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 of Ruff at Harrier Marsh, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-07-17	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff at Harrier Marsh in Boone County, IA on July 17, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Ruff	Harrier Marsh	East Harrier Marsh - South of Ogden		The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Feeding beside pectorals Body posture much the same Pectorals had bibs no breasted markings on the ruff. Bill much longer and head larger than a buffbreasted. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black Rail at State Line Marsh, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-07-12	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black Rail at State Line Marsh in Kossuth County, IA on July 12, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Black Rail	State Line Marsh State Game Management Area	State Line Marsh	Short grass - water clump of rushes	The documentation form by Eugene and Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: 2 young Virginia rails were close by - they were dark but had fuzzy plumage, light black whereas the Black rail was nearly glossy and fuzzy Both visible at once. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	12
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Union Slough Refuge, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-04-30	1979-05-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Union Slough Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on April 30, 1979.	Klaas, Erwin E	Red-shouldered Hawk	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	South end of Union Slough Refuge about 1/8 m. W of Deer Meadow Picnic Area	Refuge is large marshy wetland area surrounded by intensive farming area. South end of refuge has extensive wooded area along Buffalo Creek. Trees mostly box elder, Maple and Cottonwood.	The documentation form by Erwin E. Klaas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Kline and Glenn Welp. \| Elimination of similar species: Diagnostic characteristics were seen up close with binoculars. Definitely not a red-tail or broad-wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-17	1984-03-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on March 17, 1984.	Klaas, Erwin E	Cinnamon Teal	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Flooded river bottom. Bird were in ditch next to dike.	The documentation form by Erwin E. Klaas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include George Karas, Shirley Karas, Ray Alisauskas, and John Hagemann. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue-wing males were seen with it. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-08	1981-11-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 8, 1981.	Klaas, Erwin E	Prairie Falcon	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Open Country, Cropfields, scattered trees	The documentation form by Erwin E. Klaas is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ben Klaas. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. Presence of dark axillar markings distinguished it from immature peregrine falcon. Underparts were light with a few dark streaks. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Townsend's Solitaire at southeastern Webster County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-05	1986-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at southeastern Webster County, IA on May 5, 1986.	Munson, Erik	Townsend's Solitaire	Webster County	s.e. Webster Co., along Des Moines r.	overgrown pasture with cedars, woody draws meeting cropland	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: mockingbird by underlined portions above, posture [...] basic uniform gray all over. [...] bold eye ring; \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at State Forest Nursery in Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1986-08-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Grosbeak at State Forest Nursery in Ames in Story County, IA on August 24, 1986.	Munson, Erik	Pine Grosbeak	Iowa State Nursery	State Forest Nursery, Ames IA	extensive mixed conifer belts	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Crossbills, Evening Grosbeak by tail length, size. fem redwing by call, face, wingbars. Juv. towhee by bill, lack of white in wing, tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-26	1986-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Ames in Story County, IA on August 26, 1986.	Munson, Erik	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Ames	Ames, IA	Residential district bordering open golf course; powerlines	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: purple martin by tail length, call. Magpie by size, call, flight, behavior \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:10:00/19:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at ISU golf course, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-04	1984-09-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at ISU golf course in Ames in Story County, IA on September 4, 1984.	Munson, Erik	Merlin	Veenker Memorial Golf Course	ISU golf course, Ames, Story Co., Iowa	wooded edge - a 100 yd wide wooded ravine with a golf fareway 50 yds wide alongside it.	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine falcon by size. Immature sharp-shin by pointed wings and falcon shape. Prairie falcon by size, habitat, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:57:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Prairie Falcon north of Alleman, 1985	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-09-21	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Prairie Falcon north of Alleman in Polk County, IA on September 21, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent about the documentation forms, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Munson, Erik	Prairie Falcon	Alleman	4 mi. north of Alleman, IA	cropland	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin by size, habitat, paleness, tail; kestrel by size, back color, imm. peregrine by lack of black head, paleness, tail , etc. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	6
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tufted Duck at Lake Manawa, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-03-15	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tufted Duck at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 15, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, internal correspondence about the sighting, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Joranson, Eric G.	Tufted Duck	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs, Iowa 150-200 yds from S. Shore		The documentation form by Eric G. Joranson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Caughey. \| Elimination of similar species: Shot R-n Ducks before. Never seen a Tufted before. R-n duck head "lobey" in contrast with Tufted's crest.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	16
