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 Common Gallinule at Iowa City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-23	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Gallinule at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 23, 1985.	Towner, Robert Towner, Nancy	Common Moorhen	Iowa City	six acre impoundment 1 1/2 miles north of Iowa City in Johnson Co.		The documentation form by Nan and Bob Towner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	44
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Prairie Rail Trail County Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-22	1985-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Prairie Rail Trail County Park in Story County, IA on May 22, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	King Rail		Prairie Rail Trail County Park, Story County	along a drainage ditch surrounded by open cropland	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kraig Downs. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from other rails by size, longer bill and rusty underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cooper's Prairie Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-19	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Cooper's Prairie Marsh in Story County, IA on May 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cooper Prairie Marsh	Cooper's Marsh, Story County	Sedge and cattails along the edge of a small marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from LeContes Sparrow by dark back, gray collar on back of neck and a dark crown lacking a central white stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00 seen intermittently.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird north of Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-19	1985-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird north of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on May 19, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Western Kingbird	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	about 3 1/2 miles north of Hendricksons Marsh in Southeast Story County, Iowa	field on both sides of road with very short corn.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Kingbird - has black head, white terminal band on tail & breast & belly are white. Crested Flycatcher - has some rust in wings, a very rusty tail, brown head & back, gray upper breast. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-17	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at IPL Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 17, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Wright, Rick	Lesser Black-backed Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPPD Settling Ponds, Pottawatamie [sic] Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Rick Wright is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ken Strom and Marie Strom. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The different mantle colorations of the herring and ring-billed gulls were distinguishable. [...] The presence of other gull species convinced me that I had accurately judged the mantle color of this bird; I was able to compare it with 3 other species, as well as Caspian terns. The size and bill size rule out great Black-backed, the only dark-backed gull with which I am familiar. Although western gull would show a similar upper-wing pattern, I suspect that it too would appear heavy-billed (and would not have yellow feet). Yellow-footed gull is also large and deep-billed, and is probably less likely than lesser black-backed in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:30:00/13:30:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-16	1985-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Marbled Godwits at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on May 16, 1985.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Marbled Godwit	Forneys Lake State Wildlife Management Area	Forney's Lake, Fremont County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit has white wing stripe + rump. Long-billed Curlew has decurved bill + would be most unusual here. most [sic] sandpipers are smaller than dowitchers.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-13	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 13, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, Midwest Black-headed Grosbeak records by date, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-headed Grosbeak	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	Bird was in old willows at edge of reservoir.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The brown color most closely matched that shown by Peterson (1980) for the male Black-headed Grosbeak. The features I saw best were the brown rump, the contrast between the brown breast and flanks and gray belly, the thin white wing bars, and the darker color of wings and tail. The fact that the bird was singing loudly and continuously indicates that it was a male. The lack of breast streaking, dark color, and failure to see an eye stripe also argue against the bird being a female. The rich brown coloration only fits Black-headed Grosbeak. No features that fit Rose-breasted Grosbeak, such as red on the breast or underwings, white flanks or rump, or light-colored bill, were seen. Failure to see a demarcated black head and white in the wing and tail in flight is disturbing, but the side to back lighting and brief duration of each look at the bird (when I concentrated on looking at the features cited above) may account for this. The wing bars were not as wide as usually depicked [sic] for males. Perhaps the bird was in first nuptial plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Curlew Sandpiper at Cedar Lake, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-05-10	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Curlew Sandpiper at Cedar Lake in Chickasaw County, IA on May 10, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Moore, Francis L.	Curlew Sandpiper	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake on Cedar River at Nashua, Chickasaw Co., Iowa	Open mud flat with sparse emergent vegetation near open lake.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red Knot has straight black bill and is larger than Pectoral Sandpiper. Sanderling is about same size but also has a straight black bill not long, thin and decurved as in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	7
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 9, 1985.	Knight, Calvin A.	Blue Grosbeak	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park - Iowa City, Iowa	Creek Bottom understory on edge of meadow	The documentation form by Calvin A. Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Bunting: The Blue Grossbeak [sic] was stockier, deeper Blue with 2 rusty tan wing bars and thicker bill than the finch like bill of the Indigo \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Mockingbird south of Tama, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-09	1985-05-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Mockingbird south of Tama in Tama County, IA on May 9, 1985.	Kubik, Nicholas A.	Northern Mockingbird	Tama	about 3/4 mile south of Tama	hilly pastured fields with trees, some brushy areas	The documentation form by Nicholas A. Kubik is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Brown Thrasher is reddish-brown in color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	13
