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

Record Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Record Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Conesville on edge of Louisa and Muscatine County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Ferruginous Hawk	Conesville	1 mi. W. conesville edge of Muscatine and Louise Cos., IA	cultivated fields	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian, Corey, and Lewis Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Rough-legged hawk - underwing would show more dark in the underwing coverts, well defined tail band. Kriders Red-tail - has a very light head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Pleasant Creek State Park, 1995	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-07-31	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher south of Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on July 31, 1995. It was submitted with a letter from Jim Dinsmore to Thomas Kent on an unknown date.	Dankert, David L.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Pleasant Creek State Park	Approx. 2 miles s Pleasant Creek S.P. NW Linn Co	cut hayfield	The documentation form by David L. Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Observing the bird when perched length was approximately three times the size of the A. Goldfinch that was perched close by. Body mass was about the size of an A. Robin. [...] Some field guides suggest confusion can be made between juvenile Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Western Kingbird juvenile but the head of the bird I observed was whiter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:40:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1996	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-04-06	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on April 6, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about bird sightings, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Iceland Gull	Red Rock Dam	below dam at Red Rock, Marion Co.	D.M. River	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird did not have the large headed, large billed 'predatory' look of a Glaucous Gull. The overall lightness and the lack of dark primaries and no tail band would eliminate Thayers Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:54:00/10:56:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-11-03	1989-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 3, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon	Saylorville Dam	Dam-Saylorville Reservoir- Polk County	Dam face - Adjacent to water - fly by	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin is smaller with blue-gray coloration in adult but has no black axillaries in any plumage. Peregrine Falcon does not have black axillaries and coloration from above is darker in all plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/09:45:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-30	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Thayer's Gulls at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 30, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Lake, Polk Co., IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The primary identification was done through the size and shape of the head. Other similar gulls do not share this "dove head." The adult was confirmed by the silvery underwings, not shared by similarly gray-mantled gulls, and the first year bird was confirmed by the uniformity of its body color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:40:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-01-28	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on January 28, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Lake, Polk Co., IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The primary identification was done through the size and shape of the head. Other similar gulls do not share this "dove head." The bird was confirmed by the silvery underwings and very little dark coloring on the upper side of the primaries, characteristics not shared by similarly gray-mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-13	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 13, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Thayer's Gull	Red Rock Dam	below dam - Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir; open river with islands	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring-billed eliminated by size and leg color. Herring eliminated by head shape and eye color. Iceland eliminated by eye color, mantle color, and size and shape of head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:01:00/15:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Red Rock, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Lake Red Rock in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Black-legged Kittiwake	Lake Red Rock	below dam - Lake Red Rock, Marion Co, IA	dam on Des Moines River forming reservoir; open river with islands	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other gull with a black collar, the red-legged kittiwake, was eliminated because of the black wing strip and tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:02:00/16:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-27	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Red Rock Dam	below Red Rock dam, Marion Co., IA	dam tailwaters	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The most similar-appearing species is first-basic Herring Gull. The combination of slightly smaller size, longer wings, whiter rump, more speckled mantle, contrast between the darker mantle and lighter head, and darker upperwings lacking a pale "window" eliminated Herring Gull in first-basic plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:22:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in Cerro Gordo County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-02-22	1997-02-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 22, 1997.	Thelen, Rob	Prairie Falcon	Cerro Gordo Wind Farm	1/2 m. S of 210th + Cardinal, Cerro Gordo Co.	Dead Cottonwood in Farmland (Open)	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Clark. \| Elimination of similar species: This Falcon had the Dark Armpits. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Dam, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 25, 1984.	Sinclair, Jim	Northern Goshawk	Red Rock Dam	Tailwater area - Red Rock Dam	Deciduous bottomland	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut and Paul Felsing. \| Elimination of similar species: accipiter shape - rounded wings, long tail, strong direct flight - wing shape and tail length eliminated buteo - size was too great for Coopers. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Green Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-08	1986-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black-throated Green Warblers at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 8, 1986.	Shephard, Burt	Black-throated Green Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa	Deciduous bottomland forest	The documentation form by Burt Shephard is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Block, Joe Stratton, and around five other unidentified members of bird study class. \| Elimination of similar species: no question about identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	27
