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-breasted Merganser at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-breasted Merganser at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 4, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-breasted Merganser	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Anderson Township., Mills Co., Iowa.	open water on a lake, near shore	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was no Common Merganser. This bird's throat color was light and so unsharp in its border that the color really started fading at the crown to get to the light of the throat.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	17
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk near Melvin, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-09	1978-06-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Swainson's Hawks near Melvin in Osceola County, IA on June 9, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	Swainson's Hawk	Melvin	along highway 59, 6 miles south of intersection with highway 9, or 4 miles north of Melvin, in Osceola County	Open farmland with nearly all row crops. Nest was in a small grove of cottonwoods (large trees) around a farm. Trees had no underbrush and was almost parklike	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Nigus. \| Elimination of similar species: Redtail-no red, no belly band. Roughleg-no bands on tail. Broadwing & red-shouldered - size and no bands on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe west of Waubeek, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Say's Phoebe west of Waubeek in Linn County, IA on June 21, 1978.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Say's Phoebe	Waubeek	Linn Co. Rd. E28 about 1 mile w. of Waubeek	General: farmland. Specific: trees along water-filled creek crossed by concrete bridge	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: E. Phoebe: color of abdomen and crissum, size. E. Kingbird: no white edge to tail, underparts not white. Duller color of back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Rare bird documentation form for Rehead at Willow Slough in 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-30	1978-07-13	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for seven Redhead at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 30, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Redhead	Willow Slough State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-07-01	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest in Allamakee County, IA on July 1, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration of record, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Prairie Warbler	Yellow River State Forest	Yellow River State Forest	The bird was at the edge of a pine plant with blackberry bushes very thick, deciduous Saplings and fellow trees at edge of Pine plant.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers were Russ Hayes and Tom Stone, Sr. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Cape May Warbler has rusty cheek patch. The Pine Warbler does not have a distinct cheek patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	22
Rare bird documentation form for Stellar's Jay at Des Moines, 1978	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-07-05	1978-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Stellar's Jays at Des Moines in Polk County, IA on July 5, 1978. It was included with a Woodward H. Brown letter to Nick Halmi dated July 8, 1978 regarding the documentation form and sighting.	Brown, Woodward H. Collins, Paul B., Mrs.	Stellar's Jay	Des Moines	close to house; 1017 - 26th Des Moines Iowa	in adjacent yard	The documentation form by Mrs. Paul Collins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue Jay \| The original documentation form event occurred briefly around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	82
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-02	1978-11-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 2, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Least Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough in NE Mills County, Iowa	a shallow lake. It was feeding near water plants.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other White Terns are bigger than Black Terns. The Least Tern differed from the Black Terns in size, color, + most of all behavior - rate of wing beats, the way it done.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-13	1978-08-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 13, 1978	Newlon, Michael C.	Little Blue Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co, IA	large shallow, algae-filled pond; part of a much larger area of marsh, ponds, river bottom woods and fields.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rich DeCoster. \| Elimination of similar species: Small size, bill & leg color rule out great egret (large, yellow bill, black legs); Snowy egret (smaller black bill, black legs & yellow feet), cattle egret (thicker neck, yellow bill), great white heron (much larger, yellow bill + legs), white phase reddish egret (bulkier neck, pink bill & dk tip, pink legs). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00 - 10:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Cattle Egrets at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 21, 1978	Newlon, Michael C.	Cattle Egret	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co, IA	Weedy wet pasture at edge of large area of marshes, ponds, river bottom woods and fields.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Richard Hollis and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: yellow bill, dark legs rule out all other species, but great egret. Small size, short bill, rapid wingbeat, habit of following stock, rule out that species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 24, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Least Tern	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh - N. of bridge	open marshy lake 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: See above. Two Forster's terns were seen earlier in the morning - larger, slower, overall and white wing with white areas in primaries were distinctly different from the least tern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe southeast of Missouri Valley, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Say's Phoebes southeast of Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on August 25, 1978.	Gochenour, Ruth A.	Say's Phoebe	Missouri Valley	S.E. of Missouri Valley, Iowa. Boyer River bridge on County Road F66. Harrison County.	General--river. Specific--small willow and other small trees and rather high grasses along the river dike. The bird was first observed in this habitat from the river bridge.	The documentation form by Ruth Gochenour is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ardyth Newberry. \| Elimination of similar species: The female Vernillion [sic] flycatcher--streaking was absent. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-09-03	1978-09-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on September 3, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Kingbird	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh - 1/2 mile east of bridge	General: flat farmland. Specific: along gravel road with corn field on one side and melon field on other side	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Kingbird and Crested Flycatcher are the only remotely similar species that could occur in the area \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for American Golden-Plover at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-09-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a American Golden-Plover at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 20, 1978.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	American Golden Plover	Sugar Bottom Campground	Sugar Bottom Recreation Area by Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	grainy-sandy uplands - periphery of short span-sand picnic. RV camping area on N shore of Coralville Reservoir, with sandy [illegible] extending into water.	