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 Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on April 12, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Red-necked Grebe	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-necked Grebe nearly one third bigger than nearby horned grebe. Horned and eared grebes do not have white cheek patch in summer plumage. Winter plumage horned and eared grebes do not have red necks. Red throated loon does not have white cheek patch and back of neck is not red. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on October 24, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black Scoter	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek S.P.	lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Wickham. \| Elimination of similar species: A rather distinctive bird, easily separated from Ruddy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Diamond Lake County Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-31	1986-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Black Scoters at Diamond Lake County Park in Poweshiek County, IA on October 31, 1986.	Koenig, Darwin	Black Scoter	Diamond Lake County Park	Diamond Lake County Park, Poweshiek County	lake	The documentation form by Darwin Koenig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Edwin Miller and Doug Phillips. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruddy Duck (winter male & female)--smaller, bill flatter and lighter colored, breast and flanks whiter, overall lighter colored. Other scoters--flatter head profile; heavier, lighter colored bill; lighter colored legs; White-winged has white speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-23	1985-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1985.	Zaletel, Hank	White-winged Scoter	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park	lake	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore, Steve Dinsmore, and Bob Meyer. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Fuller, James L	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto Bend NWR	Lake	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller, Jane Fuller, and refuge staff. \| Elimination of similar species: White Winged Scoter - no white wing area, and the white spot on face just behind bill was vertical. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:35:00 and 14:20:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-03-17	1996-06-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on March 17, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Greater Scaup	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn County	Lake	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Dankert. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser, as described above. I watched the birds for several minutes, making sure that they weren't changing crown feathers and 'hiding' the peak characteristic of L. Scaup.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Riverton Game Management Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-28	1985-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 28, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Greater Scaup	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont Co, IA	Lake	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ione Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup, Ringnecked Duck. ID as Greater Scaup but confirmed when birds flew and displayed very obvious white wingstripe extending to outer primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at the Mehaffey Bridge area at Coralville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-19	1989-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Mehaffey Bridge area at the Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 19, 1986.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Red-necked Grebe	Mehaffey Bridge	Coralville Reservoir - Mehaffey Br. Area - Johnson Co.	lake	The documentation form by Richard Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Carol Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: After ruling out Horned & Eared Grebes due to bill size & color & shape the only possibilities for this bird are Western Grebe and smaller loons. 1. Red-throated loon seems ruled out by shape of bill. 2. In fact all loons & W. Grebe seem ruled out by bicolored bill. 3. Posture & Build were slimmer than most loons I've seen. 4. Neck which definitely was grey (in past) all the way around in front also seems to rule out there. I am puzzled by 2 things & although I'm sure it is a RN Grebe I wonder if it is in some intermediate plummage [sic]. 1 White patch at waterline in front. I saw this distinctly & sketched it on 11/9 as well as on a brief look at the bird on 11/16. 2 Dark cap seems to extend farther down the head than any of the plates would lead me to expect. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Blue Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on November 30, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Cinnamon Teal	Blue Lake	Blue Lake in Monona Co.	Lake - 99% ice covered	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Don't know of any. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:54:00/12:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lake Manawa, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-19	1982-03-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 19, 1982.	Myers, Robert K.	Glaucous Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa - Pottawattamie County	Lake - near Missouri Riv.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Iceland Gull is possible but size (glaucous is bigger) and the complete white plumage of this glaucous eliminates the iceland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-11	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 11, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs	Lake -oxbow lake	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Differs from Lesser Scaup in head shape, size, size of bill. Differs from many Lessers in white flanks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/18:15:00 or more.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Forney's Lake, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-20	1982-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cattle Egrets at Forney's Lake at Fremont County, IA on November 20, 1982.	Downs, Kraig	Cattle Egret	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake	Lake and Marsh Area	The documentation form by Kraig Downs is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Great egret and snowy egret. The size and that there had been 125-150 Cattle Egret on Forney's earlier that season. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-24	1981-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 24, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co. Ia	Lake and marsh in Nishnabottna River bottoms. - Willow S.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Roberts Creek Beach at Lake Red Rock, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-05	1983-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Roberts Creek Beach at Lake Red Rock in Marion County, IA on March 5, 1983.	Armstrong, Eugene	Glaucous Gull	Roberts Creek Park	Roberts Creek beach, North side of Lake Red Rock	lake area sand beach	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson and Eloise Armstrong. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-06	1990-05-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch in Gurthrie County, IA on May 6, 1990.	