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 Merlin at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-05-03	1987-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on May 3, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Merlin	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove Co. Park - (Marshall Co.)	Riverbottom Woods with open areas	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharpshinned Hawk has accipiter shape and a longer tail look. A Kestrel is smaller and has a very definite mustached face pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/17:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-22	1984-10-07	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on September 22, 1984.	Proescholdt, Mark	Merlin	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-22	1984-10-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on September 22, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Merlin	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, n. Marshall County	river bottom woods, along Iowa River	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: Kestrel or Sharp-shinned Hawk - falcon shape, not accipiter - + this bird had dark brown not rufous back + tail of a Kestrel, + it had banded tail + streaked undersides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at ISU golf course, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-04	1984-09-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at ISU golf course in Ames in Story County, IA on September 4, 1984.	Munson, Erik	Merlin	Veenker Memorial Golf Course	ISU golf course, Ames, Story Co., Iowa	wooded edge - a 100 yd wide wooded ravine with a golf fareway 50 yds wide alongside it.	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine falcon by size. Immature sharp-shin by pointed wings and falcon shape. Prairie falcon by size, habitat, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:57:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Jefferson Township, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-15	1983-03-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Jefferson Township in Madison County, IA on March 15, 1983.	Armstrong, Eugene	Merlin	Jefferson Township	Iowa, Madison County, Jefferson 11	Grass, cropland, waste land, tree covered creek. Tree top, cottonwood along small ditch	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel, this bird larger, no face pattern, no red on any part of back not large enough for Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Larson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-02	1984-09-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Larson Marsh in Ames in Story County, IA on September 2, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Larson Marsh	Larson Marsh, east of Ames, Story County, Iowa	marsh in midst of corn & soybean fields.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow hawk - kestral [sic]; smaller, & has rust on tail or back; has bold face pattern. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:00:00/17:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Luther Bridge in Boone County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-23	1984-09-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Luther Bridge over the Des Moines River in Boone County, IA on September 23, 1984.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Merlin	Boone County	3/4 mile N. of Luther Bridge along Des Moines River, Boone Co.	migrating down large river valley	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Kestrel eliminated by rusty color on back and tail, lack of strong barring on tail and overall lighter colored appearance. Other falcons eliminated by larger size and lack of strongly barred tail. Accipiters sp. eliminated by lack of pointed wings, lack of strongly barred tail, and except for Sharp-shinned Hawk larger size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:35:00/14:37:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
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 Merlin at North Liberty, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at North Liberty in Johnson County, IA on October 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	North Liberty	1 mi. n. of North Liberty, Johnson Co., IA	farm land	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No color or face mark of Kestrel. Pointed wings and flight exclude Sharp-shinned Hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Ocheyedan Township, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Ocheyedan Township in Osceloa County, IA on March 17, 1981.	Harr, Douglas C.	Merlin	Ocheyedan Township	Sec. 6, Ocheyedan Township, Osceola Co., Iowa	Open prairie farmlands on edge of glacial escarpment near Ocheyedan River. 3 acre erosion control pond surrounded by grass, with some nearby shrub plantings and a few old Box elders and ash trees.	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine - not enough bold pattern and smaller than peregrine. Prairie Falcon - bird sighted was too small. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:43:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverside Township in Fremont County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-03-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverside Township in Fremont County, IA on March 19, 1978.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Riverside Township	Riverside Twp Fremont Co, Iowa	Nishnabotna River Bottom, Corn stubble fields (frozen)	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Accipiters- Wings were pointed, not rounded, and bird did not sail, but flew with rapid, continuous strokes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:30:10.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverton Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-27	1988-12-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on December 27, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Merlin	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton A., Fremont Co., IA	flying over large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, lack of any obvious facial pattern, and lack of dark axillars eliminates Peregrine and Prairie Falcons. The brown upperparts, barred tail, streaked underparts, and more powerful wingstrokes eliminate Am. Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred at approximately 08:15:00/08:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 21, 1985.