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 Townsend's Solitaire at Lake Anita State Park, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-03-18	1995-03-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on March 18, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Townsend's Solitaire	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park - Cass County	Oak - cedar lakeshore	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marty Thelen, Joe Clark, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: [female symbol] mountain bluebird has shorter tail \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 15, 1993.	Scheib, James	Pine Warbler	Hickory Hill Park	Hiclory [sic] Hill Park, Iowa City	Oak tree near pavilion	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape was not a vireo or a flycatcher. 'No other bright yellow-breasted warbler, lacking other conspicuous marks, has white wing bars.' R.T. Peterson. (In spring...JES) \| The original documentation form event lasted from appoximately 07:35:00/07:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Boone Wildlife Research Station, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Boone Wildlife Research Station south of Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on August 25, 1986.	Reeves, Doug	Northern Goshawk	Ledges State Park	Boone Wildlife Research Station just south of Ledges State Park	Oak woods, open fields	The documentation form by Doug Reeves is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include DeWaine Jackson, Tom Putnam and Jim Kienzler. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large for a Cooper's hawk (it was big!!), or a broad-winged hawk. No other gray hawks of that size and description that I am aware of. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Grandview Cemetery in Fremont County, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-04	1976-12-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Grandview Cemetery in Fremont County, IA on September 4, 1976.	Silcock, W. Ross	Pine Warbler	Grandview Cemetery	Grandview Cemetery, Fremont Co, Iowa	Oak-hickory woods surrounding cemetery atop Loess Bluffs at Missouri River Bottoms.	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo prob. most similar in general appearance, but no spectacles; also warbler bill (feature implied above when bird described as 'large warbler'. [note] Why not Bay-br. or Blackpoll. [end note] \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler at Roberts Riverside Park in Van Buren County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-18	1982-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler at Roberts Riverside Park in Van Buren County, IA on April 18, 1982.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Bay-breasted Warbler	Keosauqua	Roberts Riverside Park, Van Buren County, IA	Oak/sycamores on riverbank	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other bird has this combination of size, coloration, etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 16:00:00/16:01:00 for about ten seconds.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Coralville Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 9, 1984.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Surf Scoter	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res. (Dupont Bridge), Johnson Co. Iowa	Old backwater area at upper end of reservoir.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Head shape with very straight forehead and lack of white in wing eliminates White-winged Scoter. Large heavy black duck eliminates other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:25:00/12:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Wilson's Phalarope at Coralville Reservoir, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-17	1997-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Wilson's Phalarope at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 17, 1997.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Wilson's Phalarope	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir (Greencastle Ave.), Johnson Co., IA	old backwater now without trees, narrow mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rita Goranson, Al Goranson, Jim Fuller, and John Rutenbeck. \| Elimination of similar species: At first I thought the bird was a Wilson's, but the date seemed odd. However, the size, lack of back streaks, lack of dark auricular patch, and long thin bill eliminate Red-necked and Red phalaropes, both of which would be more likely at this date. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	29
Rare bird documentation form for White-rumped Sandpiper at Half Moon Lake at Coralville Reservoir, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-10-06	1997-10-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-rumped Sandpipers at Half Moon Lake at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 6, 1997.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-rumped Sandpiper	Half Moon Lake	Half Moon Lake, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., IA	old backwater 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 James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Baird's Sandpiper is most similar in size and shape. It has a streaked bib, overall brown color, and lacks white rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	21
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher northeast of Waubonsie State Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-24	1982-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher northeast of Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, IA on April 24, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Waubonsie State Park	N.E. of Waubonsie S.P. on gravel road.	On edge of Loess Hills, on telephone wire between heavy woods and open field	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 Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Kingbird is darker on head and back and has yellow breast and belly and lacks the extremely long tail feathers that this bird had. Eastern Kingbird has a dark gray head and back and also lacks the long tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-23	1985-04-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one hundred twenty Smith's Longspurs south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 23, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Smith's Longspur	High Bridge	1 mile south of the HWY 17 Bridge across Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	on grassy road shoulder and gravel along road	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Erik Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from other longspurs and Vesper Sparrow by combination of buffy underparts, white shoulder patch on males, white on outer tail feathers and distinctive black markings on males head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Spirit Lake, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Tundra Swans at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 19, 1998.	Harr, Douglas C.	Tundra Swan	Little Spirit Lake Wildlife Management Area	Spirit Lake	On Ice at Grovers Lake W.M.A.	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe and Ed Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Differentiated from local Trumpeters by obvious yellow patch on bill of adult.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-02-06	1999-02-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 6, 1999.	Proescholdt, Mark	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	above Lock and Dam #15 - Davenport - (Scott Co.)	on ice in Mississippi River with other gulls	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: A 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull is much smaller - about the size of a Ring-billed Gull. This is a really big gull - bigger than other possibilities. Also, much different from 1st winter Herring Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Storm Lake, 1989	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-04-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, IA on April 14, 1989.	Bierman, Dick	Red-necked Grebe	Storm Lake	Storm Lake, Buena Vista Co. Iowa	on Large Lake	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: western grebe is much larger. Loon is also much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Dunlin at Rice Lake, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-07-16	1989-07-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dunlin at Rice Lake in Winnebago County, IA on July 16, 1989.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Dunlin	Rice Lake	Rice L., Winnebago Co.	on large mudflat with other shorebirds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of the size, plumage, bill shape and length, and light wing stripe eliminates other shorebirds, especially Red Knot and Curlew Sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	24
