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 Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-25	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on November 25, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats at end of freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unknown number with unknown names. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, yellow/orange legs eliminated most other shorebirds. In order to differentiate from the greater yellowlegs, I compared body size to the killdeer with which it was feeding and the bill size to the head. Both field marks eliminated the greater and confirmed the lesser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-22	1997-10-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on October 22, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Western Sandpiper	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co., south side of B14	mudflats in marsh	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carolyn Fischer and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Semipalmated only true possibilitys [sic] bill difference - long, dropped, tapered call difference rufous scapular edges gray basic plumage in place \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for American Pipit at Runnells Wildlife Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-10	1991-08-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two American Pipits at Runnells Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on August 10, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	American Pipit	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells Wildlife Area, Polk County, IA	Mudflats of Des Moines River floodplain	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Beth Brown, and Wyman Borts. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrows and longspurs were eliminated by bill shape and posture. The rarer Sprague's Pipit was eliminated based on the relatively plain back and darker face. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	15
Rare bird documentation form for White-rumped Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-04-10	1977-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-rumped Sandpipers at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 10, 1977.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	White-rumped Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	south shore of Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., IOWA	mudflats S of Sandy Beach area, Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Pectoral: smaller - direct comparison possible. No bib. Dark, not yellowish legs. Voice not 'krip'. Baird's: same size, but lack of scaly back, no buffy wash on breast, wings, not as long as Baird's, [illegible] not so slim, body position not horizontal. Semipalmated - Western: about 1 inch bigger than the small [illegible], one present in flock (Western?) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	21
Rare bird documentation form for Baird's Sandpiper at Iowa Public Service Settling Ponds near Sioux City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-30	1985-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for around twenty Baird's Sandpipers at Iowa Public Service Settling Ponds near Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on March 30, 1985.	Huser, Bill F.	Baird's Sandpiper	Sioux City	Iowa Public Service Settling Ponds near Sioux City	mudflats with sparse vegetation, pools of water (mud is fly ash)	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wayne Livermore and Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: Sanderling: no noticeable wing stripe in flight White-rumped: dark rump when in flight Least: dark legs, long tail/wing Western - long tail/wing, no droop in bill tip, no probing Semi-palmated: long tail/wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	22
Rare bird documentation form for Rough-legged Hawk east of Mount Vernon, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-11	1982-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Rough-legged Hawk east of Mount Vernon in Linn County, IA on May 11, 1982.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Rough-legged Hawk	Mount Vernon	1-2 miles east of Mt. Vernon, IA (Linn County) on Highway 30.	N/A	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Did not have the red tail of Red-tailed Hawk; a Northern Harrier would be slimmer with longer, narrower tail and wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:32:00/15:35:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	30
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Bays Branch, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-03-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Bays Branch in Guthrie County, IA on March 21, 1980.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Scaup	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch Guthrie Co IA	narrow open lake near upper bridge at Bays Branch	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-14	1986-09-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene Co. - north of Rippey	Natural cat-tail marsh surrounded by prairie grass	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark crown with no light central streak eliminates the LeConte's Sparrow as does the larger size and somewhat darker color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00 intermittently.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at West Okoboji Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-03	1988-12-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 3-5, 1988.	Thelen, Ed	Surf Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	South shore of West Okoboji Lake at Terrace Park, Dickinson County	Natural Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: White-wing Scoter - white on wings, concave head. Black Scoter - Rounder head, dark legs, pale cheeks cover larger area on angle of beak, side of head. Ruddy duck - smaller size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at East Okoboji, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-28	1988-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at East Okoboji in Dickinson County, IA on November 28, 1988.	Thelen, Ed	Sandhill Crane	East Okoboji Lake	N. End of East Okoboji, Dickinson county	Natural Lake - Frozen	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include three other fellow DNR employees. \| Elimination of similar species: straight neck eliminated Great Blue Heron and color eliminated Whooping Crane \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-02-11	1996-02-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on February 11, 1996.	Thelen, Ed	Thayer's Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Black Hawk Lake Sac County	Natural Lake - near open water from aerator	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Thelen and Peter Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull has dark lesser coverts and dark feathers under the wing tips. More distinct tail band + larger bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-14	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 14, 1984.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Red-necked Grebe	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake Hamilton Co. Iowa	natural lake in the middle of a farming area	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Tom Kent, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe is similar in size but has a white neck and breast, black cap but no crest. Horned grebes were present, are smaller, much shorter billed and in breeding plumage have black cheeks. Loons are larger and have short thicker necks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:20:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Spirit Lake, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-11-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 9, 1997.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Thayer's Gull	Spirit Lake	South Shore of Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	Natural lakeshore	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull - Lack of dark color in primaries + tail; Glaucous-size; Iceland - overall gray-brown tinge	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Yellowlegs at Cone Marsh, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Yellowlegs at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on December 18, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Greater Yellowlegs	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co., IA	natural marsh with mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: We immediately called it a Greater Yellowlegs based on size, legs, and bill. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	7
