Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Remarks

Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on October 3, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Northern Goshawk	Oakland Cemetery	Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, Johnson Co., Iowa	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wings proportionately longer and narrower than either Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawks', distinctly broad at secondaries, narrowing at primaries. Tail too long for any Buteo, proportionately shorter than other accipiters or N. Harrier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:25:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on March 27, 1987.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	Sioux Center (Sioux Co).	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There were many migrating Kestrels in the area, but I recognized this bird at once as a Merlin because of its distinctively striped breast (it was facing the road) [...] Size about of a Kestrel, but no distinctive Kestrel-like head markings and no rufous on back and tail. [...] I rule out Kestrel on basis already indicated above, as well as Sharp-shinned Hawk, since this bird had pointed wings and the breast striping was lengthwise on light background, rather than crosswise on reddish or rusty background.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-27	1986-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 27, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Merlin	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir - Polk Co., Iowa (at the dam)	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - this bird had no rust or rufous on back, wings, or tail; or blue in wings like a male Kestrel. And did not have strong face pattern of Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the AM.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-18	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on September 18, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, N.E. Mills County, Iowa	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel doesn't have a gray barred tail. Uniform grayish grown upper parts would resemble Merlin, not Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/17:45:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, 1982.	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-13	1982-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Wilson farm in Northeast Mills County, IA on September 13, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Merlin	Mills County	Wilson farm, N.E. Mills County	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: When it was parachuting, the bird farmed its wings enough it resembled an accipiter, but when it flew the wings were obviously pointed, + the bird's rowing wingbeats were like a falcon's. Size limits the question to: Kestrel or Merlin? The tail banding + uniformly gray upper parts (the latter seen only briefly) make it a Merlin. I've never seen anything behave like that. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at IA 17 bridge over the Des Moines River, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-20	1999-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at IA 17 bridge over the Des Moines River in Polk County, IA on December 20, 1998.	Healy, Kevin	Golden Eagle	High Bridge	e. side of the Des Moines River about 1/2 mile n. of the IA 17 bridge.	The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karl Jungbluth. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was soaring above the river in the vicinity of two adult Bald Eagles. We saw a large dark buteo similar in size to the Bald Eagles. Head projected less than 1/2 the length of the tail, noticeably less than that of the adult Bald Eagles in view at that time. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/12:53:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Oak Grove Park in Sioux County, IA on November 6, 1998.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Golden Eagle	Oak Grove State Park	Oak Grove Park area in western Sioux County	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle in Decatur County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-25	1990-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle in Decatur County, IA on November 25, 1990.	Schlarbaum, Pat	Golden Eagle	Decatur County	Decatur County, Iowa ... at my parent's farm ... T69N R24W Sec. 17	The documentation form by Pat Schlarbaum is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kathy Schlarbaum, Dale Schlarbaum, and Mildred Schlarbaum. \| Elimination of similar species: Considering the flat flight plane, size of bird, the white tail band, the white on the wings' undersides, we were convinced the bird was an immature golden eagle. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-23	1984-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on November 23, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Golden Eagle	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Mills County, Iowa, near Willow Slough	The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Young Bald Eagles are similar but usually mottled with light feathers. They have white on the under wing coverts, not the bases of the flight feathers, & they do not have the neat tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-28	1980-10-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park in Pocahontas County, IA on September 28, 1980.	Harms, Ronald	Golden Eagle	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove State Park, Pocahontas Co.	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Harms and Don Winkler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Rough-legged Hawk at Pool Slough, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Rough-legged Hawk at Pool Slough north of New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on May 8, 1999.	Lesher, Fred	Rough-legged Hawk	Pool Slough	Pool Slough north of Army Road, New Albin, Iowa.	The documentation form by Fred Lesher is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	30
Rare bird documentation form for Red-tailed Hawk near Fraser, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-tailed Hawk on the Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River east of Fraser in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Healy, Kevin	Red-tailed Hawk	Fraser	Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River about 1 mile east of Fraser IA.	The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rosanne Healy, Amy Yoakum, and Molly Havlik. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	29
Rare bird documentation form for Broad-winged Hawk at Grammer Grove, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Broad-winged Hawk at Grammer Grove in Marshall County, IA on October 21, 1995.	Proescholdt, Beth	Broad-winged Hawk	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Mark Proescholdt, and Rick Trieff. \| Elimination of similar species: When we saw a barred tail at first we thought 'Red-shouldered', but realized it was a Broadwing tail, with the wider, darker subterminal hand of an adult - distinctly different from the Red-shouldered's even-width dark bands + more narrow white bands. \| The original documentation form event lasted for four and a half hours.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	27
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-27	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ross's Gull at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on December 27, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Ross's Gull	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa	The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ross Silcock, Duane E. Bright, Stephen J. Dinsmore, and Jerry Probst and Bill Huser were submitted. Other observers include Gordon Brown, Sandra Kovanda, Jim Kovanda, R. Craig Hensley, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Since it was the only gull on the lake, the only birds to compare it with were Ruddy Ducks which appeared smaller and a drake Common Merganser which was larger than the gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/11:00:00 and 15:15:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	11
