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 Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-03-21	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 21, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ross' Goose	Willow Slough Dam	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose! Seemed to differ in size, head shape, bill shape, color of bill (darker in Ross' goose) and lack of black grin mark. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-24	1980-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seven Red-necked Phalaropes at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 24, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-necked Phalarope	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The more common Wilson's Phalarope is eliminated by hood pattern, wing stripe, + dark rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:20:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for Whimbrel at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Whimbrel at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Whimbrel	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Edge of water. Mudflat in drying slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size + beak indicate a curlew. Long-billed eliminated by shorter bill + head pattern. Eskimo Curlew eliminated by wing linings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:05:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	12
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mabled Godwit at Willow Slough in northeast Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Marbled Godwit	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Standing in shallow water in drying slough.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit is similar, but has contrasting rump + wing stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:00:00/06:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Willow Slough, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-05-19	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two White-faced Ibises at Willow Slough in Northeast Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-faced Ibis	Willow Slough Dam	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	Wading in pool behind beaver dam in marshy slough. No large vegetation there; Eleochoris at edges.	The documentation form by Barbara L. WIison is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: That large, dark with decurved bill it must be a Glossy or White-faced Ibis. Complete, wide white stripe around the face indicates White-faced. Perhaps soft-parts color tells too but I don't know. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-18	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on September 18, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel doesn't have a gray barred tail. Uniform grayish grown upper parts would resemble Merlin, not Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/17:45:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Common Tern at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-06	1979-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Common Terns at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 6, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Common Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All the terns I've managed to identify at the Slough before have been Forsters. There was a Forsters at the slough that evening, in fact, with white primaries. It tried to land on a piling by the other two, but then left. The Commons differed from Forster's terns by having dark primaries (adult) and on eye patch that circled the back of the head (other bird).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	42
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-02	1979-08-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 2, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Least Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There aren't any other birds this small, white with narrow wings + swooping tern - like flight, I think. Too small for Black Tern + differs from even winter - plumage ones in head pattern, wing pattern, rump + tail color, + behavior. Too small + wrong pattern for Forster's Tern + relatives. Not acting or patterned like a gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-19	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 19, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	White-faced Ibis	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Wading in pool behind beaver dam in marshy slough, No large vegetation on there; Eleocharis at edges.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: That large, dark with decurved bill it must be a Glossy or White-faced Ibis. Complete, wide white stripe around the face indicates White-faced. Perhaps soft-parts color tells too but I don't know. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-23	1979-07-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on July 23, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Twice I flushed the bird from the edge of the cattail patches. Flew away from me with slow, dignified wing beats.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bitterns have black, not gray flight feathers in wings. Immature Black-crowned Night heron has larger spots, a more streaked appearance. Note: both night herons were present at the slough last year. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Rare bird documentation form for Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-01	1979-08-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Little Blue Heron at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 1, 1979 and several other dates.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Little Blue Heron	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, NE Mills County, Iowa	Shallow lake + marsh that is Willow Slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This heron resembles every other White Heron or egret. Albino Heron: this is what I thought it was at first, but it turned out to have color in bill & legs. "Great White Heron" can be eliminated by size and range. Snowy Egret: has black legs and bill. Great Egret: has yellow bill w/out black tip, & dark legs. Cattle Egret: has yellow to orange bill without black tip, has yellow to dark (not green legs) & is sociable, & wouldn't spend over a week in a marsh. Reddish egret: has a similar bill, but with base flesh-colored rather than gray. Has bluish, not green, legs, has a shaggy neck, and is unlikely to be found in Iowa. The white primaries eliminate other white large birds. The only thing left is immature Little Blue Heron.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Rare bird documentation form for Connecticut Warbler in Mills County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Connecticut Warbler in Mills County, IA on May 26, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Connecticut Warbler	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Resembles the fall Mourning Warbler plumage. In fact, I must say this is either a female Connecticut Warbler in Spring plumage or a Mourning that retains fall plumage. I did not see if the eye ring is broken or not, nor the extent to which the under tail coverts cover the tail feathers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:01:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	39
