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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie east of the Sergeant Floyd Memorial Bridge near Sioux City, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-29	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie east of the Sergeant Floyd Memorial Bridge near Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on December 29, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Probst, Jerry	Black-billed Magpie	Interchange 144A	East of Floyd Monument Bridge across Mo. River Woodbury Co		The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing with that profile larger + blacker than a blue jay. White color + tail eliminate crow \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Purple Finch at Iowa City, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-07-10	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Purple Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on July 10, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Spieker, Susan J.	Purple Finch	Iowa City	830 Hudson, Iowa City, Iowa	Back yard, with fruit trees, walnut trees, shrubs and bushes and garden.	The documentation form by Sue Spieker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female House Finch has more overall brown coloring and the streaks on breast and belly are wider and bolder. Also House Finch does not have the light area, eyebrow stripe, above and below eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Nevada, 1990	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-21	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Nevada in Story County, IA on May 21, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Abbott, Bill	Black-headed Grosbeak	Nevada	1031 H. Ave. Nevada, Iowa 50201		The documentation form by Bill Abbott is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The fact this bird was sighted on May 21 and 22 makes it very unlikely an immature Rose breasted grosbeak. The red patch shown on the shoulder of an immature grosbeak was not observed. The breast on the bird observed was not as spotted or steaked [sic] as shown on the female rose breasted grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:00:00 on May 21 and 07:00:00 on May 22.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Yellow Grosbeak near Elkhart, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-02	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow Grosbeak south of Elkhart in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Stephen Bailey to Tim Schantz, two notes from Tim Schantz to the Iowa Records Committee, e-mails between Jim Fuller, Paula Saba, John Saba, Chuck Williamson, and Paul DeBenedictis, an article in Bird Watcher's Digest, an article in Des Moines Register, a letter from Gary Rosenberg to Carl Bendorf, a letter from Kenn Kaufman to Carl Bendorf, a letter from Leo Galloway, Dave Eastrela, and Jack Hilsobeck to Dean Mosman, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Grosbeak	Elkhart	Backyard of Dean and Diane Mosman; Two and half miles southeast of Elkhart (Polk County Iowa)	Backyard and adjacent wooded ravine	The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms were submitted by Tim Schantz, Ken Lowder, Ann Johnson, Thomas Kent, Robert Cecil, Ross Silcock, Diane Porter, and Carl Bendorf. Other observers include Dick Tetrault, Jim Scheib, Dean Mosman, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Diane Mosman, Tom Schantz, Cecile Thompson, Dennis Thompson, and John Daniel. \| Elimination of similar species: Pine grosbeak is not lemon yellow in any plumage, and has a smaller bill with hooked upper mandible. Evening grosbeak has black wings and tail and light colored bill in all plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	1
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur east of Island View Park at Rathbun Lake, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-11-01	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur east of Island View Park at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on November 1, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Heusinkveld, Marjorie	Smith's Longspur	Island View Park	E. Island View, Rathbun Lake; Gravel rd. w. of Camp Hdqs.	Weedy ditch + field	The documentation form by Marjorie Heusinkveld is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspur - no black bib or chestnut collar. No distinctive wing bar on Lapland - this bird had good wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-04-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on April 28, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Babcock, Mary Cook	Lark Bunting	De Soto Lake	De Soto Bend NWR	Bare tree by a pond in flock of mixed swallows	The documentation form by Mary Cock Babcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller + different shape from red winged black bird. No yellow head as yellow headed black bird. Too small for mockingbird or shrike - also different color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-05-22	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Green-tailed Towhee at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA around May 22, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article and cover page from Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form with an attachment submitted to the committee.	Quinn, Christine A.	Green-tailed Towhee	West Des Moines	605-5th West Des Moines Iowa (residential city)	Open backyard wildlife habitat- under/around quince bushes	The documentation form by Christine A. Quinn is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Robert J. Naisbitt. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] This cap was quite noticeable & large (much larger than a catbird's cap). The bird seemed to be a little larger than a catbird (I have a pair nesting in my yard to [sic] I seem them a lot) and not as large as a robin. [...] He put me in mind very much of a catbird in size and contours. \| The original documentation form event lasted around "evenings and 1 morning" from around May 22 to the first week of June 1990.