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 Bald Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Bald Eagles at Babcock Access Rd. at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 30, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Bald Eagle	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir from Babcock Access Rd., Johnson Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill Pinkston and Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Adult unmistakeable. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) the only other raptor of comparable size, immature with white restricted to base of primaries and base of tail, not usually expected in aquatic habitats. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	21
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 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 Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-18	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on September 18, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel doesn't have a gray barred tail. Uniform grayish grown upper parts would resemble Merlin, not Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/17:45:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-13	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, IA on September 13, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills County		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: When it was parachuting, the bird farmed its wings enough it resembled an accipiter, but when it flew the wings were obviously pointed, + the bird's rowing wingbeats were like a falcon's. Size limits the question to: Kestrel or Merlin? The tail banding + uniformly gray upper parts (the latter seen only briefly) make it a Merlin. I've never seen anything behave like that. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at IA 17 bridge over the Des Moines River, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-20	1999-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at IA 17 bridge over the Des Moines River in Polk County, IA on December 20, 1998.	Healy, Kevin	Golden Eagle	High Bridge	e. side of the Des Moines River about 1/2 mile n. of the IA 17 bridge.		The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karl Jungbluth. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was soaring above the river in the vicinity of two adult Bald Eagles. We saw a large dark buteo similar in size to the Bald Eagles. Head projected less than 1/2 the length of the tail, noticeably less than that of the adult Bald Eagles in view at that time. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/12:53:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park in Sioux County, IA on November 6, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Golden Eagle	Oak Grove State Park	Oak Grove Park area in western Sioux County		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle in Decatur County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-25	1990-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle in Decatur County, IA on November 25, 1990.	Schlarbaum, Pat	Golden Eagle	Decatur County	Decatur County, Iowa ... at my parent's farm ... T69N R24W Sec. 17		The documentation form by Pat Schlarbaum is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kathy Schlarbaum, Dale Schlarbaum, and Mildred Schlarbaum. \| Elimination of similar species: Considering the flat flight plane, size of bird, the white tail band, the white on the wings' undersides, we were convinced the bird was an immature golden eagle. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-23	1984-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on November 23, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Golden Eagle	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Mills County, Iowa, near Willow Slough		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Young Bald Eagles are similar but usually mottled with light feathers. They have white on the under wing coverts, not the bases of the flight feathers, & they do not have the neat tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-28	1980-10-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park in Pocahontas County, IA on September 28, 1980.	Harms, Ronald	Golden Eagle	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove State Park, Pocahontas Co.		The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Harms and Don Winkler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Rough-legged Hawk at Pool Slough, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Rough-legged Hawk at Pool Slough north of New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on May 8, 1999.	Lesher, Fred	Rough-legged Hawk	Pool Slough	Pool Slough north of Army Road, New Albin, Iowa.		The documentation form by Fred Lesher is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	30
Rare bird documentation form for Red-tailed Hawk near Fraser, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-tailed Hawk on the Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River east of Fraser in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Healy, Kevin	Red-tailed Hawk	Fraser	Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River about 1 mile east of Fraser IA.		The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rosanne Healy, Amy Yoakum, and Molly Havlik. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	29
Rare bird documentation form for Broad-winged Hawk at Grammer Grove, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Broad-winged Hawk at Grammer Grove in Marshall County, IA on October 21, 1995.	Proescholdt, Beth	Broad-winged Hawk	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove		The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Mark Proescholdt, and Rick Trieff. \| Elimination of similar species: When we saw a barred tail at first we thought 'Red-shouldered', but realized it was a Broadwing tail, with the wider, darker subterminal hand of an adult - distinctly different from the Red-shouldered's even-width dark bands + more narrow white bands. \| The original documentation form event lasted for four and a half hours.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	27
