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

Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding aerial photographs, June 12, 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-06-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore requesting aerial photographs of Rush Lake and Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area. The letter includes two bird sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Bernstein, Neil	Common Moorhen White-throated Sparrow	Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area Iowa Lakeside Laboratory				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Rare bird documentation form for Bell's Vireo east of Chautauqua Park in Fairfield in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-06-05	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Bell's Vireo east of Chautauqua Park in Fairfield in Jefferson County, IA on May 27, 28, and 30, 1988.	Porter, Diane C.	Bell's Vireo	Chautauqua Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	77
Rare bird documentation form for Bell's Vireo at Jefferson County Park in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-06-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Bell's Vireos at Jefferson County Park in Jefferson County, IA on May 29 and 30, 1988.	Porter, Diane C.	Bell's Vireo	Jefferson County Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	77
Neil Bernstein letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding personal papers, summer 1988	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-06-01	1988-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Neil Bernstein is interested in Jim's personal papers regarding photography measurement studies and species population wetland studies. The letter also includes bird sightings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1988.	Bernstein, Neil	American White Pelican Black-crowned Night Heron American Coot	Dan Green Slough Wildlife Management Area Jemmerson Slough Wildlife Management Area Rush Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	23	6
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest Trail, 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 Prairie Warbler at Yellow River State Forest Trail in Allamakee County, IA on May 28, 1988.	Moore, Francis L.	Prairie Warbler	Yellow River State Forest Trail	7 mi. trail (far side) starting from Fire Tower, Yellow River S.F., Allamakee Co. IA	Second growth deciduous trees near deeper woodland along old fence row.	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 bird has this type of song. No other warbler is yellow below with black streaks on sides, olive green above, yellow superciliary line and black cheek patch below eye with yellow center (See drawing) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:25:00/11:28:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
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 Solitary Sandpiper at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Solitary Sandpipers at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on May 24, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Solitary Sandpiper	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough Nat. W.R., Kossuth Co., Ia., south side of Titonka blacktop, East shore	Marsh	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: They did not have the yellow legs of the yellow legs. The eye ring is definately [sic] the mark of the solitary. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Dunbar Slough, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-22	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, IA on May 22, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fix, Andrew S.	Snowy Plover	Dunbar Slough	Southwest corner of Dunbar Slough		The documentation form by Andrew Fix is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore and Brian L. Blevins were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] 2) Semipalmated plover - completely banded; darker nape broken by band; dark mantle and wings; light legs; shorter bicolored bill 3) Wilson's plover - larger heavy bill; larger, heavy full band; larger size; no distinct auricular patch; pale legs 4) Killdeer - much larger size; two full bands; large, heavy bill; \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:45:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Lime Creek Nature Center near Mason City, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-22	1988-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Lime Creek Nature Center near Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 22, 1988.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Henslow's Sparrow	Lime Creek Nature Center	Lime Cr. Nature Center - in or near Mason City, IA (	field being restored to Prairie / although it had some 18" aspen or cottonwood trees	The documentation form by Rick Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barbara Wilson, Carol Thompson, Bob Cecil, John Cecil, Francis Moore, Jim Hanson, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and other unidentified observers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-21	1988-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 21, 1988.	Probst, Jerry	Surf Scoter	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh part of Clear Lake	Shallow lake	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Livermore and Wayne Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: Obviously a mature female Surf Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-21	1988-05-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 21 and 22, 1988.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Surf Scoter	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Mud Creek Park in Henry County, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-19	1988-06-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Mud Creek Park in Henry County, IA on May 19, 1998.	Allen, Pam	Prairie Warbler	Mud Creek County Recreation Area	Henry County; just west of entrance to Mud Creek Park.	Area of brushy, overgrown vegetation populated with young sapling trees about 15-20 feet high.	The documentation form by Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Pine Warbler would not have the unique facial pattern of the bird observed nor would it be as small. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
