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 Lesser White-fronted Goose at Lake Macbride, 1998	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-06-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Lesser White-fronted Goose at Lake Macbride in Johnson County, IA on June 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a color photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Lesser White-fronted Goose	Lake Macbride State Park	Northeast corner of the south arm of Lake MacBride (Johnson County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H.Kent was submitted later. Other observers include James Huntington and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Greater White-fronted Goose is larger with a larger head and longer bill, and lacks a yellow eye-ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:55:00/06:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	6
Rare bird documentation form for American Avocet at Johnson County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-10-21	1979-12-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Avocet at Johnson County, IA on October 21, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	American Avocet	Johnson County	Johnson Co, IA	Shallow pool with muddy edges; rather large reservoir flood plain - weedy flats, willow thickets. surrounded by fields, second-growth woods	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol S. Newlon, Carl Bendorf, Rick Hollis, and many members of the IC bird club. \| Elimination of similar species: unmistakable: white plumage, upturned bil [sic] rule out godwits, stilt, willet, etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	6
Rare bird documentation form for American Avocet southeast of New Albin, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-27	1986-05-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight American Avocets southeast of New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on April 27, 1986.	Zarwell, Ric	American Avocet	New Albin	3/4 mile southeast of New Albin, Iowa - extreme northeast corner of Allamakee County Iowa	Flooded soybean field	The documentation form by Ric Zarwell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Zarwell. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-necked Stilt does not have brown head/neck and lacks white on upper wing. Ditto oyster catchers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	6
Rare bird documentation form for American Avocet near New Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1986-05-09	1986-07-17	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two American Avocets near New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on May 9, June 7, June 17, June 24, July 3, and one seen there on July 17, 1986.	Huser, Bill F.	American Avocet	New Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	6
Rare bird documentation form for American Avocet at Goodwater Impoundment at Rathbun Reserve, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-22	1986-06-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four American Avocets at Goodwater Impoundment at Rathbun Reserve in Lucas County, IA on April 22, 1986.	LaGrange, Ted	American Avocet	Goodwater Creek	Goodwater impoundment of Rathbun Reserv., Sect 33, Washington Twp., Lucas Co., IA	Moist-soil Marsh (subimpoundment)	The documentation form by Ted LaGrange is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Harold Garner. \| Elimination of similar species: None. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	6
Rare bird documentation form for American Avocet at Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-08-17	1999-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for twelve American Avocets at Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on August 17, 1999.	Julison, Tim	American Avocet	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Big Timber Division	Mark Twain NWR, Wapello District, Horseshoe Bend Division	Shallow mud flats on Rush Lakes	The documentation form by Tim Julison is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kathy Maycroft. \| Elimination of similar species: The avocets were very distinct. I had no need to make comparisons. I used Audubon field guide to make a positive identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00 to end of day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	6
Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding personal papers, summer 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-06-01	1988-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Neil Bernstein is interested in Jim's personal papers regarding photography measurement studies and species population wetland studies. The letter also includes bird sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Bernstein, Neil	American White Pelican Black-crowned Night Heron American Coot	Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area Rush Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon northwest of Spencer, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-29	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Prairie Falcon northwest of Spencer in Clay County, IA on November 29, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Prairie Falcon	Spencer	NW of Spencer, Clay Co., IA	open farmland near little Sioux River	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature peregrine- lacked dark head and heavy moustache \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Marshalltown, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-11-06	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon north of Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on November 6, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Prairie Falcon	Marshalltown	one-half mile north of Marshalltown	open farmland, approaching Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel & Merlin - this bird much too large for that. Peregrine - this bird was too light colored to be a Peregrine & it had no helmet \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon southeast of Larrabee, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-07-28	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Prairie Falcon southeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on July 28, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Prairie Falcon	Larrabee	# 3 east, 1 south of Larabee [sic], Iowa	Rough rolling pastureland (bluff of the Little Sioux River)	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin & Peregrine (see above) [...] It was too large to be a merlin. It didn't have the wide wisker of a Peregrine falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Alleman, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-09-21	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Prairie Falcon north of Alleman in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent about the documentation forms, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Munson, Erik	Prairie Falcon	Alleman	4 mi. north of Alleman, IA	cropland	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin by size, habitat, paleness, tail; kestrel by size, back color, imm. peregrine by lack of black head, paleness, tail , etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon southwest of Calumet, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-08	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon southwest of Calumet in O'Brien County, IA on March 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bierman, Dick	Prairie Falcon	Calumet	1 mile southwest of Calumet in O'Brien County	open, agricultural land	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon - Band on head not wide enough. Merlin, this bird was bigger. I guessed about a 30" wingspan. An immature Peregrine's back is much darker. