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 Brown-headed Nuthatch at Keokuk in 1893	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Birds--Collection and preservation	1935-09-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for several Brown-headed Nuthatches at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on May 9 to 13, 1893. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication An Old Record of the Brown-headed Nuthatch in Iowa and Illinois in Wilson Bulletin 47:240 by Philip A. DuMont seen by Ed. S. Currier, and referenced in another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Brown-headed Nuthatch	Keokuk				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow west of McFarland Park in Story County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow west of McFarland Park in Story County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Vesper Sparrow	McFarland Lake Park	1 mi. w. of McFarland Park, Story Co., IA		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gordon Brown, George Brown, and John Mayfield. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:04:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow near Colo, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-07	1985-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow near Colo in Story County, IA on March 7, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Vesper Sparrow	Colo	near Colo (along old hi way 30) Story County, Iowa	pasture or weedy fields on either side of road.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: meadowlark is fat with short wide tail; Junco doesn't have stripes on back; Tree sparrow has narrow white edges on tail, but also has rusty cap; Smith's Longpsur has similar tail pattern, but tail is shorter, back markings finer, doesn't have rusty patch on wing; Water Pipit doesn't have streaked back. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow around Jamaica, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-20	1996-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow around Jamaica in Guthrie County, IA on December 20, 1996.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Vesper Sparrow	Jamaica	Jamaica CBC, Guthrie Co. IA	Roadside	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maridel Jackson. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 5, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles north + 1 1/2 miles west of Hastings, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A good size brown sparrow with white outer tail feathers is likely to be a Vesper Sparrow except in winter. I probably wouldn't call this one if I hadn't seen it better before + after. \| The original documentation form event occurred around mid-morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 7, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Vesper Sparrow	Hastings	5 miles North 1 1/2 miles west of Hastings, Iowa Mills Co.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White outer tail feathers + face pattern = Vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:33:00/10:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow in Des Moines County, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow in Des Moines County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Vesper Sparrow	Des Moines County	7 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines County)	Agricultural land	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Jane Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Song Sparrow - no breast spot on this bird and Vesper has less breast streaking + also white outer tail feathers. Savannah Sparrow does not have as prominent eye ring and no white outer tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow northeast of Ames, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow northeast of Ames in Story County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Vesper Sparrow	Ames	5 mi. east and 2 mi. north of Ames, Story Co., IA	sitting on gravel road in agricultural area	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: The white eye ring, tail pattern, pattern of streaking on the breast, and habitat eliminates other sparrows, especially Savannah, Song, and Lincoln's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/14:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
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 Long-eared Owl at Brushy Creek Recreation Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-03	1987-06-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-eared Owl at Brushy Creek Recreation Area in Webster County, IA on June 3, 1987.	Reeves, Doug	Long-eared Owl	Brushy Creek State Park	County: Webster #94 Block: Brushy Creek #330 Detail: Jack-pine plantation in the west-central portion of the Brushy Creek recreation area	Jack-pine plantation about 20 years old	The documentation form by Douglas A. Reeves is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The great-horned owl looks similar but is much larger, has a lighter colored face (at that age at least) and is more stoop-shouldered on a perch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	53
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Sparrow south of Mystic, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Sparrow south of Mystic in Appanoose County, IA on December 22, 1981.	Cummings, William G.	Lark Sparrow	Mystic	Appanoose County - South of Mystic	Shrub - Fence row Brush	The documentation form by William G. Cummings is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree & Song Sparrow also English Sparrow because of size & markings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	53
Joel Dunnette letter to Dean Roosa regarding a Short-eared Owl sighting, July 16, 1981	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Photography of birds Rare birds	1981-07-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Joel Dunnette to Dean Roosa and the Iowa Ornithologists' Union about Short-eared Owls sighting sent on July 16, 1981. The owls and their nest were discovered by Jon Van Loon at Hayden Prairie State Wildlife Area in Howard County, IA on May 16, 1981, and seen by Dunnette on June 2, 1981.	