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 Northern Shrike north of Decorah, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-03-31	1979-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike north of Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on March 31, 1979.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Shrike	Decorah	Six miles no. of Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa		The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Loggerhead Shrike has a stubbier less strongly hooked bill, and has less white in facial pattern and black mask meeting over bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Polk City, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-27	1983-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Greater Scaups at Polk City in Polk County, IA on April 27, 1983.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Scaup	Polk City	3 mi East of Polk City, Polk Co., Iowa	Flooded corn field - almost 40 acres of water-near Large Reservoir	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Scaup ducks compared directly with Lesser Scaups. When directly compared the three were larger, whiter on back and side, and rounder-headed than the Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Little Tern south of Westfield, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Little Tern south of Westfield in Plymouth County, IA on June 24, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Little Tern	Westfield	2 1/2 mi. S. of Westfield, Plymouth Co., IA (NW quarter Sec. 12, Sioux Township)	2 acre farm pond surrounded by ungrazed brome.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other white, fork-tailed, black-capped terns are larger with deeper fork in tail, orange or red billed and have orangish colored feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:17:00/07:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-04-08	1982-04-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Reservoir Dam in Polk County, IA on April 8, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Dam	By Saylorville Reservoir Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Open Reservoir above dam.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other large species of Duck female is so uniformly brown with a white speculum. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Port Neal, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Port Neal in Woodbury County, IA on June 6, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Scaup	New Lake	Port Neal	Oxbow Lake with fringe cattail	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup: Bird lacked peaked head was clear white on sides head rounded and wide. Speculum extended to wing tip. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-29	1978-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh where the bird was flushed had a water depth of about two feet. Many large and small clumps of grass covered mounds of earth, there was a shallow marshy spot that was heavily vegitated. Otherwise the area surrounding sighting was similar. This type of habitat covered several acres. The grasses were mostly remanent [sic] of last years growth, with new sprouts over a foot in height. The water was slightly stagnant, and water level was slightly higher than normal because of recent rains.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I can think of no species of bird of similar size with a white patch on hind wing. Other rails would be uniform dark and larger. Perching birds such as a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza gerogiana) have long tails. Extreme comparisons could be made with Common Snipe (Capella gallinago) which is long billed, has pointed wings, and has a rapid zig-zag flying style. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-06-21	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Wood-Pewee at Elm Lake in Wright County, IA on June 21, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, an excerpt from Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Western Wood-Pewee	Elm Lake	Elm Lake, near Belmond, Wright County	The bird was found in a narrow grove of mature Cottonwood surrounding Elm Lake, the lake is in the mist of farmland with a small pasture on the north.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Phoebe is larger and wags its tail. Empidonaxes are smaller with shorter wings and tail. Confusion with the Eastern Pewee is certain if plumage is used. Subtle differences in plumage were noted in my observation of the Western Pewee, when compared to my experience with the Eastern Pewee. The throat appeared whiter and contrasted more with the breast and head than a Eastern, also, as mentioned before, the color of the upper-parts appeared more grayish and not as green. Since the call was heard at close range, and having seen the vocalizing bird as well as my familiarity with the Western Pewee's call I believe the identification totally on voice is a valid one. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	31
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-16	1978-04-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Peregrine Falcon	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located 1 mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh, where bird was first perched is a grazed grassy pasture. Which after much rain in recent weeks, is partially flooded, and often had attracted shorebirds of several species.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's and Goshawk do not have pointed wings, and never perch in open. Merlin is much to [sic] small, size of a big Blue Jay, my bird was larger than a Crow. Prairie Falcon, the falcon I saw was grey not dull olive. [start handwritten annotation] ? (brown, NSH) [end handwritten annotation]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-10	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Thayer's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on December 10, 1981 recorded incorrectly as 1982 on the documentation form. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence and commentary about the sighting, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Thayer's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Above and below Saylorville Dam	Open water, rocky shore and ice covered pond.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Nearly the same size as an immature Herring Gull, but neck seemed thinner, head smaller. Bill was same length as a Herring Gull's but was blunter, not as strongly hooked. [...] The primaries were not nearly as dark as immature (1st year) or 2nd year Herring Gulls and was of a much different color than the black color of that species. Primaries and tail were nearly the same color. [...] In flight this bird could be easily picked out from the immature Herring Gulls at considerable distances. Using 7x35 binoculars the beige color of the upper surface of wings and translucent underwing could be detected as far as three-quarters of a mile. There were also three other birds that resembled this particular bird though they appeared darker on the upperparts. However I was unable to get close observations of these birds. The bird I observed closely and documented had one primary feather missing and aided in tracking the bird from day to day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur east of Polk City, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-01	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur east of Polk City in Polk County, IA on April 1, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Smith's Longspur	Polk City	three miles east of Polk City, Polk Co., Iowa	large (230 acre) pasture of short upland grass, potholes fringed with long grass, and low moist areas.