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 Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park in Pocahontas County, IA on November 29, 1980.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Golden Eagle	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove, Pocahontas County	General: Woods around lake. Specific: edge of woods around lake	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Philadelphia Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-03	1982-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Philadelphia Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 3, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Philadelphia Vireo	Brookside Park	Ames (Brookside Park) Story County, Iowa	General: woods Specific: in smallish (20-25 ft) tree by creek	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Warbling Vireo - dark mark between bill and eye; yellow all the way across breast. Red Eyed Vireo - This bird was grayish not greenish; eye stripe not prominent or outlined with black; yellow breast. Yellow Throated Vireo - didn't have specticles [sic]; didn't have wing bars. Nashville Warbler - even the palest Nashville's have eye rings. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00/10:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	80
Rare bird documentation form for Solitary Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Solitary Vireos at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 27, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Blue-headed Vireo	Brookside Park	Brookside Park in Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: woods Specific: woods (bottomland) a lot of trails. most of trees lost 3/4 or more of leaves.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow Throated Vireo - specticles [sic] not yellow; throat not yellow White Eyed Vireo - specticles [sic] not yellow (they both had darkeyes, as does imm. White Eye) Bell's Vireo - specticles [sic] wider - prominent white wing bars \| The original documentation form event occurred once at 14:45:00 and again at 14:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	78
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Wood-Pewee at Brookside Park in Ames, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-13	1982-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Eastern Wood-Pewee at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 13, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Eastern Wood-Pewee	Brookside Park	Brookside Park Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: woods. Specific: trees at edge of woods. These trees were still in the area where the grass is mowed; it flew off into the more natural woods area.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Phoebe: lower part of beak light; wing bars; no tail wagging; no contrast between head and back. Empidonax: bigger; darker; no eye ring; lazier; no olivish on back; or trace of yellowish below \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	64
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-25	1991-12-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1990.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Red Rock Dam	Redrock dam below spillway Marion Co.	Generally stayed on the water at all times.	The documentation form by Raymond L. Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Thick black collar eliminates all others. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-03-03	1995-03-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 3, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Treynor Carson	between Treynor and Carson on highway 92, Pottawattamie Co., IA	gently rolling hills; small stream with scattered trees.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The falcon shape was clear to us. The bird was flying directly into a strong southwest wind, but I don't think an accipiter's wing could be that pointed even in a strong wind. The bird was too large and plain to be a kestrel and the flight pattern and behavior were unlike any of the many kestrels seen that day. The light color and open farmland habitat favor Prairie over Peregrine. A Merlin would be smaller and darker. However, I would not have identified this bird as to species with out seeing the underwing pattern. \| The original documentation form event occurred at approximately 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1995-10-06	1995-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Surf Scoters at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on October 6, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Surf Scoter	Spirit Lake	West side of Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County	Glacial Lake	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - how white-wing patch. Surf Scoter - white on side of head - these birds has 2 patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for American Golden-Plover at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-09-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a American Golden-Plover at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 20, 1978.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	American Golden Plover	Sugar Bottom Campground	Sugar Bottom Recreation Area by Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	grainy-sandy uplands - periphery of short span-sand picnic. RV camping area on N shore of Coralville Reservoir, with sandy [illegible] extending into water.	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas H. Kent and Thomas K. Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: gestalt and most details like lesser golden Plover, but very distinct white wingstripe incongruous. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	3
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Jefferson Township, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-15	1983-03-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Jefferson Township in Madison County, IA on March 15, 1983.	Armstrong, Eugene	Merlin	Jefferson Township	Iowa, Madison County, Jefferson 11	Grass, cropland, waste land, tree covered creek. Tree top, cottonwood along small ditch	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel, this bird larger, no face pattern, no red on any part of back not large enough for Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Great-tailed Grackles at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 22, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Great-tailed Grackle	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake - Freemont [sic] County	Grassey [sic] islands in lake and bushes at lake's edge.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger + longer biled [sic] than common grackle Range would probably rule out Boat-tailed Grackle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:05:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Sprague's Pipit at Kettleson's Hogback Wildlife Management Area, 1994	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-09	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sprague's Pipit at Kettleson's Hogsback Wildlife Management Area in Dickinson County, IA on April 9, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a follow up letter from Lee Schoenewe to the IOU Records Committee, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Sprague's Pipit	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Kettleson's Hogsback WPA., Dickinson Co.	Grassland along shallow marsh	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was LaVonne Foote. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipit - Leg color; Behavior; Breast color + streaking; streaked back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	13
