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 Common Loon at Rock Creek, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-10-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Loon at Rock Creek in Jasper County, IA on October 12, 1991.	Brand, Gordon James	Common Loon	Rock Creek Lake	Rock Creek	reservoir	The documentation form by Gordon Brand is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Double-crested Cormorant. These were also present. These birds have a "hook" at end of beak and hold head and beak at an upward angle. \| The original documentation form event lasted around ten minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	10
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Rock Park in Pella, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-26	1983-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Rock Park in Pella in Marion County, IA on November 26, 1983.	Brand, Gordon James	Northern Goshawk	Big Rock City Park	Big Rock Park, Pella, Iowa	80 acre timber tract but near Red Rock Reservoir.	The documentation form by Gordon Brand is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Raymond Brand. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers Hawk. This Hawk had no horizontal barring on the belly. It was larger and had very pronounced dark eyepatch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Sioux-Prome Lagoons in Sioux Center, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-08-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Sioux-Prome Lagoons in Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on August 19, 1983.	Brand, Gordon James	Western Sandpiper	Sioux Center	Sioux-Prome Lagoons, Sioux Center	aerobic waste treatment lagoons with exposed mudflats	The documentation form by Gordon Brand is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tina Van Dyke. \| Elimination of similar species: Noted in the above description. Also I had been daily observing the shorebirds and so could quickly note the difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur west of Colo, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-04-22	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for thirty or more Smith's Longspurs west of Colo in Story County, IA on April 22, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Brown, Gordon	Smith's Longspur	Colo	2 miles w of colo, story county on old Highway 30	Corn field	The documentation form by Gordon Brown forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Steve Dinsmore was submitted. Other observers include Hank Zalatel and John Hoogerheide. \| Elimination of similar species: This bird was brown the other longspurs by its buffy brest, [sic] the pattern on the head, the white stripes on the tail, and its call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sharp-tailed Sparrow near Lost Lake, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-05-23	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow near Lost Lake in Boone County, IA on May 23, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence regarding the review and sighting, a request for reconsideration of record, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brown, Gordon	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Lost Lake	Upper ledges at Lost Lake		The documentation form by Gordon Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was George Brown.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	38
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Lost Lake in Boone County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-23	1981-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Lost Lake in Boone County, IA on May 23, 1981.	Brown, Gordon	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Lost Lake	Upper ledges at Lost Lake		The documentation form by Gordon Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include George Brown.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Eastern Meadowlark at Red Rock Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-12-16	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eastern Meadowlark at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 16, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brand, Gordon James	Eastern Meadowlark	Lake Red Rock	an area a couple miles west of highway 14 and north of Red Rock Lake for our portion of the Red Rock Lake Christmas count.		The documentation form by Gordon James Brand is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Bill Gilbert. \| Elimination of similar species: The description given distinguishes this bird from an Western Meadowlark. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:30:00 for several minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	7
Rare bird documentation form for Barn Owl at Eden Township in Marshall County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-10-29	1978-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Barn Owl at Eden Township in Marshall County, IA on October 29, 1978.	Jones, Greig D.	Barn Owl	Eden Township	Rhodes Farm, Iowa, Marshall Co., Eden Twnsp, T82N, R20W, Sec 20	pastured farmland scattered with woodlots, several ponds, & 1 main stream Perched in a dead cottonwood located along a run of trees which bounded a moist grassy travelway for cattle	The documentation form by Greg D. Jones is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Barn Owl is a fairly distinctive species. Its uniformly cream breast, short neck, and dual face eliminate other species of owls & hawks commonly found in central Iowa farmlands. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:05:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-07-09	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on July 9, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, numerous correspondence about the bird sighting, an outside review of the sighting from Don Roberson, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Mountain Plover	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	3 miles east of Colo, County Road E-41, 1/2 mile north, section 1 T83N R21W, Story County.	General: Recently plowed field with several pothole ponds Specific: The bird stayed in the waterways that led to the ponds. These areas were wet and contained no vegetation.	The documentation form by Hank Zalatel is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, Tom Staudt, and Paul Martsching were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Steve Dinsmore, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden and Black-bellied plovershave [sic] gray-white and brown-gold scaly backs, this bird's back was brown and was unmarked. These two plovers have streaked throats which this bird did not have. These two plovers have streaked breasts which this bird did not have. The white above the eye of this bird was clear and contained no streaking as does the Black-bellied Plover. The bird associated with Golden Plovers in breeding plumage and one that was not so that comparison could be made on the spot for the two plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:55:00 July 9, 1986 and 18:45:00 - 19:15:00 on July 10, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh at Story County, IA on March 27, 1985.	Zaletel, Hank	Snowy Egret	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	Hendrickson Marsh	Marsh - mudflat with snags	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cattle Egret - Short thick yellow bill, yellow legs. American Egret - Long slender yellow bill, much larger size. Little Blue - Long blueish gray bill, olive legs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:15:00/18:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Clear Creek Township in Jasper County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-22	1984-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Clear Creek Township in Jasper County, IA on January 22, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Red-shouldered Hawk	Clear Creek Township	Jasper County, Clear Creek Twnshp T8IN-R21W Section 13 SE	Steep hills, flat valleys, wooded slopes	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red tail does not have barred tail, does not have orange brown breast as well as underside wing linings. Broad wing has fewer bars on tail, does not have orange brown underside wing linings neither have dark, white spacing on top side secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Little Wall Lake in Hamilton County, IA on April 12, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Red-necked Grebe	Little Wall Lake	Little Wall Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-necked Grebe nearly one third bigger than nearby horned grebe. Horned and eared grebes do not have white cheek patch in summer plumage. Winter plumage horned and eared grebes do not have red necks. Red throated loon does not have white cheek patch and back of neck is not red. