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 memo for Blackheaded Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak hybrid at Ingham Township in Franklin County, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-10	1979-07-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation memo for a Blackheaded Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak hybrid at Ingham Township in Franklin County, IA on July 10, 1979.	Priebe, Carl	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Ingham Township	The bird was sighted in the NW 1/4 Sec. 12 T-92N R-19W in Franklin County.	[...] The bird was sighting in a timbered area of approximately 20 acres on a hill overlooking the West Fork of the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Carl Priebe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was definately [sic] a grosbeak as it had the thick, heavy bill. [...] What makes me think it is a hybrid is that the orange-yellow of ghe [sic] breast was only in the upper part, identical to the rose bib of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Bays Branch, 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-05-01	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of an Ibis species at Bays Branch in Guthrie County, IA on May 1, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, an article from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Burns, R. E. (Rollin Eugene)	Glossy Ibises	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	The middle road of Bays Branch (Guthrie County-Iowa)	Reeds, some water grasses, and water holes.	The documentation form by Gene Burns is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Marilyn Burns. \| Elimination of similar species: I had not seen any similar species in this area heretofore, so all were eliminated. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch, 1977	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-05-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch in Guthrie County, IA on May 1, 1977.	Burns, R. E. (Rollin Eugene)	White-faced Ibis	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	The middle road of Bays Branch (Guthrie County-Iowa)	Reeds, some water grasses, and water holes.	The documentation form by Gene Burns is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marilyn Burns. \| Elimination of similar species: I had not seen any similar species in this area heretofore, so all were eliminated. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Iowa City, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-06-13	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Iowa City on Johnson County, IA on June 13, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Berry, Robert	Mississippi Kite	Iowa City	The north edge of Iowa City, near the Rochester Hy-vee.	Above a wooded residential area.	The documentation form by Robert Berry is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Glorine Berry and Diane Amundson. \| Elimination of similar species: I consulted three books and Jim Fuller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite near Luster Heights, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-09-26	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite near Luster Heights in Allamakee County, IA on September 26, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Bowles, John B. (John Bedell), 1933- Roosa, Dean M. Stravers, Jon	Mississippi Kite	Luster Heights Work Camp	The observation point was located 5.1 miles north of Marquette, Allamakee County, near the Luster Heights State Correctional facility.		The documentation form by Jon Stravers, John Bowles, and Dean Roosa is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: We could clearly see that the bird lacked streaking or banding on the entire underside, as is common in other raptor species...Even though falcon-like in appearance, we knew immediately that the bird was different from previously observed migrating hawks (Accipiters, Buteos, and Falcons). \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike at the south edge of Spencer, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-05	1978-02-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike at the south edge of Spencer in Clay County, IA on February 5, 1978.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Shrike	Spencer	The south edge of Spencer Iowa along the Little Sioux River.	The subject was overlooking a weedy riverbottom area from the tree about 15 feet off the ground.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include three unidentified individuals. \| Elimination of similar species: Subject was too brown and chunky for a mockingbird. I've seen many mockingbirds in Arizona. I've excluded the Loggerheaded Shrike because of the physical description above, and I have also seen many Loggerheaded Shrikes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-11	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two birds (Ibis species) at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibises	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	The starting point was on the northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa		The documentation form by Wayne Stanley and Leroy Hovell is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Leroy Hovell was submitted later. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcom, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| The original documentation form event occurred after 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler near Illinois City, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler near Illinois City in Rock Island County, IL on December 27, 1998.	McKay, Kelly	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Illinois City	This individual was located adjacent to the Mississippi River about 2 miles north of Illinois City, Illinois in Rock Island County.		The documentation form by Kelly McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur east of Polk City, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-01	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur east of Polk City in Polk County, IA on April 1, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Smith's Longspur	Polk City	three miles east of Polk City, Polk Co., Iowa	large (230 acre) pasture of short upland grass, potholes fringed with long grass, and low moist areas.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] A House Sparrow-sized bird with a thick conical bill. Bird was heavier bodied than a pipit or Vesper Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Prairie Chicken south of Pisgah, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-07	1979-03-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Prairie Chicken south of Pisgah in Harrison County, IA on February 7, 1979.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Pisgah	Three miles south of Pisgah, Harrison County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: The close reative [sic] the Lesser Prairie Chicken is smaller, paler and lacks distinct markings. It is also rare, and has never occurred in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	38
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon northeast of Clio, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-01-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon northeast of Clio in Wayne County, IA on January 13 in 1991.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon	Clio	Three-quarters of a mile northeast of Clio, Wayne County.	Open farming area, with a few scattered trees. Mostly grassy fields in surrounding area.	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other large falcons are not generally this light in color, and do not display the black underwing areas this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:30:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk in Story County, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-09-29	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at Tiegs Marsh in Story County, IA on September 29, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about bird sightings, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ferruginous Hawk	Story County	Tiegs Marsh, Story County	in open cropland near a small marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Fred J. Alsop were submitted later. Other observers include Dr. George Brown and Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawk eliminated by lack of dark bar on leading edge of underwing, position of white wing patches, white tail with rusty tip, lack of belly band, and rust color on back and wings. Rough-legged hawk eliminated by lack of wrist marks, rust color on back and wings, all white legs, unbanded tail and lack of belly band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00 and 10:10:00 to 10:15:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Titonka, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-05	1984-12-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Titonka in Kossuth County, IA on December 5 to 8, 1984.	