Proescholdt, Mark	White-faced Ibis	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch - (Guthrie County)	Lake area with mud flat edges	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol McMillan, Russ Widner, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis does not have a large, noticeable white strip completely about the base of the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-21	1981-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 21, 1981.	Zaletel, Hank	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	NW end of Big Creek State Park, Polk County	Lake edge overgrown pasture	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Robinson and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk eliminated because of size, this bird was much larger. \| The original documentation form event occurred for ten minutes between 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Cedar Lake, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-11-01	1991-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Cedar Lake in Linn County, IA on November 1, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Black-legged Kittiwake	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA	Lake formed by backwater of Cedar River	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown, Tim Schantz, and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: A first winter Bonaparte's Gull, the most likely gull to be confused with this bird, was eliminated by the presence of a distinct black collar, black outer primaries, and white trailing edge of the wings. Other gulls which show a distinct "M" in flight include Little - eliminated by gray richer than brown mantle, lack of cap, pure white secondaries, and size; Ross's - eliminated by presence of collar, shape of tail, and extensiveness of tail band; Sabine's - eliminated by combination of gray mantle with full tail band and black carpal bar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-11-18	1996-01-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on November 18, 1995.	Huser, Bill F.	Glaucous Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Blackhawk Lake, Sac County, IA	lake ice/open water	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst, Bob Livermore, Pete Ernzen, and unidentified members of the Loess Hills Audubon Society. \| Elimination of similar species: Relatively few gulls have pale coloration in their immature plumages. Also, few have pale colored primaries. Those fitting this description: Iceland Gull- smaller than a Herring Gull, with a disproportionally [sic] smaller bill. 1st winter with an all dark bill. Thayer's Gull- usually darker colored over-all, with an [sic] smaller, all dark bill in immatures and usually some darker colored primaries. Glaucous-winged Gull- though having a large bill, it is all dark in 1st and 2nd winter plumages \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry in Ames, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-08	1999-05-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry in Ames in Story County, IA on May 8, 1999.	Overton, Michael D.	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Iowa, Story co., Ames, Hallett's Quarry	Lake in old quarry at edge of urban residential area	The documentation form by Michael D. Overton is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dixie Overton, Michael Freiberg, Kevin Healy, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-throated Loon by parallel sided bill, horizontal bill and head position, no white areas above or in front of the eye, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and sides of neck, lack of white spots on back. Arctic Loon by presence of "chinstrap", lack of white flank patches, realistic attitude. Common Loon by smaller size, smaller parallel sided bill, rounded crown, no white areas in front of or above eye, nape lighter than back, white auricular area, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and sides of neck. Yellow-billed Loon by smaller size, smaller parallel sided bill, rounded crown, no white areas in front of or above eye, white auricular area, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and side of neck.\| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black-legged Kittiwakes at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on December 12, 1987.	Engebretsen, Bery	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville	lake n. end of Saylorville, near 17 bridge	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonapartes - see above [...] larger than Bonaparte's it was with. Dark bill, dark spot, dark bar on nape of neck. More prominent on one bird, than the other. White on trailing edge of wing extended to secondaries, and dark on leading edge of wing more extensive than Bonaparte's. Dark bar on proximal wing more defined than imm. Bonaparte's. Dark trailing edge of tail. Sabines - imm. wing pattern distinctly different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Rathbun Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black Scoters at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Egeland, Paul	Black Scoter	Rathbun Lake	Rathbun Lake just off face of Rathbun Dam	Lake on Rock face of Dam	The documentation form by Paul A Egeland is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Deb Egeland and Ray Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Consulted "Birds of North America" after by Chander S. Robbins, etc. Field notes were taken. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Rush Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-06-29	1981-07-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Western Grebes at Rush Lake in Osceola County, IA on June 29, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Grebe	Rush Lake	Rush L., Osceola Co, IA	Lake with extensive marshy edge N. side of lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Douglas Harr. \| Elimination of similar species: None similar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on October 26, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Western Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	Lake, at dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: too small, slender for Loon species. Head, bill neck, characteristic of this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Merganser at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-04	1978-07-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Merganser at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 4, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Hooded Merganser	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Anderson Twp., Mills Co., Iowa	Lake, out near the middle, where there where tops of drowned weeds sticking out of the water.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Only mergansers have thin bills (of the ducks, that is). Only Hooded Mergansers have yellow bills or unpatterned heads. Shape and bill color eliminate the grebes. Size eliminates the loons. I really can't think of anything else it could be.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	15
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-28	1985-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 28, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ross' Goose	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont Co, IA	Lake; Roosting Area for Snow Geese	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ione Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose -Bill Shape, Size & Color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28