Records committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at Campbell's Island in East Moline, 1974	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1974-12-02	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at Campbell's Island in East Moline in Rock Island County, IL on December 2, 1974. Includes record review documents with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fawks, Elton	Iceland Gull	Campbells Island	From my residence, Campbell's Island, East Moline, Ill. 3 miles downstream from Lock & Dam 14, Mississippi River	First seen at mouth of Honey Creek, flowing into Miss. R.	The documentation form by Elton Fawks forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ernie Salder was submitted. Other observer includes Mark Henderson and unidentified individuals on a Christmas Bird Count. \| Elimination of similar species: Glaucous Gull \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Saylorville Lake, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-18	1988-12-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on December 18, 1988.	Armstrong, Eloise	Merlin	Saylorville Lake	1 mile east of long bridge at Saylorville Lake	Farm grove and open farm field	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: No face pattern like a Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Jaeger species at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-09-28	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Jaeger species at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on September 28, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise	Jaegers	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Bigger than a coot that he made 3 passes at and tried to kill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	13
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Badger Creek Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-11	1986-10-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Badger Creek Lake in Madison County, IA on October 11, 1986.	Armstrong, Eloise	Surf Scoter	Badger Creek State Recreation Area	Badger Creek Lake - West Arm	Shallow Lake	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Mark Dixon. \| Elimination of similar species: Other scoters 2 white vertical spots on head- no white on wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Jefferson Township in Madison County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-20	1984-01-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Jefferson Township in Madison County, IA on January 20, 1984.	Armstrong, Eloise	Red-shouldered Hawk	Jefferson Township	Sec. 32 - Jefferson twsp - Madison County	wooded area - was on edge of a 30 acre wooded area with small cedars + multiflora rose under brush.	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharp-shinned, Cooper's, Red-tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-11-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise	Sabine's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Tailwaters of Saylvorville Dam - Polk County, Iowa	Large body of water	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Carl Bendorf, Thomas J. Staudt, Peter C. Petersen, Thomas H. Kent, James Dinsmore, Hank Zaletel, Mike Newlon, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, and Beth Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Phyllis Harris, Carol McMillen, Ramona Sommerlot, Mark Proescholdt, Russell Hays, Carol Newlon, Bernie Knight, Cal Knight, BJ Rose, Steve Dinsmore, Joe Schaufenbuel. Dick Mooney, Pauline Mooney, Eugene Armstrong, Bery Engebretsen, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Gull and Kittiwake \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-headed Grosbeak at Big Creek State Park, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-15	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-headed Grosbeak at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 15, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Black-headed Grosbeak	Big Creek State Park	North end Big Creek, end of 100 st north	Bushy hillside, county roadside	The documentation form by Eloise and Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rose-breasted - no rose on throat on underwings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:00:00/20:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	3
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Mason City, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-18	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 18, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Lazuli Bunting	Mason City	Cerro Gordo County, Portland Township, Sec 31 (13675 Spruce Ave Mason City IA)	Deciduous woodland edge	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Steve A. Olson. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller than Eastern Bluebird. Had blue throat and wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:25:00 on May 18th, 08:30:00/08:40:00 on May 19th, 07:20:00/07:25:00 and 18:25:00/18:28:00 on May 20th, 07:30:00/07:35:00 on May 21, and 07:00:00/07:06:00 on May 22.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lesser Goldfinch at Rockford, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-05	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Goldfinch at Rockford in Floyd County, IA on August 5, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Lesser Goldfinch	Rockford	1105 200th St, Rockford, IA - Floyd Co. Rockford Township Sec 5	Scattered oak trees, open pasture, brush-along Winnebago R.	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Barb McKinstry. \| Elimination of similar species: American goldfinch - bird was smaller, entire crown was black, had yellow undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:35:00/17:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	17
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Portland Township in Cerro Gordo County, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-11	1988-12-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Portland Township in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 11, 1998.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Portland Township	Cerro Gordo County, Portland township Sec 31 (13675 Spruce Ave Mason City IA 50401)	deciduous wood edge	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: No other species considered, unmistakable \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Brookside Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-03-20	1978-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on March 20, 1978.	Johnson, Ellen J.	Merlin	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	park near Iowa State University. Deciduous woods with many trails - flew over Squaw Creek	The documentation form by Ellen Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ornithology Class (Pam Keigley, Pam White, John Hemphill, and Robin Bruegman). \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - too large for a kestrel. Sharp-shinned hawk - it had more pointed wings. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 9, 1978.	Johnson, Ellen J.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: park near Iowa State University Specific: deciduous woods with many trails - near Squaw Creek	The documentation form by Ellen Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Aimee Boden, Larence Lewis, and Gary Frederick. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackburnian warbler - throat was bright yellow, not orange, white markings on face, not yellow or orange. Saw top of head really well + was all black \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Diamond Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-31	1986-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Black Scoters at Diamond Lake in Poweshiek County, IA on October 31, 1986.	Miller, Edwin J.	Black Scoter	Diamond Lake	Diamond Lake, Montezuma IA (Poweshiek Co.)	Open water	The documentation form by Edwin Miller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Darwin Koenig and Doug Phillips. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - no white on wing - or small patches of white markings on head. Ruddy Duck - much larger than Ruddy - although did see one lift tail like a ruddy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13