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 Great-tailed Grackle at IPL Ponds, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-21	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Great-tailed Grackle at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on June 21, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Great-tailed Grackle	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power & Light Cooling Ponds, just South of Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Ia.	Open water ponds, small areas of cattails near edge.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Common Grackle is not as brown as the female Great-tailed that was seen Flat-headed male separates it from Boat-tailed. No other female blackbird has this brown a coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:35:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	9
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Northwestern States Portland Cement Co. (Lehigh Cement Co. now) in Mason City, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Northwestern State Portland Cement Co. (Lehigh Cement Co. now) in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Walter, Janice L.	Mute Swan	Mason City	Northwestern States Portland Cement Co., Mason City, Ia.	Open water pond on cement plant grounds	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Walter, Curt Nelson, and plant workers. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, color, and shape eliminate all but Tundra and Trumpeter Swans. Neck curve and bill coloration eliminate them. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 26, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	Open water on Saylorville Reservoir	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe's neck is longer and thinner than this bird and is whiter on the front of the neck than this bird. Western's head is not crested toward the back of the head as in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup near Montrose, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seven Greater Scaups near Montrose in Lee County, IA on November 10, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Greater Scaup	Montrose	Open pool on Mississippi River just south of Montrose, Lee Co., IA	Open water on Mississippi River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup does not have this flat headed look as this birdhad, but a pointed head look. Lesser Scaup female does not have a whitish area behind its eye like one of these birds had. The bill was not banded as a Ring-necked Duck female would have been. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Dale Maffitt Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Dale Maffit Reservoir in Dallas County, IA on March 11, 1990.	Johnson, Ann	Red-necked Grebe	Dale Maffitt Reservoir	Dale Maffitt Reservoir, Dallas Co., IA	Open water on man-made reservoir; near weedy shoreline	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Loon were eliminated because, although the neck was somewhat thick, it was longer than a loon. The head was also a bit flatter and it rode higher in the water, just giving a different posture than a loon. Plumage details did not fit any loon. Western Grebe- Thicker neck, some color on neck and white cheek eliminated this one Pied-billed Grebe - Size, bill shape, and other features wrong. Horned/Eared Grebes - Although it gave much the same appearance as a horned grebe, size and bill eliminated both. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:34:00/16:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Red-breasted Merganser at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-breasted Merganser at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 4, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-breasted Merganser	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Anderson Township., Mills Co., Iowa.	open water on a lake, near shore	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was no Common Merganser. This bird's throat color was light and so unsharp in its border that the color really started fading at the crown to get to the light of the throat.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	17
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Smith Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-17	1984-05-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Smith Lake in Kossuth County, IA on April 17, 1984.	Clark, Joe	Red-necked Grebe	Lake Smith	Smith Lake ~ 3 mi. North of Algona IA	Open water of Smith Lake	The documentation form by Joe Clark is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe - shorter thicker and neck & white cheek patch stuck out like a sore thumb. Horned or eared grebe - much larger, longer neck, white cheek patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge at Harrison County, IA on November 15, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	White-winged Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Oxbow near Lakeview area of DeSoto Bend N.W.R., Harrison Co., IA	Open water of Oxbow of Missouri River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: No other black duck has white secondaries as this bird had. The other scoter species have dark wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-09-05	1998-09-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 5, 1998.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-winged Scoter	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright County	open water of large freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and color immediately pointed toward a scoter. Eye patch immediately identified it as White-winged, further cooroborated [sic] when white wing patch seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Little Wall Lake, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-11-10	1979-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three White-winged Scoters at Little Wall lake in Hamilton County, IA on November 10, 1979.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-winged Scoter	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake, Hamilton Co., IA	open water of freshwater lake	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Scoter- these birds had white wing patches Surf Scoter- no evidence of white patch on back of head, also wing patches Double-crested Cormorant-wing patches, didn't hold bill up like cormorants do, coloration on head not like cormorant. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Rathbun Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-29	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on October 29, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Pacific Loon	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Appanoose Co.	Open water near shore. The Loon was first noticed as it swam side by side with a Common Loon.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Loon was slightly smaller, with a gray crown and nape compared to it's darker back. The Common Loon nape was the same color as its back. The eye was in the dark crown area unlike the Common Loon which showed white over the eye. [...] The bill was smaller than the Common's and straight. [...] Red-throated Loon would hold it's bill upturned not straight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-06	1994-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a request of the reconsideration of sight records, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Near Rock rip-rap off shore from Cherry Glen, Saylorville Res., Polk Co. Open water near cove.	Open water near cove	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-throated and Common Loon does not have tri-toned neck pattern as this bird had. Red-throated also has slightly upturned bill, this bird did not. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:05:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup south of Montrose, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups south of Montrose in Lee County, IA on November 20, 1983.