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 form for Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-30	1982-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Blue Heron at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1982.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Little Blue Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Old Man Slough near Cone Marsh Louisa County Iowa	river bottom slough	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Egret is larger, has a yellow bill and black legs. Cattle Egret has thick yellow-orange bill, thick short neck and in breeding plumage on orange patch on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Eider at Jester Park, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-26	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Common Eider at Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 26, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Common Eider	Jester Park	off Jester Park boat ramp, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, IA	open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: ID based solely on head profile whichwas [sic] identical to the Red Rock bird studied at length earlier in the year. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:55:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	18
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	Council Bluffs	Off I-29 at south Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) with more rounded crown, characteristic call notes, much less likely to occur in Iowa. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) much smaller, different call notes, female lacks rich brown foreparts and superciliary stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rosy Finch at Oelwein, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-03-12	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Rosy Finch at Oelwein in Fayette County, IA on March 12, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in Iowa Bird Life, an article in Des Moines Register, a letter from Richard Wilkinson to Thomas H. Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Stone, Tom	Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch	Oelwein	Oelwein, IOWA	Feeds on feeder. Come to a Rocky Ravine like spot by house.	The documentation form by Tom Stone is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Nicholas Halmi was submitted later. Other observers include Russel Hays, Frank Moore, Joe Schaufenbuel, Tom Kent, Tom Shires, Peter Petersen, Bernie Knight, Robert Myers, and eight more birders from Cedar Rapids-Marion. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird doesn't have any black on back or breast like the Black Rosy Finch. This bird had gray on head to distuinguish [sic] it. From the Brown capped Rosy Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:28:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	12
Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Mill Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-12	1984-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Mill Creek State Park in O'Brien County, IA on May 12, 1984.	Huber, James E.	Snowy Egret	Mill Creek State Park	OBrien County, Mill Creek State Park 1 mile East of Paullina	Marsh	The documentation form by James E. Huber is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Egret, Cattle Egret \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on October 3, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Northern Goshawk	Oakland Cemetery	Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, Johnson Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wings proportionately longer and narrower than either Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawks', distinctly broad at secondaries, narrowing at primaries. Tail too long for any Buteo, proportionately shorter than other accipiters or N. Harrier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:25:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-23	1986-11-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at Oak Grove Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Bohemian Waxwing	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Oak Grove Recreation Area of the Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	sitting in dead tree along road	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cedar Waxwing eliminated by call, size, grayer coloration, and rusty undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park in Sioux County, IA on November 6, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Golden Eagle	Oak Grove State Park	Oak Grove Park area in western Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-04-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, a photocopy of a photo, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Oak Grove Beach, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: On the basis of the dark hood, size, and dark gray mantle, all gulls except for Laughing and Franklin's gulls can be removed from consideration. I will admit that I was skeptical that a Laughing Gull could show up in Iowa on such an early spring date; most interior records are from May-June. But, given the evidence, I am convinced that this bird was indeed a Laughing Gull. The size of this bird, nearly that of a ring-billed gull, favors Laughing Gull. The bill shape and size, length of the legs, wing pattern, and extent of the eye crescents also favor Laughing Gull. An adult Franklin's Gull can be eliminated by the lack of a white bar separating the gray inner wing from the black wingtip. One year-old Franklin's Gulls, however, may show a wing pattern like that of this bird. But, according to Kaufman (1990), such a Franklin's Gull should show some white flecks on the hood, and would be most likely encountered in late spring and summer. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:48:00/11:34:00 and 12:26:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-10-05	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 5, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Sabine's Gull	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Oak Grove Beach, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	sitting on and circling over the beach parking lot	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other gulls eliminated combination of wing pattern and slightly forked tail with black terminal band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:13:00/09:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Knot at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-08-05	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Red Knots at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 5, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, summary of the review, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Knot	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Oak Grove Beach, Saylorville Reservoir	sandy beach along lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore (later sighting) and Bob Myers were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Only two other sandpipers have reddish underparts-Curlew Sandpiper and Sanderling. Bill shape eliminates Curlew Sandpiper. The larger size, extent of reddish underparts, leg color, white rump, and wing stripe confined to the secondaries eliminates Sanderling. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:31:00/07:57:00 and 08:17:00/08:26:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Burrowing Owl south of Archer, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-13	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Burrowing Owl south of Archer in O'Brien County, IA on April 13, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Ronald	Burrowing Owl	Archer	O'Brien County, Ia. 1.75 South of Archer	Flat land	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: it's just a burrowing owl \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow at Nyatt Girls Scout Camp in Nebraska, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Field Sparrows at Nyatt Girls Scout Camp in Sarpy County, NE on December 19, 1981.	Graf, Marge	Field Sparrow	Camp Maha	Nyatt Girls Scout Camp	dike at lake with open water	The documentation form by Marge Graf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Diane Jones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Burrowing Owl at Union Township in Kossuth County, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-01	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Burrowing Owls at Union Township in Kossuth County, IA in May, June, and July, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Roberg, Craig C.	Burrowing Owl	Union Township	NW1/4 sec. 6 Union twp. Kossuth county	Alfalfa hay field - about 80 acres. Burrow on extreme west edge.	The documentation form by Craig Roberg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Bob Moats. \| The original documentation form events lasted approximate one hour in the morning on several occasions through May, June, and July, 1980.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at West Okoboji Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 18, 1993.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	NW side of West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa	Open lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: larger than nearby Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon northwest of Spencer, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-11-29	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Prairie Falcon northwest of Spencer in Clay County, IA on November 29, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Prairie Falcon	Spencer	NW of Spencer, Clay Co., IA	open farmland near little Sioux River	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature peregrine- lacked dark head and heavy moustache \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur near West Liberty, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-16	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an estimated fifty Smith's Longspurs near West Liberty in Muscatine County, IA on April 16, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Smith's Longspur	West Liberty	NW Muscatine Co. IA on Johnson Co. line 2 1/2 mi. s. of route #6 -- Wright's farm	short grassy field on high ground, corn stubble in adjacent field	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf was submitted. Another observer was James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Male with face pattern, yellow underparts, wing patch, and white outer tail feathers is diagnostic. Others were in variable plumage and variable well seen in the grass. Longspur type note was quite evident although I have not heard enough to be sure of separation of Smith's and Lapland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 06:20:00/06:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Green Castle, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Green Castle in Johnson County, IA on December 17, 1983.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Northern Goshawk	Green Castle (historical)	NW Johnson Co. (just SW of Greencastle Corner)	Open field with scattered small trees, brush)	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lanny Haldy, Dan Ray, Randy Graesser, and all of the Amanas. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk eliminated by large size and light(not rusty) underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-21	1981-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 21, 1981.	Zaletel, Hank	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	NW end of Big Creek State Park, Polk County	Lake edge overgrown pasture	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Robinson and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk eliminated because of size, this bird was much larger. \| The original documentation form event occurred for ten minutes between 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-28	1985-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	NW corner of Hendrickson Marsh, Story County	shallow mudflat area near grassy marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Told from other egrets and Little Blue Heron by slender black bill and black legs, and size. \| The original documentation form event lasted around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-12	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on May 12, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Whimbrel	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	NW corner of Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	drained area of marsh adjacent to a grassy field	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Paul Martsching was submitted later. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Mark Dixon. \| Elimination of similar species: Separated from Godwits and Willet by the long downward curved bill and the distinct head pattern. Separated from Ibis' by the strongly marked head and the mottled brown color of bird. Separated from Long-billed Curlew by much shorter bill and the strongly marked head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird near Croton, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-06-09	1979-08-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird near Croton in Lee County, IA on June 9, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	Western Kingbird	Croton	nr Croton, IA; Lee Co.	General: wire fence at edge of pasture. Specific: area of mixed woods, pasture, cropland	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent and James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: white outer tail feathers and lack of notch in tail eliminate other yellow-breasted kingbirds; heavy build and lack of rufous in tail eliminate myarchius flycatchers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from circa 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Loess Hills in northwest Plymouth County, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-24	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for three Black-billed Magpies at Loess Hills in northwest Plymouth County, IA on January 24, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Smith, Brian L.	Black-billed Magpie	Plymouth County	Northwest Plymouth County	Loess Hills (prairie)	The documentation form by Brian L. Smith is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mike Martin. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing similar w/ long tail + white wing patches.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur northwest of Larchwood, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Chestnut-collared Longspur northwest of Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on April 11, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Henrickson, Dennis	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Larchwood	northwest of Larchwood, Lyon County	Roadside (snow covered)	The documentation form by Dennis Henrickson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Male lapland lonspur [sic] has (1) much less ventral black (2) black streaks on the sides (3) black throat (4) tail mostly black \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43