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 Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-28	1985-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 28, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ross' Goose	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont Co, IA	Lake; Roosting Area for Snow Geese	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ione Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose -Bill Shape, Size & Color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Northern Gannet at Diamond Lake, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-07-09	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Northern Gannet at Diamond Lake in Poweshiek County, IA on July 9, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Webber, David	Northern Gannet	Diamond Lake	Diamond Lake Park (1/2 mile west of Montezuma, Ia.)	Lake, wetland	The documentation form by David Webber is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Caspian Tern - This tern does not have the black wingtips sharply contrasting to the white wings and is generally smaller in size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	10
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Merganser at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-04	1978-07-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Merganser at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 4, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Hooded Merganser	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Anderson Twp., Mills Co., Iowa	Lake, out near the middle, where there where tops of drowned weeds sticking out of the water.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Only mergansers have thin bills (of the ducks, that is). Only Hooded Mergansers have yellow bills or unpatterned heads. Shape and bill color eliminate the grebes. Size eliminates the loons. I really can't think of anything else it could be.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-02-28	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on February 28, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Obrecht, Josh	Barrow's Goldeneye	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend national WIldlife Refuge Missouri Valley, Iowa	Lake, Forest	The documentation form by Josh Obrecht is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Obrecht. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Goldeneye. I eliminated this species out because the bird I saw had only a little white on the speculum and a large yellow eye with a small pupil. The common Goldeneye has a lot of white on the speculum and a large pupil in the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on October 26, 1984.	Engebretsen, Bery	Western Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	Lake, at dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: too small, slender for Loon species. Head, bill neck, characteristic of this species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Gray's Lake, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-11-30	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Gray's Lake in Polk County, IA on November 30, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Grays Lake	Gray's Lake, Des Moines, Polk County, IA	Lake with some open water	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Mary Michelle Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Herring much more "contrasty", including dark secondary bar, dark tail band, very dark towards ends of primaries. This bird was smaller than 1st wither [sic] Herring, as well as paler brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Rush Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-06-29	1981-07-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Western Grebes at Rush Lake in Osceola County, IA on June 29, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Grebe	Rush Lake	Rush L., Osceola Co, IA	Lake with extensive marshy edge N. side of lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Douglas Harr. \| Elimination of similar species: None similar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-headed Gull at Crandalls Beach at Spirit Lake, 1998	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-headed Gull at Crandalls Beach at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Black-headed Gull	Crandalls Beach	Crandall's Beach on Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	lake shore		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-09-07	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull in Sandpiper Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 7, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Sabine's Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Saylorville - Sandpiper Beach	lake shore	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.\| Elimination of similar species: Kittiwake's in this plummage [sic] would have black collar, wing pattern different Franklin's, Laughing have much different wing pattern \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Rathbun Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black Scoters at Rathbun Lake in Appanoose County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Egeland, Paul	Black Scoter	Rathbun Lake	Rathbun Lake just off face of Rathbun Dam	Lake on Rock face of Dam	The documentation form by Paul A Egeland is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Deb Egeland and Ray Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Consulted "Birds of North America" after by Chander S. Robbins, etc. Field notes were taken. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black-legged Kittiwakes at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on December 12, 1987.	Engebretsen, Bery	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville	lake n. end of Saylorville, near 17 bridge	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonapartes - see above [...] larger than Bonaparte's it was with. Dark bill, dark spot, dark bar on nape of neck. More prominent on one bird, than the other. White on trailing edge of wing extended to secondaries, and dark on leading edge of wing more extensive than Bonaparte's. Dark bar on proximal wing more defined than imm. Bonaparte's. Dark trailing edge of tail. Sabines - imm. wing pattern distinctly different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff east of Tabor, 1982	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-09-08	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ruff east of Tabor in Fremont County, IA on September 8, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, articles in Iowa Bird Life and American Birds, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ruff	Tabor	4 miles east of Tabor, in Fremont County	Lake Mar-I-War, being a waste disposal pond at Mar-I-War Farms' hog operation.	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tanya Bray, Barbara L. Wilson, Thomas H. Kent, and Joe Schaufenbuel were submitted. Other observers include Lynn Schaufenbuel, Peter Petersen, and B.J. Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Yellowlegs, and Pectoral, Western, Least, and Semipalmated Sandpipers.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry in Ames, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-08	1999-05-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry in Ames in Story County, IA on May 8, 1999.	Overton, Michael D.	