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 Burrowing Owl north-northwest of Mason City, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-23	1987-08-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Burrowing Owls north-northwest of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on August 23, 1987.	Dinsmore, James J.	Burrowing Owl	Mason City	5 miles NNW of Mason City	birds were on fenceposts and along ditch next to a soybean field	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much too small for a Short-eared Owl, flight pattern different. Only other small earless owl, the N. Saw-whet, is smaller, juvenile pattern is different, and doesn't have long legs like this bird. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	51
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Allamakee County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Allamakee County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Peregrine Falcon	Allamakee County	Allamakee Co. (I think)	Bluff overlooking wooded river valley.	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie: No dark axillaries. Merlin: Size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 13, 1983.	Moore, Francis L.	Prairie Warbler	Sweet Marsh	East side of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co.	Boggy Yellow Birch area turning into Oak and Hickory mix	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: No other warbler has white wing bars large bold black splotchy stripes down the side with a yellow breast, belly and throat and an olive green back and also wags its tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler on the east side of Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 12, 1983.	Moore, Francis L.	Prairie Warbler	Sweet Marsh	East side of Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co.	Boggy Yellow Birch area turning into Oak and Hickory mix	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: No other warbler this color with the black stripe through the eye and the black stripe extending down in front of and below the eye, with dark bold black stripes down the side. No other warbler has a song that buzzes up the scale in a chromatic fashion like the Prairie. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Glenwood, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-04	1990-11-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-billed Cuckoo at Glenwood in Mills County, IA on November 4, 1990.	Rose, Douglas L.	Yellow-billed Cuckoo	Glenwood	in my backyard, 108 Hillcrest Ave Glenwood, Iowa 51534	borders open field, a few tall weeds	The documentation form by Doug Rose is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-billed Cuckoo - yellow on lower mandible and reddish primary. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	47
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 Merlin north of Burlington, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on February 19, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Merlin	Des Moines County	10 miles north of Burlington	Bottomland - Farm fields	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: Kestrel - thinner shape of Merlin and absolutely no red visible on back tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:18:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Toolsboro, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-12-31	1983-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Turkey Vultures at Toolsboro in Louisa County, IA on December 31, 1982.	Wiederrecht, Ed	Turkey Vulture	Toolesboro	near Toolsboro [sic], IA	Bottomland forest	The documentation form by Ed Wiederrecht is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Mast. \| Elimination of similar species: Buteo hawks (dark phases) - dark brown plumage, not black, head not small or reddish, no V to wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at Pellet Wildlife Refuge, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-15	1982-08-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Hooded Warblers at Pellet Wildlife Refuge in Cass County, IA on May 15, 1982.	Hensley, R. Craig	Hooded Warbler	Pellet Memorial Woods State Preserve	Pellett [sic] Wildlife Refuge - Cass County	Bottomland wooded area - dominant trees included silver maple, basswood, slippery elm and hackberry; understory partial.	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bachman's warbler and the Kentucky warbler are somewhat similar, however, neither species has the distinct hood and yellow face, therefore, I ruled these species out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Ventura Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-11	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Ventura Marsh in Hancock County, IA on May 11, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	King Rail	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh, N side, 1 mile W of Ventura, Hancock County	brome in uplands 30 feet from marsh	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews. \| Elimination of similar species: Other rails in the area are much smaller. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-14	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 14, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1 mi. E of Ventura, Cerro Gordo County	brome uplands	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora, Virginia rail - Both too dark and lack white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Sperry Township in Clayton County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-20	1984-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least six Henslow's Sparrow at Sperry Township in Clayton County, IA on May 20, 1984.	Ewert, David N.	Henslow's Sparrow	Sperry Township	Clayton Co : Sperry Tnshp. (T92N, R6W, Sect 29)	Bromel alfalfa pasture	The documentation form by David Ewert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Stone. \| Elimination of similar species: Distinctive song couple w/ sketchy view of bird while singing \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/20:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren north of Burlington, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-16	1986-04-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 16, 1986.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bewick's Wren	Burlington	appx. 2 miles north of Burlington (Des Moines County) Iowa	Brush pile near pasture and woodlot, Near farmstead.	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Elizabeth Christiansen, Dana Christiansen, James Fuller, Charles Fuller, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Carolina Wren has heavier body, does not have white outer tail feathers, and has a comparatively shorter tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Keokuk, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-22	1997-12-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ruby-crowned Kinglets at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 22, 1997.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Keokuk	along River Road n of Keokuk, Lee Co., IA	brushy area along river edge	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, greenish coloration, and shape identified the birds as kinglets. One of the birds was compared directly to Golden-crowned Kinglets, and was separated from that species by the eyering and lack of yellow on the crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:06:00/08:19:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
