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 Greater Scaup at Big Spirit Lake, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-19	1998-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 19, 1998.	Thelen, Ed	Greater Scaup	Spirit Lake	South shore of Big Spirit Lake - Dickinson County	Large Natural Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup eliminated for the reasons stated above. Observed a flock of eleven scaup on Spirit Lake. 3 of the birds appeared larger than the rest. The following characteristics were noted - larger size with head and bill the most pronounced. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Orleans Beach at Spirit Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-10-02	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull at Orleans Beach at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 2, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, a photocopy of a photograph, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Sabine's Gull	Orleans Beach	South Shore of Big Spirit - Orleans Beach - Dickinson County	Natural Lake - sandy shore	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-legged Kittiwake has bar behind head and also black diagonal bar on inner part of wing \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/ sunset.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-29	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 29, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eugene	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Saylorville Lake	South Saylorville Overlook	Saylorville Ice	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Bery Engebretsen was submitted later. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong and Gale Pederson. \| Elimination of similar species: Greater Black backed gull, this gull much to [sic] small for that species \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at South Sabula Lakes County Park, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-03-10	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at South Sabula Lakes County Park in Jackson County, IA on March 10, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Karole Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	South Sabula Lakes Park	South Sabula Lakes County Park, Sabula, Jackson County	Mississippi River backwater/harbor	The documentation form by Jim and Karole Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other adult dark mantled gulls have pink legs, except the Yellow-footed gull which is seen at the Salton Sea, and extreme southwest California. That bird has never been seen away from that area, and should be noticeably larger than a Lesser black backed gull. The European race of the Herring gull has yellow legs, and one has been seen on the east coast the past two winters. That bird should be larger, and does not have a dark mantle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:03:00/14:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 13, 1983.	Moore, Francis L.	Summer Tanager	Sweet Marsh	South part of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co. near old Railroad bed.	along side entrance road at edge in Oak-Hickory-area	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: male (red) Scarlet Tanager has black wings and tail; Hepatic Tanager has a dark bill and dark cheek patch, this bird had neither. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon south of Yale, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-04-16	1995-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon south of Yale in Guthrie County, IA on April 16, 1995.	Widner, Russ	Prairie Falcon	Yale	South of Yale IA	Bean Field	The documentation form by Russ Widner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Norm Larsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, manner of flying + facial coloration eliminate even a [illegible] female Kestrel. The size, facial pattern, probable axillary pigmentation + lack of strong tail bars eliminate Merlin. The head + face pattern + lack of a broad sideburn a helmet, coloration + somewhat shallower wing beat rule against Peregrine. The face pattern, wing shape, manner of flying + lack of a white rump patch eliminate Harrier. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Albion, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-05-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Snowy Egrets at Albion in Marshall County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Snowy Egret	Albion	South of viaduct Albion, Marshall County Section 7 R18W-T48N	Floodplain Grassy meadow - 2-3" of water	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: American Egrets have yellow bills and legs -- much larger in size. Cattle Egret was also present -- it had yellow bill -- yellow on head -- tail feathers had yellow edgings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Hays, Russell	Vesper Sparrow	Tripoli	South of Tripoli, Ia. (Bremer County)	edge of ditch along gravel road along open field	The documentation form by Russell Hays is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eleanor Corwin and Antoinette Camarata. \| Elimination of similar species: The song sparrow usually shows the breast stick-pin and would not have the white eye ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-30	1992-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on April 30, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Glossy Ibises	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	South of south dike at Otter Creek Marsh, Tama County		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other large marsh bird has such a thick downcurved bill and a reddish-brown color. Long-billed Curlew has a long downcurved bill, but the bill is quite thin, and its coloration is generally brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull south of Saylorville, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-04-24	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull south of Saylorville in Polk County, IA on April 24, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Passenger Pigeon, an article in Illinois Audubon Bulletin, correspondence about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Laughing Gull	Saylorville	South of Saylorville	Flooded bean field (Des Moines River bottom land)	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird flew & sat on ground next to Franklin's Gulls, and Bonaparte's gulls. Did not have white wedge of Bonapartes, Blackheaded or Sabine's Gull's. The other black-headed gull, the Little Gull, has no black at all on wing tips. See above for comparison to Franklin's. [...] Larger bill, compared to adjacent Franklin's, was not pure red, partially black. Eye ring smaller, less conspicuous, again, than adjacent Franklins. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Rough-legged Hawk south of Liscomb, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-30	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Rough-legged Hawk south of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on May 30 and 31, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Rough-legged Hawk	Liscomb	South of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	corn field with new corn coming up and large field pond	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt at the May 30. 1996 sighting. \| Elimination of similar species: I can't think of other buteos it could be with its tail pattern, head coloration, and broad dark band across belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:50:00 on May 30, 1996 and 08:10:00/08:11:00 on May 31, 1996.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Ames, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Hoary Redpoll at Ames in Story, IA on February 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.		Hoary Redpoll	Ames	South of Ames (2308 State Ave; RR 3)	Bushes, deciduous trees, pines, firs, grass, brush pills in side yard Lee side of house. Feeding with pine siskins, house finch, goldfinch at Finch Feeder filled with niger/seed + sunflower hearts	The documentation form by Jeanne C. Edwards is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Redpoll is similar. But just by looking at the two side by side, the difference overall was very apparent. Looked as tho dusted in white powder, much more white area (e.g. rump + breast + undertail). Not as much streaking. Smaller red cap. \| The original documentation form event began around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-20	1993-06-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least five Great-tailed Grackles at MidAmerican Energy Ponds at Pottawattamie County, IA on June 20, 1993. There are details of another sighting of another Great-tailed Grackle near Osceola in Clark County, IA on June 26, 1993 on the documentation form.