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hastings, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-26	1983-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at the John Wilson farm in Hastings in Mills County, IA on November 26, 1983.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Northern Goshawk	Hastings	John Wilson farm, NE Mills County, Ia.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tail too long + flight too quick + direct for a Red-tail. Wings rounded - not a falcon. Young accipiter (+ many buteos) would be streaked below. Adult accipiters of other kinds would be barred below, but reddish or brown, not gravy. Marsh Hawk would fly with a more leisurely pace + have longer wings. As I saw it, identifications went clicking through my brains one after another. Red tail? No.. Marsh Hawk! - No ... Coopers Hawk! Yes - no - its gray! I certainly did not expect a Goshawk.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek Lake, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on January 15, 1983.	Bray, Tanya Rose, B.J. Bray, Don Rose, Sharon	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Lake, Polk County	The documentation form by Tanya Bray, Don Bray, B.J. Rose, and Sharon Rose is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Field report, March 1 to April 30	Field notes	Bird watching Rare birds	1977-03-01	1977-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Report of bird sightings submitted by Woodward H. Brown. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of spring 1977.	Brown, Woodward H.	Upland Sandpiper Cattle Egret Least Tern Piping Plover	Iowa			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	1
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird watching, April 27, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Nests Rare birds Predation (Biology)	1977-04-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Gladys Black to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird watching, April 27, 1977. The letter mentions a sighting of an Egyptian Goose spotted in Iowa Lake in Emmett County, along with other birds. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly Report of spring 1977.	Black, Gladys	Red-tailed Hawk American Crow Blue Jay Great Horned Owl Barred Owl Osprey Ruby-crowned Kinglet Yellow-rumped Warbler Egyptian Goose	Elk Rock State Park Lake Red Rock Iowa Lake			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	1
John Van Dyk letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, February 12, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird populations Bird watching Rare birds	1977-02-12	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings contributed by John Van Dyk in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Rough-legged Hawk Snowy Owl Northern Saw-whet Owl	Sioux Center			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
John Van Dyk letter to Nicholas S.Halmi regarding bird migration, fall 1976	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Rare birds	1976-12-04	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird migration report contributed by John Van Dyk in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi, December 4, 1976. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1976.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	American Kestrel Bell's Vireo Loggerhead Shrike Wood Thrush Wilson's Warbler Canada Warbler American Redstart Yellow Warbler Northern Harrier	Plymouth County Sioux County Oak Grove State Park			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	18
Iowa 1975 spring migration, Red Rock Refuge and Lake	Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Migration Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	1975-03-01	1975-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Birds sighted during the 1975 spring migration at Red Rock Refuge and Lake in Iowa were reported by Gladys Black. At the end, Black noted three rare bird species reported in other locations: a Purple Gallinule in Ottumwa, two White-faced Ibis at Black Hawk Lake, Sac County, and a Swainson's Hawk banded in Ankeny. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of spring 1975.	Black, Gladys	Swainson's Hawk White-faced Ibis Purple Gallinule	Ankeny Lake Red Rock Ottumwa Black Hawk Lake			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	14
Nicholas S. Halmi letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds sighted during winter 1972-1973, including rare birds, March 20, 1973	Correspondence Field notes	Bird populations Bird watchers Bird watching Birds--Habitat Birds--Migration Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds Country life	1973-03-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Nicholas S. Halmi to Vernon M. Kleen describing birds sighted during winter 1972-1973 in the Iowa City area and discussing other birdwatchers. Rare birds reported by Halmi were a Goshawk, Evening Grosbeaks, Red Crossbills, and Snow Buntings. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1972-1973 report.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Snow Bunting Evening Grosbeak Northern Goshawk Red Crossbill	Iowa City			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12
Nicholas S. Halmi letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds sighted during May-July 1973	Correspondence Field notes	Bird populations Bird watching Birds--Behavior Birds--Habitat Rare birds	1973-05-01	1973-07-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes from Nicholas S. Halmi describing birds sighted during May-July, 1973. This item was used as supporting documentation for American birds, spring 1973 report. This item was also used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of spring 1973.	Halmi, Nicholas S.		Iowa			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12
Melba Wigg letter and report to Vernon M. Kleen regarding bird sightings in Pottawattamie and Mills Counties, Iowa, fall 1973	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Rare birds	1973-12-07	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter and report from Melba Wigg to Vernon M. Kleen on bird sightings in Pottawattamie and Mills Counties, Iowa, during fall of 1973. Some unusual sightings in the DeSoto Bend Wildlife Refuge included: Whistling Swan, Common Goldeneye, Golden Eagle, and Caspian Tern. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1973.	Wigg, Melba	Goldeneye Golden Eagle Caspian Tern Tundra Swan	Mills County Pottawattamie County DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12
Nicholas S. Halmi letters to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds observed during summer and fall 1973.	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Identification Feathers Habitat (Ecology) Rare birds	1973-06-01	1973-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letters from Nicholas S. Halmi to Vernon M. Kleen regarding birds he observed in the fall and summer of 1973. One letter was about birds observed during summer 1973 near Iowa City. The other letter, dated November 20, 1973, was about birds observed during the fall of 1973 at Coralville Reservoir. This letter noted the following birds that the author regarded as rare: Willets, Stilt Sandpipers, Sanderlings, and Western Sandpipers. These items were used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of fall 1973.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Western Sandpiper Willet Sanderling Stilt Sandpiper	Coralville Lake Iowa City			Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	12