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 Northern Goshawk west of Corydon, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at the Wendell Tuttle Farm west of Corydon in Wayne County, IA on November 27, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Corydon	Wendell Tuttle Farm 2 mi West of Corydon, Wayne County, Iowa	Brushy creek surrounded by Corn and Soybean fields	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers Hawk does not have a white eye strip or white fluffy white under tail coverts. Coopers also has a reddish banding to the breast in the adult plumage and is browner above not gray. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:13:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-16	1983-04-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co.	Brushy edge and open field along east side of marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel would show reddish back and tail and would not show the heavy bands on tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Madison County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-31	1983-11-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Madison County, IA on October 31, 1983.	Armstrong, Eugene	Northern Goshawk	Madison County	N.E. Madison County	Brushy fence row Open farmland	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's - Large than a Cooper's Grey bellied. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Fox Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-09-18	1995-12-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Fox Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh in Winneshiek County, IA on September 18, 1995.	Carter, Dennis L.	Fox Sparrow	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	SE corner of Cardinal Marsh	brushy fencerow	The documentation form by Dennis Carter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Zieke. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] flock of Song and White-throated Sparrows [...] a Lincoln's Sparrow. [...] The bird had a chunky appearance compared to the other sparrows present. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the mid-morning for about a minute.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	60
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hickory Hill Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-15	1981-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on November 15, 1981.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Northern Goshawk	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City, Johnson Co. Iowa	Brushy field w scattered large trees (esp along creeks)	The documentation form by Richard Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Mike Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Other accipiters 1. size 2. eye stripe 3. Belly coloring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Carolina Wren at Hickory Hill Park, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-01	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Carolina Wrens at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 1, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Carolina Wren	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City IA	brushy ravines on gullies in Hickory Hill Park - park contains woods, open pastures, brushy grown-up old fields	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Nicholas Halmi and Marilyn Smith Glasson. \| Elimination of similar species: eye stripes, rusty color, large size, voice elim. House, winter wrens voice, lack of white in tail, short tail rule out Bewick's (v. rare if not extinct in Iowa City area)<-(fide FW Kent). \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	88
Rare bird documentation form for Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1984.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Indigo Bunting	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co., Iowa (S.W. Boat ramp)	Brushy, weedy tangle on lake shore, (Veg. browned Killed by frost.)	The documentation form by Joseph Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow species: White wing-bars lacking, No hint of rust on crown, back or wings. No distinct supercilium. No strong streakage. No strong head pattern. Was a nondescript small brown finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	71
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Kettleson Hogsback State Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on June 6, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1989-06-06	1989-06-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one or more Yellow-throated Warblers at Kettleson Hogsback State Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on June 6, 1989.	Harr, Douglas C.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Kettleson Hogsback State Wildlife Area, west of Big Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co.	Bur oaks scattered over open lawn	The documentation form by Doug Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Wee, Jeff Drahota, Darwin Wackerbarth, Tim Waltz, and LaVonne Foote. \| Elimination of similar species: Magnolia warbler--has yellow undersides and rump--this bird definitely did not have those characteristics. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:25:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for Barn Swallow at Otter Creek Marsh, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-03-05	1992-03-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Barn Swallow at section seven of Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on March 5 ,1992. The documentation form was submitted with a Mike Stegmann letter to James Dinsmore about the bird sighting and documentation form on March 18, 1992.	Stegmann, Mike	Barn Swallow	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Section #7, Otter Creek Marsh, Tama County, Iowa	Cattail Marsh	The documentation form by Mike Stegmann is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree Swallows use this area to a great extent later in the spring and summer but the bird seen was blue-black with tan underside and long forked tail which tree swallows lack. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	87
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lakin Slough, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-16	1985-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Lakin Slough in Guthrie County, IA on April 16, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Greater Scaup	Lakin Slough State Game Management Area	Lakin Slough (Guthrie Co.)	Cattail marsh - open water in center	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The round crowned greenish head on male and whitish earpatch on female eliminated the lesser scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10