Klasse, Clara	Varied Thrush	Titonka	Titonka, Iowa	Eating on apples left on a tree/ground in back yard	The documentation form by Clara Klasse is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Guthrie. \| Elimination of similar species: Robin	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Long-tailed Jaeger at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-04	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Long-tailed Jaeger at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on September 4, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photocopy of two photos, field notes of the sighting, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Long-tailed Jaeger	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh - Sac Co about 2 1/2 miles N of Lake View on M68. West sided of Hiway.	Marsh.	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Babs Padelford and Loren Padelford, Ross Silcock, Harold White, Lee A Schoenewe, Peter C. Petersen, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Don Poggensee, Mark Proescholdt, and Beth Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Joshua Ernzen, Nancy Shoenewe, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, Pam Poggensee, Dan Smith, Bob Livermore, Jim Sinclair, Bill Huser, Dick Tetrault, Brian Blevins, Corey Blevins, Kelly McKay, Roland Barth, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Jaeggers [sic] - Long tail & no brown on chest. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	17
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-12	1994-10-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on October 12, 1994.	Fuller, James L	Glossy Ibises	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh (Sac County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter Ernzen. \| Elimination of similar species: Shorebird possibilities with long decurved bills are Whimbrel, which is generally much smaller with a relatively longer and thinner bill. Long-billed Curlew also has a much longer and thinner bill, and is generally lighter in color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Tomahawk Marsh, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-24	1994-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County, IA on September 24, 1994.	Thelen, Ed	Peregrine Falcon	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh Sac County	Marsh, grain fields	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Praire [sic] falcon eliminated by dark malar strip and also by light colored axillars. Merlin eliminated by its size.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Maps (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-04-10	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Tomahawk Marsh in Sac County on April 10, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a map of one of the sightings, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Reisz, Russell	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Tomahawk Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Tomahawk Marsh, Sac County, Iowa	marsh, wetland	The documentation form by Russell Reisz is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter Ernzen, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Dick Tetrault, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Fulvous Whistling-duck is the most similar species. This species was eliminated because it has a different bill color and a different leg color than the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. The Fulvous Whistling-duck also lacks the white wing patch and the dark belly of the Black-bellied Whistling-duck. These were all points of identification for the species seen at Tomahawk Marsh. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:58:00/19:58:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-03	1989-10-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on October 3, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	top of a dead tree in a neighbor's yard.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his wife Susan Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was about the size of a Kestrel, but lacked the bold facial markings. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for more than twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Oxford, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-22	1978-02-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Oxford in Johnson County, IA on January 22, 1978.	Folk, G. Edgar	Northern Goshawk	Oxford	town of Oxford, Johnson County, Iowa	Extensive open pasture with groves of trees.	The documentation form by G. Edgar Folk, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include an unidentified person. \| Elimination of similar species: I stated above why it was not a Coopers Hawk. The only bird I could confuse it with would be the Coopers Hawk, and this specimen was far too large and too light-colored for that. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eurasian Collared Dove at Rutland, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-06-15	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for six Eurasian Collared Doves at Rutland in Humboldt County, IA during late June, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Smeltzer, John F.	Eurasian Collared Dove	Rutland	Town of Rutland, Humboldt County, Iowa	Seen repeatedly and photographed at bird feeder/waterer.	The documentation form by John F. Smeltzer, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include entire Smeltzer family (wife, daughter, son, father, mother, and brother). \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning dove.....they were too large and the wrong color. Common pigeon.....too small, wrong color as well. Ringed dove......domestic and too fragile for the environment they were surviving in.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of California Gull at the Trickle Slough Area of Big Spirit Lake, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a California Gull at the Trickle Slough Area of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 13, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	California Gull	Trickle Slough Area	Trickle Slough Area of Big Spirit Lake	Natural lake with point of land	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Thayer's Gull - head shape, bill size and leg color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:40:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	1999-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Trickle Slough at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Trickle Slough	Trickle Slough, Spirit Lake, Dickinson County	Sandy point surrounded by open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Grange. \| Elimination of similar species: Greater Black-backed - size relative to Herring Gulls; Herring/Thayers - flight pattern + long wings in flight + perched \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Decorah, 1982	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-07-29	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on July 29, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a summary of the review, and a letter from Jeri McMahon to Tom Kent.	McMahon, Jeri	Black-headed Grosbeak	Decorah	Trout River, near Decorah		A letter from Jeri McMahon to Tom Kent forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The female rose-breasted grosbeak, plus juveniles, were also present that day, so I could compare the 2 species very well. It was not an im. male rose-breasted, although I saw several of those.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Clark's Grebe at Trumbull Lake, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-13	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Clark's Grebe at Trumbull Lake in Clay County, IA on May 13, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Clark's Grebe	Trumbull Lake	Trumble Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Marion W. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Western, White in front, over & behind eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:50:00 and 13:15:00/13:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	9
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Trumbull Lake, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-10-12	1991-10-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Western Grebes at Trumbull Lake at Clay County, IA on October 12, 1991.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Western Grebe	Trumbull Lake	Trumbull Lake, Clay Co., Iowa	shallow lake with marshy perimeter	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Nancy Schoenewe, Dennis McFarland, and Sandy McFarland. \| Elimination of similar species: Clark's Grebe - Black surrounded eye size, red eye & long bill eliminated other grebes. Bill & Long neck - loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15