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Elk Rock State Park, 1991	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-07	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on May 7, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph with a report, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Western Tanager	Elk Rock State Park	South Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., Iowa	Soft deciduous and brushy area near water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Fuller was submitted. Other observers include Tim Schantz, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Dennis Thompson, and Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of red face and yellow body eliminated all other tanagers. Females of other species would not show red on the face, and young males going into first alternate plumage would not have the red coloration restricted to the head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/17:30:00 with bird seen three times for a total of 25-30 minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-11	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 11, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form with field notes submitted to the committee.	Garthright, William C.	Townsend's Warbler	Stone State Park	"Bunny Hill" Trail, behind Loess Lodge, in Stone State Park, Sioux City, Iowa	wooded ravines	The documentation form by Bill Garthright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-throated Green Warbler doesn't have black face and crown, or yellow breast. Blackburnian Warbler doesn't have black throat and chin or solid black crown; is more orange or orange-yellow rather than bright lemon yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Rock Wren at Red Oak, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-09-17	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Rock Wrens at Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on September 17, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Carlisle, David	Rock Wren	Red Oak	[...] my house in Red Oak, IA		The documentation form by Dave Carlisle is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] In my attempts to identify the birds, my first observations led me to believe they both were wrens; however, they were larger than the common house wren and lacked the definite light eye ring. [...] I took notice that the bird in hand lacked the definite eye stripe characteristic of the Bewick's, Carolina, and Marsh wrens. There were no white stripes on the back as in the Marsh Wren and it did not have the white outer tail feathers characteristic of Bewick's Wren. \| The original documentation form event occurred lasted from approximately 07:50:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	1
Rare bird documentation form for Stilt Sandpiper east of Ames, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-26	1993-06-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Stilt Sandpiper east of Ames in Story County, IA on June 26, 1993.	Dinsmore, James J.	Stilt Sandpiper	Ames	one mile east of Ames on 13th Street (by Holub Greenhouse)	flooded field	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Yellowlegs-bill shape, thickness, leg length, head markings. Solitary Sandpiper-eye line rather than eye ring \| The original documentation form event occurred twice around 10:00:00 and 18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25b
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-20	1993-06-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least five Great-tailed Grackles at MidAmerican Energy Ponds at Pottawattamie County, IA on June 20, 1993. There are details of another sighting of another Great-tailed Grackle near Osceola in Clark County, IA on June 26, 1993 on the documentation form.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	South IPL pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa (4+ males, 1 female); along Hwy. 2 in Nebraska City bridge area, Fremont County, Iowa (1 male)	[...] Observed in cattails at edge of IPL pond in Pottawattamie County [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Four Mile Lake, 1993	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-09	1993-06-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Grebes at Four Mile Lake in Emmet County, IA on June 9, 1993.	Ehresman, Bruce Flaherty, Molly	Red-necked Grebe	Four Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area	T99N, R34W, Sec 8 SE 1/4 at Four Mile Lake Restored Area. ~150 yds NW of NW corner of furthest east parking lot along County Rd. A22.	Restored wetland w/ emergent vegetation - surrounded by grassland	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman and Molly Flaherty is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Head similar to Western Grebe, but this grebe's neck is rusty red color. Body also smaller than western grebe, and bill not as long and pointed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Ida Grove, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-27	1993-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Ida Grove in Ida County, IA on May 27, 1993.	Ernzen, Peter	Hooded Warbler	Ida Grove	401 Taylor Ida Grove Iowa	In migration?	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wilson's Warbler female No gray around the black eye, Wilson's has a black tail and darker back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:13:00/20:13:15.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Black Rail at Zirbel Slough, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-02	1993-05-23	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Rail at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 2, 1993.	Nelson, Curtis	Black Rail	Zirbel Slough				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	40
Rare bird documentation form for Chuck-will's Widow at Ida Grove, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-17	1993-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Chuck-will's Widow at Ida Grove in Ida County, IA on May 17, 1993.	Ernzen, Peter	Chuck-will's-widow	Ida Grove	Ida Grove Iowa	In migration?	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None with this song. Whip Poor Will similar, but each song is distinctive and identifiable on its own. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00 - approximately 11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	57