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-07	1985-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sand Point in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on May 7, 1985.	Knight, Calvin A.	Peregrine Falcon	Sand Point	@ North end of Sandy Point, Hawkeye Wildlife Area - Coralville Res. Johnson Co., Iowa	River Bottom but completely open because of previous high water.	The documentation form by Calvin A. Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bernie Knight. \| Elimination of similar species: Am. Kestral [sic]: But no rusty tail. Merlin: But no prominent tail barring; also; the Peregrine showed the black cap with black sideburns on white background. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 19:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park in Decatur County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Livingston, Jeffrey R.	Pileated Woodpecker	Nine Eagles State Park	Nine Eagles State Park (Decatur County)	Dense mature wood lands	The documentation form by Jeffrey R. Livingston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	62
Rare bird documentation form for Acadian Flycatcher at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Acadian Flycatchers at Croton Unit in Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Acadian Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit, Shimek Forest, 2 1/2 miles west of Argyle, Lee County, Iowa	Streamside woods and thickets	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Visually similar or identical to other empidonax. Others eliminated by voice (others do not give accented 'pit-see!') Habitat perfect for Acadian, although this would not eliminate all others. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	66
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Loess Hills, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-04-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Loess Hills in Fremont County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Moore, Francis L.	Peregrine Falcon	Fremont County	1/2 mi. N. of Hwy 2 on W. side of Loess Hills, Fremont Co., Iowa	Near Loess Hills flying over open land of Missouri River bottoms	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Robert Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Prairie Falcon would have been much lighter sandy color than this bird. Merlin would have been smaller. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Yellow Rails at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	DooLittle Prairie, Story County		The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore, George Brown, Gordon Brown, Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: other rails by white wing patches and yellowish color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-04-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Yellow Rails in two separate sightings at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, James J.	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie, Story County	both flushed from along edge of small pothole, prairie areas around both potholes had been burned, one recently, other several weeks ago	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, George Brown, Gordon Brown, Paul Martsching, and John Mayfield. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora-overall coloration and the wing patches \| The original documentation form event occurred at 10:30:00 for the first sighting and 11:30:00 for the second sighting.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-28	1985-05-26	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two Yellow Rails at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 28, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-27	1985-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on April 27, 1985.	Proescholdt, Mark	King Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie - (Story County)	wet prairie potholes	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Ramona Sommerlot. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rails are only 1/2 the size of this rail and Virginia rails have gray cheeks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-21	1985-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Elk Rock State Park in Marion County, IA on April 21, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Elk Rock State Park	Elk Rock State Park, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County	mudflat area on reservoir	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Richards and Carl Bendorf. \| Elimination of similar species: Other egrets by size combined with dark bill and black legs with yellow feet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lakin Slough, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-16	1985-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Lakin Slough in Guthrie County, IA on April 16, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Greater Scaup	Lakin Slough State Game Management Area	Lakin Slough (Guthrie Co.)	Cattail marsh - open water in center	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The round crowned greenish head on male and whitish earpatch on female eliminated the lesser scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Burlington, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-12	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a House Finch at Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 12, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	House Finch	Burlington	Dr. Harvey Eastburn Home - 3 miles N. of Burlington	Yard - but deep woods edge	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jane Fuller and Charles Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Purple Finch - The bird in question had a different red color which was less extensive than the Purple Finch's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:20:00/09:21:00 and 11:50:00/11:52:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at the north end of Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-08	1985-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at the north end of Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 8, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	Saylorville Lake	north end of Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	migrating through the Des Moines River Valley	The documentation form by Stephen Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Other falcons by their lack of a large amount of black on head and face and by smaller size.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mute Swan at South Clay County, 1985	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-04-08	1994-01-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a a Mute Swan at South Clay County, IA on April 8, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, a page of copied photos, an article in Iowa Bird Life, internal correspondence, summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brewer, Marion M.	Mute Swan	Clay County	5 East of 71 on 374	Large farm pond, rolling hills most of which were in cultavation [sic]	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vernon Beirman. \| Elimination of similar species: Was from the mute swan because of the straight neck and the Tundra swan because of the dark base of the bill. The wings were not held high like on the Mute swan. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	11
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Little Clear Lake in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-07	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for twenty-five to thirty Greater Scaups at Little Clear Lake in Pocahontas County, IA on April 7, 1985.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Greater Scaup	Little Clear Lake Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Little Clear Lake in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-04-06	1985-04-07	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for ten to fifteen Greater Scaups at Little Clear Lake in Pocahontas County, IA on April 6, 1985.	Carlson, Judith	Greater Scaup	Little Clear Lake Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10