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	South IPL pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa (4+ males, 1 female); along Hwy. 2 in Nebraska City bridge area, Fremont County, Iowa (1 male)	[...] Observed in cattails at edge of IPL pond in Pottawattamie County [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Union Slough Refuge, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-30	1979-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Union Slough Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on April 30, 1979.	Klaas, Erwin E	Red-shouldered Hawk	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	South end of Union Slough Refuge about 1/8 m. W of Deer Meadow Picnic Area	Refuge is large marshy wetland area surrounded by intensive farming area. South end of refuge has extensive wooded area along Buffalo Creek. Trees mostly box elder, Maple and Cottonwood.	The documentation form by Erwin E. Klaas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Kline and Glenn Welp. \| Elimination of similar species: Diagnostic characteristics were seen up close with binoculars. Definitely not a red-tail or broad-wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Trumbull Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-08	1981-05-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Trumbull Lake in Clay County, IA on May 8, 1981.	Brewer, Marion M.	Red-necked Grebe	Trumbull Lake	South end of Trumble [sic] Lake	Large lake with a very marshy edges, edges with cat tails	The documentation form by Marion Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include "1 None Birder". \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than eared or horned grebe & was on same end of lake as 7 western grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-08	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on October 8, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Black Rail	McBreen Marsh	South end of a restored wetland on the north side of the McBreen Marsh Wildlife Area, 4 mi. NW of Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	Was in 3 20-30' diam. clumps of river bulrush surrounded by mudflats	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jeffrey K. Hansen. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora and Virginia Rail - was smaller and different color (black) than these. Yellow rail - wrong color, also \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Greater Prairie-Chicken at Little Spirit Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-08-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of around six Greater Prairie-Chickens at Little Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on August 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Baker, Warren L.	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Little Spirit Lake Wildlife Management Area	South end - west side Little Spirit Lake, Iowa	- cut field, next to lake	The documentation form by Warren L. Baker is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Karen Baker were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharpe [sic] Tailed grouse \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Elk Rock State Park, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-07	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on May 7, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph with a report, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Western Tanager	Elk Rock State Park	South Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., Iowa	Soft deciduous and brushy area near water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Dennis Thompson, and Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of red face and yellow body eliminated all other tanagers. Females of other species would not show red on the face, and young males going into first alternate plumage would not have the red coloration restricted to the head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/17:30:00 with bird seen three times for a total of 25-30 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur southeast of Hills, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-04-19	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for three Smith's Longspurs southeast of Hills in Johnson County, IA on April 19, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Smith's Longspur	Hills	south east Johnson Co. 1 mile east and about 1/2 mile south of the Hills - Sand Rd intersection Smith's Longspurs were around here in March & April 1983	farm fields left over from fall - one corn stuble, [sic] one fall plowed	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas Kent and Thomas Staudt were submitted. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Possibly winter longspurs - Lapland, not as much white in tail, no white wing patch Chestnut - collared has white triangles in the tail may have a small white wing patch but has paler upper and underparts Vesper sparrow has white outer tail feathers but no wing patch and no cattle call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:55:00/09:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Blue Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-12	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Knot at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on May 12, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird life, field notes from the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The date is incorrectly recorded on the documentation form as April 12, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Red Knot	Blue Lake	South Blue Lake in Monona County	marshy shoreine [sic]	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Closest similar species would be Dunlin?, eliminated by Dunlins pronounced downcurved bill, blue gray color was dissimilar to the pronounced gray and white of the observed bird. See attached documents. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Blue Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-03-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Great-tailed Grackles at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on March 20, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Great-tailed Grackle	Blue Lake	South Blue Lake in Monona County	marshywith [sic] several trees flooded	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Both sp. of grackle were present for comparison, up to 11 birds were seen in subsequent days, and 5 nests were observed as well. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:00:00/13:00:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Macbride, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-15	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Macbride in Johnson County, IA on March 15, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Scheib, James	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake MacBride	South arm of Lake Macbride, Johnson Co.	Lake	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I was thinking that it was a Boneparte's [sic] Gull, but the bill was the wrong color and the gray hood was prominent like in the field guide for the Black-legged Kittiwake. I believe the BLK is the only gull that has the eye crescent, the gray hood, and a yellow bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dark-eyed Junco near Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Heusinkveld, Marjorie	Dark-eyed Junco	Ottumwa	South and west of RockBluff Road near Ottumwa, Iowa	Gravel road with many weeds and old pasture nearby.	The documentation form by Marjorie Heusinkveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Heusinkveld. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to N. Junco, but the dark brown hood, rusty brown back and rusty sides declared him to be different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Ames, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-17	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Ames in Story County, IA on March 17, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Patterson, Matthew	Mountain Bluebird	Ames	South Ames- one quarter mile south of highway 30	Riparian woodland with frequent openings	The documentation form by Matthew Patterson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Breast color and body posture easily differentiated the Mountain from the Eastern Bluebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5