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 Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-21	1985-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on April 21, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Elk Rock State Park	Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County	mudflat area on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Richards and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Other egrets by size combined with dark bill and black legs with yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-27	1985-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 27, 1985.	Proescholdt, Mark	King Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie - (Story County)	wet prairie potholes	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Ramona Sommerlot. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rails are only 1/2 the size of this rail and Virginia rails have gray cheeks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-05-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Yellow Rails at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Loess Hills, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-04-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Loess Hills in Fremont County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Peregrine Falcon	Fremont County	1/2 mi. N. of Hwy 2 on W. side of Loess Hills, Fremont Co., Iowa	Near Loess Hills flying over open land of Missouri River bottoms	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Robert Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon would have been much lighter sandy color than this bird. Merlin would have been smaller. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-04-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Yellow Rails in two separate sightings at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, James J.	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie, Story County	both flushed from along edge of small pothole, prairie areas around both potholes had been burned, one recently, other several weeks ago	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, George Brown, Gordon Brown, Paul Martsching, and John Mayfield. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora-overall coloration and the wing patches \| The original documentation form event occurred at 10:30:00 for the first sighting and 11:30:00 for the second sighting.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Yellow Rails at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	DooLittle Prairie, Story County		The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore, George Brown, Gordon Brown, Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: other rails by white wing patches and yellowish color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Acadian Flycatcher at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Acadian Flycatchers at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Acadian Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek Forest, 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle, Lee County, Iowa	Streamside woods and thickets	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Visually similar or identical to other empidonax. Others eliminated by voice (others do not give accented 'pit-see!') Habitat perfect for Acadian, although this would not eliminate all others. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	66
Rare bird documentation form for Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park in Decatur County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Livingston, Jeffrey R.	Pileated Woodpecker	Nine Eagles State Park	Nine Eagles State Park (Decatur County)	Dense mature wood lands	The documentation form by Jeffrey R. Livingston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	62
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-07	1985-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on May 7, 1985.	Knight, Calvin A.	Peregrine Falcon	Sand Point	@ North end of Sandy Point, Hawkeye Wildlife Area - Coralville Res. Johnson Co., Iowa	River Bottom but completely open because of previous high water.	The documentation form by Calvin A. Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Kestral [sic]: But no rusty tail. Merlin: But no prominent tail barring; also; the Peregrine showed the black cap with black sideburns on white background. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 19:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 9, 1985.	Knight, Calvin A.	Blue Grosbeak	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park - Iowa City, Iowa	Creek Bottom understory on edge of meadow	The documentation form by Calvin A. Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Bunting: The Blue Grossbeak [sic] was stockier, deeper Blue with 2 rusty tan wing bars and thicker bill than the finch like bill of the Indigo \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Mockingbird south of Tama, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-09	1985-05-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Mockingbird south of Tama in Tama County, IA on May 9, 1985.	Kubik, Nicholas A.	Northern Mockingbird	Tama	about 3/4 mile south of Tama	hilly pastured fields with trees, some brushy areas	The documentation form by Nicholas A. Kubik is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Brown Thrasher is reddish-brown in color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Curlew Sandpiper at Cedar Lake, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-10	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Curlew Sandpiper at Cedar Lake in Chickasaw County, IA on May 10, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Curlew Sandpiper	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake on Cedar River at Nashua, Chickasaw Co., Iowa	Open mud flat with sparse emergent vegetation near open lake.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red Knot has straight black bill and is larger than Pectoral Sandpiper. Sanderling is about same size but also has a straight black bill not long, thin and decurved as in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-13	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 13, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, Midwest Black-headed Grosbeak records by date, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-headed Grosbeak	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	Bird was in old willows at edge of reservoir.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The brown color most closely matched that shown by Peterson (1980) for the male Black-headed Grosbeak. The features I saw best were the brown rump, the contrast between the brown breast and flanks and gray belly, the thin white wing bars, and the darker color of wings and tail. The fact that the bird was singing loudly and continuously indicates that it was a male. The lack of breast streaking, dark color, and failure to see an eye stripe also argue against the bird being a female. The rich brown coloration only fits Black-headed Grosbeak. No features that fit Rose-breasted Grosbeak, such as red on the breast or underwings, white flanks or rump, or light-colored bill, were seen. Failure to see a demarcated black head and white in the wing and tail in flight is disturbing, but the side to back lighting and brief duration of each look at the bird (when I concentrated on looking at the features cited above) may account for this. The wing bars were not as wide as usually depicked [sic] for males. Perhaps the bird was in first nuptial plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-16	1985-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Marbled Godwits at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on May 16, 1985.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Marbled Godwit	Forneys Lake State Wildlife Management Area	Forney's Lake, Fremont 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: Hudsonian Godwit has white wing stripe + rump. Long-billed Curlew has decurved bill + would be most unusual here. most [sic] sandpipers are smaller than dowitchers.