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 Greater Scaup at New Albin, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on April 14, 1979.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Scaup	New Albin	New Albin, Allamakee County, Iowa		The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Not the light gray color of the Lesser Scaups. The female Greater Scaup was much like the males in shape and size, but differed from the Lesser Scaup female in plumage slightly. The three Greater Scaups kept to themselves, surrounded by at least 75 other waterfowl, including the Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Redhead and Ruddy Ducks. The Greater Scaup dived infrequently, much less than the Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Toolsboro, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-12-31	1983-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Turkey Vultures at Toolsboro in Louisa County, IA on December 31, 1982.	Wiederrecht, Ed	Turkey Vulture	Toolesboro	near Toolsboro [sic], IA	Bottomland forest	The documentation form by Ed Wiederrecht is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Mast. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteo hawks (dark phases) - dark brown plumage, not black, head not small or reddish, no V to wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at MacLean Hall at University of Iowa, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-02-01	1976-02-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at MacLean Hall at University of Iowa in Johnson County, IA on February 1, 1976.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Bohemian Waxwing	MacLean Hall	near the southwest corner of the Physics Building on the University of Iowa Campus.		The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Its large size and large crest made the bird stand out. \| The original documentation form event lasted around three minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull near Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-20	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull near Jester Park at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 20, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Sabine's Gull	Jester Park	near the Jester Park area of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	resting on large mud bar on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Myers was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, grayish upperparts, and striking wing pattern eliminate all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:05:00/17:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-27	1984-10-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Surf Scoters at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 27, 1984.	Dixon, Mark D.	Surf Scoter	Saylorville Lake	near the dam at Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	Large reservoir, seen near rock dam	The documentation form by Mark D. Dixon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinguished from Black Scoter female or immature by two distinct white face spots. Distinguished from White-winged Scoter primarily by lack of white in secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-03-03	1991-03-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on March 3, 1991.	Schmitz, Dick	Long-tailed Duck	Lake Red Rock	Near Southern shore of Red rock Res. 1/4 mile E. of Hwy 14 Bridge over the Reservoir.	Open water 50m from shore	The documentation form by Dick Schmitz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Donna Schmitz. \| Elimination of similar species: Very distinctive field marks - no need to eliminate among species. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Pine Grosbeak at Holstein, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-11-05	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pine Grosbeak at Holstein in Ida County, IA on November 5, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a letter from Curtis Rector to Tom Kent with Pete Ernzen and James Dinsmore copied.	Rector, Curtis L.	Pine Grosbeak	Holstein	near Somerset Apartments in Holstein, Iowa		A letter from Curtis L. Rector to Tom Kent forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:16:00 on November 5, 1997, and 14:10:00/14:15:00, 15:45:00, and 16:15:00/16:25:00 on November 6, 1997 .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Black-backed Gull near the Keokuk Wastewater Treatment Plant, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-25	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed near the Keokuk Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lee County, IA on December 25, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Great Black-backed Gull	Keokuk Wastewater Plant	Near Sewage treatment plant, Mississippi River, Keokuk, Lee Co. IA	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: All other gulls eliminated based upon size alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 and around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Keokuk Wasterwater Plant, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-25	1993-12-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Keokuk Wastewater Plant in Lee County, IA on December 25, 1993.	Cecil, Robert I.	Great Black-backed Gull	Keokuk Wastewater Plant	Near Sewage treatment plant, Mississippi River, Keokuk, Lee Co. IA	River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: All other gulls eliminated based upon size alone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 and 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Coralville Reservoir, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-10-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three White-winged Scoters at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 22, 1977.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	White-winged Scoter	Coralville Lake	Near sandy beach area of Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co.	deep area of reservoir - water level fairly high	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas H. Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Other scoters eliminated by white on speculum; no other duck is usually black all over; many coots nearby - white bill obvious, also trailing edge of white on flapping wings and small size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:40:00 and 15:20:00-15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Sabula, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Sabula in Jackson County, IA on May 15, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Lee G.	Western Tanager	Sabula	near Sabula, Iowa along Mississippi River		The documentation form by Lee G. Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There is no other bird that this bird could be confused with. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:20:00/07:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-06	1994-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 6, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a request of the reconsideration of sight records, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Pacific Loon	Saylorville Lake	Near Rock rip-rap off shore from Cherry Glen, Saylorville Res., Polk Co. Open water near cove.	Open water near cove	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-throated and Common Loon does not have tri-toned neck pattern as this bird had. Red-throated also has slightly upturned bill, this bird did not. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:05:00	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-05-17	1987-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 17, 1987.	Schulein, Thomas M., 1945-	Summer Tanager	Hickory Hill Park	Near post #6 in the south canyon of Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City.	Somewhat open area near trail adjacent to deep woods	The documentation form by Thomas M. Schulein is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Scarlet Tanager has black wings and tail. Female Northern Cardinal has a crest, black around the mouth, a reddish bill and a proportionately longer tail. Female Pine Grosbeak has a dark bill, wing bars, and a dark tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush near Moingona, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-02-09	1980-02-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush near Moingona in Boone County, IA on February 9, 1980.	