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 for House Finch at Burlington, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-12	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 12, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	House Finch	Burlington	Dr. Harvey Eastburn Home - 3 miles N. of Burlington	Yard - but deep woods edge	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jane Fuller and Charles Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Purple Finch - The bird in question had a different red color which was less extensive than the Purple Finch's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:21:00 and 11:50:00/11:52:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on October 26, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Western Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	Lake, at dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: too small, slender for Loon species. Head, bill neck, characteristic of this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Rush Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-06-29	1981-07-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Western Grebes at Rush Lake in Osceola County, IA on June 29, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Grebe	Rush Lake	Rush L., Osceola Co, IA	Lake with extensive marshy edge N. side of lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Douglas Harr. \| Elimination of similar species: None similar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-10	1981-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rae bird documentation for a Western Grebe at Sandy Beach at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 10, 1981.	Newlon, Michael C.	Western Grebe	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Sandy Beach, Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co. IA	large reservoir, surrendered by forest and cropland	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Long neck & pointed bill indicate a grebe: large size & color patterns eliminate other grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-01	1980-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for Western Grebe at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 1, 1980.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Western Grebe	De Soto Lake	De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge Harrison County	Oxbow lake - bordered by second-growth poplar stands, it was seen in the open portion of the lake, where the water depth was about 5 to 10 feet.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Frederick and Rebecca Rogge. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - Loons are much larger, have thicker necks, & hold their necks in a different posture. Red-necked Grebe - This species does not have a distinctly white neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation for Western Grebe at Trumbull Lake, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-06-05	1980-06-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Western Grebe at Trumbull Lake in Clay County, IA on June 5, 1980.	Dinsmore, James J.	Western Grebe	Trumbull Lake	Trumbull Lake, Clay County	open water area of a large lake that is fringed with cattail & bulrush	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ed Miller. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon- bill too thin, neck too long and slender for a loon the break between dark and light plumage was quite distinct rather than the gradual merging you often see in winter plumage loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:30:00/20:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Ruthven, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Ornithology Rare birds	1979-06-15	1979-06-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for a Western Grebe at Ruthven at Palo Alto County, IA on June 15, 1979.	Dinsmore, James J.	Western Grebe	Mud Lake	Mud Lake, 4 mi. N of Ruthven, Iowa	fresh water lake in open water	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve and Mark Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon. This bird was no big enough, neck was too long and bill too thin for winter plumage loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Sandy Beach Area at Coralville Reservoir, 1977	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Sandy Beach Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 27, 1977.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Western Grebe	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Coralville Reservoir, E of Sandy Beach area, Johnson Co.	deep portion of reservoir	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dr. Carter, Mike Newlon, Carol Newlon, Peter Petersen, and Mary Lou Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-necked Grebe: smaller, shorter bill, ventral aspects of neck not slate but gray. Horned grebe (one nearby for direct comparison): much smaller, shorter neck and bill. White wing patch, not long stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:25:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
W. Ross Silcock letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding bird observations for winter 1975/1976, undated	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Methodology	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Ross Silcock's notes on birds observed near Malvern, Iowa for the winter of 1975/1976. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1975/1976.		Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Loggerhead Shrike Barn Owl Canvasback Northern Mockingbird Yellow-rumped Warbler Snow Goose Hairy Woodpecker Northern Harrier	Fremont County Malvern				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	15
Dean Mosman letter to Vernon Kleen regarding hawks, April 8, 1976	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1976-04-08	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Dean Mosman detailing winter observations of hawks. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of Winter 1975/1976.	Mosman, Dean	Rough-legged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk American Kestrel Northern Harrier	Ankeny				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	15
Nicholas S. Halmi letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds observed near Iowa City, April 1, 1976	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1976-04-01	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Nicholas S. Halmi reporting on birds observed near Iowa City. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1975/1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.		Coralville Lake Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	15
Richard DeCoster letter to Vernon Kleen regarding Iowa bird observations for winter 1975/1976, April 2, 1976	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1976-04-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Report from Richard DeCoster detailing bird sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1975/1976.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Common Redpoll Purple Finch Pine Siskin	Hickory Hill Park Iowa City Ridgewood Cemetery				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	15
Gladys Black's notes on Red Rock Lake and Refuge and Pleasantville winter bird sightings	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Notes on species observed at Red Rock Lake, Red Rock Refuge, and Pleasantville. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1975/1976.	Black, Gladys		Lake Red Rock Pleasantville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Groove-billed Ani at Cedar Rapids, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1966-10-22	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Groove-billed Ani at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on October 22, 1966. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for a reconsideration of the review, an excerpt from The Birds of Iowa, and a documentation letter submitted to the committee.	Vane, Bob	Groove-billed Ani	Cedar Rapids	[...] Bever Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids		The documentation letter by Bob Vane is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jean Vane, Myra Willis, and Lillian Serbousek. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I must say at that particular time, since the bird was new to us, we were not absolutely sure whether it was a Smooth-billed or Groove-billed ani. Upon returning home, however, we found in Bent, "The note of the Smooth-billed ani has been called a wailing or whining whistle - resembling the notes of the wood duck." Our bird's call note was not a whistle at all. And then we found in Pough's Eastern Land Birds under Smooth-billed ani, "The two anis are hard to tell apart except by note, the whining notes of this species being in sharp contrast to the soft double note of the Groove-billed." So for my part, that settled it that our bird was a Groove-billed ani. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Iowa City, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-03-28	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 28, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, request for reconsideration, summary of review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	House Finch	Iowa City	Home north of Iowa City	Sunflower feeder in suburban yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Thomas Staudt were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Jim Sandrock, and Johanna Sandrock. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple finch - no ear patch. Back was only finely streaked, and breast and belly streaking much less prominent. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Davenport, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-06-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a House Finch at Davenport in Scott County, IA on June 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review and a letter from Ann Barker to Tom Kent containing a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Barker, Ann M. Barker, William S.	House Finch	Davenport	in yard around feeder	our yard is at the edge of a suburban neighborhood with 30 or so houses, with cultivated fields immediately adjacent on 2 sides.	The documentation form by Bill and Ann Barker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A finch, slightly larger than Goldfinches concurrently at feeder. A thinner or less puffy appearance than Purple Finch, with brighter more orange red color. Shape of head may be flatter than Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Davenport, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-01	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Davenport in Scott County, IA on May 1, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	House Finch	Davenport	235 McClellan Blvd. Davenport, IA 52803	wooded urban yard - at feeder	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mary Lou Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch - red different shade none on back and streaked sides on this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:14:00/16:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Liscomb, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-04-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Liscomb in Hardin County, IA on April 15, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	House Finch	Liscomb	our feeders at Liscomb	open yard, locust tree (& many others), large shrubs	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Phyllis Harris and Ramona Sommerlot. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple finch - it was reddish, orange, not raspberry colored - it had streaked flanks & belly - & it had brown back with no red coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Mason City, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-09-01	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on September 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of the review, a letter from Mildred Moore to Ross Silcock, and another letter from Mildred Moore to Ross Silcock forwarded to Tom Kent.	Moore, Mildred L.	House Finch	Mason City	1225 N. Jefferson Ave., Mason City, Iowa		A letter from Mildred Moore to Ross Silcock forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Ottumwa, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-26	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Ottumwa in Wapello County, IA on June 26, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a field report, a letter from Don Johnson to Tom Kent, and a draft of the field report.	Johnson, Donald G.	House Finch	Ottumwa	Ottumwa, Iowa		The field report by Don Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Elaine Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Perry, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-27	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Perry in Dallas County, IA on July 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eugene	House Finch	Perry	Perry, Iowa	urban dwelling, niger feeder	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, W. Ross Silcock, Raymond Cummins, Peter C. Petersen, Francis L. Moore, and Joe Schaufenbuel were submitted later. Other observers include Mary Lou Petersen, Larry Linder, Wallace Jardine, Eloise Armstrong, Dick Mooney, and Paley Mooney. \| Elimination of similar species: purple finch - smaller bodied, less coloring; house sparrow - no pinkish coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-06-03	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on June 3, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	House Finch	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, IA Rt 2 Box 9 50574	Backyard. Trees, shrubs, bird baths, feeders, etc.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Betty Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00 and 18:00:00/18:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-19	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Nashville Warbler at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Nashville Warbler	Hancher Auditorium	Hancher Auditorium Parking Lot, University of Iowa Campus, Iowa City (Johnson City).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by James Scheib was submitted. Other observers include John McClure, Tom Kent, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The three warblers with which this species might be confused are Mourning, Connecticut, and MacGillivray's. All three have much more extensive gray on the head and upper breast, including the throat. All three also have light colored legs. No one disagreed with the identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Groove-billed Ani north of Burlington, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-10-05	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Groove-billed Ani north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on October 5, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Groove-billed Ani	Burlington	N. of Burlington, Ia off state hiway 99 .2 mile on tamar	Grassy field adjacent to narrow drainage ditch (mostly dry) with brush piled along the side. Some small trees (mostly willows) bordered ditch	The documentation form by Chuck Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was John Rutenbeck. \| Elimination of similar species: Great-tailed grackle - as described. [...] Two things were apparent: On profile the head and particularly the bill were that of an ani and not of a grackle. [...] One other note - When I first flushed the bird it made a startled cry. This cry was very similar, if not identical to the last part of the Groove-billed Ani call on Peterson's Field Guide to Western Birds record. Conclusion ani sp. probably a Groove-Billed \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/15:30:00 and 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a Groove-billed Ani at Jacob Krumm Wildlife Area, 1987	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-10-19	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Groove-billed Ani at Jacob Krumm Wildlife Area in Jasper County, IA on October 19, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, an article and front page from Iowa Bird Life, excerpts from American Birds, and twelve documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Koenig, Darwin	Groove-billed Ani	Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve	[...] Jacob Krumm Wildlife Area, Jasper County, Iowa		The documentation form by Darwin Koenig is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Jim Dinsmore, Steve Dinsmore, Francis Moore, Thomas J. Staudt, Thomas H. Kent, Ray Cummins, Robert Cecil, Peter C. Petersen, Nicholas A. Kubik, Carl J. Bendorf, and Hank Zaletel were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Ann Barker, Phyllis Harris, Lewis Blevins, Dale Fye, Helen Fye, Corey Blevins, Brians Blevins, Ruth Green, Carl Hertz, Bob Myers, John Cecil, Tom Stone, Beth Brown, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Opal Uher, Jim Mairs, Pauline Mairs, Carol Thompson, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The ridge of the upper mandible was slightly lower than the crown of the head and did not curve sharply downward to meet the forehead (unlike the Smooth-billed Ani, C. ani, which has a high-ridged upper mandible, higher than the crown and curving sharply downward to meet the forehead). \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:30:00/17:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	15