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Greater Scaup	Montrose	on the Mississippi River at the Linger Longer Rest area south of Montrose	open water large inlet	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Noticeable larger than Lesser Scaup male and female. Lesser had rougher head lines - peaked and an abrupt cutoff at back of head. Greater's lines were smooth from base of bill, over crown, on over through nape. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Tundra Swan at Thomson Causeway, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	1998-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for over two hundred Tundra Swans at Thomson Causeway in Carroll County, IL on December 27, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	Tundra Swan	Thomson	Mississippi River out from Thomson Causeway; Carroll County	open water in the middle of the river, surrounded by iced-over stump fields.	The documentation form by Kelly McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Carlson, Fred Lesher, and Carol Rogers. \| Elimination of similar species: Mute Swan - has knobbed bill which is pinkish-orange. Trumpeter Swan - most have wing or neck bands, tend to occur in lesser numbers. Also, no curve from bill to forehead. Snow Goose - much smaller, with black primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at George Wyth State Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-03-25	1978-06-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for fifteen Greater Scaup at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on March 25, 1978.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Greater Scaup	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	open water in river with woodland bordering.	The documentation form by Tom Stone Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis L. Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup has short white wing line. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 15, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Surf Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Oxbow near Lakeview area of DeSoto Bend N.W.R., Harrison Co., IA	Open water in Oxbow of Missouri River	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Scoter female has white throat and face, White-wing Scoter may have white spots on the side of the head but also has a white speculum. This bird did not have the white speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on May 3, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Long-tailed Duck	Pleasant Creek State Park	west end of Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn Co., Iowa	open water in middle of lake	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Unmistakable. \| The original documentation form event occurred around five minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Redrock Dam, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-24	1994-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Redrock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 24, 1993.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	Lake Redrock below dam, Marion Co.	Open water below spillway.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: see above. [...] I picked this bird out because of it's small size compared to the other Herring Gulls present (40). It was smaller than any of the Herring gulls present, but still much larger than any of the numerous Ring-billed gulls. The head appeared more rounded than the Herring gulls and the heavy brown streaking on the nape and neck was more extensive and darker than any Herring present. The bill w/a red gonys mark on the lower mandible was shorter and thinner w/less gonys than the Herrings. They eye iris was dark not yellowish as in all the Herrings present. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-03	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on January 3, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Thayer's Gull	Lock Number 19	Below lock and dam 19, Keokuk, Lee Co., Iowa	Open water below lock and dam 19	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Steve Dinsmore was submitted. Another observer includes Robert Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull has more black in the primaries with a grayer mantle, a larger bill and heavier and bigger head. The under surface of the primaries of a Herring is also darker and has the darkness well into the primaries from the tips. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
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 Greater Scaup at Liscomb Sewage Lagoon, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form fro eight Greater Scaups at Liscomb Sewage Lagoon in Marshall County, IA on March 4, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Greater Scaup	Liscomb	Liscomb Sewage Lagoon - (Marshall Co.)	Open water area away from road with some brush around	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup have the bold white wing stripe on secondaries only, a more angular-shaped head, and a purple gloss for head color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Lake Manawa, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-24	1988-10-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 24, 1988.	Grenon, Alan G.	Long-tailed Duck	Lake Manawa	west-central part of Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	open water and the air over open water	The documentation form by Alan Grenon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Ruth Green, Betty Grenon, and Bruce Wetteroth. \| Elimination of similar species: This duck was similar in size or slightly larger than nearby Lesser Scaup; most of the bird was a brown slightly lighter than female Lesser Scaup, and without mottling patters. Among ducks that have considerable white on the face, few have white around the eye and extending back to the nape. This eliminates the scoters (also, the bill did not seem large or deep enough for most scoters), Harlequin Duck, Bufflehead, goldeneyes, Smew, scaup, and Northern Pintail (which might have a similar plumage, but with white lower on the neck and side of neck, patterning on the body, speculum, and more differences). Unmarked bill and wing eliminate aberrant Ring-necked Duck and scaup, respectively, and also other divers with contrasting wing markings (including Bufflehead, goldeneyes). The possibility of an aberrant Harlequin Duck exists, but that seems less likely than a young Long-tailed Duck at this location. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/11:15:00 and 17:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Martin Marietta Sand Pits, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-12	1981-04-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Martin Marietta Sand Pits in Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on April 12, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Red-necked Grebe	East Lake	Martin Marietta Sand Pits, Waterloo, IA (Adjacent to George Wyth S.P.) Black Hawk County	Open water and flooded sand pit	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone, Jr. and Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Stocky appearance, long red neck and large white or gray patch on throat that extended through the auricular and into the nape, distinguished this bird from the Western, Horned, or eared Grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-03-03	1991-03-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on March 3, 1991.	Schmitz, Dick	Long-tailed Duck	Lake Red Rock	Near Southern shore of Red rock Res. 1/4 mile E. of Hwy 14 Bridge over the Reservoir.	Open water 50m from shore	The documentation form by Dick Schmitz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Donna Schmitz. \| Elimination of similar species: Very distinctive field marks - no need to eliminate among species. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Swan species at Silver Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-19	1994-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swan species at Silver Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on November 19, 1994.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Swans	Silver Lake	Silver Lake, Palo Alto Co	Open Water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:30:00 on November 19 and 14:30:00/15:15:00 on November 20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	1