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 Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-23	1979-07-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on July 23, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Twice I flushed the bird from the edge of the cattail patches. Flew away from me with slow, dignified wing beats.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bitterns have black, not gray flight feathers in wings. Immature Black-crowned Night heron has larger spots, a more streaked appearance. Note: both night herons were present at the slough last year. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Henslow's Sparrows near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on June 11, 1987.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Weedy hayfield near Lacey-Keosauqua S.P. - Van Buren Co.	weedy hayfield	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Robert Cecil, James Sandrock, Charles Fuller, Jane Fuller, Bernie Knight, and Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper - song, head + wing color + song Savannah - head + wing color, amount of breast striping + song \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:45:00/06:10:00.	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 Henslow's Sparrow at Sperry Township in Clayton County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-20	1984-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least six Henslow's Sparrow at Sperry Township in Clayton County, IA on May 20, 1984.	Ewert, David N.	Henslow's Sparrow	Sperry Township	Clayton Co : Sperry Tnshp. (T92N, R6W, Sect 29)	Bromel alfalfa pasture	The documentation form by David Ewert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Stone. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinctive song couple w/ sketchy view of bird while singing \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow east of Swan Lake in Johnson County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-09-29	1983-10-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow east of Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on September 29, 1983.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Henslow's Sparrow	Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area	Johnson co. just east of Swan Lake	small marsh area. The bird was perched low in a small clump of shrubs at the water edge. The marsh is surrounded by a grassy habitat.	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: After recording the above notes I refered [sic] to Peterson's A Field Guide to the Birds East of the Rockies. He indicated that different ages of Grasshopper and Henslow's Sparrows could be mistaken for each other. The lack of prominate [sic] streaking on the breast and flanks on this bird may indicate an adult Grasshopper. However, the streaked olive-greenish head with dark marks in the auricular and the chestnut wing color eliminate the Grasshopper and any other sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Ventura Marsh Wildlife Area, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-19	1982-06-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Ventura Marsh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 19, 1982.	Hansen, James L.	Henslow's Sparrow	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh W.A., 1/2 mi. SW of Ventura, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa	General: open field edge about 30 feet from a willow thicket Specific: on a small willow in smooth brome and other grass species.	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald Andrews. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Ventura Marsh, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-07	1982-06-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Ventura Marsh in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 7, 1982.	Heinz, Fred	Henslow's Sparrow	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh, Ventura Iowa	General: Open field edge bordering marsh and surrounding uplands Specific: (same as above)	The documentation form by Fred Heinz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-25	1982-05-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 25, 1982.	Snyder, Mark	Henslow's Sparrow	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City	Grassy area with dry ragweed & bushes & 8'-10' saplings 50' from creek	The documentation form by Mark A. Snyder is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Broz. \| Elimination of similar species: Bairds Sparrow. Henslow's has olive-yellow head which Bairds doesn't. Also Henslow's has rusty wings tips and rusty unforked tail of which Bairds does not. Henslow's olive yellow continues on the nape, where as Bairds has fine black streaks on nape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:25:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1982-04-30	1982-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1982.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Henslow's Sparrow	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh Louisa County Iowa		The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington, Carl Bendorf, Thomas Kent, and Ross Silcock. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Hayden Prairie State Preserve, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three or more Henslow's Sparrows at Hayden Prairie State Preserve in Howard County, IA on May 30, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Henslow's Sparrow	Hayden Prairie State Wildlife Area	Hayden Prairie (Howard County) State Preserve	General: low lying, wet, prairie Specific: along side of slope facing South east wet type of prairie with scattered shrubs, trees and weeds	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: Grasshopper Sparrow does not have streaked breast and olive-green on the hind neck. Olive-green hind neck also is good field mark as compared to Le Conte's and Sharp-tailed which do not have this colouration on their necks and they also have orange on face, this species does not. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Grasshopper Sparrow at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-05	1980-12-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Grasshopper Sparrow at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on November 5, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Grasshopper Sparrow	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Iowa	weedy old field, brush nearby but it was in the weedy grass	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Conte's Sparrow - eliminated by lack of orange, + by lack of streaks on side of breast Henslow's - eliminated by nape streaks, but it's hard to be sure. Perhaps the difference in color between a Henslow's face + Grasshopper's face would be hard to tell in a backlit bird. Looked pale, though. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for five minutes or more.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	56
Rare bird documentation form for Grasshopper Sparrow west of North Liberty, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-10-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Grasshopper Sparrow west of North Liberty in Johnson County, IA on October 29, 1977.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Grasshopper Sparrow	North Liberty	3 miles west of North Liberty IA between H and Swan Lake roads	General: open fields with small brushy area near roadside. Flock of savannah sparrows in brushy area. Specific: Bird on fence by combined corn field.	The documentation form by Thomas H Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Henslow's sparrow-this bird did not have color on wing. LaConte's sparrow-lacked face pattern and streaking. Vesper sparrow-seen in same area 1 week before-not similar to this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	56