Zaletel, Hank	Hermit Thrush	Moingona	near Moingona, Boone County	General: near a stream partially free of ice Specific: in a small tree at the most 15 feet tall that had climbing vines around the tree	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Zaletel, Linda Erickson, and Carol Sweeney. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird near Mason City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Brewer's Blackbirds near Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	near Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Comparison made to Comm. Grackle above. Unlikely habitat and date for Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolingus). \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpolls at Maffit Reservoir, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-01-08	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for at least two Hoary Redpolls at Maffit Reservoir in Polk County, IA on January 8, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, three articles in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Burns, Sue Burns, Stuart L.	Hoary Redpoll	Dale Maffitt Reservoir	Near Maffit Reservoir, Des Moines	birds were feeding in a weed field, staying fairly stationary.	The documentation form by Stuart and Sue Burns is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Obviously, the only other species it could have been would be the Common Redpoll. Its only certain distinguishing characteristic (noted by us) was the white rump. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Coralville Dam, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-12-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Coralville Dam in Johnson County, IA on December 15, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Coralville Dam	near Iowa River Below Coralville Res Dam N. of Iowa City Ia [sic]	General: residential - edge of woods along river Specific: as above	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Terry Cox and Mary Noble. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden-crowned Kinglet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:35:00/07:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire near Highlandville, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire near Highlandville in Winneshiek County, IA on January 15, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Townsend's Solitaire	Highlandville	Near Highlandville (Ten miles N.E. of Decorah) along Upper Iowa River.	General: A river bluff with a Southern exposure, covered by Prairie grass; Junipers. Specific: scattered Junipers (1 to 4 meters tall) on dry, rocky slope.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Dietzenbach, Mark Dietzenbach, and Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Mockingbird: Had no large patches of white, eye color was dark not yellow. Shrike species: Had no mask or other dark facial pattern, bill different. Grey Catbird: Had white in tail and eye ring. Shape differed also. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Green Valley State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-04	1980-06-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Green Valley State Park in Union County, IA on April 4, 1980.	Stone, Tom, Jr.	Northern Goshawk	Green Valley State Park	Near Green Valley State Park	open lake surrounded by open fields with scattered cedar trees and other deciduous trees.	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Cooper's Hawk is smaller and does not have a very clear conspicuous white stripe through the eye. I haven't seen any female Cooper's Hawk as large as the bird my dad and I saw. It was at least the size of a large Marsh Hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:15:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Saw-whet Owl at Yellow River State Forest, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-28	1988-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Saw-whet Owl at Yellow River State Forest in Allamakee County, IA on May 28, 1988.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Saw-whet Owl	Yellow River State Forest	Near Fire tower in Yellow River State Forest, Allamakee Co., IA	Fairly mature deciduous and coniferous woodland	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other owl that I know of sounds like this. No other animal or bird sounds like this bird either, that I know of. After writing this description I listened to recording and it sounded very similar to this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	55
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near East Amana, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Photography of birds Rare birds	1981-04-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher near East Amana in Iowa County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	East Amana	near E. Amana, Iowa County, Iowa	General: Pasture with trees and small shrubs. Specific: 1 mi. E. 1 1/2 mi N. 1/8 mi E of East Amana	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Thomas Shires, Rick Hollis, and two couples from Amana. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:40:00/15:00:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Curlew Sandpiper at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Curlew Sandpiper at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on May 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Curlew Sandpiper	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	near DuPont Bridge, Hawkeye Wildlife Area, Johnson Co, IA	old backwater in reservoir flood plain, muddy edge	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Francis L. Moore, Peter C. Petersen, Jim Fuller, and Carl Bendorf were submitted. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Walter Zuurdeeg, and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: No other species has similar features. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	7
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren near the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren near the Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 18, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Bewick's Wren	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Near Croton Unit - Shimek State Forest	Residence & Barnyard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil and Charles Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: House Wren - Tail + back darker + white breast + eye line. Side-to-side tail movement. Song not like House Wren. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail near Cone Marsh, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-05-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail near Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 7, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	near Cone Marsh; Louisa County	Tall grass field - upland	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora + Virginia - Darker, larger, + no white wing patch-trailing edge. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 06:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow near Colo, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-07	1985-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow near Colo in Story County, IA on March 7, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Vesper Sparrow	Colo	near Colo (along old hi way 30) Story County, Iowa	pasture or weedy fields on either side of road.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: meadowlark is fat with short wide tail; Junco doesn't have stripes on back; Tree sparrow has narrow white edges on tail, but also has rusty cap; Smith's Longpsur has similar tail pattern, but tail is shorter, back markings finer, doesn't have rusty patch on wing; Water Pipit doesn't have streaked back. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52