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 Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on June 11, 1993.	Proescholdt, Mark	Blue Grosbeak	Liscomb	North of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	Trees along a gravel road	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Bunting has a quite different song, is much smaller, and lacks the big bill and Chestnut wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:50:00/09:51:00 and 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Farragut, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Ross' Geese at Farragut in Fremont County, IA on February 26, 1982.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Ross' Goose	Farragut	North of Farragut, Fremont Co., Iowa	Flooded farmland	The documentation form by Ruth O. Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose- The Ross' Geese were surrounded on 3 sides by Snows, and the size was noticed. The stubby beaks were easily seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whooping Crane north of Essex, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-04-11	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Whooping Cranes north of Essex in Page County, IA on April 11, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail about the bird sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Edwards, Chris	Whooping Crane	Essex	North of Essex in northwestern Page County Iowa	Flooded agricultural field	The documentation form by Chris Edwards is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary Edwards. \| Elimination of similar species: Sandhill Cranes are smaller, gray, and lack a moustachial stripe and black primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-03-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County, IA on March 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Emmetsburg	North of Emmetsburg on blacktop N-40 in Palo Alto County	Along roadside- cultivated field, brushy tile nearby	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Linda Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird and Western Bluebird have rust on breast; this bird was all blue. Indigo Bunting- size is smaller and doesn't have white under the tail. Also a darker blue color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting north of Burlington, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-30	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 30, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Lark Bunting	Burlington	North of Burlington off Highway 99	Farm land--freshly plowed field, low hedge rows	The documentation form by Charles Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The Bird sighted on a dirt road feeding with a Vesper Sparrow--within 3 feet for comparison. The most conspicuous field mark were the large creamy white wing patches (Not bars). The bird was slightly larger than the Vesper Sparrow with heavy sparrow bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	North Marshall county, country gravel road (dead end) leading to timber and creek- corn fields and a wet shrubby area.	wet, marshy, weedy low spot by road in a corn field with three shrubby bushes	The documentation form by Ramona R. Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LE CONTES--too small, striped head Lincon's [sic] Sparrow--facial pattern not right--too little Henslow's--not right coloration in breast and side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:30:08.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at the north end of Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-08	1985-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at the north end of Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 8, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	Saylorville Lake	north end of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	migrating through the Des Moines River Valley	The documentation form by Stephen Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Other falcons by their lack of a large amount of black on head and face and by smaller size.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Red Phalarope at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Red Phalarope	Saylorville Lake	north end of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	swimming and wading in shallow water adjacent to large mudflat	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bery Engebretsen, Mark Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Andrew S. Fix, Jim Sinclair, James Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Ann Johnson, and Mike Thomas were submitted. Other observers includes David Youngblut and Larry Morris. \| Elimination of similar species: The posture, behavior, and black and white color pattern rule out all shorebirds except phalaropes. The size, "hunchbacked" appearance, bill shape, head pattern, and unstreaked, gray upperparts eliminates Red-necked and Wilson's phalaropes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:46:00/17:05:00 on September 30, 1988 and 14:12:00/16:05:00 on October 1, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	12
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Pammel Woods in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Hooded Warblers at Pammel Woods in Ames in Story County, IA on April 28, 1984.	Holloway, Jack A.	Hooded Warbler	Pammel Woods	North end of Pammel Woods; Ames, Story County, Iowa	Deciduous, many sapling + shrubbery; near stream	The documentation form by Jack A. Holloway is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No similars: Black encircling "hood' along with white in the outer tail feathers is quite distinctive. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Big Spirit Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-04-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on April 21, 1993.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Red-necked Grebe	Mini Wakan State Park	North end of Big Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co. Mini Wakan Park Boat Ramp	Open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lavonne Foote. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe - lacked white throat and had dark eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:25:00/19:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Big Creek State Park, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-15	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 15, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Black-headed Grosbeak	Big Creek State Park	North end Big Creek, end of 100 st north	Bushy hillside, county roadside	The documentation form by Eloise and Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rose-breasted - no rose on throat on underwings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:00:00/20:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at North Elk Rock State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at North Elk Rock State Park at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on October 9, 1981.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Merlin	Elk Rock State Park	North Elk Rock State Park - Red Rock Reservoir Marion County, Iowa	large scattered trees along a bluff near the lake front. Dead branches of a red oak.	The documentation form by Robert E. Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The American Kestrel is of a similar shape, but is smaller and usually has some reddish plumage on the back or tail. The Sharp-shinned Hawk is similar in size and color especially the immature. The long-pointed wings of the Merlin differ from the wings of the Sharp-shinned Hawk. The overall posture of the bird did not suggest an accipiter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-03-18	1984-03-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on March 18, 1984.	Thompson, Dennis	Northern Goshawk	Lake Red Rock	North edge of Red Rock Res. Marion County	Pinegrove of 4 or 5 acres on north side of Red Rock Res. Thick grove of pines 30-40 ft. tall.	