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 Henslow's Sparrow at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-09	1987-06-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Henslow's Sparrows at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, IA on June 9, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Henslow's Sparrow	Des Moines Township	Van Buren Co. - (section 8 of Des Moines Township) - (S.W. of Lacey-Keosauqua S.P.)	Tall, grassy pasture that's quite extensive	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Bob Cecil, John Cecil, Jim Sandrock, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: A Grasshopper Sparrow has a definitely different song than the distinctive "se-lick" of the Henslow's Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:55:00/20:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-09	1987-06-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for three Henslow's Sparrows at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, IA on June 9, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Henslow's Sparrow	Des Moines Township	Van Buren Co. - (section 8 of Des Moines Township) - (S.W. of Lacey-Keosauqua S.P.)	Tall, grassy pasture that's quite extensive	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Bob Cecil, John Cecil, Jim Sandrock, and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: A Grasshopper Sparrow has a definitively different song than the distinctive "se-leck" of the Henslow's Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:55:00/20:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler at Coralville Dam, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on October 27, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Coralville Dam	woods below Coralville Dam	tangle/blow down, weed patch near riverbank	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Sandrock, Mary Noble, Ed Carpenter, and Inez Marks. \| Elimination of similar species: Lack of streaking on underparts, yellow at sides of breast, yellow rump eliminate all other warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Maine Township, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-05	1985-11-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle on Wapsipinicon River at Maine Township in Linn County, IA on November 5, 1985.	Goellner, Karl E. Goellner, Ruth E.	Golden Eagle	Maine Township	over the Wapsipinicon R. in Maine Twp., Linn Co.	Terrain heavily wooded, river margins low and sandy, lowland tree species.	The documentation form by Ruth and Karl Goellner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in Cass County east of Walnut, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in Cass County east of Walnut, IA on October 25, 1990.	Petersen, Marietta	Prairie Falcon	Walnut	RR #1, Walnut, Iowa 51577	The area is Upland Prairie Land-pasture, hayfields, corn a soybean fields- and hilly. Little Timber along creek bottoms. We live on a farm in Northwestern Cass County. The bird was sitting on top of a semi-dead Ash tree in our old orchard.	The documentation form by Marietta Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Red Tailed would not have those kind of face markings. But it was about the size of a Red Tailed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-29	1978-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh where the bird was flushed had a water depth of about two feet. Many large and small clumps of grass covered mounds of earth, there was a shallow marshy spot that was heavily vegitated. Otherwise the area surrounding sighting was similar. This type of habitat covered several acres. The grasses were mostly remanent [sic] of last years growth, with new sprouts over a foot in height. The water was slightly stagnant, and water level was slightly higher than normal because of recent rains.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I can think of no species of bird of similar size with a white patch on hind wing. Other rails would be uniform dark and larger. Perching birds such as a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza gerogiana) have long tails. Extreme comparisons could be made with Common Snipe (Capella gallinago) which is long billed, has pointed wings, and has a rapid zig-zag flying style. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-16	1978-04-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Peregrine Falcon	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located 1 mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh, where bird was first perched is a grazed grassy pasture. Which after much rain in recent weeks, is partially flooded, and often had attracted shorebirds of several species.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's and Goshawk do not have pointed wings, and never perch in open. Merlin is much to [sic] small, size of a big Blue Jay, my bird was larger than a Crow. Prairie Falcon, the falcon I saw was grey not dull olive. [start handwritten annotation] ? (brown, NSH) [end handwritten annotation]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Amana Lily Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit at Amana Lily Lake in Iowa County, IA on May 20, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Marbled Godwit	Lily Pond	Amana Lily Lake, Iowa Co., Iowa	The bird foraged in shallow water against the lakeshore mudflat	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Initially spotted by it's large size, dwarfing nearby Black-bellied Plovers. Heavy-bodied and long-billed, at first I thought it might be a Willet except, even at great distance, the bill appeared gently upcurved. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Johnson County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-19	1978-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Johnson County, IA on February 19, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Golden Eagle	Johnson County	4.9 mi west of jct. of F20 and W48 in Johnson Co. Iowa. The bird was in trees between F20 and the Iowa River bed.	The bird was perched on the north edge of a stand of trees bordering the Iowa River. Snow covered cornfields were n. of trees.	The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Michael Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark phased rough-legged hawk lacks the white wing patches on upper wing surface and is not twice the length of common crow. Also usually has dark upper tail surface. Immature Bald Eagle lacks prominent white wing patches and base of bill not yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Waubonsie Wildlife Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-02	1999-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Waubonsie Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on April 2, 1999.	Schmid, Rick	White-faced Ibis	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie Wildlife Area; Fremont County, Iowa; north of Highway 2 near the town of Percival.	The bird was seen in the water immediately to the south of the paved road that runs through the Area, and about one-quarter mile west of the bridge.	The documentation form by Rick Schmid is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was assumed to be a White-Faced Ibis (as opposed to Glossy) because of geographic location. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle near Waukon, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-03-26	1978-03-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle near Waukon in Allamakee County, IA on March 26, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Golden Eagle	Waukon	Ten miles North of Waukon, on Highway 76, Allamakee County, Iowa	The general area under the soaring bird was a bluff, covered mostly with Oak, Maple, Birch and scattered Junipers. The bluff rises about 150 feet from the floodplain of the Upper Iowa River. There are many other bluffs similar to the one briefly described here, that surround the area of sighting.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Alan Branhagen. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle; my bird was not mottled as an immature Bald is, also my bird had totally dark under wing coverts. The distinct demarcation of light to dark on my bird also was rather un-Baldlike. Since an on the spot size comparison was made with a buteo, and the latter was found to be much smaller, I feel safe to say all others of this genus can be rolled out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation from for Ibis species at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Ibises at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Glossy Ibises	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer Co. Iowa	The ibis settled down in a cattail marsh which covered several hundred acres. Apparently they prefered [sic] shallow water openings in the cattails. Sweet Marsh has a variety of habitats including open water, grassy marsh and cattail marsh.