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Iowa, Story co., Ames, Hallett's Quarry	Lake in old quarry at edge of urban residential area	The documentation form by Michael D. Overton is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dixie Overton, Michael Freiberg, Kevin Healy, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-throated Loon by parallel sided bill, horizontal bill and head position, no white areas above or in front of the eye, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and sides of neck, lack of white spots on back. Arctic Loon by presence of "chinstrap", lack of white flank patches, realistic attitude. Common Loon by smaller size, smaller parallel sided bill, rounded crown, no white areas in front of or above eye, nape lighter than back, white auricular area, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and sides of neck. Yellow-billed Loon by smaller size, smaller parallel sided bill, rounded crown, no white areas in front of or above eye, white auricular area, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and side of neck.\| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-11-18	1996-01-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on November 18, 1995.	Huser, Bill F.	Glaucous Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Blackhawk Lake, Sac County, IA	lake ice/open water	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Probst, Bob Livermore, Pete Ernzen, and unidentified members of the Loess Hills Audubon Society. \| Elimination of similar species: Relatively few gulls have pale coloration in their immature plumages. Also, few have pale colored primaries. Those fitting this description: Iceland Gull- smaller than a Herring Gull, with a disproportionally [sic] smaller bill. 1st winter with an all dark bill. Thayer's Gull- usually darker colored over-all, with an [sic] smaller, all dark bill in immatures and usually some darker colored primaries. Glaucous-winged Gull- though having a large bill, it is all dark in 1st and 2nd winter plumages \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Cedar Lake, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-11-01	1991-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Cedar Lake in Linn County, IA on November 1, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Black-legged Kittiwake	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA	Lake formed by backwater of Cedar River	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown, Tim Schantz, and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: A first winter Bonaparte's Gull, the most likely gull to be confused with this bird, was eliminated by the presence of a distinct black collar, black outer primaries, and white trailing edge of the wings. Other gulls which show a distinct "M" in flight include Little - eliminated by gray richer than brown mantle, lack of cap, pure white secondaries, and size; Ross's - eliminated by presence of collar, shape of tail, and extensiveness of tail band; Sabine's - eliminated by combination of gray mantle with full tail band and black carpal bar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-21	1981-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 21, 1981.	Zaletel, Hank	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	NW end of Big Creek State Park, Polk County	Lake edge overgrown pasture	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Robinson and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk eliminated because of size, this bird was much larger. \| The original documentation form event occurred for ten minutes between 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-06	1990-05-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibis at Bays Branch in Gurthrie County, IA on May 6, 1990.	Proescholdt, Mark	White-faced Ibis	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch - (Guthrie County)	Lake area with mud flat edges	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol McMillan, Russ Widner, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis does not have a large, noticeable white strip completely about the base of the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Roberts Creek Beach at Lake Red Rock, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-05	1983-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Roberts Creek Beach at Lake Red Rock in Marion County, IA on March 5, 1983.	Armstrong, Eugene	Glaucous Gull	Roberts Creek Park	Roberts Creek beach, North side of Lake Red Rock	lake area sand beach	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson and Eloise Armstrong. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Lake Rathbun, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-06-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on June 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Laughing Gull	Rathbun Lake	Lake Rathbun Appanoose Co.	Lake and shore.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Of the medium sized Gulls only Ring-billed, Franklin's, and Mew Gulls have similar juvenile plumages. The direct size comparison, seen gull being smaller, bill shape and dark color, and lack of white in head eliminates Ring-billed Gull. Mew Gull is eliminated by long dark bill, Ring-billed like jist of bird in flight, and uniform overall color. The long down turned bill and the total improbability of a juvenile Franklin's being in southern Iowa on this date. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:19:00/10:30:30 on June 4, 1991 and 09:30:00/09:35:00 on June 5, 1991.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-24	1981-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 24, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co. Ia	Lake and marsh in Nishnabottna River bottoms. - Willow S.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Forney's Lake, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-20	1982-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cattle Egrets at Forney's Lake at Fremont County, IA on November 20, 1982.	Downs, Kraig	Cattle Egret	Forneys Lake	Forney's Lake	Lake and Marsh Area	The documentation form by Kraig Downs is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Great egret and snowy egret. The size and that there had been 125-150 Cattle Egret on Forney's earlier that season. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-11	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 11, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs	Lake -oxbow lake	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Differs from Lesser Scaup in head shape, size, size of bill. Differs from many Lessers in white flanks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/18:15:00 or more.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lake Manawa, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-19	1982-03-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 19, 1982.	Myers, Robert K.	Glaucous Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa - Pottawattamie County	Lake - near Missouri Riv.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Iceland Gull is possible but size (glaucous is bigger) and the complete white plumage of this glaucous eliminates the iceland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Blue Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Blue Lake in Monona County, IA on November 30, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Cinnamon Teal	Blue Lake	Blue Lake in Monona Co.	Lake - 99% ice covered	The documentation form by Peter Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Don't know of any. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:54:00/12:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Riverton Game Management Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-28	1985-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 28, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Greater Scaup	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont Co, IA	Lake	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ione Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup, Ringnecked Duck. ID as Greater Scaup but confirmed when birds flew and displayed very obvious white wingstripe extending to outer primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10