Dunnette, Joel Van Loon, Jon	Short-eared Owl	Hayden Prairie State Wildlife Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Rare birds	1981-05-13	1981-05-14	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 13, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Lark Bunting	Sweet Marsh				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-13	1981-05-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting east of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 13, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Lark Bunting	Sweet Marsh	1 mile east of Sweet Marsh	General: gravel road on east edge of Sweet Marsh Specific: roadside ditch area	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink has white back + rump + gold back of neck + not as much white on wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting near Pinky's Glen, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-04	1982-05-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting near Pinky's Glen in Fremont County, IA on May 4, 1982.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Lark Bunting	Pinky's Glen	Fremont Co. near Pinky's Glen Co. Park	General: Prairie Specific: Grasslands	The documentation form by Ruth Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The male Bobolink has white patches and is black, but the patches are not on the wings \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting east of Hawarden in 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-06-07	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting east of Hawarden in Sioux County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lark Bunting	Hawarden				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden in Sioux County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Lark Bunting	Hawarden	5 mi e, 1 mi s, JCT 10+12 in Hawarden, Sioux Co, Iowa	Farmland	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink- No white on head or back. Small bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:08:00/10:08:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting in Garfield Township in Sioux County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-14	1984-09-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Lark Buntings in Garfield Township in Sioux County, IA on June 14, 1984.	Thompson, Carol A.	Lark Bunting	Garfield Township	Fairview QUad T96N R47W Sec 17/20 Sioux Cnty [sic]	Upper terrace between Big Sioux and Rock River, unplanted semi-plowed field at time, high water conditions	The documentation form by Carol Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink - did not have light patch on back of head nor any white in body or rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Saw-whet Owl near Swan Lake in Johnson County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Saw-whet Owl near Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Newlon, Carol S.	Northern Saw-whet Owl	Swan Lake	under bridge on swan lake rd between swan lake + babcock lake rd		The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Staudt, Ruth Williams, Mona Brown, and Noel Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: a screech owl would have had ear tufts, a boreal would certainly not have been expected here and would have had black rims around the facial discs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	55
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Saw-whet Owl at Yellow River State Forest, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-28	1988-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Saw-whet Owl at Yellow River State Forest in Allamakee County, IA on May 28, 1988.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Saw-whet Owl	Yellow River State Forest	Near Fire tower in Yellow River State Forest, Allamakee Co., IA	Fairly mature deciduous and coniferous woodland	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other owl that I know of sounds like this. No other animal or bird sounds like this bird either, that I know of. After writing this description I listened to recording and it sounded very similar to this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	55
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Saw-whet Owl at Clear Lake in 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Zoological specimens	1992-01-29	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Saw-whet Owl at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on January 29, 1992.	Andrews, Ron	Northern Saw-whet Owl	Clear Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	55
Woodward H. Brown letter to Fred Kent about birding sightings for the fall and winter of 1966 and a Christmas Bird Count, January 4, 1967	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds Sturnidae \| Starlings Calcariidae \| Longspurs and snow bunting	1966-08-01	1967-01-04	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter sent on January 4, 1967 by Woodward H. Brown to Fred Kent discussing bird sightings during the fall and winter of 1966 and a Christmas Bird Count. It features a discussion of Savannah Sparrows.	Brown, Woodward H.	Savannah Sparrow Purple Finch Redhead American Tree Sparrow Red-breasted Nuthatch Dark-eyed Junco	Des Moines				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55
Rare bird documentation form for Savannah Sparrow north of Lucas, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Savannah Sparrow north of Lucas in Lucas County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Gilbert, Bill H. Gilbert, Mary Ann	Savannah Sparrow	Lucas	Two to three miles north of Lucas, Iowa, on roadside		The documentation form by Bill Gilbert and Mary Ann Gilbert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Distinctive yellow stripe running to back of head eliminated other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55
Rare bird documentation form for Savannah Sparrow at Anderson Township in Mills County in 1984	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Identification Rare birds	1984-03-17	1984-05-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Savannah Sparrow at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA from March 17-20, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Savannah Sparrow	Anderson Township				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55
Rare bird documentation form for Savannah Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-01-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Savannah Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on January 8, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Savannah Sparrow	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch WMA, Guthrie Co. (NW parking lot)	walking around on parking lot and mowed grassy area next to the lot	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper Sparrow (very unlikely in winter) was eliminated by the longer tail and lack of a flat crown. Vesper Sparrow eliminated by the yellow lores, streaking across the entire breast, and lack of white outer tail feathers. Song Sparrow eliminated by smaller size, yellow lores, and overall lighter coloration. All longspurs eliminated by the lack of any white on the tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55