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 Virginia Rail at Brown's Lake in Woodbury County, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-01	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Virginia Rail at Brown's Lake in Woodbury County, IA on January 1, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Virginia Rail	Browns Lake	Brown's L., Woodbury Co., IA	marsh with open water	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was much too small to be a King Rail. Bill shape and pattern on the underparts eliminated Sora, the only other likely species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:23:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	13
Rare bird documentation form for Louisiana Waterthrush at Brookside Park in Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-04	1981-04-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentaiton form for a Louisiana Waterthrush at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 4, 5, and 6, 1981.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Louisiana Waterthrush	Brookside Park	Brookside Park; Ames, Iowa; Story County, Washington Twsp, Sect. 3	General: small deciduous woodland bordering a medium sized stream Specific: a medium sized stream bordered by overhanging deciduous trees and shrubs and containing many exposed mudflats, rocks and logs.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Audrey Moore, Linda Zaletel, Hank Zaletel, and Bill Robbins. \| Elimination of similar species: Ovenbirds have a medium crown stripe and an eyering and do not walk with bobbing motions. Spotted Sandpipers -- are larger and have longer bills. Thrushes (Turdidae) -- lack an eyestripe Northern Waterthrush -- has a streaked throat, smaller bill, buffy cream eyestripe and more yellow on underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	38
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Brookside Park in Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-12	1985-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a House Finch at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 12, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	House Finch	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	youngish maple trees along Squaw Creek	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch - does not have brown streaks on side (Male); back & wings are rosey. [sic] \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-24	1985-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on August 24, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	lowland forest	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Bay-breast & Blackpoll have streaks on back & don't have yellow eyebrow. neither is inclined to be yellow on breast, tho [sic] Blackpoll may be dingy yelowish-green. [sic] Bay-breast usually with no streaks below. Bay-breast usually with buff or pink wash on sides. Cape May & Yellow - R have yellow rumps \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00/09:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
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 Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: bottom land forest Specific: in small (around 15 ft) tree	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 doesn't have streak on sides of breast and doesn't sound like this bird; doesn't have white tail spots. Solitary Vireo's breast isn't yellow with streaks & also doesn't sound like this bird. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-09-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on September 6, 1983.	Martsching, Paul	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: forest Specific: shrubby area	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 - did not have yellow specticles [sic]; had faint streaks on breast. fall Blackpoll or Bay Breasted Warbler - had no stripes or marks on back; was yellowish on head and head yellow breast \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
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 Summer Tanager at Brookside Park in Ames, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-03	1979-05-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 3, 1979.	McCrow, Vernon Pat	Summer Tanager	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa. (N.W. 1/4, Sec. 3, T83N, R24W, Story Co., Iowa)	General: Riparian hardwoods Specific: Mixed hardwoods with brushy understory in the Squaw Creek floodplain.	The documentation form by Vernon Pat McCrow is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ted LaGrange, Warren Case, Donna Chickering, and Lynn Braband. \| Elimination of similar species: Scarlet Tanager: This bird did not have black wings or tail. Hepatic Tanager: This bird did not have a dark bill or dark cheek. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:30:00/07:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on September 3, 1984.	Holloway, Jack A.	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa [crossed out] Woodbury County [handwritten note] ?? - MCN : Story Co - MCN	Deciduous grove adjacent to open fields	The documentation form by Jack A. Holloway III is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Paul Martsching. \| Elimination of similar species: Bay-Breasted + Blackpoll 1) Solid, unstreaked back 2) Yellow washed superciliary 3) Faint yellow wash on breast 4) Markedly larger than Bay-Breasted seen next to it \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Green Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-08	1986-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black-throated Green Warblers at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 8, 1986.	Shephard, Burt	Black-throated Green Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa	Deciduous bottomland forest	The documentation form by Burt Shephard is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Block, Joe Stratton, and around five other unidentified members of bird study class. \| Elimination of similar species: no question about identification. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	27
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-04	1978-05-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 4, 1978.	Fredricks, Gary	Yellow-throated Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa	General: open woods on edge of thick woods. Specific: found in hackberry tree (celtis occidentalis.)	The documentation form by Gary Frederick is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Magnolia Warbler - no white belley [sic] Blackburnian " - no yellow throat \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Brookside Park, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 9, 1979.	Webber, David	Northern Goshawk	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames, Iowa	Wooded, Squaw Creek, Park Area. Park located east of ISU campus next to urban area.	The documentation form by David Franklin Webber is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include three unidentified members of the ornithology lab. \| Elimination of similar species: Very descriptive species, easily told from Marsh Hawk and other Buteo type hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Swainson's Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-12	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Swainson's Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 12, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, field notes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Mayfield, John E.	Swainson's Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames IA	Open park land, Large trees with grass beneath.	The documentation form by John Mayfield is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Chipping sparrow: observed warbler had less vibrant color, was less active, warbler bill not sparrow bill. Palm warbler: no yellow or yellowish color, no tail wagging definitely not a palm warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	25
