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 Northern Goshawk at Oxford, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Oxford in Johnson County, IA on December 9, 1978.	Folk, G. Edgar	Northern Goshawk	Oxford	Oxford, Iowa	Meadow surrounded by deep woods	The documentation form by G. Edgar Folk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Marsh Hawk eliminated. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow near Tiffin, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Field Sparrow near Tiffin in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Field Sparrow	Tiffin	~1/2 mi. s. of Tiffen [sic], Johnson Co., Ia. at Clear Creek Bridge	Creek bed with forested area to north and open field to south. Deep snow covered most of area. South-facing north slope of creek provided open grassy area as snow had mostly melted. Several song sparrows were in same area.	The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: The Tree Sparrow, usually abundant in winter around Iowa City, has a dark upper bill and lacks the white eye ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/08:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush near Tiffin, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush near Tiffin in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	DeCoster, R. J. (Richard Joseph)	Hermit Thrush	Tiffin	1/4 mile south of US Rte 6, 1 mi. west of Tiffen [sic], Johnson Co., Iowa	General: Small forested area on hilly terrain with some underbush. Woods cut by country road and interspersed with a few houses. Specific: Bushes growing at bottom of ditch alongside county road. Several of bushes contained berries that the bird was eating.	The documentation form by Richard DeCoster is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Huntington, Mike Lewis-Beck, and Arline Lewis-Beck. \| Elimination of similar species: Other small brown thrushes do not have reddish-brown tail contrasting with brown back. Tail-pumping and white eye ring also unique to Hermit Thrush. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike at Babcock Access, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike at Babcock Access in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Newlon, Carol S.	Northern Shrike	Swan Lake	West of Swan Lake and east of Babcock Lake rd on Swan lake road at intersection with county road to the south.		The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt, Ruth Williams, Mona Brown, and Noel Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: too clingy on the breast and to be a loggerhead shrike - also, the mask stopped at the bill too chunky to be mockingbird - also heavy hooked bill rather than slender one. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 09:00:00/09:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Loggerhead Shrike west of Green Castle, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Loggerhead Shrike west of Green Castle in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Newlon, Carol S.	Loggerhead Shrike	Green Castle (historical)	~ 1/2 mile west of green castle corner on Swan Lake road.	General: dropped straight down when flew & flew away Specific: low over grass.	The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Staudt and Ruth Williams. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was lighter on the breast than any Northern I've seen - In addition both T. Staudt & I are pretty sure the mask was continuous over the bill \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	74
Rare bird documentation form for Saw-whet Owl near Swan Lake in Johnson County, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Saw-whet Owl near Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Newlon, Carol S.	Northern Saw-whet Owl	Swan Lake	under bridge on swan lake rd between swan lake + babcock lake rd		The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Staudt, Ruth Williams, Mona Brown, and Noel Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: a screech owl would have had ear tufts, a boreal would certainly not have been expected here and would have had black rims around the facial discs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	55
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Partridge west of North Liberty, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for seven Gray Partridges west of North Liberty in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Gray Partridge	North Liberty	2 miles west of North Liberty IA on county road F 28	flat farm land, cut snow covered corn field	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Shires, Rick Hollis, and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobwhite, chukar. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:30:00/13:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	37
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Swan Lake, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Osprey at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Newlon, Carol S.	Osprey	Swan Lake	Farm just west of Swan Lake, I.C. Christmas Count circle	Sitting close to swan lake which was frozen - open water in the reservoir ~ 1/2 mile away.	The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt and R. Williams. \| Elimination of similar species: A marsh hawk would have shown a white rump when it flew and would not have had a white head w/ dark eye marks. An immature red tail would have had a belly band and no white on top of the head. A light phase rough leg would have had a belly band, no white on top of the head and a single dark terminal band on the tail. In addition the wings were longer & narrower in proportion to body size then a buteos. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at Coralville Reservoir, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-16	1978-12-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Osprey at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Osprey	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Swan Lake	Frozen shallow lake within a mile of open water, perched in tree over frozen lake, marsh	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon as well as Mr. and Mrs. Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: it was too small for a bald eagle. The light banding on tail, white top of head and solid white underbelly eliminate the red-tailed hawk. no white rump seen in flight so not likely to be marsh hawk. Again, the wingshape, long pointed not rounded eliminates any Buteo. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for Loggerhead Shrike at Coralville Reservoir west of Green Castle, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-12-19	1978-12-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Loggerhead Shrike at Coralville Reservoir west of Green Castle in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1978.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Loggerhead Shrike	Green Castle (historical)	Coralville Reservoir west of Green Castle,	General: open country near river, scattered tree stands and individual trees. Specific: single bare tree at least 40yds from nearest trees.	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon, Mona Brown, and Noel Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: The obvious mask on this bird so contrasted with the mask on a Northern Shrike seen only a little over an hour earlier that this bird seemed to have to be a Loggerhead. also the point in the illustration that the mask seemed to go through the beak and across the upper mandible should eliminate an adult Northern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	74