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] A House Sparrow-sized bird with a thick conical bill. Bird was heavier bodied than a pipit or Vesper Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Purple Gallinule southwest of South Amana Pond, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-05-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Purple Gallinule southwest of South Amana Pond in Iowa County, IA on May 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Purple Gallinule	South Amana Pond	Iowa Co., Iowa. I mile S.W. of South Amana	Man-made Lake, 25+ acres, in wooded Valley	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Peter C. Petersen, Robert K. Myers, and Francis L. Moore were submitted later. Other observers include Russell Hays. James Sandrock, James Huntington, John Cordell, Lanny Haldy, Carl Bendorf, Tom Staudt, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Mary Lou Petersen, Betsy Myers, Corey Blevins, Lewis Blevins and many other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Coot and C. Gallinule are basic black. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:05:00/07:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur at Doolittle Prairie, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-03-13	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for one to two Smith's Longspurs at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on March 13, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Smith's Longspur	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Dolittle [sic] Prairie, (3 mi. S. Story City) Story Co., Iowa	wet area in weedy farm field	The documentation form by Joe P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observer was Alan Branhagen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Rare bird documentation form for Little Tern at Decatur Bend River Access, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Little Terns at Decatur Bend River Access in Monona County, IA on June 3, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Little Tern	Decatur Bend Park	Decatur Bend River Access. (WNW of Blencoe) Monona Co. IA	Oxbow -- shallow areas, riparian willow.	The documentation form by Joe P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other white terns are larger with more deeply forked tails. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Anderson Goose Lake, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-13	1983-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Anderson Goose Lake in Hamilton County, IA on May 13, 1983.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Pine Warbler	Anderson Goose Lake	Hamilton Co., IA (Anderson - Goose Lake) Near Jewell	Marsh shoreline with cotton woods, shrubs	The documentation form by Joe P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Female Blackpoll has back streak & yellow legs Yellow-thr. Vireo, has prominent spectacles and sings much differently Female Yellow-rumps have yellow rump. Female Cape May lacks yellow on head & breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:10:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Smith Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-17	1984-05-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Smith Lake in Kossuth County, IA on April 17, 1984.	Clark, Joe	Red-necked Grebe	Lake Smith	Smith Lake ~ 3 mi. North of Algona IA	Open water of Smith Lake	The documentation form by Joe Clark is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe - shorter thicker and neck & white cheek patch stuck out like a sore thumb. Horned or eared grebe - much larger, longer neck, white cheek patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Three-toed Woodpecker north of Iowa City, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-13	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Three-toed Woodpecker north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 13, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Joan	Three-toed Woodpecker	Iowa City	14 Woodland Heights North of Iowa City IA, off N Dubuque St, off Stewart Road	suet feeder in heavily wooded lot with much woodpecker activity of all common Iowa species.	The documentation form by Joan Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I have not seen any similar species. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Northwest Warren County, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-14	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a White-faced Ibis at Northwest Warren County, IA on May 14, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	White-faced Ibis	Warren County	north-west Warren Co.	wet spot in corn stubble adjacent to North	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Taylor Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: It was definitely an ibis. Glossy eliminated by the bill and leg coloration and the white facial border. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam, 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 Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 27, 1988.	Sinclair, Jim	Black-legged Kittiwake	Red Rock Dam	Below dam at Red Rock, Marion Co.	on water and flying about spillway area	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Taylor Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] smaller than present Ring-bills larger than Bonaparte's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff west of Mount Ayr, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-04-22	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ruff west of Mount Ayr in Ringgold County, IA on April 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Ruff	Mount Ayr	Two miles west of Mt. Ayr on Rt 2, Ringgold Co.	Bean stubble	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Richard Trieff. \| Elimination of similar species: Looked like no other shorebird I have ever seen. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Camp Wesley Woods, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Camp Wesley Woods in Warren County, IA on January 30, 1983.	Sinclair, Jim	Northern Goshawk	Camp Wesley Woods	Squaw Creek Valley immediately west of Camp Wesley Woods in Warren County - White Oak Twp ca 5 mi ssw of Indianola	Brushy Cover across crop field to river bottom	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Regnier. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk eliminated by the light breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:35:00/10:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-13	1990-05-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on May 13, 1990.	Sinclair, Jim	Mississippi Kite	Ledges State Park	Ledges St. Pk. - Pea's Creek	wooded valley	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Too large and uniform in color for a kestrel or Merlin. Wings and tail too broad for one of the larger falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Runnells Game Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-30	1984-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Runnells Game Area in Warren County, IA on September 30, 1984.	Sinclair, Jim	Peregrine Falcon	Runnells Overlook	Runnells Game Area - Warren Co.	Open floodplain	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration, size and most importantly head pattern confirmed bird as Peregrine Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Marsh Wren at Brenton Slough, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Marsh Wren at Brenton Slough in Dallas County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Marsh Wren	Brenton Slough	Brenton Slough, Dallas Co.	cattail marsh	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Rick Trieff. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Westfield, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-18	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at Westfield in Plymouth County, IA on May 18, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Lazuli Bunting	Westfield	south-west Plymouth County	bottomland row crop	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small for a bluebird, wing bar and central pattern eliminates Indigo Bunting. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4