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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow north of Newell, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-12-20	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow north of Newell in Buena Vista County, IA on December 20, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Ed	Lark Sparrow	Newell	1 mile N. of Newell along black top road	Roadside - open fields - only cover in ditch	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Linda Thelen and the Thelen children. \| Elimination of similar species: unmistakable - clear breast, dark spot - white tipped tail - strong facial pattern \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Sparrow south of Riverton, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-01-04	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Sparrow south of Riverton in Fremont County, IA on January 4, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Jacqueline M.	Lark Sparrow	Riverton	1 mile south of Riverton, IA	deciduous edge woods adjacent to corn field	The documentation form by Jacqueline M. Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jarrett Harms, Joe Worthington, Marla Worthington, Larry Falk, and Derry Wolford. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - no face pattern Juncos - wrong color Amer. tree Sparrow - no white outer tail feathers \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park, 1991	Administrative reports Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park in Plymouth County, IA on December 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Williams, Randall D.	Swainson's Hawk	Stone State Park	1 mile north of west entrance to Stone State Park on highway 12	hovering above loess bluff; overlooking Big Sioux River Floodplain	The documentation form by Randall D. Williams is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Franken. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk: wings held flat when soaring; presence of red tail patagial patches present, no bib. Rough-legged Hawk: dark belly-band or girdle. carpal wing patches present. Dark band on trailing edge of wing (immature). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	32
Rare bird documentation form for Cerulean Warbler at Stone State Park, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-21	1983-05-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cerulean Warbler at Stone State Park in Woodbury County, IA on May 21, 1983.	Ewert, David N.	Cerulean Warbler	Stone State Park	Stone Park State Park, Sioux City	Wooded; oak, willow, box-elder	The documentation form by David Ewert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No similar species. Of blue-backed warblers Parula has yellow underparts and chestnut band (song is different too) and Black-thr. blue has black throat, breast etc., different song and a white wing patch \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	33
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-throated Sparrow at Waterloo, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-03-17	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-throated Sparrow at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on March 17, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, an article in American Birds, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Black-throated Sparrow	Waterloo	Feeder of Maurice and Ruby Hanson, 1262 Ackermant, Waterloo (Black Hawk County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Peter C. Petersen, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, James Scheib, Randy Pinkston, and Ray Cummins were submitted. Other observers include Francis Moore, Ken Lowder, Maurice Hanson, Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Dick Tetrault, Rita Goranson, Jan Walters, Beth Proescholdt, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Curt Nelson, Marty Pauley, Carolyn Fischer, Beth McBride, Tim Fallon, Pat Hanson, Hank Zaletel, Tim Schantz, Tom Stone, Ruby Hanson, and Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The black bib in combination with the wide white face stripes is distinctive. No other sparrow-like bird has these features. The other desert southwest birds which are similar are Sage and Five-striped Sparrows, both of which have white throats and a dark stickpin on the breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:44:00/07:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	33
Rare bird documentation form for Cerulean Warbler at Amana Woods, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-30	1981-05-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cerulean Warbler at Amana Woods north of Homestead in Iowa County, IA on April 30, 1981.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Cerulean Warbler	Amana Woods	one mile north of Homestead, IA. Iowa County "Amana Woods"	General: Edge of extensive decidous [sic] woods, moving about in upper story Specific: of large trees along dirt road.	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This is only bird I know of with the narrow dark band across otherwise clear throat and underside. This band was seen very clearly. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	33
Rathbun Christmas Count - Dec. 19, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-19	1998-12-20	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	List of birds observed during the Rathbun Christmas bird count including several rare species at Rathbun Lake on December 19 and 20, 1998, contributed by Bill Heusinkveld. Rare species sighted include a Bonaparte's Gull and Yellow-rumped Warbler.	Heusinkveld, Bill	Blue-winged Teal Red-breasted Merganser Trumpeter Swan Black-bellied Plover Yellow-rumped Warbler Bonaparte's Gull	Rathbun Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	33
