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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Hill Lookout on Sioux River in O'Brien County, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-02-07	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Hill Lookout on Sioux River in O'Brien County, IA on February 7, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, a letter documenting a related sighting, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Mountain Bluebird	Hill Little Sioux Overlook	Hill Tree Farm lookout on Waterman Blvd, O'Brien Co.	Hilly river valley	The documentation form by Lee Schoenewe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ed Thelen, Thomas H. Kent, and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Nancy Schoenewe, Rob Thelen, Matt Thelen, Marty Thelen, and Gary Grange. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern and Western bluebirds have rust color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:40:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-03-12	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area in Lyon County, IA on March 12, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area	Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area - Lyon County	Bluffs overlooking River Valley - Scattered trees + shrubs - fenceline	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: - Eastern + Western bluebird were eliminated by the blue on the breast - shape, color, size and habits eliminated indigo bunting. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-03-19	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Emmetsburg in Palo Alto County, IA on March 19, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Mountain Bluebird	Emmetsburg	North of Emmetsburg on blacktop N-40 in Palo Alto County	Along roadside- cultivated field, brushy tile nearby	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Linda Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Bluebird and Western Bluebird have rust on breast; this bird was all blue. Indigo Bunting- size is smaller and doesn't have white under the tail. Also a darker blue color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Bluebird at Black Hawk Park, 1975	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1975-04-10	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Black Hawk Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 10, 1975. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation article submitted to the committee.	Dowell, Virgil Eugene	Mountain Bluebird	Black Hawk Park	[...] we observed a Mountain Bluebird just after crossing Snag Creek near the entrance to Black Hawk Park. This is a county park located at the northwest edge of Cedar Falls adjoining the Cedar River and is in the Cedar River floodplain.		The documentation article by Virgil E. Dowell forms the basis of this record. Other observers include fourteen students in the Field Zoology of Vertebrates class at University of Northern Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:20:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Big Sioux River in Western Sioux County, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-04-07	1994-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Big Sioux River in Western Sioux County in Sioux County, IA on April 7, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Mountain Bluebird	Garfield Township	Along dirt road through dry hilly fields bordering the Big Sioux River in extreme western Sioux Co., appoximately 1 1/2 miles south-east of Hudson, S.D., and approximately 2 1/2 miles north of junction of Big Sioux and Rock Rivers.	Area of open dry rolling hills between Big Sioux and Rock Rivers.	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mike Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: The blue of Eastern and Western Bluebird is much deeper than of this bird. Both these species show reddish or rusty on breast, and both exhibit a distinctive hunched position. There is no possibility of confusion with Blue Grosbeak (which occurs in our area in summer): its large conical beak and blue underparts exclude it. The Indigo Bunting is dark blue all over and has a sparrow-like bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Big Creek State Park, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-01-04	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on January 4, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Gordon	Mountain Bluebird	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park	Prairie, lined by rows of Pine tree + berry bushes		Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mountain Bluebird at Ames, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-17	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mountain Bluebird at Ames in Story County, IA on March 17, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Patterson, Matthew	Mountain Bluebird	Ames	South Ames- one quarter mile south of highway 30	Riparian woodland with frequent openings	The documentation form by Matthew Patterson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Breast color and body posture easily differentiated the Mountain from the Eastern Bluebird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Monk Parakeet at Davenport in 1973	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1974-03-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Monk Parakeet at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 22, 1973. Includes a record review document with votes and the original sighting record found in the publication First Monk Parakeet Record for Iowa in Iowa Bird Life 44(1):22-23 by Peter C. Petersen seen by Karen McDonald.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Monk Parakeet	Davenport				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	12
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mississippi Kite at Grinnell in 1886	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birds--Migration Rare birds	1895-10-01	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Mississippi Kite at Grinnell in Powesheik County, IA on October 4, 1886. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Histories of North American Birds of Prey (Part I) in Bulletin 167 by A.C. Bent, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Mississippi Kite	Grinnell				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mississippi Kite at Ford Dodge before 1907	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Hunting	1907-01-01	1996-04-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Mississippi Kite at Fort Dodge in Webster County, IA before 1907. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Mississippi Kite	Fort Dodge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Cardinal Marsh, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-05-29	1993-08-27	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mississippi Kite at Cardinal Marsh in Winneshiek County, IA on May 29, 1978. Includes two record review documents with votes, two documentation forms, an Iowa Bird Life article, additional notes on the bird, and internal correspondence submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Mississippi Kite	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	Cardinal Marsh	Edge of woods near open cattail marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tom Stone, Jr. and Sr. were submitted later. Other observers include Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: White-tailed Kite does not have as dark a back as this bird ha and is also too light below. This bird definately [sic] did not have a deeply forked tail as a Swallow-tailed Kite would have had. \| The original event lasted from 11:15:00 to 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Mississippi Kite at Black Hawk County before 1907	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds	1907-01-01	1993-08-27	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Mississippi Kite at Black Hawk County, IA before 1907. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by Charles K. Salisbury, and referenced by another publication.