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 Surf Scoter at Lizard Lake, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-10-05	1980-11-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Surf Scoters at Lizard Lake in Gilmore City in Pocahontas County, IA on October 5, 1980.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Surf Scoter	Lizard Lake	Lizard Lake Gilmore City, Iowa	open water	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Phalarope at Gilmore City Sewage Pond, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-09-20	1979-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Phalarope at Gilmore City Sewage Pond in Pocahontas County, IA on September 20, 1979.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Red-necked Phalarope	Gilmore City	Gilmore City Sewage Pond, Gilmore City, Iowa	Sewage lagoon edge of algae about 15 yards from shore	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	30
Rare bird documentation form for White-eyed Vireo at Sunken Grove, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-05	1981-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bid documentation form for a White-eyed Vireo at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on April 5, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	White-eyed Vireo	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove	General: deciduous woods Specific: large oak and secondary growth	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: all other species with a yellow spectacle are eliminated by the white iris and white breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	76
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Sunken Grove, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on May 18, 1980.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Hooded Warbler	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, IA	General: Marsh with a 15 acre mature deciduous forest Specific: A damp ravine with dense secondary growth of small tree and bushes. Forest floor primary new growth nettles and others 6" to 12" high.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Warbler sized - slightly larger than Common Yellowthroat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:15:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens, 1979	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-30	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Purple Sandpiper south of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on April 30, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting from Claudia Wilds to Mike Newlon, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Purple Sandpiper	Laurens	7 miles south of Laurens, Iowa	large farm mud puddle with corn stubble.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins forms the basis of this record. Another documentation forms by Dick Bierman was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Short bright yellow legs eliminates all similar species, except the Wander [sic] Tattler which has a barred belly \| The original documentation form event occurred from 09:00:00/19:00:00 at the times of 09:00:00, 13:00:00, and 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	5
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Pocahontas, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-07-03	1981-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-crowned Night Heron at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on July 3, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Yellow-Crowned Night Heron	Pocahontas	Pocahontas, Iowa	residential area of Pocahontas	The documentation form by Raymond L Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine and Larry Braby. \| Elimination of similar species: Although the bill shape, eye color, and long neck support the ID. The longer or at least less firsthand. Upper-legs and leg-feet external during flight are less subjective. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	23
Rare bird documentation form for Rough-legged Hawk at Pilot Creek County Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Rough-legged Hawk at Pilot Creek County Park in Pocahontas County, IA on June 13, 1982.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Rough-legged Hawk	Pilot Creek Wildlife Area	Pilot Creek Co. Park (Pocahontas Co.)	Rolling pasture next wooded creek. Pasture with 1' to 2' weeds with grazed areas.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed hawk immature. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	30
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Little Clear Lake, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Little Clear Lake in Pocahontas County, IA on March 22, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Glaucous Gull	Little Clear Lake Park	Little Clear Lake	aerial	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring Gull + Ivory \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Connecticut Warbler at Sunken Grove, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Connecticut Warblers at Sunken Grove in Pocahontas County, IA on May 18, 1980.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Connecticut Warbler	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, IA	Mature decidious [sic] forest with heavy ground cover but little secondary growth.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine and Judy Carlson. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning, MacGillivray's, and Nashville \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:45:15.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	39
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing north of Redfield and north-northeast of Lamoni, 1984 and 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1984-12-24	1985-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one or more Bohemian Waxwings north of Redfield in Dallas County, IA on December 24, 1984 and a Bohemian Waxwing north-northeast of Lamoni in Decatur County, IA on January 20, 1985.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Bohemian Waxwing	Lamoni Redfield	(1) Cedar Grove 1 1/2 mi N of Redfield, Iowa Dallas Co / (2) 4 mi NNE of Lamoni, Iowa Decatur Co.	(1) Dense Cedar Ravine (2) Large Cedar Grove around a farmstead.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Johnson for the sighting on January 20, 1985. \| Elimination of similar species: Cedar Waxwing smaller w/ yellowish wash to breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:30:00 for December 24, 1984 and 09:00:00/09:15:00 for January 20, 1985.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire north of Redfield, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire north of Redfield in Dallas County, IA on March 29, 1981.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Townsend's Solitaire	Redfield	1 1/2 mile north of Redfield, Iowa	General: a deep ravine with a small decidious [sic] bottom land lined with 200 yds of dense red cedar growth on both sides. Specific: small decidous [sic] tree in bottom	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Alan Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Catbird - to [sic] dark - lacks eye ring Blackbird - to [sic] dark - to [sic] chunky - eye ring to [sic] small Phoebe - breast to light - lacks eye ring Mockingbird - to [sic] large - has white wing bars - no eye ring - light breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lake Rathbun, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-06-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on June 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Laughing Gull	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Appanoose Co.	Lake and shore.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Of the medium sized Gulls only Ring-billed, Franklin's, and Mew Gulls have similar juvenile plumages. The direct size comparison, seen gull being smaller, bill shape and dark color, and lack of white in head eliminates Ring-billed Gull. Mew Gull is eliminated by long dark bill, Ring-billed like jist of bird in flight, and uniform overall color. The long down turned bill and the total improbability of a juvenile Franklin's being in southern Iowa on this date. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:19:00/10:30:30 on June 4, 1991 and 09:30:00/09:35:00 on June 5, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Black-backed Gull between Lock and Dam 15 and Lock and Dam 14, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-08	1992-02-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Greater Black-backed Gulls between Lock and Dam 15 and Lock and Dam 14 in Scott County, IA on February 8, 1992.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 14 Lock and Dam 15	Mississippi River between lock 15 & 14	I saw a total of four adult Greater Black-backed gulls between lock 15 & 14. Two were seen briefly and in rather poor light setting with Herring Gulls above lock 15. This was around 9AM and they flew off to the north. The fourth was just above the e. Moline bridge on the Iowa side at 12AM. The third was seen across the river from Campbells Island around 10AM. This bird I saw standing, spreading it's wings, and flying. It is the bird described below.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter C. Petersen and Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: The very large size eliminates the others possible Black-backed Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for Eared Grebe at Rathbun Dam, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Eared Grebes at Rathbun Dam in Appanoose County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Eared Grebe	Rathbun Dam	Rathbun Dam Appanoose Co.	Rocky shore face of dam	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Egeland, Deb Egeland, Marjorie Heusinkveld, Bill Heusinkveld, and Mark Hoffman. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. I was convinced it would be a Horned Grebe, but all the field marks including the suttle [sic] difference in size an [sic] shape supported Eared Grebe forcing me to change my mind. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	14
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Rathbun Dam, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black Scoters at Rathbun Dam in Appanoose County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Black Scoter	Rathbun Dam	Rathbun Dam Appanoose Co., Iowa	Open water	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul and Deb Egeland. \| Elimination of similar species: Whitewinged scoter by all black wings. Surf scoter by white solid cheek patch. Ruddy Duck by size and black belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Lake Rathbun Dam, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-01-02	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Lake Rathbun Dam in Appanoose County, IA on January 2, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Iceland Gull	Rathbun Dam	Lake Rathbun Dam Appanoose Co.	The Iceland Gull was sighted on the ice above the dam feeding on a dead Canada goose. It was very protective of the food source chasing Crows away.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Montgomery and Dot Cornett. \| Elimination of similar species: Thayer's Gull was eliminated because there was no dark in the primaries, no dark secondary band, and bill was not all dark. A first-winter Glaucous would have the coloration but there is no way this gulls bill or body size was big enough tobe [sic] a Gloucous [sic] Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Say's Phoebe at L & S quarry buildings in Appanoose County, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Say's Phoebe at L & S quarry buildings in Appanoose County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Say's Phoebe	L & W Quarries Inc	L & S quarry buildings, Appanoose Co.	Open country with and scattered groups of trees.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kay Malmberg, Katherine White, and Charles White. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	37
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Bay's Branch Wildlife Management Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-20	1989-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Bay's Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on December 20, 1988.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Merlin	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bay's Branch WMA, Guthrie Co.	grassy field bordered by pine and cedar shelder belts	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Hoogerheide. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel by tail pattern, heavy breast, and did hover during flight. Eurasian Kestrel female by tail was squared not wedged. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Rathbun Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-10-11	2000-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Rathbun Dam in Appanoose County, IA on October 11, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Pacific Loon	Rathbun Dam	Rathbun dam, Appanoose Co.	Openwater	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Common and Red-throated both have a dark nape than back and have white above the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
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 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
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Centerville City Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Centerville City Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on November 26, 1988.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Upper City Reservoir	Appanoose Co. Centerville City Reservoir	Fairly large open water	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size eliminates little gull, thick black nape everything else. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Lake Rathbun, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-11-04	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mew Gull at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on November 4, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Mew Gull	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Appanoose Co.	Sandy beach with about 50 other gulls including Ring-billed, Franklin's, Bonaparte's and the 1st winter Mew Gull. After about 20 min the bird departed to the north with about a dozen other gulls. Did not see them take off.	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See Ring-billed Gull comparicons [sic] above. [...] The size was slightly but noticeably smaller than all the Ring-billeds present. The head was more rounded in appearance than the ring-billeds. The bill was smaller in portion than the Ring-billeds, both shorter and thinner. [...] The tail was black, but not as black as side by side comparisons with the adult Ring-billeds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Reddish Egret at Colfax, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-05	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Reddish Egret at Colfax in Jasper County, IA on September 5, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Reddish Egret	Colfax	1 mi. west of Colfax IA. Jasper Co.	Flood water pool of the Skunk River	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tim Schantz, Peter C. Petersen, Ann Johnson, Gerald White, Ross Silcock, Thomas H. Kent, Pam Allen, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jim Scheib, Kelly McKay, Dan Dorrance, Jim Sinclair, Hank Zaletel, Reid Allen, Dick Tetrault, D. Thompson, D. and V. Hendrickson, Ella Moeller and Jean Moeller, Kenneth R. Nelson, Rita Goranson, Carolyn Fisher, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Blue Heron adult would have darker body and neck with no brown tones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Big Creek State Park, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-17	1998-06-09	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Gull at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Black-headed Gull	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek State Park Polk Co.	Open water	The documentation form by Ray Cummins forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Stephen J. Dinsmore and Jim Dinsmore were submitted. Other observers include Dennis Thompson and Susan B. Grove. \| Elimination of similar species: see above [...] The setting gull in direct comparison to the two Bonaparte's was lighter mantled, larger, whiter headed, the bill was longer and heavier, and the bill was reddish black not pure black like the Bonaparte's. In flight the gull had the same upper wing pattern as the Bonaparte's. [...] The underwing was not totally black like the Little Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21