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Boat ramp area; Riverton GMA.	Floodplain, open deciduous	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barb Wilson. It was compiled by Betty Walters. \| Elimination of similar species: small, bigger than Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Rock Valley Wildlife Area, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-09-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Rock Valley Wildlife Area in Sioux County, IA on September 21, 1994.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Rock Wildlife Area	Rock Valley Wildlife Area		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I had seen Sharp-shinned Hawks in this area a week before, but the pointed wings made me recognize at once I was looking at a falcon. [...] no Kestrel-like head markings. \| The original documentation form event lasted around twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Rolling Cove Area, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Rolling Cove Area at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on October 15, 1983.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Merlin	Rolling Cove Park	Rolling Cove Area Rathbun Lake Appanoose Co., Iowa	Lakeside - Brushy ravine - open brush with some conifers mixed in.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wallace Jardine. \| Elimination of similar species: Small, only slightly larger than a Sparrow Hawk. True falcon in f[l]ight point wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 10, unknown year	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Sand Point				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-23	1984-09-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on September 23, 1984.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Sand Point, Hawkeye WA, Johnson Co.	Sandy pt & many small dead willows, extending out into Reservoir	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, face pattern, lack of dark in auxiliaries diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:45:00 and twice later.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-18	1988-12-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on December 18, 1988.	Armstrong, Eloise	Merlin	Saylorville Lake	1 mile east of long bridge at Saylorville Lake	Farm grove and open farm field	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: No face pattern like a Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-27	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 27, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir - Polk Co., Iowa (at the dam)		The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - this bird had no rust or rufous on back, wings, or tail; or blue in wings like a male Kestrel. And did not have strong face pattern of Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the AM.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 20, 1984.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Merlin	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	flying through trees right along edge of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eric Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Kestrel was eliminated because of the lack of a rusty back, rusty tail and the unbarred undertail. Peregrine and Prairie Falcons eliminated by larger size and lack of strongly barred tail. Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks eliminated by the longer tails, lack of strong barring underneath tail, and by the broader, non-painted wings. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on January 1, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	farmyard just a little bit east of our home in Sioux Center		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tina Van Dyke and Wendy Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: I saw at once that the bird was not a Kestrel but a Merlin. The bird was about the size of a Kestrel, but lacked the bold facial markings, exhibited no rufous on back or tail, showed vertically streaked underparts, and its tail was barred. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon with two sightings with one for an unknown length of time and the other for three to four minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on March 27, 1987.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	Sioux Center (Sioux Co).		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There were many migrating Kestrels in the area, but I recognized this bird at once as a Merlin because of its distinctively striped breast (it was facing the road) [...] Size about of a Kestrel, but no distinctive Kestrel-like head markings and no rufous on back and tail. [...] I rule out Kestrel on basis already indicated above, as well as Sharp-shinned Hawk, since this bird had pointed wings and the breast striping was lengthwise on light background, rather than crosswise on reddish or rusty background.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-03	1989-10-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on October 3, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	top of a dead tree in a neighbor's yard.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his wife Susan Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was about the size of a Kestrel, but lacked the bold facial markings. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for more than twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at southwest Chickasaw County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-06-03	1990-06-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at southwest Chickasaw County, IA on June 3, 1990.	Cecil, Robert I.	Merlin	Chickasaw County	S.W. Chickasaw County	Fence row in row-cropped ag. land	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other small falcon has uniform dark brown back and upper wing surface. It was much too small to be a female Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:45:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Spring Township in Cherokee County, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Spring Township in Cherokee County, IA on October 3, 1980.		Merlin	Spring Township	T93N R39 W Section 23, Spring Township, Cherokee Co. Iowa	Open farm land. Much timber and pasture one mile away.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel, Peregrin Falcon, Broadwinged Hawk, Coopers and Sharpshinned Hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32