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on September 4, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park, Ames	mixed deciduous woodland	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller, thinner bill and faint streaking on the sides eliminate a Yellow-throated Vireo. The white underside of the tail and undercoverts, unstreaked back and lack of prominent streaking on the underparts eliminate Blackpoll Warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
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 Pine Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Pine Warblers at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 18, 1983.	Martsching, Paul	Pine Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park in Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: forested park with some open area and some area with all underbrush removed. Specific: tree in part without undergrowth.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yel Thr Vireo-has yellow specticles [sic], thicker beak, heavier build, no streaking on breast. fem Cap May W has much heavier streaking below, yellowish rump patch; wing bar(s) more or less run together. Palm has chestnut cap & wags tail. fem Blackburnian has dark streaks below, streaks on back, more prominent head markings. Even faintly marked Magnolias have all yellow breast & belly & rump. fem Blackpoll isn't yellow breasted. fem Blk Thr Grn is yellow on side of face & black between chin & breast & some dk streaks on sides. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
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 Hooded Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-26	1981-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on April 26, 1981.	Martsching, Paul	Hooded Warbler	Brookside Park	Brookside Park Ames - Story County	undergrowth in bottomland forest	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include George Brown and Gordon Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Mourning Warbler - yellow face Connecticut Warbler - yellow face. \| The original documentation form event lasted for about ten minutes in the late morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Parula at Brookside Park in Ames, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1982-10-10	1982-10-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Parula at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 10, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Northern Parula	Brookside Park	Brookside Park - Ames - Story County, Iowa	General: forest with some area with all underbrush cut and grass mowed. Specific: In tree at edge of more natural forest area.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: female Common Yellowthroat doesn't have wing bars and is brownish on head & back. Nashville Warbler doesn't have wing bars; back isn't grayish; yellow extends way down the front. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00/10:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	21
Rare bird documentation form for Bell's Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-05	1984-05-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bell's Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on May 5, 1984.	Martsching, Paul	Bell's Vireo	Brookside Park	Brookside Park - Ames - Story County - Iowa	low land woods	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joseph Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruby-crowned Kinglet is smaller; more active; wing bars more prominent. Warbling Vireo + Philadelphia Vireos do not have wing bars, + don't have eye rings. Solitary Vireo is bigger; more prominent spectacles, back greenish; wing bars more prominent. Orange Crowned + Tennessee Warblers don't have eye ring or wing bars - are greener. \| The original documentation form event lasted from around 08:30:00/08:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	77
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-10-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve in Plymouth County, IA on October 9, 1999.	Fields, Will	Black-billed Magpie	Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve	Broken Kettle Grasslands (a Nature Conservancy Preserve, Plymouth Co., IA)		The documentation form by Will Fields is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unidentified members of the Iowa State University Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Club. \| Elimination of similar species: The American Crow and the Common Raven lack do not have [sic] such a long tail and they usually do not have white in their plumage. I had seen American Crows flying around the preserve earlier that morning. This bird definitely had a longer tail than the American Crows. Ring-necked Pheasants also have a long tail, but they do not normally have a [sic] black and white plumage. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	83
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands, 1999	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-10-09	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands in Plymouth County, IA on October 9, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fields, Will	Black-billed Magpie	Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve	Broken Kettle Grasslands (a Nature Conservancy Preserve, Plymouth Co., IA)		The documentation form by Will Fields is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unidentified members of Iowa State University Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Club. \| Elimination of similar species: The American crow and the common raven lack do not have such a long tail and they usually do not have white in their plumage. I had seen American crows flying around the preserve earlier that morning. This bird definitely had a longer tail than the American crows. Ring-necked pheasants also have a long tail, but they do not normally have a black and white plumage. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Marsh Wren at Brenton Slough, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Marsh Wren at Brenton Slough in Dallas County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Marsh Wren	Brenton Slough	Brenton Slough, Dallas Co.	cattail marsh	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Rick Trieff. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	2
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Le Conte's Sparrow at Brenton Slough, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-12-21	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Le Conte's Sparrow at Brenton Slough in Polk County, IA on December 21, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Trieff, Richard	Le Conte's Sparrow	Brenton Slough	Brenton Slough - west of Granger Iowa	rolling short grass field adjacent to pothole depression	The documentation form by Richard Trieff forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Jim Sinclair was submitted. \| Elimination of similar species: Grasshopper sparrow - The bird I observed did not give the flat head appearance of a Grasshopper sparrow, had more distinctly striped appearance on its crown than a Grasshopper sparrow, and did not display the shy, secretive behavior of a Grasshopper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:30:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	37