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire at Browns Lake, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-27	1989-12-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Townsend's Solitaires at Browns Lake in Woodbury County, IA on December 27, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Townsend's Solitaire	Browns Lake/IPS Wildlife Management Area	Brown's Lake - Woodbury County	Grassland with scattered trees, especially cedars	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Bill Huser, and Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: Catbird is only bird with similar size and color. This bird did not have the black crown or tail or rusty undertail coverts of the catbird. It did have eve ring and wing bars and white outer tail feathers catbird does not have \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Rolling Cove, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-01-31	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Rolling Cove at Lake Rathbun in Appanoose County, IA on January 31, 1988.	Cornett, Dorothy M.	Turkey Vulture	Rolling Cove Park	Rolling Cove at Lake Rathbun	Grassland with trees and fields.	The documentation form by Dorothy M. Cornett is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mary M. Montgomery. \| Elimination of similar species: Too big for most hawks and flew differently. Had just seen two immature and one mature eagle and couldn't be confused with those. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:55:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk at Lee Township in Madison County, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-10-05	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Ferruginous Hawk at Lee Township in Madison County, IA on October 5, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise	Ferruginous Hawk	Lee Township	Lee Twsp NE Madison County	Grasslands	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: A redtailed Hawk has outer white tail band and Red or Barred Tail. Flight is quite rapid-wings are shorter and more rounded Has larger square window in wing Krider's Red Tail Does not have very white underwing. Has a larger square window Further out on wings. Has a dark stripe on tail. Doesn't have a white rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-25	1982-05-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 25, 1982.	Snyder, Mark	Henslow's Sparrow	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City	Grassy area with dry ragweed & bushes & 8'-10' saplings 50' from creek	The documentation form by Mark A. Snyder is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Broz. \| Elimination of similar species: Bairds Sparrow. Henslow's has olive-yellow head which Bairds doesn't. Also Henslow's has rusty wings tips and rusty unforked tail of which Bairds does not. Henslow's olive yellow continues on the nape, where as Bairds has fine black streaks on nape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:25:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Swan Lake, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-06-03	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Swan Lake in Carroll County, IA on June 3, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Western Tanager	Swan Lake	Swan Lake Carroll Co.	Grassy Area with scatter tree up to 15' tall	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tanagers - had wing bars. N. Oriole Thicker bill + yellow rump and olive back \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail near Dixon, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-05-11	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail near Dixon in Scott County, IA on May 11, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Petersen, Peter C.	Black Rail	Dixon	1/2 mi. S. High Rock Bridge near Dixon, Scott Co.	grassy ditch along county road	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Don Moeller and Walter Zuurdeeg. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow Rail-no white wing patch. Sora & Virginia Rail-bird much too small, flight weaker than either. I had seen Soras several times in the preceeding [sic] two days. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:40:00/20:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Rare bird documentation form for Common Yellowthroat at Riverton Wildlife Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-29	1999-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Yellowthroat at Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on December 29, 1998.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Common Yellowthroat	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.A., Fremont County, Iowa	grassy edge of a frozen canal	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of an incomplete mask, pattern of yellow on the underparts, lack of wingbars, long tail, and leg color is diagnostic for Common Yellowthroat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:25:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	40
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Des Moines Township in Van Buren County, IA on April 15, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Des Moines Township	Section 8 - Des Moines Township - Van Buren County	Grassy field	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper Sparrow has clear buffy breast + different song (there were numerous Grasshopper Sparrows there) Savannah does not have olive head + nape nor prominent head stripes + song is different Baird's Sparrow has orangish side of face + top of head, no red in wing and different song. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/06:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Groove-billed Ani north of Burlington, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-10-05	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Groove-billed Ani north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on October 5, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Groove-billed Ani	Burlington	N. of Burlington, Ia off state hiway 99 .2 mile on tamar	Grassy field adjacent to narrow drainage ditch (mostly dry) with brush piled along the side. Some small trees (mostly willows) bordered ditch	The documentation form by Chuck Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was John Rutenbeck. \| Elimination of similar species: Great-tailed grackle - as described. [...] Two things were apparent: On profile the head and particularly the bill were that of an ani and not of a grackle. [...] One other note - When I first flushed the bird it made a startled cry. This cry was very similar, if not identical to the last part of the Groove-billed Ani call on Peterson's Field Guide to Western Birds record. Conclusion ani sp. probably a Groove-Billed \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/15:30:00 and 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	15
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Bay's Branch Wildlife Management Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-20	1989-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Bay's Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on December 20, 1988.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Merlin	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bay's Branch WMA, Guthrie Co.	grassy field bordered by pine and cedar shelder belts	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Hoogerheide. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel by tail pattern, heavy breast, and did hover during flight. Eurasian Kestrel female by tail was squared not wedged. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Lansing Wildlife Area, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Lansing Wildlife Area in Allamakee County, IA on June 19, 1982.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Prairie Warbler	Lansing Wildlife Management Area	Lansing Wildlife Area, one mile west and three miles north of Lansing, Iowa, Allamakee County.	Grassy hillside with scattered bushes and small trees. Bordering on edge of deciduous woodland.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent, Thomas Staudt, Bob Myers, and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Peterson's Field Guide (2nd edition) describes the Prairie as ' the only common Warbler with yellow underparts striped with black in which the stripings are confined to the sides.' He also states that no other warbler has the chestnut streakings on the upper back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:05:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat Slough, Jones Co., Iowa	grassy marsh, catails [sic] - NW end of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow - has crown stripe and lacks white lines on back. Also late. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk west of Ogden, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-08-09	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk west of Ogden in Boone County, IA on August 9, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Junck, Rodger	Ferruginous Hawk	Ogden	1/4 mi. West of Ogden Iowa main street on gravel road at 'T' intersection by railroad tracks	Grassy rail road right of way bordered by corn/soybean fields	The documentation form by Rodger Junck is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unnamed sister. \| Elimination of similar species: Most familiar with red-tails. I have had more than a dozen of them at a time circling my combine during harvest. Have seen them 'displaying' against each other over a rabbit as well. In fact, I see them most days - but they are considerably too small and, except for the Krider's, would be wrong color. I have no info on if Kriders have a white head and white feathery legs \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00 - -09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark east of Muscatine, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark east of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Petersen, Peter C.	Eastern Meadowlark	Muscatine	2 mi. E. Muscatine along Hwy 22	grassy roadside	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Walter Zuurdeeg and Chris Reed. \| Elimination of similar species: Western has 6-7 note call, much less musical \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:01:00/08:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73