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-backed Woodpecker north of Boyden, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-12-23	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-backed Woodpecker north of Boyden in Sioux County, IA on December 23, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Stravers, Jay A.	Three-toed Woodpecker	Boyden	2 1/2 miles North of Boyden Iowa on east side of county highway L14	General: 3000 m farm grove in wide open (formerly prairie) gently rolling farm land. Specific: grove is a thick growth of shrubs, weedy plants, Ash trees, and American + Chinese Elms. many of the Elms are dead and fallen. There are 2 rows (closely spaced) of Ponderosa Pine on the North side of the grove. The grove is surrounded with mature honeysuckle shrubs. Ground covered with 0.5 m. of snow in the grove.	The documentation form by Jay Stravers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Loren Stravers, Henry O. Stegeman, and Aaron Stegeman. \| Elimination of similar species: There are really no other species that could be confused other than possibly a Pileated Woodpecker who is much too large + has 4 toes instead of 3 \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 13:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	30
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike east of Green Castle at Coralville Reservoir in 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1978-12-25	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike east of Green Castle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 16, 1978.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Northern Shrike	Green Castle (historical)				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-03	1979-02-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon in O'Brien County, IA on February 3, 1979.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Townsend's Solitaire	East Lawn Cemetery	East Lawn cemetery, Sheldon (extreme western O'Brien Co.), Iowa. This cemetery covers an extensive area and is planted with many large evergreen, viz., spruce (mostly Norway Spruce), pine (Austrian Pine, I think), and a species of cedar or juniper (I am not sure of the species; it resembles the Red Cedar of the East somewhat, but has a more open crown); these junipers carry many blue berries.	among evergreen, moving from tree to tree, selecting mostly the juniper/cedar trees, see above: Location	The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: one who knows neither the Solitaire not the Mockingbird might conceivably mistake it for the latter. But the Mockingbird is larger, has no eye ring, shows no buff on the wing, and flashes conspicuous white in wing and tail in flight. I have lived both in California and in southern New York, where the Mockingbird is common: I am very familiar with the Mockingbird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at both Oxford and Homestead, 1979	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1979-02-03	1994-02-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk at both Oxford in Johnson County, IA and Homestead in Iowa County, IA on February 3 and 4, 1979. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Ferruginous Hawk	Township of Oxford	N Eastern Oxford Township, Johnson Co., Iowa	perched on hedge rows or wood edges over snow covered fields	The documentation form by Richard Jule Hollis is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Carl Bendorf were submitted later. Other observers include Janet Hollis and Cal Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: red upper surface of Iower tail and lack of belly band eliminates Buteo lagopus white under side of tail (w/o terminal band) + white upper tail tend to eliminate B. jamaicensis. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 16:00:00 for the sighting on February 4, 1979 and had no time for February 3, 1979.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Dick Bierman letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings, February 6, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Columbiformes \| Doves and Pigeons Accipitridae \| Hawks and Eagles Phasianidae \| Pheasants, Turkeys, and Grouse	1979-02-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Dick Bierman to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings, February 6, 1979. Sightings of Pileated Woodpecker and Bohemian Waxwings are underlined in red. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1978-1979.	Bierman, Dick	Cedar Waxwing Snow Bunting Common Redpoll Bohemian Waxwing Purple Finch Pileated Woodpecker Belted Kingfisher Horned Lark	Cherokee County Emmet County Palo Alto County Wanata State Park Sac City Correctionville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	8
Ruth Phipps letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings, February 7, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Bird banding Bird watching Birds--Research Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Accipitridae \| Hawks and Eagles Fringillidae \| Finches	1979-02-07	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Ruth Phipps to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings in southwest Iowa, February 7, 1979. Sightings of Purple Finch and Lincoln's Sparrow are underlined in red. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1978-1979.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Bald Eagle Cedar Waxwing Barred Owl Purple Finch Long-eared Owl Lincoln's Sparrow Red-breasted Nuthatch Red-winged Blackbird Mourning Dove	Shenandoah Riverton Farragut				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	8
