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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tricolored Heron at IPL Ponds, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tricolored Heron at the Iowa Power and Light settling ponds, in Council Bluffs, IA on May 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Greer, Janet	Tricolored Heron	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power and Light settling ponds, Council Bluffs, IA	lakeshore	The documentation form by Janet Greer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marge Graf, Dutch Graf, and Mary Jo Harlow. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron: Eliminated by bill color, rusty feathers on the breast, white belly and leg color, and dark face and crown. Little Blue Heron: Eliminated by size, rusty wing coverts, and white chin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Port Neal, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Port Neal in Woodbury County, IA on May 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Mississippi Kite	Sioux City	Iowa Public Service Port Neal Woodbury County, IA	non climax riparian woodland	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Art Huser, Bill Vust, and Bob Moritz. \| Elimination of similar species: N. Harrier Male - broader, more rounded wings. More predominate head. Rather labored wing beats. More buteo-like shape. This bird very un-buteo-like. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Iowa Birdline update, May 6, 1991	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Dial-a-message telephone calls	1991-05-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Email of the Iowa Birdline update for May 6, 1991. Highlights include a Tricolored Heron and several new arrivals particularly in the southeast part of the state. Includes hand written notes in preparation for next week's update.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	White-eyed Vireo Bewick's Wren Cinnamon Teal Tricolored Heron Eastern Wood-Pewee Blue-winged Warbler Chestnut-sided Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Hooded Warbler	Little Wall Lake Kossuth County Lee County MidAmerican Energy Ponds				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	5
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
Field reports, Jean B. Braley, spring 1991	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Behavior Birds--Migration Rare birds Turdidae \| Thrushes Parulidae \| Warblers Emberizidae \| Sparrows	1991-05-08	1991-05-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Additional notes with detailed field reports from Jean B. Braley for spring 1991. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1991.	Braley, Jean B.	Bewick's Wren Ovenbird Hooded Warbler Tennessee Warbler	Shenandoah Manti Memorial Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at Cone Marsh, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-08	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 8, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Blevins, Brian L.	Black Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Conesville, IA, Louisa Co.	Large Marsh in Conjunction with the	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Petersen and Don Moeller. \| Elimination of similar species: CALL very distinct. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:10:00/05:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Fish Crow at Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-08	1997-10-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Fish Crow at Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve in Muscatine County, IA on May 8, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brush, Tim	Fish Crow	Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve	Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve, extreme NE Louisa + SE Muscatine Counties - approximately on boundary	bottomland forest/pond	The documentation form by Tim Brush is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Calls eliminated American Crows, which were calling at the same time. I am familiar with both adult + young crow calls of both American + Fish Crows. The calls were identical to those of Fish Crows in New Jersey. The circling behavior is unique to Fish Crows + the upriver migration is typical of Fish Crows in NJ - overmigration \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:53:00/09:54:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	46
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Garganey at IPS Fly Ash Pits, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Garganey at IPS Fly Ash Pits, Woodbury County, IA on May 11, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Probst, Jerry	Garganey	New Lake	IPS Fly Ash Pits	Open pond flyash shore	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Bill Huser was submitted later. Other observers include Bob Livermore, Dave Stage, Bob Moritz, and Art Huser. \| Elimination of similar species: The eyebrow stripe eliminated bluewing teal also the other field marks did not indicate a hybrid. Direct size comparison with other ducks in area eliminated all other ducks and geese. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 11, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form with field notes submitted to the committee.	Garthright, William C.	Townsend's Warbler	Stone State Park	"Bunny Hill" Trail, behind Loess Lodge, in Stone State Park, Sioux City, Iowa	wooded ravines	The documentation form by Bill Garthright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-throated Green Warbler doesn't have black face and crown, or yellow breast. Blackburnian Warbler doesn't have black throat and chin or solid black crown; is more orange or orange-yellow rather than bright lemon yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Woodbury County, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Woodbury County, IA on May 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Probst, Jerry	Whimbrel	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPS Flyash Pits Woodbury Co	Open Pond Flyash Shore	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Boots. \| Elimination of similar species: Long Billed Curlew - head pattern Eskimo Curlew - size + bill shape + size. All other shorebirds don't have radical decurved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Iowa Birdline update, May 13, 1991	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Dial-a-message telephone calls	1991-05-13	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Email of the Iowa Birdline update for May 13, 1991. Highlights include sightings of a Fish Crow, a Prairie Warbler, a Townsend's Warbler, Western Tanagers, and a Black-headed Grosbeak. Includes hand written notes in preparation for next week's update.