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-17	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 17, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wright, Rick	Lesser Black-backed Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPPD Settling Ponds, Pottawatamie [sic] Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Rick Wright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Strom and Marie Strom. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The different mantle colorations of the herring and ring-billed gulls were distinguishable. [...] The presence of other gull species convinced me that I had accurately judged the mantle color of this bird; I was able to compare it with 3 other species, as well as Caspian terns. The size and bill size rule out great Black-backed, the only dark-backed gull with which I am familiar. Although western gull would show a similar upper-wing pattern, I suspect that it too would appear heavy-billed (and would not have yellow feet). Yellow-footed gull is also large and deep-billed, and is probably less likely than lesser black-backed in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:30:00/13:30:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird north of Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-19	1985-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird north of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on May 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Western Kingbird	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	about 3 1/2 miles north of Hendricksons Marsh in Southeast Story County, Iowa	field on both sides of road with very short corn.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Kingbird - has black head, white terminal band on tail & breast & belly are white. Crested Flycatcher - has some rust in wings, a very rusty tail, brown head & back, gray upper breast. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cooper's Prairie Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-19	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Cooper's Prairie Marsh in Story County, IA on May 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cooper Prairie Marsh	Cooper's Marsh, Story County	Sedge and cattails along the edge of a small marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from LeContes Sparrow by dark back, gray collar on back of neck and a dark crown lacking a central white stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 seen intermittently.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Prairie Rail Trail County Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-22	1985-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Prairie Rail Trail County Park in Story County, IA on May 22, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	King Rail		Prairie Rail Trail County Park, Story County	along a drainage ditch surrounded by open cropland	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kraig Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from other rails by size, longer bill and rusty underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Common Gallinule at Iowa City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-23	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Gallinule at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 23, 1985.	Towner, Robert Towner, Nancy	Common Moorhen	Iowa City	six acre impoundment 1 1/2 miles north of Iowa City in Johnson Co.		The documentation form by Nan and Bob Towner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	44
Rare bird documentation form for Herring Gull at MidAmerican Energy Ponds near Council Bluffs, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-24	1985-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Herring Gull at MidAmerican Energy Ponds near Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 24, 1985.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Herring Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Settling Ponds, Council Bluffs, Iowa		The documentation form by Barb L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to most of the other large immature gulls of the world. Mantle too light for Black-backed group. Wingtips, even in their folded condition, too dark for Glaucous, Glaucous-winged, etc. that leaves a whole mess of light-mouthed large gulls with dark wing tips. Description seems to match young Herring Gull (second summer ?) well enough. Eye color would probably be becoming pale in a Herring of this plumage, but perhaps not, + it might not show at the distance. I have trouble eliminating California Gull, but it is even harder to support that species.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	34
Rare bird documentation form for Ring-necked Duck at Saylorville, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-26	1985-07-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ring-necked Duck at Saylorville in Polk County, IA on May 26, 1985.	Engebretsen, Bery	Ring-necked Duck	Saylorville Lake	Farm pond, north of Saylorville	Farm pond. Surrounding pasture / corn field	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: both scaup have gray back, no initial stripe.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	9
Field notes and Peter C. Petersen letter to James J. Dinsmore regarding the fall report and bird sightings, summer 1985	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Nests Ornithology--Societies, etc Birds--Infancy	1985-06-01	1985-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes contributed by Peter C. Petersen in a letter to James J. Dinsmore with observers Mary Lou Petersen and Corey Blavins. A detailed list of birds and locations is included with the letter. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of summer 1985.	Petersen, Peter C.	Broad-winged Hawk Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Orchard Oriole Purple Finch Hooded Merganser Semipalmated Plover Baird's Sandpiper Caspian Tern Acadian Flycatcher Northern Mockingbird Prothonotary Warbler Pine Siskin Blackburnian Warbler Black Tern	Blue Grass Credit Island Davenport Le Claire Pilot Knob State Park Wildcat Den State Park Fairmont Cemetery Walnut Woods State Park Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	21	7
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird at southeastern Hardin County, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-06-01	1985-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird at southeastern Hardin County, IA on June 1, 1985.	Proescholdt, Mark	Western Kingbird	Hardin County	SE 1/4 of Hardin Co.	Rows of corn on one side of fence, fresh cut hay pasture on other side	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Great-crested Flycatcher has a reddish tail, a greenish crown, shouldn't be expected in a pasture area, and usually is very vocal. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ferruginous Hawk north of Pocahontas in 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds Zoological specimens	1985-06-04	1994-02-03	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Ferruginous Hawk north of Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on October 27, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, letters about the bird sighting between James Dinsmore and David Gilmer, the original sighting record found in the publication Recoveries of Ferruginous Hawks banded in south-central North Dakota in the Journal of Field Ornithology 56:184-187 by D.S. Gilmer, D.L. Evans, P.M. Konrad, and R.E. Stewart, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Ferruginous Hawk	Pocahontas				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-06-05	1985-07-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on June 5, 1985.	Dixon, Mark D.	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	County: Story. City: Ames. Location in detail: West Ames along Lincoln Way (Old highway 30), near drive-in theater, was flying over a corn field and road	semi-rural, suburban area, was over corn field, stream or river nearby?	The documentation form by Mark D. Dixon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Only other falcons were possible. Was too large for Kestrel and had heavy black mask. Did not have black 'armpits' of Prairie Falcon and had distinct mask. Too large for Merlin and had distinct mask \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34