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than Cooper's or Sharp-shinned. Silver-gray coloration eliminated buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:05:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Mark Sand Prairie, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-12-27	1980-12-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Grosbeak at Mark Sand Prairie in Black Hawk County, IA on December 27, 1980.	Moore, Francis L.	Pine Grosbeak	Cedar Hills Sand Prairie	North East edge of Mark Sand Prairie, Black Hawk County, IA	General: Sand Prairie with several clumps and rows of cedar trees Specific: Small double row of cedar trees about 25 feet long and about 10 feet high	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Milo Mecham. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Purple Finch is smaller and lacks white wing bars. I saw a male and female Purple Finch at the same location and they were quite a bit smaller than the Grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon east of McCallsburg, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-01	1986-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon east of McCallsburg in Story County, IA on October 1, 1986.	Proescholdt, Beth	Peregrine Falcon	McCallsburg	north central Story Co., east of McCallsburg	above field along #E18 road	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Pigeon, other hawks - at first sighting this bird looked like a pigeon - but at once we could see the large falcon shape & its strong rowing flight as it flew away, also its coloring & helmet \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at north central Hamilton County, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-24	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at north central Hamilton County, IA on May 24, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Whimbrel	Hamilton County	north central Hamilton Co. (U.S. 69 and D20), Iowa.	flooded area of plowed field (farmland)	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Long-billed Curlew is much larger, rustier, and lacks eye line and crown stripe. Eskimo Curlew is much smaller and thinner-billed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake MacBride, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-31	1982-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake MacBride in Johnson County, IA on March 31, 1982.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Greater Scaup	Lake MacBride	North arm of Lake McBride, Johnson County, IA.	Deep open water near boat docks. Favorite area for diving ducks.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup discussed above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park in Decatur County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Livingston, Jeffrey R.	Pileated Woodpecker	Nine Eagles State Park	Nine Eagles State Park (Decatur County)	Dense mature wood lands	The documentation form by Jeffrey R. Livingston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	62
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at New Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-07	1986-04-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on April 7, 1986.	Huser, Bill F.	Cinnamon Teal	New Lake	New Lake, Woodbury County, Iowa	small Mo. River oxbow with marshy borders	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Livermore, Wayne Livermore, LorRayne Livermore, and Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue-wing teal: direct comparison of above listed field marks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Horned Grebe at New Lake, 1987	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-27	1987-08-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Horned Grebe at New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on March 27, 1987.	Livermore, Bob	Horned Grebe	New Lake	New Lake, Woodbury County, Iowa	small Mo. River oxbow with marshy borders	The documentation form by Bob Livermore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Huser and Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: Eared Grebe: The tuft was starting on a line from the eye and above. Also since the bird was mostly in winter plummage [sic] it still had a very light neck down to water line. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Marsh Wren at New Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for three Marsh Wrens at New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on December 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Marsh Wren	New Lake	New Lake, Woodbury County, IA	Cattail marsh with open water	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Shawn Pfautsch. \| Elimination of similar species: Call note and appearance indicated a wren. White supercilliary eliminated House Wren and Winter Wren. Black cap eliminated those two plus Carolina and Bewick's Wren. The lack of crown streaking eliminated Sedge Wren. Habitat was a strong indicator of Marsh Wren and a detraction from all others except, perhaps, a Sedge Wren. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	2
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Scaup X Ring-necked Duck hybrid at New Lake, undated	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Scaup X Ring-necked Duck hybrid at New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on June 26 in unknown year.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Diving Ducks	New Lake	New Lake, Woodbury Co., IA	Ox bow lake surrounded by cattails.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: NA. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	9
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at New Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-07-17	1986-07-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on July 17, 1986.	Huser, Bill F.	Cinnamon Teal	New Lake	New Lake near Salix, Woodbury County, Iowa	small oxbow lake ringed with cattails	The documentation form by Bill F. Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: definitely a small surface feeder, eliminates all but teal. Cinnamon coloration + red eyes eliminate other teal. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:30:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Saylorville Lake, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-06-29	1987-06-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on June 29, 1987.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Lake	New Beach (sw of marina) Saylorville Lake Polk Co. Ia	Sandy beach	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull - bird had a completely different build. I had the advantage of a direct comparison with ring-billed. This bird was smaller, but still larger than a Franklin's. I would say it was half-way between a Ring-bill + Franklin's in size. White was almost non existent [sic] in the wing-tips, both at rest + in flight. The most obvious difference was the structure of the bird. As soon as I saw it, I knew it wasn't a Franklin's. The long neck, size, long legs, long bill, + pot-bellied look caught my eye immediately. I guess another way to describe it was upright-looking. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-06-29	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Laughing Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on June 29, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	New Beach (sw of marina) Saylorville Lake Polk Co Ia	Sandy beach.	The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's gull - bird had a completely different build. I had the advantage of a direct comparison with ring-billed. This bird was smaller, but still larger than a Franklin's. I would say it was half-way between a Ring-bill + Franklin's in size. White was almost non existent in the wingtips, both at rest + in flight. The most obvious difference was the structure of the bird. As soon as I saw it, I knew it wasn't a Franklin's. The long neck, size, long legs, long bill, + "pot-bellied" look caught my eye immediately. I guess another way to describe it was upright-looking. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18