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-13	1985-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 13, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Great-tailed Grackle	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake, Fremont Co.	on mudflat area in middle of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from Common Grackle by larger size (twice the size of other nearby grackles), longer tail and flatter crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Silver Lake, 1994	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-05-12	1994-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Silver Lake in Worth County, IA on May 12, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Red-necked Grebe	Silver Lake	Silver Lake Worth Co Iowa	on the lake	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carolyn Fischer and Pat Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Eared grebes also in water so could eliminate species. Western grebe also in water.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Rathbun Lake Fish Hatchery, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-15	1984-12-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Rathbun Lake Fish Hatchery in Appanoose County, IA on December 15, 1984.	Heusinkveld, Bill	Long-tailed Duck	Rathbun Fish Hatchery	Settling pond below Rathbun Lake Fish Hatchery	On water	The documentation form by Bill Heusinkveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ray Cummins, Mark Hoffman, Marjorie Heusinkveld, Bill Cummins, Jim Ellis, and Paul Egeland. \| Elimination of similar species: No similar species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/13:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1988.	Sinclair, Jim	Black-legged Kittiwake	Red Rock Dam	Below dam at Red Rock, Marion Co.	on water and flying about spillway area	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Taylor Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] smaller than present Ring-bills larger than Bonaparte's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Ames, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-30	1979-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Ames in Story County, IA on July 30, 1979.	Dinsmore, James J.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Ames	2 miles south of Ames on State Avenue	on wire across road, adjacent to farmyard, rest open farmland with a good hedgerow along one side of raod [sic]	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Graham and Mark Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Fork-tailed Flycatcher-the bird seen had no evidence of black crown as in Fork-tailed bird leaned over so I could see top of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-10	1981-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at St. Johns Township in Harrison County, IA on October 10, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Prairie Falcon	Township of Saint John	1 mile west of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Harrison Co., St. Johns Twsp., Sect. 17.	Open agricultural land; few trees; Winter wheat field (growth of winter what less than 4 inches tall).	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: this species lacks black axillars and white superciliary stripe; moustache is thicker on this species. Merlin: this species is much smaller and lacks moustache and black facial pattern. Gyrfalcon: this species is larger and lacks superciliary stripe and black axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on October 7, 1998.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reese WPA, Kossuth Co. SW of north side parking	Open area sparsely covered with grass (1 season restored prairie and mowed Pigweed) surrounding wetland potholes	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipits were eliminated by their totally different voice, the pattern of the underparts, and bill & tail proportions. Lapland Longspurs have obvious white (not buff) underneath which would have been especially visible on several close flybys and passes overhead. Male Laplands should show some black streaking on the upper chest in sharp contrast with the white below. There wasn't any chestnut visible on the nape or upper wing. Although I don't have enough experience with Smith's to say I heard any difference in the sound of the "tics", I didn't hear any of the "tew" notes that Laplands (but not Smith's) mix in with their tic-tic-tics. Any regular sparrow that is not eliminated by white outer tail feathers is eliminated by the unique longspur calls. The buffy/tan color underneath and the calls also rule out Horned Lark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Van Dueseldorp Sand and Gravel Pit in Colfax, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at the Van Dueseldorp Sand and Gravel Pit in Colfax in Jasper County, IA on November 11, 1983.	Staudt, Thomas J.	White-winged Scoter	Colfax	Van Deuseldorp (sp) Sand & Gravel Pit Colfax Ia.	open area, C shaped pond in active sand & gravel pit	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 Pete Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Surf Scoter has all black wings, white spot on forehead & nape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at George Wyth State Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Tundra Swans at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on December 20, 1998.	Moore, Francis L.	Tundra Swan	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park, Black Hawk County, IA	Open backwater lake near Cedar River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone, Maurice Hanson, and Ruby Hanson. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. Also the two immature were a lot lighter brownish color than would show for an immature Trumpeter Swan. Adult and immature bill color was wrong for Mute Swan. Just did not look like Mute Swans. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Grebes at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 3, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	open body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: Loons eliminated by shorter neck, size, bill shape, and lack of crescent on cheek. Horned Grebe separated above. Western and Clark's Grebe's eliminated by larger, swan-like neck, black, not gray back, thinner bill, and lack of crescent on cheek. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Graceland Cemetery, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	1988-12-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Graceland Cemetery in Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Huser, Bill F.	Merlin	Graceland Park Cemetery	Graceland Cemetery, Sioux City, IA	open canopy mixed woodland	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers includes Jerry Probst, but he did not locate the bird. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - large size, bold brown breast streaking, lack of distinct facial pattern, absence of rust-brown coloration. Sharp-shinned/Cooper's - pointed wings, relatively short tail - 1" beyond wingtips, indistinct falcon facial pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32