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-13	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, IA on September 13, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: When it was parachuting, the bird farmed its wings enough it resembled an accipiter, but when it flew the wings were obviously pointed, + the bird's rowing wingbeats were like a falcon's. Size limits the question to: Kestrel or Merlin? The tail banding + uniformly gray upper parts (the latter seen only briefly) make it a Merlin. I've never seen anything behave like that. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-05	1983-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow northwest of Hastings in Mills County, IA on January 5, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Lincoln's Sparrow	Hastings	Wilson Farm, N.E. Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from adult Song Sparrow by buffy breast + fine breast streaks, from young one by eye ring + general face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-23	1980-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bay-breasted Warbler in Mills County, IA on September 23, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Bay-breasted Warbler	Mills County	Wilson Farm, NE Mills County, Iowa	General: edge of woods Specific: Oak dominant	The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll Warbler eliminated by tan sides + under tail coverts. (I couldn't see leg color). Pine Warbler - eliminated by back streaks, sides \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:15:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-02-19	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on February 19, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Smith's Longspur	Anderson Township	Wilson farm, NE Mills County, Iowa	flying over open fields near woods.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspurs should have white bellies rather than buffy ones. The voice makes me think it is an open - field bird + not a sparrow or something like that \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1979-09-08	1979-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on September 8, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Anderson Township	Wilson farm: T73-N, R-41W, Sec 26, NE Mills County, Ia.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: these are Rose-breasted Grosbeaks or Blackheaded Grosbeaks. Or hybrids. Unfortunately, the identification depends on things I do not know. Ruth Green informs me that some Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in early September are so orange on the breast one would think them Black-headeds. Are these young Rose-breasted? What about the call? Do Rose-breasted Grosbeaks make a lower-pitched call, more mellow than the distinctive high-pitched call that is the only one I know for them? If you know, please tell me. These were odd-looking grosbeaks but I can't really identify them. \| The original documentation form events occurred around 08:45:00 and in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk near Lake Mills and Rice Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-03	1978-06-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Hawk near Lake Mills and Rice Lake in Winnebago County, IA on June 3, 1978.	Dinsmore, James J.	Swainson's Hawk	Lake Mills Rice Lake	Winnebago County, 1 1/2 miles SE of Lake Mills (1 mile N of Rice Lake)	mixed oak savannah with farmland. Bird flew from area of oak woodlot out over farmland and circled over me	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: red tail-no belly band, no red on tail, shape seemed slimmer than most red-tails. roughleg-no white on rump, no tail bands. Broadwing and red-shoulder- too big and no tail bands. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1998-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Winterfeld Park in Sioux County, IA on December 2, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Surf Scoter	Winterfeld Boat and Fish Area	Winterfeld Park along the north side of Rock Valley in Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I rule out any possible confusions, as follows: - White-winged Scoter has white in the wing and lacks sharp contrast between crown and face - Black Scoter has rounded forehead and lacks pale head patches - Ruddy Duck is smaller, has differently shaped bill and dark line across cheek - Female Scaups have white in the wing, differently shaped white patch at base of bill, and little contrast between crown and face. \| The original documentation form event occurred for around 20 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Wolf Creek County Park, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-10-04	1993-10-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Wolf Creek County Park in Grundy County, IA on October 4, 1993.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pine Warbler	Wolf Creek Recreation Area	Wolf Creek Co. Park - (Grundy Co.)	Big Oak trees along a stream	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bay-breasteds are buffy underneath and not clear white and lack the yellowish wash on throat and upper breast. Blackpolls are lightly streaked across breast and belly and lack the yellowish wash on throat and upper breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:12:00/10:12:40.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk at Bronson, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-04	1984-05-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Hawk at Bronson in Woodbury County, IA on May 4, 1984.	Holloway, Jack A.	Swainson's Hawk	Bronson	Woodbury County, Bronson, Iowa	Open pastures and barefields	The documentation form by Jack A. Holloway III is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Harlan's: Harlan's has more white on the tail and on the underside of wing. Harlan's wings are not as long + does not have the distinct habit of flying with the wings at such a noticeable angle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-05-27	1976-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler near Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 27, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Hooded Warbler	Coralville Lake	wooded hillside n. of Co. Rd 'F', just w of highway 218	Specific: a wooded hillside, with mature oaks + shagbark hickories and a dense understory of 6'-10'- high shrubs, and forbs. General: above is part of a large tract of woodland that borders the n. shore of the Coralville Reservoir, separated from the resevoir [sic] by a road and a belt of second-growth woods. to the w. is an old farm, brushy grown-up pastures; to the n. is farmland.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Song, black 'hood' eliminate Kentucky, Canada Warblers - Canada has necklace of streaks, not solid black on throat; Kentucky has no black on throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Olive-sided Flycatcher at Woodland Mounds County Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Olive-sided Flycatcher at Woodland Mounds County Park in Warren County, IA on April 13, 1988.	Sinclair, Jim	Olive-sided Flycatcher	Woodland Mounds State Preserve	Woodland Mounds County Park, Warren Co.	Mature oak - hickory	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Only species possible would be the Eastern Phoebe - bird did not pump tail, did not have dark wings or dark head and was larger bodied than the Eastern Phoebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	63
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Woodland Mounds State Preserve, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Woodland Mounds State Preserve in Warren County, IA on May 9, 1991.	Sinclair, Jim	Pine Warbler	Woodland Mounds State Preserve	Woodland Mounds Preserve, Warren Co.	open woodland	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Unstreaked back eliminates Blackpoll and Bay-breasted Warblers. Behavior and bill configuration eliminates Yellow-throated Vireo \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Grosbeak at Saylorville Lake, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-22	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pine Grosbeak at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on December 22, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Oesterreich, Wolfgang	Pine Grosbeak	Saylorville Lake	woods at end of NW 100th St @ Big Creek Lake T81N R25W NE 1/4 sec. 21	She was perched at the top of a deciduous tree (locust?) in a small wooded area, dominated by deciduous trees. Some conifers were present. Kevin stated that when he first saw the bird it flew like a woodpecker (undulating) and landed in the tree.	The documentation form by Wolfgang Oesterrichis the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Kevin Healy. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration and size eliminated the other finches. Too large and wrong coloration for Goldfinches. Coloration, bill shape, size not like crossbills. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	13