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Fish Crow Bell's Vireo Western Tanager Black-headed Grosbeak Carolina Wren Townsend's Warbler Worm-eating Warbler Hooded Warbler Prairie Warbler	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Lake Red Rock Mason City Stone State Park Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-tailed Kite at Norwalk, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-13	2000-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-tailed Kite at Norwalk in Warren County, IA on May 13, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The original documentation reports the bird as a Black-shouldered Kite	Johnson, Ann	White-tailed Kite	Norwalk	My home in northern Warren County, Iowa	Agricultural area with some riparian edges	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, shape and flight pattern initially eliminated buteos and accipiters. I seriously considered both Northern Harrier and Peregrine Falcon. Until the bird got close enough to see the underparts, Peregrine was the most likely candidate based on the straight trailing edge of the wing, although I have never seen a Peregrine glide so effortlessly with few wing strokes taken. The flight pattern and white head made me aware that this was probably a kite. Of the other possibilities for this bird, all were eliminated by the white tail with no markings. Only a Ferruginous Hawk would share this characteristic. The black carpal spots on white wing linings were somewhat reminiscent of an Osprey, but other patterns, size, and flight pattern are not consistent. Although Northern Harrier males look very white from below, their heads are dark not white, and only the outer primary tips are dark as opposed to this bird's entire primary area. The tundra race of the Peregrine Falcon would appear light colored on the head, but would also show more dark markings underneath than this bird had. Mississippi Kite looks fairly white headed at a distance, but the underparts and tail are gray. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:05:00/18:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	25
Iowa Birdline update, May 20, 1991	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Tyrannidae \| Flycatchers Vireonidae \| Vireos Parulidae \| Warblers Dial-a-message telephone calls	1991-05-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Email of the Iowa Birdline update for May 20, 1991. Highlights include reports from Iowa Ornithologists' Union field trips yielding 146 total species. Includes hand written notes in preparation for next week's update.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Red-shouldered Hawk Eared Grebe Alder Flycatcher Yellow-breasted Chat Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Sora Worm-eating Warbler Cape May Warbler Pine Warbler	George Wyth Memorial State Park Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area Zirbel Slough Sweet Marsh Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area Riverview Cemetery				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at East of Randall, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at east of Randall in Hamilton County, IA on May 22, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Randall	Hamilton County just east of Randall	along Skunk River Valley - wooded river - open area near bridge	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Beth Proescholdt were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Harrier - tail was not right and long enough for harrier and bird was not right color underneath. Nighthawk - Our bird was much bigger than Nighhawk and had no white patches in its wings. Turkey Vulture or Eagle - Our bird was much smaller and had long, narrow pointed wings. Accipiters - Body shape was wrong and did not have extra long tail -look like accipiters have. Osprey - Wrong body shape for osprey and no white markings on our bird. Buteos - Wrong body shape again even for Swainson's Hawk which can appear to have pointed wings when seen overhead. Buteos have much broader wings and should show some white contrasting colors underneath. Falcons - Our bird was too big for a Kestrel or Merlin. I don't think Merlins ever have leisurely, slow flapping flight. This bird didn't fly right for a Peregrine and the body proportions were not right for a Peregrine. I've seen Peregrines fly in a slow, leisurely manner and this did not seem to suggest a Peregrine at all. A Peregrine or Prairie Falcon should show some light-colored areas underneath. Also, a Peregrine's tail tapers down to a rounded end and is not squared off and flared at the end. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:35:00/19:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff northwest of Bayard, 1991	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-26	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff northwest of Bayard in Greene County, IA on May 26, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Ruff	Bayard	approx 1 1/2 miles northwest of Bayard, Iowa	Flooded field	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Maridel Jackson was submitted. Other observers include Walt Jackson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I first noticed this bird as we were scanning a bunch of dunlin and this bird "stuck out." [...] The bird was about the size of a lesser yellowlegs (also present) but was of different proportions. The body was too heavy (chunky) for a yellowlegs - being more dowitcher like. The neck was fairly long - more so than a dowticher but maybe a little shorter than lesser yellowlegs. The head was defnitely small for the size of the bird. The legs were also fairly long (knobby knees) and again probably a little shorter than a lesser yellowlegs. These basic proportions helped at once to eliminate many species. [..] The bird's head and upper neck were very tawny (similar to buff breasted sandpiper) [...] Tail - This is the one feature along with the basic shape that convinced me. [...] If the bird would have had no color at all I still would have called it a ruff from the proportions. Ruff plumage is variable to say the least. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Iowa Birdline update, May 27, 1991	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Tyrannidae \| Flycatchers Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Parulidae \| Warblers Dial-a-message telephone calls	1991-05-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Email of the Iowa Birdline update for May 27, 1991. Highlights include spring migration winding down with late warblers and sightings of a Ruff and Western Kingbirds. Includes hand written notes in preparation for next week's update.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Fuller, James L	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow Western Kingbird Cattle Egret Dunlin Yellow-bellied Flycatcher Connecticut Warbler Canada Warbler Mourning Warbler Ruff	Amana Des Moines Greene County Hickory Hill Park Snake Creek State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	41	5