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Spring Park, 1995	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Rare birds	1995-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush at Osage Spring Park in Mitchell County, IA on December 16, 1995.	Goranson, Rita	Hermit Thrush	Osage Spring Park	Spring Park	natural spring - wooded area	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Al Goranson. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Turkey Creek Wildlife Area, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-07-22	1982-07-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Turkey Creek Wildlife Area in Cass County, IA on July 22, 1982.	Hensley, R. Craig	Hooded Warbler	Turkey Creek	Turkey Creek Wildlife Area	Near an oxbow, dominant trees were elm, silver maple, cottonwood. along the edge of the woods.	The documentation form by Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species that I believed was similar was the yellow warbler, in fact, when I first saw it without binoculars, I thought that it was a yellow warbler. However, this bird lacked the red streaks from its body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for White-rumped Sandpiper at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-08-07	1988-10-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-rumped Sandpiper at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 7, 1998.	Overton, Michael D.	White-rumped Sandpiper	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Iowa, Polk co., Saylorville Reservoir, Sandpiper Recreation Area	Near lakeshore of large manmade lake in mixed hardwood forest, agricultural cropland. Wet mudflat in deep ditch (outflow channel from small pond along entrance road to parking lot).	The documentation form by Michael D. Overton is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Calidris sp. except Baird's eliminated by amount of primary extension beyond tail on standing bird. Eliminate Baird's Sandpiper by white uppertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	21
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Loess Hills, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-04-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Loess Hills in Fremont County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Peregrine Falcon	Fremont County	1/2 mi. N. of Hwy 2 on W. side of Loess Hills, Fremont Co., Iowa	Near Loess Hills flying over open land of Missouri River bottoms	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Robert Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon would have been much lighter sandy color than this bird. Merlin would have been smaller. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Northern Goshawk		Big Creek - Polk Co, Iowa	near marsh with small bunches of trees around & pasture-like areas.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: much too big for Sharp-shinned & Coopers; Coopers doesn't have lite eye line. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-15	1985-09-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Merlins at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on September 15 and 16, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	One South side of Sweet Marsh and One North side of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	Near open marsh sitting in top of dead tree.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: The Am. Kestrel and Peregrine are differently colored. This was a falcon and not one of the other two species of falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Montrose, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Osprey at Montrose in Lee County, IA on December 27, 1992.	Roberts, Barb	Osprey	Montrose	Mississippi River - near Montrose, IA (south of Montrose)	near patch of open water - on ice near water	The documentation form by Barb Roberts is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Zelma Williams, Kathy Dehn, and Ruth Iutzi. \| Elimination of similar species: Im. bald eagles were in area, not adjacent. This bird's head marking were very distinctive. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Semipalmated Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Semipalmated Sandpipers at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 3, 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Semipalmated Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res, Johnson Co, IA	nearly dry backwater with mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black legs exclude least. Uniformity of coloration, dark hood, and small bill exclude western. The lack of contrast between mantle and upper scapulars with the wing favors Semipalmated over Rufous-necked Stint. The contrasting facial pattern also favors Semipalmated. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:24:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	17
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverside Township in Fremont County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-03-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverside Township in Fremont County, IA on March 19, 1978.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Riverside Township	Riverside Twp Fremont Co, Iowa	Nishnabotna River Bottom, Corn stubble fields (frozen)	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Accipiters- Wings were pointed, not rounded, and bird did not sail, but flew with rapid, continuous strokes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:30:10.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Ledges State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on March 25, 1988.	Reeves, Doug	Golden Eagle	Ledges State Park	Ledges State Park, Boone County	Not applicable - bird was flying high over area	The documentation form by Douglas A. Reeves is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include K. Pat Schlarbaum and James Kienzler. \| Elimination of similar species: 1. Black Vulture is a. out-of-range and b. does not have white tail with black band- also white on wings is in primary feathers. 2. Immature bald eagles does not have such a distinct oval patch of white on under wings and does not generally have a white tail with a black terminal band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Moorehead Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-01-27	1996-02-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on January 27, 1996.	Thelen, Wes	Northern Goshawk	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park - Ida County	Oak - Cedar - Edge	The documentation form by Wes Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen and Matt Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk - Has a more rusty chest and no rear eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25