Rare bird documentation form for Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-31	1988-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 31, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bonaparte's Gull	Keokuk	Miss. River at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	Lock and Dam 19 Tailwaters	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Black-headed has dark underwings. I would have noticed this. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	33
Doug Trapp letter to James Dinsmore regarding sick Gyrfalcon, March 7, 1983	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife rehabilitation	1983-03-07	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from Doug Trapp to James Dinsmore dated March 7, 1983. Trapp reports trying to care for a sick Gyrfalcon on November 25, 1981.	Trapp, Douglas E.	Gyrfalcon	Akron Sioux City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	33
Rare bird documentation form for Gyrfalcon on the Mississippi River between Davenport and Rock Island, IL, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-22	1997-01-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gyrfalcon on the Mississippi River between Davenport in Scott County, IA and Rock Island in Rock Island County, IL on December 22, 1996.	Blevins, Brian L.	Gyrfalcon	Davenport Rock Island	Mississippi River between Davenport in Scott Co., IA and Rock Island in Rock Island County, Ill. between Big Island + Credit Island. From Ill side.	Directly on Mississippi River Channel with most of the river frozen over.	The documentation form by Brian L. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lewis D. Blevins and Corey T. Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The only bird close or similar is the Peregrine. It was easily eliminated by the lack of a dark cap, shear bulk and size and the total light grayness. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:26:00/10:29:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	33
Todd Tracy email to Jim Fuller regarding Gyrfalcon sighting, February 14, 1994	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-02-14	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Email from Todd Tracy to Jim Fuller dated February 14, 1994. Todd reports sighting a Gyrfalcon near Kirkwood Community College in Linn County, IA on December 1, 1992.	Tracy, Todd T.	Gyrfalcon	Kirkwood Community College				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	33
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on September 23, unknown year.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	end of Babcock Lk Rd, Hawkeye WA, Johnson Co	Reservoir surrounded by mudflats, fields, woods	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: falcon shape, size, face/head pattern diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:16:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Babcock Access, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-10-10	1982-12-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Babcock Access in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 10, 1982.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Babcock Access	Babcock lake Road, Hawkeye Wildlife Area, Johnson Co. IA	area of dead trees at edge of reservoir	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark bar through eye (wide), coloration, falcon shape eliminate Prairie Falcon, Gyrfalcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Dunbar Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1980-09-21	1980-09-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, IA on September 21, 1980.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Peregrine Falcon	Dunbar Slough	Dunbar Slough, Greene Co Iowa	long narrow marsh with a few trees at edge. Dunbar S.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Newlon, Carol S. Newlon, and Tom Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Shaped definitely that of falcon. Size and flight different from Merlin. Face mark heavier than Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:10:00/07:15:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon near Cedar Rapids, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-09-30	1979-12-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon near Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on September 30, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Cedar Rapids	Weir Nelson's house, Linn Co. IA (on IA 30, a few miles w. of I-380)	mixed area of woods and cropland, a few miles north of the Cedar river	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol S. Newlon, Weir Nelson, Michael C. Newlon, Bernie Knight, and Calvin Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: build, prominent 'sideburns' rule out all other middle-sized N Am hawks; build rules out accipiters and broad-wing: sideburns rule out prairie falcon (wd. be very rare in this area). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-16	1978-04-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Peregrine Falcon	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located 1 mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh, where bird was first perched is a grazed grassy pasture. Which after much rain in recent weeks, is partially flooded, and often had attracted shorebirds of several species.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's and Goshawk do not have pointed wings, and never perch in open. Merlin is much to [sic] small, size of a big Blue Jay, my bird was larger than a Crow. Prairie Falcon, the falcon I saw was grey not dull olive. [start handwritten annotation] ? (brown, NSH) [end handwritten annotation]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at De Soto Wildlife Refuge, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-24	1978-03-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at De Soto Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on February 24, 1978.	