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon at Linn Township in Dallas County, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-12-28	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon at Linn Township in Dallas County, IA on December 28, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, letter from Thomas Kent to Ken Herring about the bird sighting on January 20, 1984, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Herring, Ken	Prairie Falcon	Linn Township	Section 27, T-79N, R-29 W Dallas Co. Iowa	Brushy cover along mosquito Creek valley	The documentation form by Ken Herring is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine falcon, absence of black mustach [sic], NO barring on the belly. But the blackish patches near body was very evident. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Luther, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-30	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon north of Luther in Boone County, IA on July 30, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ehresman, Bruce	Prairie Falcon	Luther	Along Hwy 17, 1/2 mi. N of jct. with county rd. E (2 1/2 me. N of Luther)	Harvested oat-field surrounded by cornfields	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marlene Ehresman. \| Elimination of similar species: The white patch on the lower back made me think "Harrier," but the black patches on the axillars of the underside of the wing and the pointed wings are falcon characteristics. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-20	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 20, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto	Farming and in cropland	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Wright and Dave Menke. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon east of Sioux City, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-19	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon east of Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee. The documentation form is related to field notes detailing other sightings https://avian.lib.iastate.edu/documents/8756/view	Duecker, Steve	Prairie Falcon	Sioux City	Aprox [sic] 6 miles east of Sioux City, HY. 141	Bluffs on North Flat Land on South of HY.	The documentation form by Steve Duecker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Documentation form was completed by Robert Nicholson. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-03-15	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Falcon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on March 15, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	1 mile east of De Sota [sic] NWR, Missouri Valley, Iowa	General: Missouri River bottom land 1 mile east of Desota [sic] Bends NWR Specific: Flat open farm land - except for road ditches + occasional narrow fence rows.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wally Jardine and Thaine Hopkins. \| Elimination of similar species: The sparrow hawk and pigeon hawk are eliminated by the large size. The Peregrine Falcon by the light brown top side. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:22:00/08:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review rare bird sighting of Arctic Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-28	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Arctic Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 28, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, and a documentation form in the form of a letter from Ken Lowder to Thomas H. Kent with Geri Langham receiving a copy as well on September 16, 1994 submitted to the committee.	Lowder, Ken	Arctic Loon	Saylorville Dam	I saw the bird at the dam at Saylorville Lake		The documentation letter by Ken Lowder is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Daniel. \| Elimination of similar species: It acted differently from the Common Loons. When it dove, it "reared back" its head, as though it were "winding up" for the dive. The Common Loons did not do this. In the Walsh article, this behavior is discussed. On page 26 of his article, Walsh states that "both Pacific and Artic Loons have similar diving motions." I do not believe our bird was a Pacific Loon. I base this judgement on overall body size, bill size, and the distribution of white coloration in the head/neck, waterline, and flank areas. Our bird was essentially similar size-wise to the accompanying Common Loons. The bill was also similar to Common Loon. It was not upturned and this as I would have expected with Red-throated Loon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	6
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Sand Point	Sand Point on Coralville Resevoir [sic], n. of Iowa City IA	extensive weedy flats - waist to head-high on shore of resevoir. [sic]	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol S. Newlon, Cal Knight, and Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Crown-pattern rules out Henslows (lacks grey crown stripe) LeContes (has narrow white stripe), Grasshopper, Baird's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-29	1984-03-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh in Winnesheik County, IA on May 29, 1978.	Moore, Francis L.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	North side of lake near dam at Cardinal Marsh,	Edging between grass 6" to 10" tall and cattail marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow does not have a dark stripe down the top of its head. It had a light colored head stripe (crown stripe). The orange colored eye stripe eliminates all other species except LeConte's which is eliminated by the dark crown stripe on this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Lost Lake in Boone County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-23	1981-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Lost Lake in Boone County, IA on May 23, 1981.	Brown, Gordon	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Lost Lake	Upper ledges at Lost Lake		The documentation form by Gordon Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include George Brown.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at McIntosh Wildlife Area near Clear Lake, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-22	1982-06-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Sharp-tailed Sparrows at McIntosh Wildlife Area near Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 22, 1982.	Heinz, Fred	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, Clear Lake, Iowa	General: lowspot in Hayfield Specific: Wet area in Brome and alfalfa field, with very little residual cover, due to winters snowfall	The documentation form by Fred Heinz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews and Bill Ohde. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Conte's - No stripes on crown + triangle on face was very evident \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat Slough, Jones Co., Iowa	grassy marsh, catails [sic] - NW end of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow - has crown stripe and lacks white lines on back. Also late. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Marshall County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-22	1983-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Marshall County, IA on May 22, 1983.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	marsh edge - marshall county	marshy low ground - permenent [sic] small marsh	The documentation form by Ramona Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Contes - white stripe on head head pattern not same. Saw Le Contes at forney at IOU conference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on September 22, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	General: marsh edge Specific: broadleaf plants - chest high	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching, Joe Schaufenbuel, and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light streaked crown - it also has streaking in the gray nape of the neck - it has a light colored back with indistinct white streaking \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59