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Prairie Chicken south of Pisgah, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-07	1979-03-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Prairie Chicken south of Pisgah in Harrison County, IA on February 7, 1979.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Prairie-Chicken	Pisgah	Three miles south of Pisgah, Harrison County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: The close reative [sic] the Lesser Prairie Chicken is smaller, paler and lacks distinct markings. It is also rare, and has never occurred in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	38
Fred Lesher letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding bird sightings, February 8, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Identification	1979-02-08	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Fred Lesher to Vernon M. Kleen regarding bird sightings, February 8, 1979. The sightings were made at Yellow River State Forest and Effigy Mounds National Monument. A note mentions that the Cooper's Hawk seen at Yellow River State Forest may have been a Sharp-shinned Hawk. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists Union Quarterly field report of fall, 1978.	Lesher, Fred	Broad-winged Hawk Cooper's Hawk Yellow-breasted Chat Acadian Flycatcher Blue-winged Warbler Cerulean Warbler Hooded Warbler Kentucky Warbler Sharp-shinned Hawk	Yellow River State Forest Effigy Mounds National Monument				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	7
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings, February 9, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research	1979-02-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Gladys Black to Nicholas S. Halmi providing additional statewide bird sightings, February 9, 1979. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1978-1979.	Black, Gladys	Bald Eagle Swainson's Hawk Brown Thrasher Snowy Owl Black-backed Woodpecker White-crowned Sparrow Long-eared Owl Pileated Woodpecker Spotted Towhee Pine Siskin Red-breasted Nuthatch	Buffalo Center Iowa Sioux City Spencer Sac City Tipton McIntire Wapello				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	8
Peter C. Petersen letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings, February 10, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Anseriformes \| Ducks, Geese, and Swans Laridae \| Gulls and Terns Accipitridae \| Hawks and Eagles Fringillidae \| Finches Water birds	1979-02-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Peter C. Petersen to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings in the Quad Cities area, February 10, 1979. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1978-1979.	Petersen, Peter C.	Killdeer Common Redpoll Snowy Owl Purple Finch Golden Eagle Glaucous Gull Northern Shrike	Bettendorf Davenport				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	8
Dean Mosman letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings, February 10, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Bird banding Bird feeders Bird watching Birds--Research Fringillidae \| Finches Weather	1979-02-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Dean Mosman to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings from Saylorville Lake, Saylorville Dam and a feeding station, February 10, 1979. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1978-1979.	Mosman, Dean	Bald Eagle Eastern Bluebird Snow Bunting Loggerhead Shrike Harris' Sparrow Purple Finch Pine Siskin Winter Wren Dark-eyed Junco Horned Lark American Goldfinch Sharp-shinned Hawk Mallard	Elkhart Saylorville Dam Saylorville Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	8
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-11	1979-02-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on February 11, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	Golden Eagle	Coralville Lake	farm country between Rt. 6 and the Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co IA	An area of mixed cropland and timber south of the Iowa River; just to the north is an extensive area of public land, with mixed fields and woods; to the south are farms on flatter land, with much less timber.	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rick Hollis and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: large size and slow wingbeat rule out buteos, as do the dark primaries and secondaries (melanistic redtails and roughlegs have white in the flight feathers). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Shenandoah, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-02-23	1979-02-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Shenandoah in Page County, IA on February 23, 1979.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Varied Thrush	Shenandoah	Shenandoah, Iowa	Many trees and shrubs in the area - not far from the cemetery where there are many pine trees	The documentation form by Ruth O. Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vera Jennings, Betty Walters, Mary Beth Vaughn, Barbara Cummingham, and Marie Spears. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to a robin in size and coloration. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/08:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
W. Ross Silcock letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings, February 28, 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Fringillidae \| Finches	1979-02-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from W. Ross Silcock to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding winter bird sightings. February 28, 1979. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1978-1979.	Silcock, W. Ross	Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Great Black-backed Gull Varied Thrush Snow Bunting Loggerhead Shrike Trumpeter Swan Glaucous Gull Pine Siskin Snow Goose Belted Kingfisher Greater White-fronted Goose Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk Mallard	Fremont County Lake Manawa Shenandoah Malvern Riverton Randolph				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	8
Iowa Ornithologists' Union, Quarterly field report, spring 1979	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Weather	1979-03-01	1979-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Quarterly field report for the spring of 1979. Includes an addenda to the winter report, 1978-1979. There is a letter attached from Nicholas S. Halmi to Vernon M. Kleen announcing transfer of his duties as compiler of the quarterly field report to Thomas H. Kent.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Halmi, Nicholas S.		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	18	9