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas H. Kent and Thomas K. Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: gestalt and most details like lesser golden Plover, but very distinct white wingstripe incongruous. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Colo, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-09-24	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a bird (Ibis species) at Colo in Story County on September 24, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Glossy Ibises	Colo	2 1/2 miles east of Colo on old highway 30 in a flooded field	flooded field, marsh grass and mud flat	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Zaletel, Jim Dinsmore and Woodward Brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 and the second sighting on October 1 from 14:30:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Viking Lake State Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-09-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Viking Lake State Park in Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on September 24, 1978.	Bray, Tanya	Merlin	Viking Lake State Park	Viking Lake State Park	Man-made lake surrounded by scrubby fields; some mature woodland	The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Colo, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-09-29	1978-10-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Colo in Story County, IA on September 29, 1978	Zaletel, Hank	Glossy Ibis	Colo	2 1/2 miles east of Colo on old highway 30 in a flooded field	flooded field marsh grass and mud flat	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore and Woodward Brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 on September 29 and 14:30:00/15:15:00 on October 1.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Barn Owl at Eden Township in Marshall County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-10-29	1978-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Barn Owl at Eden Township in Marshall County, IA on October 29, 1978.	Jones, Greig D.	Barn Owl	Eden Township	Rhodes Farm, Iowa, Marshall Co., Eden Twnsp, T82N, R20W, Sec 20	pastured farmland scattered with woodlots, several ponds, & 1 main stream Perched in a dead cottonwood located along a run of trees which bounded a moist grassy travelway for cattle	The documentation form by Greg D. Jones is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Barn Owl is a fairly distinctive species. Its uniformly cream breast, short neck, and dual face eliminate other species of owls & hawks commonly found in central Iowa farmlands. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:05:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-11	1978-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, IA on November 11, 1978.	Koenig, Darwin	Golden Eagle	Hanover Township	Allamakee County, Hanover Twp.	rugged hills with open fields and timber interspersed. Soaring along a long ridge which rises about 200 ft above the Upper Iowa River valley	The documentation form by Darwin Koenig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged Hawk (dark phase) --smaller, different proportions (long, narrow, tapered wings, small head, and bill), underwings usually have more white and the white patches rarely show on the upper wing surface. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Little Wall Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-18	1978-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on November 18, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	Surf Scoter	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake, Hamilton County, Iowa	fresh water lake, open water near center of 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: Most ducks - general dark color and the heavy bill. White-winged Scoter-no white on wing. Black Scoter-head not 'two-toned' (dark above, light below). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at George Wyth State Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-23	1978-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on November 23, 1978.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Black-legged Kittiwake	George Wyth Memorial State Park	Waterloo, Iowa George Wyth State Park G.W.S.P.	Deciduous woodland with manmade lake with island in middle, woodland is thick all around lake. Cedar River 1 qtr. mile away from lake. It is a very good migration route for gulls.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Ring-billed Gull and Herring Gull have much larger wingspread. The Franklin Gull does not have black feet and the Franklins feet extend almost to the tip of the tail. The Kittiwakes feet extended only to the underwing. Bonaparte's Gull does not have gray nape in winter. Both Franklin and Bonapartes have dark gray backs in winter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Boreal Chickadee at Osage, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-11-24	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Boreal Chickadees at Osage in Mitchell County, IA on November 24, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Woolfries, Andy	Boreal Chickadee	Osage	Osage, Iowa Home Feeder board	Home bird feeder - back yard - shrubs and trees.	The documentation form by Andy Woolfries is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Associated with other chickadees but noticable [sic] because of distinctive brown cap. There appeared to be only two. They were positively identified at least 20 times from a distance of about six feet. Reference: "Birds of North America". \| The original documentation form event occurred at least 20 times over November 24 to 26, 1978.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	49
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike west of Spirit Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike west of Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 29, 1978.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Shrike	Spirit Lake	1 mile west of Spirit Lake	Open country 100 yds from farm grove	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Mockingbird, Gray Jay. I am very familiar with both of these. Loggerheaded Shrike. This bird was much lighter, on the back than Loggrehead [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Cedar Rapids, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-12-01	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 1, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Millikin, Sara L.	Black-headed Grosbeak	Cedar Rapids	Usually on the ground where I had thrown seed	along railway right of way near my home and on ground near house and feeders	The documentation form by Sara L. Millikin is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Wickham, Lillian Serbousek, Roberta Appedahl, Fred Nissen, Weir Nelson, Karl Goellner, and Lucile Liljedahl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from at daylight to 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Oxford, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Oxford in Johnson County, IA on December 2, 1978.	Folk, G. Edgar	Northern Goshawk	Oxford	Oxford, Iowa	corn fields, deep woods on edge.	The documentation form by G. Edgar Folk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Marsh Hawk eliminated. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Lake Manawa, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-12-06	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 6, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, articles in Nebraska Bird Review, Iowa Bird Life, and American Birds, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Green, Ruth	Great Black-backed Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, Iowa	Most of Lake Manawa was frozen over at this time but there were small patches of open water. The bird was standing on the ice at the edge of one of these patches.	The documentation form by Ruth Green forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Sandra S. Kovanda and James Kovanda, Jr. was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: There were only two gulls at this time there--this bird and the glaucous. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8