Peter C. Petersen letter to Carl Bendorf regarding spring birding report for IOU quarterly field report spring 1991, May 31, 1991	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Rare birds	1991-05-31	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field reports submitted by Peter C. Petersen with several other observers with an introductory letter from Peter C. Petersen to Carl Bendorf on May 31, 1991. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1991.	Petersen, Peter C.	Greater Scaup Pine Siskin Short-billed Dowitcher	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Davenport Lock and Dam 13				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	5
John Van Dyk letter to Carl Bendorf, June 1 1991	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birds--Migration Rare birds Charadriiformes \| Shore-birds, Gulls, and Auks Parulidae \| Warblers Weather	1991-06-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from John Van Dyk to Carl Bendorf containing field reports with detailed sighting information and general description of birding. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1991.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Scarlet Tanager	Sioux Center Sioux County Oak Grove State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	5
Field reports form for submitting seasonal observations of Iowa birds, Carol Ann Alexander, summer 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird feeders Bird watching Weather	1991-06-01	1991-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings and locations contributed by Carol Ann Alexander. The field report consists of House Finch sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1991.	Alexander, Carol Ann	House Finch	Fairfield				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	6
Field notes contributed by Pam Allen and Reid I. Allen, summer 1991	Field notes	Bird watching	1991-06-01	1991-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds and locations contributed by Pam Allen and Reid I. Allen. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1991.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Little Blue Heron Barn Owl Willet	Dallas County Perry				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	6
Field reports form for submitting seasonal observations of Iowa birds, Eloise Armstrong and Eugene Armstrong, summer 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Identification Scolopacidae \| Sandpipers, Phalaropes, and allies Birds--Infancy	1991-06-01	1991-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds and locations contributed by Eloise Armstrong and Eugene Armstrong with observer Dennis Thompson. The field notes include detailed descriptions of a Willet, Ruddy Turnstone, Stilt Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1991.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Mississippi Kite Ring-billed Gull Eared Grebe Barn Owl Black-crowned Night Heron Osprey Willet Ruddy Turnstone Stilt Sandpiper Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Adel Badger Lake Des Moines Polk County Rush Lake Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Bays Branch State Wildlife Area Mount Ayr Sandpiper Recreation Area Moeckley Prairie				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	6
Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding bird sightings, August 1, 1991	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification	1991-06-01	1991-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes contributed by Neil Bernstein in a letter to James J. Dinsmore. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1991.	Bernstein, Neil	American White Pelican Brown Thrasher Forster's Tern Ruddy Duck Lesser Yellowlegs Great Crested Flycatcher Gray Catbird Green-winged Teal Gadwall Yellow Warbler Black Tern	Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area Cayler Prairie State Preserve Lakeside				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	6
Field notes contributed by Dick Bierman, summer 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching	1991-06-01	1991-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes contributed by Dick Bierman include a single sighting of an Osprey near Cherokee. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1991.	Bierman, Dick	Osprey	Cherokee				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	6
Field reports form for submitting seasonal observations of Iowa birds, Robert I. Cecil, summer 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birdsongs Birds--Infancy	1991-06-01	1991-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds and locations contributed by Robert I. Cecil. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1991.	Cecil, Robert I.	Mississippi Kite Ring-billed Gull White-eyed Vireo Worm-eating Warbler Hooded Warbler Kentucky Warbler Black Tern	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit Pool 19				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	6
Field notes contributed by James J. Dinsmore, summer 1991	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Birdsongs	1991-06-01	1991-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds and locations contributed by James J. Dinsmore. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1991.	Dinsmore, James J.	Upland Sandpiper Double-crested Cormorant Least Flycatcher Bell's Vireo Clay-colored Sparrow Wood Thrush Forster's Tern Redhead Ruddy Duck Gadwall Great Egret	Ames Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area Doolittle Prairie State Preserve Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge Mud Lake McBreen Marsh West Swan Lake State Game Management Area Burns Prairie Area Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	24	6