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on October 3, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Northern Goshawk	Oakland Cemetery	Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, Johnson Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wings proportionately longer and narrower than either Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawks', distinctly broad at secondaries, narrowing at primaries. Tail too long for any Buteo, proportionately shorter than other accipiters or N. Harrier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:25:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hastings, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-26	1983-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at the John Wilson farm in Hastings in Mills County, IA on November 26, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Northern Goshawk	Hastings	John Wilson farm, NE Mills County, Ia.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tail too long + flight too quick + direct for a Red-tail. Wings rounded - not a falcon. Young accipiter (+ many buteos) would be streaked below. Adult accipiters of other kinds would be barred below, but reddish or brown, not gravy. Marsh Hawk would fly with a more leisurely pace + have longer wings. As I saw it, identifications went clicking through my brains one after another. Red tail? No.. Marsh Hawk! - No ... Coopers Hawk! Yes - no - its gray! I certainly did not expect a Goshawk.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek Lake, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on January 15, 1983.	Bray, Tanya Rose, B.J. Bray, Don Rose, Sharon	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Lake, Polk County		The documentation form by Tanya Bray, Don Bray, B.J. Rose, and Sharon Rose is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Harrier at Brenton Slough, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Harrier at Brenton Slough in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1988.	Sinclair, Jim	Northern Harrier	Brenton Slough	Brenton Slough		The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: First impression was of a first year ring-bill gull! \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	22
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-07-25	1996-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Ledges State park in Boone County, IA on July 25, 1996.	Allen, Pam	Mississippi Kite	Ledges State Park	Boone Co., Ledges State Park		The documentation form by Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen, Eloise Armstrong, and Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed Kite has a white tail and black shoulder patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing north of Redfield and north-northeast of Lamoni, 1984 and 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1984-12-24	1985-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one or more Bohemian Waxwings north of Redfield in Dallas County, IA on December 24, 1984 and a Bohemian Waxwing north-northeast of Lamoni in Decatur County, IA on January 20, 1985.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Bohemian Waxwing	Lamoni Redfield	(1) Cedar Grove 1 1/2 mi N of Redfield, Iowa Dallas Co / (2) 4 mi NNE of Lamoni, Iowa Decatur Co.	(1) Dense Cedar Ravine (2) Large Cedar Grove around a farmstead.	The documentation form by Raymond Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Johnson for the sighting on January 20, 1985. \| Elimination of similar species: Cedar Waxwing smaller w/ yellowish wash to breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:30:00 for December 24, 1984 and 09:00:00/09:15:00 for January 20, 1985.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Chestnut-collared Longspur at Lake Manawa State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least four Chestnut-collared Longspurs at Lake Manawa State Park in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 16, 1986.	Padelford, Babs	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Lake Manawa State Park	Lake Manawa Rec. Area	[...] grassy-weedy area along the road to the s.e. boat dock.	The documentation form by Babs Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] It was mixed because when they flew it seemed that about half had the large white patches in the tail, and about half had narrow white edging on the sides of the tail. I was never able to get any more details on the other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00 for less than half an hour and approximately 13:00:00/13:04:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	68
Rare bird documentation for Smith's Longspur north northwest of Lone Tree, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for around a few hundred Smith's Longspurs north northwest of Lone Tree in Johnson County, IA on April 6, 1990.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Smith's Longspur	Lone Tree	2 mi. NNW of Lone Tree, Johnson Co., Iowa	[...] In large hay stubble field with scattered bales, [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Non-descript really, eye-ringed, suggestive of a Vesper Sparrow but for entirely buff underparts. [...] Also seen were a Red Fox and an alternate-plumaged male Lapland Longspur. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
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 memo for Blackheaded Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak hybrid at Ingham Township in Franklin County, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-07-10	1979-07-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation memo for a Blackheaded Grosbeak and Rose-breasted Grosbeak hybrid at Ingham Township in Franklin County, IA on July 10, 1979.	Priebe, Carl	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Ingham Township	The bird was sighted in the NW 1/4 Sec. 12 T-92N R-19W in Franklin County.	[...] The bird was sighting in a timbered area of approximately 20 acres on a hill overlooking the West Fork of the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Carl Priebe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was definately [sic] a grosbeak as it had the thick, heavy bill. [...] What makes me think it is a hybrid is that the orange-yellow of ghe [sic] breast was only in the upper part, identical to the rose bib of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe near Rock Sioux Access, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Say's Phoebe near Rock Sioux Access in Sioux County, IA on May 7, 1979.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Say's Phoebe	Rock Sioux Access	[...] near bridge across Rock River, about 12 miles due west of Sioux Center, in Sioux Co., Iowa.	[...] The general habitat is a mixture of open fields, rolling hills, and woods along the Rock River. The bird was observed in an open area.	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The bird was obviously not a Robin, with which it could possibly be confused. The brick-red of the Robin is quite different. The Robin is also larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:30:00/07:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1978-01-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Pine Grosbeaks at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 13, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pine Grosbeak	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City	[illegible] open and tree edge with small stand of pine trees	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Staudt and Richard DeCoster. \| Elimination of similar species: none \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80