Rare bird documentation form for Savannah Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-01-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Savannah Sparrow at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on January 8, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Savannah Sparrow	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch WMA, Guthrie Co. (NW parking lot)	walking around on parking lot and mowed grassy area next to the lot	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper Sparrow (very unlikely in winter) was eliminated by the longer tail and lack of a flat crown. Vesper Sparrow eliminated by the yellow lores, streaking across the entire breast, and lack of white outer tail feathers. Song Sparrow eliminated by smaller size, yellow lores, and overall lighter coloration. All longspurs eliminated by the lack of any white on the tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	55
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-30	1982-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1982.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Little Blue Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Old Man Slough near Cone Marsh Louisa County Iowa	river bottom slough	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret is larger, has a yellow bill and black legs. Cattle Egret has thick yellow-orange bill, thick short neck and in breeding plumage on orange patch on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1977	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-05-13	1977-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on May 13, 1977.	Newlon, Michael C.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Oxbow on Hawkeye Wildlife area, near Iowa City	marshy pool in mostly -dry oxbow surrounded by second-growth, fast, close to Iowa River.	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol S. Newlon, B. Knowles, Thomas Staudt, Nicholas Halmi, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Uniform grey body, small size, head pattern rule out all other N. Am large waders. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:30:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Rare bird documentation form for Black-crowned Night Heron at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-02	1986-11-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-crowned Night Heron at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 2, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-crowned Night Heron	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (ponds below dam)	sitting in a willow along a pond	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-crowned Night Heron was eliminated by the yellowish bill color and the streaking, not spotting, on the underparts. American Bittern was eliminated by size, bill shape, and lack of a black whisker mark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	22
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egrets near Cherokee, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for fifteen Cattle Egrets near Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on June 18, 1984.	Brewer, Marion M.	Cattle Egret	Cherokee	5 miles South of Cherokee and 2 West	Marshy end of a pasture and in a flooded corn field next to pasture	The documentation form by Marion M. Bewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Bierman and Jim Huber. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small for any other egret and orange coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Des Moines River Valley at Saylorville Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-08-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret at Des Moines River Valley at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on August 2, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Cattle Egret	Saylorville Lake	DsM river valley, S.P. Saylorville Lake, along NW 26th St.	river flood plain, open small, permanent pool with reedy shore, surrounded by short grass	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Little blue and snowy have dark bills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:05:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Forney's Lake, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-20	1982-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cattle Egrets at Forney's Lake at Fremont County, IA on November 20, 1982.	Downs, Kraig	Cattle Egret	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake	Lake and Marsh Area	The documentation form by Kraig Downs is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Great egret and snowy egret. The size and that there had been 125-150 Cattle Egret on Forney's earlier that season. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Willow Slough, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 27, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Cattle Egret	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co.	flying around marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size eliminates Great Egret. The heavy, yellowish bill, dark legs, and short-necked appearance eliminates Snowy Egret and immature Little Blue Heron (not very likely at this date anyhow). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
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
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Cattle Egrets at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 21, 1978	Newlon, Michael C.	Cattle Egret	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co, IA	Weedy wet pasture at edge of large area of marshes, ponds, river bottom woods and fields.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Richard Hollis and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: yellow bill, dark legs rule out all other species, but great egret. Small size, short bill, rapid wingbeat, habit of following stock, rule out that species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret near Interchange 35 of I-29, 1974	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1974-08-22	1974-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret near Interchange 35 of I-29 in Mills County, IA on August 22, 1974.	Anderson, Rose	Cattle Egret	Keg Lake Wildlife Management Area	Lake by I-29 right after Plattsmouth exit	small marshy lake - a lake along I-29 beside a corn field - some mud flats & marshy areas along the edge	The documentation form by Rose Anderson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ruth Green. \| Elimination of similar species: Snowy Egret would be larger & have black bill & black legs. Common Egret would be larger with longer, thinner neck & have black legs. Immature Little Blue Heron would be larger, thinner & longer neck, dark-tipped bill which would look dark even if light was wrong for it to be bluish & legs would be more greenish - not bright yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at West Hottes Lake, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-09-26	1992-09-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at West Hottes Lake in Dickinson County, IA on September 26, 1992.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Little Blue Heron	West Hottes Lake	West Hottes Lake, Dickinson Co.	Restored, shallow wetland w/ low vegetation + mudflats	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis McFarland and Nancy Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: Snowy Egret. This bird lacked the black bill and dark legs with yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Peterson Pits, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Peterson Pits in Story County, IA on May 8, 1982.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Little Blue Heron	Peterson Pits Recreation Area	Peterson Pits, Story County, Iowa	Riparian area with sparse vegetation and several large dug-out pits, most of which held variable amounts of water.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Green Heron is smaller, has orange legs, a stouter neck and white areas on its ventral surface. Louisiana Heron shows conspicuous white areas on the ventral surface. Great Blue Heron is much larger, with a two-tone coloration in the wings, a slower wingbeat , and white areas on the upper neck and head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20