Corzette, Darlene Ayres, Gary Wymore, and Madeline Wymore. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Neotropic Cormorant at Otter Creek Marsh, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-05-04	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Neotropic Cormorant at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on May 4, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Neotropic Cormorant	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh - Tama County	Big pond area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: D-cr. cormorant is much larger. I saw one fly as I drove out and it looked huge in flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	12