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 Greater Scaup at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-17	1988-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Greater Scaups at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 17, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Greater Scaup	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	with other ducks near muddy area at north end of lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andrew Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup eliminated above. The birds were bigger than nearby Blue-winged Teal, but smaller than a Mallard. Identified the bird as a Greater Scaup by the very large, almost spatulate bill, very wide bill nail, large size compared to a Mallard (the bird wasn't much smaller than the Mallard), rounded head (not peaked like a Lesser Scaup), and white wing stripe extending on to the primaries (seen when the bird preened). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren west of Argyle in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1988-05-15	1988-06-02	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren west of Argyle in Lee County, IA on May 15 and 19, 1988.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bewick's Wren	Argyle				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Larchwood, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-13	1988-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a House Finch at Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on May 13, 1988.	Harr, Douglas C.	House Finch	Larchwood	Larchwood, Iowa (Lyon County)	In trees of neighborhood lawns	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch--has no streaked breast; color more pinkish-red and extends over entire head and neck. I have previously observed House Finches in the Seattle, WA., area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:14:00/17:20:00 and occasionally throughout rest of evening.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake, 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 Vermilion Flycatcher at Rice Lake in Worth County, IA on May 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Anderson, Gerald	Vermilion Flycatcher	Rice Lake	Worth County North Shore Rice Lake	Edge of Timber and marsh	The documentation form by Gerald Anderson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Curt Rector. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Smaller than cardinal \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	38
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Townsend's Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-12	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Townsend's Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 12, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	White, Gerald	Townsend's Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	[...] At Wild Cat Den State Park in a small area of bottom land of deciduous woods on May 12, 1988 at 7:20 AM, for aproximatly [sic] 45 seconds.		The documentation form by Gerald White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] When the first look at the head I thought of a possible Blackburnian but when I saw the neck I knew I had a new bird for myself. The most striking features being the head and throat markings. [...] I then checked the rest of the birds listed and made the summation that I had seen the Townsend's. That evening when I returned from work I checked my Golden, Peterson, N.G.S. and Audubon Master Guide for their accounts of the Townsend's and similar species. I eliminated the following; Hermit Warbler - no cheek patch: Blackburnian - dosn't [sic] have a black throat: Black-throated Green - has solid back color and cheek patch not as bold, no black cap. Of the references mentioned, the N.G.S. has the most accurate illustration of the birds head but I can't verify that the bird I saw did or didn't have yellow under the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:20:00/07:20:45.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	18
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-10	1988-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on May 10, 1988.	Proescholdt, Beth	Pine Warbler	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove W.A., Marshall County	riverbottom deciduous woodland, tall trees	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo - see above [...] But I am sure it was a Pine Warbler rather than a Yellow-throated Vireo, especially because of its lack of spectacles. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-06	1988-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on May 6, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ross' Goose	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch W.M.A., Guthrie Co.	with other geese in goose pen area	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Jim Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose eliminated by the size, bill shape and size, and by the lack of a "grin" patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Bays Branch, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-06	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on May 6, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Plover	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch W.M.A., Guthrie Co.	feeding on mudflat area with other shorebirds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Bob Myers were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Francis Moore, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller size and relatively small bill eliminated Killdeer and Wilson's Plover. The pale appearance, dark legs and bill, markings on the head, and lack of a dark breastband [sic] eliminates Semipalmated [sic] Plover. The dark legs and bill, brown (now white) rump, and dark ear patch eliminates Piping Plover. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:34:00/13:52:00, 14:16:00/14:35:00 and 18:15:00/18:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on May 3, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-billed Cuckoo	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill P., Iowa City, Johnson Co, Ia	Wooded edge, heavy bushes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-billed - bill, lack of rufous, lack of tail spots. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	46
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail south of Emerson, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-29	1988-05-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail south of Emerson in Mills County, IA on April 29, 1988.	McGrew, David E.	Yellow Rail		3 miles South of Emerson, Mills County, Iowa	In foxtail stubble in government set aside acres. The grass had been clipped about knee high + the machinery passing through had smashed much of it, leaving rows of standing stubble, some leaning into it, + flat rows. Dave said the bird was hard to see in it. This was next to end rows planted to a sparse stand of alfalfa, halfway to Knee high.	The documentation form based upon notes and observations by Dave McGrew is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. The documentation form was written by Barb L. Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Upland Sandpiper (which he had seen in the same field same day), quail, partridge. I showed Dave rail pictures in Peterson's Eastern guide + the Audubon Master guide. He didn't think much of the yellow rail picture objecting particularly to the white feather edging on the back, + the dull color of legs + bill (which may vary seasonally). After looking through the book he felt rails were the best match, though the bill was a bit too acute but the tail matched. He felt some other species in the Yellow Rail/juvenile Sora area might be it. Except of course there is no other rail like that, at least here. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 19:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-29	1988-05-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 29, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Long-tailed Duck	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	swimming with coots and Bonaparte's Gulls on large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck has the white 'goggle', stubby bill, and dark underwings that this bird showed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:13:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14