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at the Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-07	1986-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at the Hartman Reserve Nature Center in Black Hawk County, IA on May 7, 1986.	Bebout, George	Blue Grosbeak	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Hartman Reserve, Nature Center, Cedar Falls, IA.	Deciduous Brush, 20-30 Ft. in height.	The documentation form by George Bebout is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Viola Bebout and Everett Alton. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue Bird, Indigo Bunting and Cowbird were eliminated by virtue of comparisons of features to pictures in Golden Guide to Birds Of [sic] North America. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow south of Riverton, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-01-04	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow south of Riverton in Fremont County, IA on January 4, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Jacqueline M.	Lark Sparrow	Riverton	1 mile south of Riverton, IA	deciduous edge woods adjacent to corn field	The documentation form by Jacqueline M. Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jarrett Harms, Joe Worthington, Marla Worthington, Larry Falk, and Derry Wolford. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - no face pattern Juncos - wrong color Amer. tree Sparrow - no white outer tail feathers \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Stone State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-24	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 24, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Holloway, Jack A.	Lazuli Bunting	Stone State Park	Stone State Park Sioux City, Iowa	Deciduous Forest	The documentation form by Jack Holloway is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird. Lazuli Bunting was darker in the wings and back than the blue bird and there was a white wingbar visible on the 'shoulder'. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Ledges State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on August 24 ,1987.	Myers, Robert K.	Pine Warbler	Ledges State Park	Ledges State Park - Boone County	Deciduous forest near small stream	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The fact that the bird's back had absolutely no dark streaking eliminates bay-breasted and blackpoll warblers. The lack of obvious yellow 'spectacles', bill shape, and presence of faint streaks on the sides eliminates yellow-throated vireo. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on September 3, 1984.	Holloway, Jack A.	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa [crossed out] Woodbury County [handwritten note] ?? - MCN : Story Co - MCN	Deciduous grove adjacent to open fields	The documentation form by Jack A. Holloway III is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Bay-Breasted + Blackpoll 1) Solid, unstreaked back 2) Yellow washed superciliary 3) Faint yellow wash on breast 4) Markedly larger than Bay-Breasted seen next to it \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek Lake, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on November 21, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Lake, Polk Co.,	Deciduous slope next to a lake - In the middle of a deciduous grove of trees.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Other accipiters are smaller than Great Horned Owls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great-tailed Grackle at Mills County, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-12-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great-tailed Grackle in Mills County, IA on December 22, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Loren	Great-tailed Grackle	Mills County	2.8 miles south of the intersection of Iowa 370 and U.S. 275. Mills Co., Iowa.	Deciduous trees near farmstead.	The documentation form by Loren J. Padelford is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ross Silcock was submitted later. Another observer was Jerry Toll. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other species similar in appearances the boat-tailed grackle. I was not close enough to observe eye color but the length of the tail in relation to body length rules out that species. The great-tailed grackle has been expanding its range into southern Iowa and Nebraska in recent years with documented nesting success in both states. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	9
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hickory Hill Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-16	1982-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on November 16, 1982.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Northern Goshawk	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park Iowa City	Deciduous valley boom thin strands of conifers	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cordell. \| Elimination of similar species: Strong head markings eliminate other accipiters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Portland Township in Cerro Gordo County, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-11	1988-12-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Portland Township in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 11, 1998.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Portland Township	Cerro Gordo County, Portland township Sec 31 (13675 Spruce Ave Mason City IA 50401)	deciduous wood edge	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other species considered, unmistakable \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Stone State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-18	1986-08-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Pine Warblers at Stone State Park in Plymouth County, IA on August 18, 1986.	Huser, Bill F.	Pine Warbler	Stone State Park	Stone State Park, Plymouth County	deciduous wood land trees - burr oak + ash	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: black-throated green. juv. female - has more yellow (triangle) on face. Blackpoll + bay breasted juveniles - streaking on back and less yellow on throat, breast + belly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sandy Beach in Johnson County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sandy Beach in Johnson County, IA on December 18, 1982.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Northern Goshawk	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Northeast Johnson County near Sandy Beach	Deciduous wood open rolling fields	The documentation form by Tom Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sandrock and John Cordell. \| Elimination of similar species: White eye strip and size eliminate other accipiters. Falcons eliminated by short rounded, almost oval wing shape. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hartman Reserve, 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 Hartman Reserve in Black Hawk County, IA on November 26, 1983.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Northern Goshawk	Hartman Reserve Nature Center	Hartman Reserve Waterloo - Cedar Falls	deciduous wood: mixed mature and second story trees with a few conifers. Open grassy fields near by.	The documentation form by Tom Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Falcons have long pointed wings. Other accipiters are smaller, don't have the white eye line. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird at Ames, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird at Ames in Story County, IA on December 21, 1996.	Oesterreich, Wolfgang	Gray Catbird	Ames	Ames, Iowa	deciduous woodland - near confluence of Onion & Squaw Creeks	The documentation form by Wolfgang Oesterreich is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing in this area. (Mockingbird doesn't have black cap, mostly undertail coverts; plus it has white wing patches.) \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12