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-23	1985-12-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 23, 1985.	Zaletel, Hank	White-winged Scoter	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park	lake	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore, Steve Dinsmore, and Bob Meyer. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Colo, 1978	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-09-29	1978-10-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Colo in Story County, IA on September 29, 1978	Zaletel, Hank	Glossy Ibis	Colo	2 1/2 miles east of Colo on old highway 30 in a flooded field	flooded field marsh grass and mud flat	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore and Woodward Brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 on September 29 and 14:30:00/15:15:00 on October 1.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Albion, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-05-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Snowy Egrets at Albion in Marshall County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Snowy Egret	Albion	South of viaduct Albion, Marshall County Section 7 R18W-T48N	Floodplain Grassy meadow - 2-3" of water	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: American Egrets have yellow bills and legs -- much larger in size. Cattle Egret was also present -- it had yellow bill -- yellow on head -- tail feathers had yellow edgings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-21	1981-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 21, 1981.	Zaletel, Hank	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	NW end of Big Creek State Park, Polk County	Lake edge overgrown pasture	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Robinson and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk eliminated because of size, this bird was much larger. \| The original documentation form event occurred for ten minutes between 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Big Creek State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-07	1980-09-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Cinnamon Teals at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on September 7, 1980.	Zaletel, Hank	Cinnamon Teal	Big Creek State Park	entrance of Big Creek into Big Creek State Park lake in Polk Co.	wetlands - entrance of stream into lake, area contained mudflats, marsh (cattails) and open water	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Robinson, Paul Martsching, Dick Mooney and Pauline Mooney. \| Elimination of similar species: Since the bird was the same size as a Blue-winged Teal, the chief factor in differentiating the two species, was the rusty-red color on the bird's neck breast and tail feathers. When the two species flew, it was easy to separate the light tan breast of the Blue-winged Teal from the rusty-red breast of the Cinnamon Teal.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Colo, 1978	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-09-24	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a bird (Ibis species) at Colo in Story County on September 24, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Glossy Ibises	Colo	2 1/2 miles east of Colo on old highway 30 in a flooded field	flooded field, marsh grass and mud flat	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Zaletel, Jim Dinsmore and Woodward Brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 and the second sighting on October 1 from 14:30:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush near Moingona, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-02-09	1980-02-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush near Moingona in Boone County, IA on February 9, 1980.	Zaletel, Hank	Hermit Thrush	Moingona	near Moingona, Boone County	General: near a stream partially free of ice Specific: in a small tree at the most 15 feet tall that had climbing vines around the tree	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Zaletel, Linda Erickson, and Carol Sweeney. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on September 22, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	General: marsh edge Specific: broadleaf plants - chest high	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching, Joe Schaufenbuel, and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow has light streaked crown - it also has streaking in the gray nape of the neck - it has a light colored back with indistinct white streaking \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on February 15, 1982.	Zaletel, Hank	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Highway 415 North of Polk City at NW 100 ST Big Creek State Park	State park, open grassland, trees on edge - flew to wooded edge	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Northern Harrier - no white rump patch + this bird had white eye brow line. Coopers Hawk - vertical streaks more widely spaced than coopers horizontal streaks - underside appeared white in flight. This bird had white eye brow line and was much larger in size. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Bohemian Waxwing at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-01-27	1985-01-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bohemian Waxwing at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines in Polk County, IA on January 27, 1985.	Zaletel, Hank	Bohemian Waxwing	Glendale Cemetery	Glendale Cemetery - Des Moines, Iowa	Cedars and conifers	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Renee Baade, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was much larger than other Cedar Waxwings - color was gray compared to yellow cream of Cedar Waxwing - 2 white wing marks not on Cedar Waxwings - Cedar Waxwings do not have red under tail \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	16
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at McFarland Lake Park in Story County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at McFarland Lake Park in Story County, IA on September 15, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Pine Warbler	McFarland Lake Park	McFarland Park, Story Co.	General: wooded edge Specific: tree on edge	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Erik Munson, and thirty unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Solitary vireo has eye ring this bird did not \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Ingham Lake, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Osprey at Ingham Lake in Emmet County, IA on March 25, 1984.	White, Harold W.	Osprey	Ingham Lake	1 mile North of Ingham Lake, Emmet County	Open farmland north of Ingham Lake	The documentation form by Harold White is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joan Greene and Brad Bergeson. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature bald eagle would be larger without crock in wings, white wing lining would not be as large an area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Decorah, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-04-22	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on April 22, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hovde, Harriet Hovde, Oivind M.	Western Tanager	Decorah	603 North St. Decorah Winneshiek County	Open yard with (deciduous + conifers) trees and shrubs near feeding station	The documentation form by Harriet and Oivind Hovde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Orene Docken, Ardith Koenig, and Dorothy Peterson. \| Elimination of similar species: Scarlet Tanager - Eliminated because of color and wing bars \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00 on April 22, 1986 and 10:00:00 on April 24, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29