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 American Avocet southeast of New Albin, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-27	1986-05-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight American Avocets southeast of New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on April 27, 1986.	Zarwell, Ric	American Avocet	New Albin	3/4 mile southeast of New Albin, Iowa - extreme northeast corner of Allamakee County Iowa	Flooded soybean field	The documentation form by Ric Zarwell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rob Zarwell. \| Elimination of similar species: Black-necked Stilt does not have brown head/neck and lacks white on upper wing. Ditto oyster catchers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	6
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Lake Township in Clay County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-12	1982-06-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Lake Township in Clay County, IA on May 12, 1982.	Johnson, Rex R.	King Rail	Lake Township	Sect. 25; Lake Township; Clay Cty, Iowa	Flooded timber adjacent to grass waterway flowing into seasonal massh [sic].	The documentation form by Rex R. Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia rail. Size and call. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Colo Ponds, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-14	1991-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on April 14, 1991.	Dinsmore, James J.	Cinnamon Teal	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	Colo Ponds, weast [sic] of Colo, Story County	flooded waterway	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Dinsmore and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: no other duck matches this color pattern and size. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 18:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
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 East River Valley Park, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at East River Valley Park at Ames in Story County, IA on November 3, 1982.	Bennett, Richard S.	Northern Goshawk	River Valley Park	East River Valley Park, Ames, Iowa	Floodplain woodlot next to skunk river	The documentation form by Richard S. Bennett is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Only other bird that size with a dark eye band would be an osprey, but the hawk was not that large + the back was definitely a blue-gray color. Also, wrong habitat. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:20:00 .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 21, 1985.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Boat ramp area; Riverton GMA.	Floodplain, open deciduous	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barb Wilson. It was compiled by Betty Walters. \| Elimination of similar species: small, bigger than Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-06	1983-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on May 6, 1983.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	King Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie, Story Co.	flushed from upland burned prairie - flew to short grass marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Least Bittern - no rusty wing patches, decurved bill Other Rails - large size, heavier bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at State Forest Nursery, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at State Forest Nursey in Ames in Story County, IA on February 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Merlin	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames	flushed out of a row of Pine trees	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharp-shinned Hawk eliminated by lack of narrow pointed wings, heavily streaked underparts. Am. Kestrel eliminated because this bird had no red on back or tail. This bird also had a uniformly dark colored back unlike Am. Kestrel. Am. Kestrel also lacks the strongly barred tail this bird exhibited. This bird also lacked strong facial pattern of Am. Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger Species at Riverview Cemetery in Algona, 1989	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-10-29	1993-07-21	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Jaeger species birds at Riverview Cemetery in Algona in Kossuth County, IA on October 29, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Jaegers	Riverview Cemetery	Riverview Cemetery Algona, Ia.	fly-over hill overlooking Des Moines River valley	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wrong color for a gull, no terminal tail bands, no gray, no white except for the lightness at the base of primaries, no darker primaries (black wingtips). Bill was gull-like, but hooked mail different. May have been exagerated [sic] by a darker color than basal portion. Flight was direct and strong, a "confident" feel I get from birds of prey. \| The original documentation form event occurred around an estimated 11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Little Gull near Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-27	1997-10-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Little Gull near Jester Park in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 27, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence requesting reevaluation of record, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Little Gull	Jester Park	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-near Jester Park	flying and feeding over reservoir with other gulls	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ann Johnson was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, black "W" across the back of the wings, lack of a lighter "window" on the inner primaries, and slightly blunter wingtips eliminates all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:22:00/18:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	20
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Willow Slough, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 27, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Cattle Egret	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co.	flying around marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size eliminates Great Egret. The heavy, yellowish bill, dark legs, and short-necked appearance eliminates Snowy Egret and immature Little Blue Heron (not very likely at this date anyhow). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-14	1988-10-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 14, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Prairie Falcon	Jester Park Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-along river channel north of Jester Park	flying back and forth along river channel	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, wing shape, and dark axillaries eliminates all other falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Dam, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Peregrine Falcon	Saylorville Dam	Flying over Saylorville Dam, Polk Co., IA	Flying down river after going over the dam	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: No other bird has the dark helmeted look that this bird showed. Merlin is smaller. This bird was probably a fairly large female. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at George Wyth State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-28	1986-09-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on September 28, 1986.	Moore, Francis L.	Peregrine Falcon	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth S.P., Black Hawk Co.	Flying down river over Cedar River on boundry [sic] of G.W.S.P.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin would be darker on breast and lacks helmeted look this bird had. Prairie Falcon would be sandy brown overall, this bird was not. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Anderson Goose Lake, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-14	1983-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Anderson Goose Lake in Hamilton County, IA on May 14, 1983.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	Anderson Goose Lake	Anderson Lake, Hamilton Co.	Flying over a lake/marsh area	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barney Cook, Mike Nolan, and Steve Richards. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin - smaller size, no hood, more slender appearance. Prairie Falcon - no hood, brown back, top of wings, tail. Coopers + Sharp-shinned Hawks - barring on breast, broader wings and feathered tips of wings. Also, lighter back and tops of wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-shinned Hawk at Lucas County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-06-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-shinned Hawk at Lucas County, IA on June 16, 1988.	Ehresman, Bruce	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Lucas County	T-71N, R 23 W, Sec. 17 (NW Qtr)	Flying over bottomland deciduous timber 2 mi s. of Stephen's Forest	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk is larger and normally has rounded tail. I've never seen a Cooper's with a notched tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/13:13:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	23
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane in western Fremont County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-15	1986-04-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Sandhill Cranes in western Fremont County, IA on March 15, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Sandhill Crane	Fremont County	western Fremont Co.	flying over corn stubble in the Missouri River valley	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron eliminated by the way the neck was held and by the cell. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-06	1986-11-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 6, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Northern Goshawk	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	flying over dam	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The larger size, gray underparts, and white undertail coverts eliminate both Sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-09-05	1988-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on September 5, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Prairie Falcon	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek S.P., Polk Co.-north end	flying over lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen and Pam Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, long tail, long, pointed wings, and dark axillaries eliminate all other raptors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:38:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverton Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-27	1988-12-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverton Area in Fremont County, IA on December 27, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Merlin	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton A., Fremont Co., IA	flying over large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size, lack of any obvious facial pattern, and lack of dark axillars eliminates Peregrine and Prairie Falcons. The brown upperparts, barred tail, streaked underparts, and more powerful wingstrokes eliminate Am. Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event occurred at approximately 08:15:00/08:17:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Parasitic Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-29	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Parasitic Jaeger at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 29, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Parasitic Jaeger	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-south end of lake	flying over large reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark color and white patches on the wings eliminates all larids except jaegers. The noticeable amount of white on the wing, visible on the underside of the wing, eliminates Long-tailed Jaeger. The small size compared to a Ring-billed Gull, less prominent white on the wing, smaller bill size, and more rapid wing strokes eliminates Pomarine Jaeger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:46:00/17:14:00 on September 29, 1988 and 10:15:00/10:35:00 on September 30, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1983	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-02-19	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Smith's Longspur at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on February 19, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Smith's Longspur	Anderson Township	Wilson farm, NE Mills County, Iowa	flying over open fields near woods.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lapland Longspurs should have white bellies rather than buffy ones. The voice makes me think it is an open - field bird + not a sparrow or something like that \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Great Black-backed Gull	White Breast Creek	Whitebreast Point, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Flying over open water and ice	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size (larger than Herring) eliminated most others. White head and black and white checkering eliminate Lesser Black-backed and Herring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-18	1985-09-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on September 18, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	Ames, Story County	flying over town	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Kestrel was eliminated by the lack of evident rufous color on tail or back. Both Am. Kestrel and Merlin were eliminated by size. The bird appeared to be the size of a crow, which is too large for either of these. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Ames, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-10-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Ames in Story County, IA on October 10, 1983.	Martsching, Paul	Peregrine Falcon	Ames	Ames, Story County, Iowa	flying over town	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow hawk & Merlin much smaller. Prairie Falcon brown & unlikely anyway. Nighthawk has white bar on wings - floppy flight. other hawks would have wider wings & tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:15:00/17:15:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34