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret west of Boone on the Des Moines River, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-09	1993-05-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret west of Boone on the Des Moines River in Boone County, IA on May 9, 1993.	Jackson, Maridel	Snowy Egret	Boone	Found on Route 30, west of Boone, SW side of Des Moines River	It was in a flooded, flood plain field	The documentation form by Maridel Jackson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Jane Clark. \| Elimination of similar species: I have seen lots of Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets (which were there also) and this bird was much smaller. A white phase Little Blue has a bluish bill and blue-greenish legs. A white phase Reddish is very unlikely but does not have a totally black bill. A Cattle Egret has a differ [sic] stance and I have seen lots of them also. \| The original documentation form event occurred approximately around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Lost Island Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-04-03	1993-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Lost Island Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on April 3, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Lost Island Lake	East of Lost Island Lake, Clay County [actually Palo Alto County], Iowa	farmland near glacial lakes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe, Bob Cecil, and Harold White. \| Elimination of similar species: This was the best view I have ever had at the underwing of Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk east of Osage, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-03-13	1993-03-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk east of Osage in Mitchell County, IA on March 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hartogh, Mary Jo	Ferruginous Hawk	Osage	9 mi. E of Osage along a gravel road-Mitchell Co.	Hayfield near a road	The documentation form by Mary Jo Hartogh is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Hartogh and Annjean Hartogh. \| Elimination of similar species: Compared it with a bald eagle and red-tailed hawk which does not have large reddish patches where the legs would be held in flight, nor the outline inside the wings in the same color. A red-tail might have one or the other white, but not both tail and head in my experience. Also the red-tail usually has a darker shade of brown on its middle belly, if it has color there. The rough-legged has a dark tail band which at that proximity should have been seen and its color is also a darker brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:25:00/08:26:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1992-12-20	1993-01-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Sowl, LeRoy W.	Surf Scoter	Davenport	I-280 Bridge, Davenport, IA	Miss. River	The documentation form by LeRoy W. Sowl is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Bryant and Dan Dorrance. \| Elimination of similar species: other scoters No white wing patch, front white facial patch had a vertical orientation and more bare bill was showing than on a white-wing. It did not have the facial pattern of a Black Scoter. Bill did not have the bump. Head not round like Black Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lock and Dam 15, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1993-01-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Timper, Edward	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lock and Dam 15	Opening lock wall, Lock and Dam #15, Rock Island Arsenal	River system, open water	The documentation form by Ed Timper is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Oberg. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring Billed Gull: This gull had no ring bill, was lighter built with distinctive black legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Marshalltown, 1992	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-19	1992-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Grosbeak at Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on December 19, 1992.	Grimes, Orville	Pine Grosbeak	Marshalltown	Southwest Marshalltown	wooded yard	The documentation form by Orville Grimes is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: there was no house finches or purple finches in the area. Female Cardinal on feeder at same time. Observed bird seemed a little larger than female Cardinal. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at the Mississippi River near Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at the Mississippi River near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Sandvick, Doris	Osprey	Davenport	Iowa side of Mississippi River from Rock Island IL.	River edge - in a cottonwood	The documentation form by Doris Sandvick is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Rogers. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk - this bird too large, back entirely dark brown, top of head white. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Bryant, Robert R.	Black Scoter	Davenport	Miss. River along S. Concord at corner Wapello Ave. Davenport, Scott Co.	Miss. River near outlet of sewage treatment plant.	The documentation form by Bob Bryant is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Dorrance and Leroy Sowl. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruddy Duck - smaller, wide bill, one was nearby for a while for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Lock 15, 1992	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Lock 15 near Rock Island, IL on December 20, 1992.	McIlwuain, Bob	Turkey Vulture	Lock and Dam 15	Lock 15 - Rock Island, IL (island, not city)	wooded island along Mississippi	The documentation form by Bob McIlwuain is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include two out of town birders, Brian Blevins, Lewis Blevins, and Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Black Vulture-head not pink. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26