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Mississippi Kite	Black Hawk County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-19	1995-07-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 19, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Mew Gull	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Sandy area at edge of open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Russ Widner and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dick Tetrault and Roy Godwin. \| Elimination of similar species: Size eliminated any gull larger than a Ring-billed. Although structurally the bird more closely represented one of the larger hooded gulls, they were eliminated by the lack of any hood or auricular spot. Furthermore, most hooded gulls with a tail band would also show a strong carpal bar. Laughing Gull could be eliminated by the more diminuative [sic] bill and leg color. Although some individuals seem to carry a vestige of their more motley juvenile plumage into first winter, Ring-billed Gull was eliminated by size, head and bill structure, and clear-cut as opposed to more diffuse tail band. I originally identified this bird as a Mew Gull based on my experience studying structural differences between Ring-billed and Mew gulls on the west coast. I have never seen a first-year Mew Gull, however. In researching the Mew on my return home, I concluded that the bird in question was not dark enough, nor brown enough, to be of the west coast sub-species. By virtue of its strong similarity to a Ring-billed Gull, this bird was most likely the European sub-species known as the Common Gull. Although according to Grant the bill description comes closer to L.c. brachyrhynchus, I assume that this bird's bill coloration was still changing from juvenile plumage. Apparently the Common Gull appears on occasion on the east coast and is therefore probably as likely a vagrant to Iowa as is the western form. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-12-20	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 20, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, Iowa	feeding in spillway and resting on large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Kay Niyo. \| Elimination of similar species: The only similar species (Ring-billed Gull) was eliminated by the combination of slightly smaller size, smaller bill, more extensive brown color on the underparts, and pattern of the rectrices. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:46:00/14:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-10-13	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 13, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Lowder, Ken	Mew Gull	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Sandpiper Rec. Area, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co., IA.	Sand spit	The documentation form by Ken Lowder is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Peter Wickham and John Daniel. \| Elimination of similar species: Ring billed Gull (second winter) - light iris & yellow legs; head shape; white in primaries \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-20	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Red Rock Reservoir Dam in Marion County, IA on December 20, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	large reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Michael D. Overton was submitted. Other observers include Maridel Jackson, Ann Johnson, Aaron Brees, Gordon Brand, and many other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The wing pattern, size, and lack of black marks on the face eliminated any of the smaller gulls (i.e. Bonaparte's). The small size and smaller bill size eliminated California Gull. Ring-billed Gull was eliminated on the basis of the darker mantle and upperwings, large, dark eye, and bill color and shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 21, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Mew Gull	Lock Number 19	Lock and Dam 19, Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	feeding below dam of a large river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers were Aaron Brees and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of a smaller bill, more extensive dark brown color on the underparts, darker gray mantle, and solidly dark rectrices eliminated the similar Ring-billed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:25:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for McCown's Longspur near De Soto National Wildlife Reserve, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-12-16	1993-08-06	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a McCown's Longspur near De Soto National Wildlife Reserve in Harrison County, IA on December 16, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee for review.	Starr, David	McCown's Longspur	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	North of railroad tracks on L-16, north of hwy. 30 (by DeSoto Refuge)	Tilled cornfield	The documentation form for Extraordinary Bird Sighting in Iowa by David Starr forms the basis of this record. The documentation form Supporting Details: Uncommon or Rare Species/High Numbers was also submitted by David Starr. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Masked Duck at Forney Lake in 1965	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Rare birds	1966-06-01	1993-08-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Masked Duck at Forney Lake in Fremont County, IA on March 14, 1965. Includes a record review document with votes, letter from Woodward H. Brown to Fred, the original sighting record found in the publication Masked Duck in Iowa a sight record in Iowa Bird Life 36:55-56 by Harold and Gladys Whitmus, and referenced by another publication.		Masked Duck	Forneys Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	23
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 of Marbled Murrelet at Whitebreast Cove at Red Rock Reservoir, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-12	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Marbled Murrelet at Whitebreast Cove at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 12, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to bird sighting and review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Marbled Murrelet	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co.-off Whitebreast Cove	large patch of open water on reservoir	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Brian Warson. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was clearly an alcid. The small size rules out the murres, Razorbill, and guillemots (see earlier discussion). The long, thin bill eliminates Dovekie, Ancient Murrelet, and all of the auklets. The bill shape, dark cap that included the eye, and presence of two white patches on each side eliminates all other murrelets, especially Kittlitz's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:15:00/15:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Magnificent Frigatebird circa 1896	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Zoological specimens Taxidermy	1896-01-01	1993-08-16	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Magnificent Frigatebird at La Porte City in Black Hawk County, IA around 1896. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Note in Iowa Ornithologist 2:34 by Morton E. Peck, and referenced in two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Magnificent Frigatebird	La Porte City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Magnificent Frigatebird at Davenport in 1946	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Rare birds	1946-04-01	1993-09-01	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Magnificent Frigatebird at Davenport in Scott County, IA in 1946. Includes a record review document with votes, the original sighting record found in the publication Notes on the Bird Life in the Mississippi Valley in Proceedings of the Iowa Academy Sciences 56:343-345 by James Hodges.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Magnificent Frigatebird	Davenport				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Magnificent Frigatebird at Burlington in 1904	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Hunting Taxidermy	1904-03-01	1994-01-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Magnificent Frigatebird at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA in the spring of 1904. Includes a record review document with votes, request for reconsideration, the original sighting record found in the publication A new bird for Illinois in Auk 27:75 by Henry K. Coale, and referenced in two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Magnificent Frigatebird	Burlington				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Magnificent Frigatebird at Burlington in 1903	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Rare birds Hunting Zoological specimens	1903-08-01	1996-04-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Magnificent Frigatebird at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA in August 1903. Includes a record review document with votes, request for reconsideration of record, the original sighting record found in the publication Birds of Iowa by Rudolph Martin Anderson seen by Paul Bartsch, and referenced in three other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Magnificent Frigatebird	Burlington				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	15