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Farmer. \| Elimination of similar species: None of the herons or cranes has curved beak, and none as far as I know exibit [sic] the alternately flapping and gliding flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Waubonsie State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-14	1980-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Mississippi Kites at Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, IA on May 14, 1980.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Mississippi Kite	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie S.P.	The Loess Hills. Dry woodland with some open areas on the slope of Loess Hills.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Marsh Hawk. Has a white rump patch and tail isn't black. Does not fly like a kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike at the south edge of Spencer, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-05	1978-02-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike at the south edge of Spencer in Clay County, IA on February 5, 1978.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Shrike	Spencer	The south edge of Spencer Iowa along the Little Sioux River.	The subject was overlooking a weedy riverbottom area from the tree about 15 feet off the ground.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include three unidentified individuals. \| Elimination of similar species: Subject was too brown and chunky for a mockingbird. I've seen many mockingbirds in Arizona. I've excluded the Loggerheaded Shrike because of the physical description above, and I have also seen many Loggerheaded Shrikes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Alder Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Alder Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on June 3, 1982.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Alder Flycatcher	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City, Johnson County	Thick stand of medium size (15'-40') deciduous trees with a dense, moist understory [sic] of shrubs. At the edge of large woods.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas H. Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Discussed above. [From description field] The quality and timbre of the call were very similar to that of a Willow Flycatcher. I heard a number of Willow's this spring, and while the quality of the note was similiar, [sic] the form of it was much different. Whereas, the Willow begins with an explosive first note (or syllable) and concludes with an emphatic second and lower pitched note, the bird now calling seemed to be one slurred 'weee-ooo'. This note was quite brief, but it began and immediately slurred up and then back down in pitch. Obviously, at this point I was thinking of Alder Flycatcher. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	67
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Marshalltown, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-02	1983-12-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on December 2, 1983.	Proescholdt, Beth	Golden Eagle	Marshalltown	Marshall County, Highway #14 along Iowa River at north edge of Marshalltown	thin edge of riverbottom woods + open fields, edge of town on other side of river	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: large buteos - this bird was huge compared to a Red-tail or Rough-legged, or Bald Eagle - no white head + tail for an adult, + this bird had dark wing linings, not white in wing linings as an immature Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture - this much bigger than vulture, + with eagle flight not the rocking flight of a vulture, or a dihedral. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-11	1980-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 11, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	East side of Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co. Iowa	This bird flushed in exactly the same place as one did May 26, 1979 for Francis Moore and me. The area has short grass (less than a foot high) and the water under the grass is about 4" or 5" deep. Francis flushed the bird again May 18, 1980.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Elkhart, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-01-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Elkhart in Polk County, IA on January 29, 1984.	Mosman, Dean	Northern Goshawk	Elkhart	2 M.E. of Elkhart, IA	Timber Area	The documentation form by Darwin (Dean) Mosman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Diane Mosman and Mike Mosman. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's is too small also no eye line. No barring on breast of Goshawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Badger Creek State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-30	1987-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Badger Creek State Park in Madison County, IA on October 30, 1987.	Myers, Robert K.	Golden Eagle	Badger Creek State Recreation Area	Badger Creek State Park	Timbered area around small man-made lake	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Bald Eagle is eliminated by the tail pattern, by the lack of white spots on wing linings, and by the golden sheen seen on the birds neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike at Trumbull Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-11-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike at Trumbull Lake in Clay County, IA on November 11, 1993.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Northern Shrike	Trumbull Lake	Trumbull Lake, Clay County	Top of dead tree in open cattail marsh	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Loggerhead Shrike - Thinner mask and larger bill \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Thrush at Laurens, 1985	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-11	1985-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Thrush at Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on November 11, 1985.	Carlson, Judith	Swainson's Thrush	Laurens	318 W. Garfield - Laurens	Town yard - many high bush Canberry [sic] bushes	The documentation form by Judith Carlson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Harms. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	8
Rare bird documentation form for Albino American Robin at Clear Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Albino American Robin at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 15, 1990.	Pinneke, Kim	American Robin	Clear Lake	2400 South Shore Drive, Clear Lake, Iowa	Trailor [sic] park in town across from a small park	The documentation form by Kim L. Pinneke is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rock dove eliminated by size and overall appearance. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	10
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at State Forest Nursery, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on March 2, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery in Ames, Story County, Iowa	Tree nursery	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - has rusty back. Tail more or less rusty. Has obvious dark markings on lite face. female has rusty wings - male bluish wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Heady Hall at Iowa State University, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-31	1984-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon near Heady Hall at Iowa State University in Ames in Story County, IA on January 31, 1984.	Bostian, Kelly	Peregrine Falcon	Heady Hall	East side of Iowa State University Campus	Tree top approximately 40-45 ft. east of Heady Hall (East Hall)	The documentation form by Kelly Bostian is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon: Absence of dark terminal band on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:10:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north of Lovilia, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher north of Lovilia in Monroe County, IA on October 4, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Lovilia	Wright residence - just north of Lovilia-Monroe Co.	Trees + shrubs along RR tracks-otherwise open	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib and many other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Fork tailed [sic] Flycatcher is generally darker bird with black head and has no red or orange-pink color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73