Duda, Dorothy Ruth	Peregrine Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Wildlife Refuge	Seen in refuge in an area between a lake that has some open water and the Missouri River which was open and filled with Mallards (plus a few Mergansers)	The documentation form by Dorothy Duda is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Runice and Julie Schroeder. \| Elimination of similar species: because of size could only be a prairie falcon, but observers were certain they saw no black axillars at base of wing nor was the wing white near the body. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 3, 1977.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Peregrine Falcon	Sand Point	Coralville Reservoir at Sandy Point, Johnson Co., Iowa	reservoir margin; flying over weedy point, then alighting in tree N of reservoir (very low, almost reduced to river channel)	The documentation form by Nicholas Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than Merlin or Am. Kestrel; falcon shape; Mustache pattern diagnostic; shape excludes buteos etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-26	1976-09-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 26, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Sand Point	Sand Point, on Coralville Reservoir N. of Iowa City, IA	Reservoir & many dead trees emerging from water - bordered by wide weedy flats. Surrounded by cropland to S, a wooded ridge to N.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Carol S. Newlon. \| Elimination of similar species: Build rules out all raptors except falcons. Large size, prominent 'side burn' transverse barring on lower parts rule out Prairie Falcon (not expected in IA), Kestrel, Merlin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Half-Moon Lake in Hawkeye Wildlife Area, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Half-Moon Lake in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on September 27, unknown year.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Half-moon Lake, Hawkeye Wildlife Area, Johnson Co, IA	oxbow lake surrounded by dead trees, willow scrub	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cordell, James Huntington, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Pete Wickham. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape clearly falcon form. Blue-grey coloration, wide dark facial bar indicate peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton, 1999	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-06-06	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting southeast of Scranton in Greene County, IA on June 6, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, e-mail correspondence about the documentation, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thelen, Rob	Lark Bunting	Scranton	Greene County,1 mile south of Scranton on Highway 25 ,then 3/4 mile east.	Pasture with cows on South side, Row crops on North side	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: I don't know of any other bird of this size that has white wing patches. I couldn't find any other info in any of my bird guides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:00:06.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting north of Burlington, 1994	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-30	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 30, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Lark Bunting	Burlington	North of Burlington off Highway 99	Farm land--freshly plowed field, low hedge rows	The documentation form by Charles Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The Bird sighted on a dirt road feeding with a Vesper Sparrow--within 3 feet for comparison. The most conspicuous field mark were the large creamy white wing patches (Not bars). The bird was slightly larger than the Vesper Sparrow with heavy sparrow bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-04-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lark Bunting at De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on April 28, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Babcock, Mary Cook	Lark Bunting	De Soto Lake	De Soto Bend NWR	Bare tree by a pond in flock of mixed swallows	The documentation form by Mary Cock Babcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller + different shape from red winged black bird. No yellow head as yellow headed black bird. Too small for mockingbird or shrike - also different color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lark Bunting south of Thurman, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-07-29	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for four Lark Buntings south of Thurman in Fremont County, IA on July 29, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation submitted to the committee.	Walters, Betty	Lark Bunting	Thurman	Fremont County - (near) South of Thruman [sic], Iowa		The documentation by Betty Walters is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barbara Cunningham and Mary Beth Vaughn. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] At first I thought maybe imm. R.H. Woodpeckers - Then I reasoned No - They have black bellies and are solid black with the wing patches and the fact that the other two were Sparrow like in coloring - Made me take another look.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 16, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Least Flycatcher	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Primarily open edge and grassy area with pine tree plantings	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tim Schantz was submitted. Other observers include Roy Godwin and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Body and bill shape and behavior identified this bird as a flycatcher. The size, eye-ring and wing bars eliminated all but Empidonax flycatchers. Because of the late date on this bird, it is difficult to get an understanding of molt sequences which may or may not be helpful. From what I can find on molts, however, the following is based on best available information. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:55:00 and approximately 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	34