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 Surf Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1995-10-06	1995-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Surf Scoters at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 6, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Surf Scoter	Spirit Lake	West side of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County	Glacial Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - how white-wing patch. Surf Scoter - white on side of head - these birds has 2 patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Waterloo, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on April 11, 1982.	Myers, Robert K.	Varied Thrush	Waterloo	1640 Cornwall, Waterloo, Iowa	Residential area with several feeders	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore, Russell Hays, Thomas Stone, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin does not have dark breast band or orange eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:20:00/06:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush northwest of Maysville, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-01-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush northwest of Maysville in Scott County, IA on January 16, 1982.	Petersen, Peter C.	Varied Thrush	Maysville	about 1 mi. N.W. Maysville, Scott Co. IA	yard adjacent to heavy woods (dec.), pine border nearby	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, Lewis Blevins, Bill Erps, Carolyn Howard, Everett Howard, and Don Moeller. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Robin - lacks orange eyebrow line, wingbar + blackish breast band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:25:00/12:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Virginia Crocker letter to Gladys Black regarding the sighting of a Varied Thrush at Storm Lake, November 21, 1981	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Rare birds	1981-11-20	1981-11-21	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation letter for a Varied Thrush at Storm Lake in Buena Vista County, IA on November 20, 1981.	Crocker, Virginia R.	Varied Thrush	Storm Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Waterloo, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-01-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on January 3, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Varied Thrush	Waterloo	Waterloo IA	General: Residential with many tree, [sic] many stands of old large conifers Specific: Waterloo - corner of Persing and Sheridan	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Francis Moore, Robert Myers, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Waterloo, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-12-27	1980-12-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on December 27, 1980.	Moore, Francis L.	Varied Thrush	Waterloo	240 Berkshire Road, Waterloo, IA	General: residential area with a lot of old coniferous trees planted in and around the area Specific: backyard of above residence - wind break of arborvidae with several other species of pine in yard and in neighbor's yard.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays and Ruth Buck. \| Elimination of similar species: American Robin has all red breast and lacks the orange eye-stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:24:00/08:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Addendum to the Cedar Falls, IA Christmas Bird Count - December 27, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1980-12-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Christmas Bird Count addendum featuring a Varied Thrush in the Cedar Falls area in Black Hawk County, IA on December 27, 1980. Also includes details about bird sightings of the Peregrine Falcon, Mallard, Brown Thrasher, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Pine Grosbeak, and Hoary Redpoll.	Moore, Francis L.	Varied Thrush Pine Grosbeak Brown Thrasher Hoary Redpoll Peregrine Falcon Red-breasted Nuthatch Mallard	Black Hawk County Cedar Falls Cedar Hills Sand Prairie				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Waterloo, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-12-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on December 7, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Varied Thrush	Waterloo	Waterloo, Iowa	General: A very affluent residential area Specific: Many trees including a lot of evergreens - many by feeders + heated bird baths - The area offers everything a bird could want - safety - food water - shelter + a degree of privacy	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Evelyn Ehlers, Francis Moore, Tom Stone, Jr., Tom Stone, and Ruth Buck. \| Elimination of similar species: Somewhat like robin but robin lacks the breast band and eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Shenandoah, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-23	1979-02-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Shenandoah in Page County, IA on February 23, 1979.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Varied Thrush	Shenandoah	Shenandoah, Iowa	Many trees and shrubs in the area - not far from the cemetery where there are many pine trees	The documentation form by Ruth O. Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vera Jennings, Betty Walters, Mary Beth Vaughn, Barbara Cummingham, and Marie Spears. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to a robin in size and coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Long Grove, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-02	1978-02-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at the Laglin addition of Long Grove in Scott County, IA on approximately January 2, 1978.	Ferleman, Paul	Varied Thrush	Long Grove	Laglin Addition - Long Grove Iowa	undetermined (his yard - grass + scattered oaks)	The documentation form by Paul Ferleman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jo Ann Ferleman and Marge Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to thrushes but with dark breast band and lines over eyes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Ingham Lake, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-11-28	1977-01-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at the northeast shore of Ingham Lake in Emmet County, IA on November 28, 1976.	Moats, Robert	Varied Thrush	Ingham Lake	NE shore of Ingham Lake, Emmet County, Iowa	General: Wooded area on North Shore of Lake Specific: Bur oak timber, somewhat open with ground cover of brome grass and goose berry bushes	The documentation form by Bob Moats is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Knopf. \| Elimination of similar species: No other bird marked in such manner. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:15:00 and 11:20:00/11:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1998-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park in Sioux County, IA on December 2, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Surf Scoter	Winterfeld Boat and Fish Area	Winterfeld Park along the north side of Rock Valley in Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I rule out any possible confusions, as follows: - White-winged Scoter has white in the wing and lacks sharp contrast between crown and face - Black Scoter has rounded forehead and lacks pale head patches - Ruddy Duck is smaller, has differently shaped bill and dark line across cheek - Female Scaups have white in the wing, differently shaped white patch at base of bill, and little contrast between crown and face. \| The original documentation form event occurred for around 20 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Green Island Wildlife Area, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1996-05-13	1996-05-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Green Island Wildlife Area in Jackson County, IA on May 13, 1996.	Petersen, Peter C.	Surf Scoter	Green Island Wildlife Management Area	Green Island W.A. - Jackson Co.	Marsh- pond area diked from river	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Blevins and Don Moeller. \| Elimination of similar species: No whit [sic] on wing, eliminating wh-wg. Scoter. White much to limited for Black Scoter, also wings uniformly dark. Too large for Harlequin Duck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:15:00/06:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
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
Field notes contributed by Randall Pinkston, May 9, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-05-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds contributed by Randall Pinkston. Highlights include the sighting of a Surf Scoter at Cone Marsh.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Semipalmated Sandpiper White-eyed Vireo Surf Scoter Tennessee Warbler	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1992-12-20	1993-01-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Sowl, LeRoy W.	Surf Scoter	Davenport	I-280 Bridge, Davenport, IA	Miss. River	The documentation form by LeRoy W. Sowl is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Bryant and Dan Dorrance. \| Elimination of similar species: other scoters No white wing patch, front white facial patch had a vertical orientation and more bare bill was showing than on a white-wing. It did not have the facial pattern of a Black Scoter. Bill did not have the bump. Head not round like Black Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter west of Burr Oak in 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-23	1991-09-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Surf Scoters west of Burr Oak in Winneshiek County, IA on September 23, 1991.	Carter, Dennis L.	Surf Scoter	Burr Oak				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Jester Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1990-11-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1990.	Johnson, Ann	Surf Scoter	Jester Park	Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA	Open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engrebretsen, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and others from the Des Moines Audubon. \| Elimination of similar species: Most ducks were eliminated by the angle/slope of the head and bill and the size of the bill. Although there was a similarity of head profile to the Common Eider, the facial spots eliminated any eider. Black Scoter would have a more rounded head with a uniform lighter cheek area as opposed to the spots on this bird. White-winged Scoter should have shown more rounded angle form the top of the head to the bill, generally would have less distinct facial spots, and definitely would have had white wing patches when the bird raised its wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Badger Creek State Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Badger Creek State Park in Madison County, IA on April 19, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Surf Scoter	Badger Creek State Recreation Area	Badger Creek State Park - Madison County	Man-made Lake	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Male White Winged Scoter has white eye comma and different bill markings + forehead slope, and no large white areas on head and male Black Scoter has different bill, a dark eye and no white markings on head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:38:00/12:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
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 Surf Scoter at West Overlook at Coralville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at West Overlook at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 29, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Surf Scoter	Coralville Lake	West overlook - Coralville Reservoir - Johnson Co.	Reservoir	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - No white wing patch either on water or flying. Black Scoter does not have white head spots. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Mills County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-26	1988-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Mills County, IA on November 26, 1988.	Toll, Jerry	Surf Scoter	Mills County	south settling pond of the Iowa Public Power Plant in Mills County Iowa		The documentation form by Gerald W. Toll is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: It was smaller than a mallard and between the sizes of male and female common goldeneye present on the pond. The lack of a white speculum present when it should have been observable, and the shape of the forespot indicated it was an adult female surf scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-21	1988-05-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 21 and 22, 1988.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Surf Scoter	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-21	1988-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 21, 1988.	Probst, Jerry	Surf Scoter	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh part of Clear Lake	Shallow lake	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Livermore and Wayne Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: Obviously a mature female Surf Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Lock and Dam 18, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-21	1987-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for four Surf Scoters at Lock and Dam 18 north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on October 21, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Surf Scoter	Lock and Dam Number 18	Miss. River Lock and Dam 18 North of Burlington, Des Moines Co., Iowa	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Charles Fuller and Elizabeth Christiansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Head pattern unlike Black Scoter. Similar to White-winged, but white in wing never noted. We viewed birds at rest for sometime, and saw them rear up once or twice, so should have seen white if present. Similar to female scaup but for bill shape in relation to head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11