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 White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-09-05	1998-09-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 5, 1998.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-winged Scoter	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright County	open water of large freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and color immediately pointed toward a scoter. Eye patch immediately identified it as White-winged, further cooroborated [sic] when white wing patch seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Big Wall Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1986-09-14	1986-09-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area	Big Wall Lake, Wright Co.	in wet, grassy area at north end of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow eliminated by the lighter back color, lack of a gray nape, and different head pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Big Wall Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	King Rail	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright Co.	large cattail marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size and large bill eliminate Virginia Rail. The rusty (not grayish) underparts eliminate the very similar Clapper Rail (!!). \| The original documentation form event occurred around 17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Fish Crow at Big Timber Unit of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge , 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-04-25	1997-10-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Fish Crow at Big Timber Unit of Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on April 25, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	McKay, Kelly	Fish Crow	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Big Timber Division	Big Timber Unit of Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge approx. 2.0 miles downstream of Kilpeck landing. This landing is located 8.0 miles South of Muscatine, Ia. on County Road X61.	Bottomland Hardwood Forest	The documentation form by Kelly McKay forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Peter C. Petersen was submitted. Other observers include Brian Blevins, Michael Bornstein, and Gerald White. \| Elimination of similar species: American Crow: different sounding calls; This bird was smaller than American Crows \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	46
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-14	1985-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Big Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on November 14, 1985.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	Spirit Lake	Big Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa	seen on open water of Big Spirit Lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged Scoter - no white evident on wings or head. Surf Scoter -- no white evident on head (immatures of either of these species might appear similar to Black Scotor, except for presence of orange knob) Coot - smaller, has a whitish bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Fish Crow at Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve, 1991	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-08	1997-10-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Fish Crow at Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve in Muscatine County, IA on May 8, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Brush, Tim	Fish Crow	Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve	Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve, extreme NE Louisa + SE Muscatine Counties - approximately on boundary	bottomland forest/pond	The documentation form by Tim Brush is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Calls eliminated American Crows, which were calling at the same time. I am familiar with both adult + young crow calls of both American + Fish Crows. The calls were identical to those of Fish Crows in New Jersey. The circling behavior is unique to Fish Crows + the upriver migration is typical of Fish Crows in NJ - overmigration \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:53:00/09:54:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	46
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Big Sand Mound, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-08	1984-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Big Sand Mound in Muscatine County, IA on September 8, 1984.	Newlon, Michael C.	Merlin	Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve	Big Sand Mound Muscatine Co.	extensive sandy prairie w/ scattered small trees	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: falcon shape, banded tail, lack of distinct face pattern yield ID. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Rock Park in Pella, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-11-26	1983-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Rock Park in Pella in Marion County, IA on November 26, 1983.	Brand, Gordon James	Northern Goshawk	Big Rock City Park	Big Rock Park, Pella, Iowa	80 acre timber tract but near Red Rock Reservoir.	The documentation form by Gordon Brand is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Raymond Brand. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers Hawk. This Hawk had no horizontal barring on the belly. It was larger and had very pronounced dark eyepatch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at Big Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-21	1983-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on May 21, 1983.	Proescholdt, Beth	King Rail	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, north of Parkersburg, Iowa	flooded marsh, dike	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt and Phyllis Harris. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rail - this bird was twice as large as the Virginia Rails we were flushing, and it had no gray cheeks \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great Gray Owl at Big Marsh, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-02-11	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Gray Owl at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on February 11, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Field Notes, and seven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Great Gray Owl	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, Butler Co., Iowa	At north edge of large man-made marshy area near the Cedar River.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Fuller, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Jim Dinsmore, Mary Lou and Peter Petersen, Chris Edwards, and Mark Proescholdt were submitted. Other observers include Francis Moore, Beth Proescholdt, Carl Kurtz, Linda Kurtz, Carolyn Fischer, Pat Hansen, Alan Martin, Rita Pedelty, Rita Goranson, Jan Walter, Tim Gedler, Dennis Henrickson, Bruce DeLong, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Tom Stone, James Scheib, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Only Barred Owl is remotely similar. The most impressive marks were the yellow eyes, bow tie mark, and large gray facial disks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:59:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	18
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-24	1984-03-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on March 24, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Northern Goshawk	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh, Butler Co., IA	Open fields at edge of Marsh with rows of trees and hedges	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk does not have a bold white superciliary line like this bird had. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow Rail at Big Marsh Wildlife Area, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-09-21	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Yellow Rail at Big Marsh Wildlife Area in Butler County, IA on September 21, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh Wildlife Area, 6 mi. N of Parkersburg, Butler County, Iowa	General: flooded moist soil plants, primarily grasses and smartweed Specific: I don't know; the bird was in a box in a car when I first saw it.	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Priebe. \| Elimination of similar species: None. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	11
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh near Parkersburg, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-04-05	1981-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh near Parkersburg in Butler County, IA on April 5, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Marbled Godwit	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh near Parkersburg, IA (Butler County)	Marsh, Shallow and mostly drained marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Jody Hines, Antoinette Camarata, and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Hudsonian Godwit has white upper-tail coverts and no cinnamon in the under-wing linings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Big Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-04-29	1983-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on April 29, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh - Butler Co.	Marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrels Tails do not have the bold black bands, and show reddish on tail + back (NOT overall blue-gray). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Big Marsh, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-03-22	1997-04-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Trumpeter Swans at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on March 22, 1997.	Proescholdt, Mark	Trumpeter Swan	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big marsh - (Butler County)	Huge marshy area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: A Tundra Swan immature is much whiter by late winter than immature trumpeters. Tundra Swans have slightly concave bills and the black of the bills do not go completely to the eye in a triangle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-11-01	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-bellied Whistling-Duck at Big Marsh in Butler County, IA on November 1, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the bird sighting, two photographs, an article in The Southwestern Naturalist, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, James J.	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Big Marsh Wildlife Area	Big Marsh	freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rodney Steere. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing it could be confused with	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Rare bird documentation form for Red-tailed Hawk near Fraser, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-tailed Hawk on the Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River east of Fraser in Boone County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Healy, Kevin	Red-tailed Hawk	Fraser	Big Eddy portion of Des Moines River about 1 mile east of Fraser IA.		The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rosanne Healy, Amy Yoakum, and Molly Havlik. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	29
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-15	1982-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek in Polk County, IA on February 15, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek, Polk Co., Iowa	fields and patches of forest.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: When first saw it thought of Marsh Hawk. Did not have prominent white rump of Marsh Hawk. Marsh Hawk doesn't have the wide white eye brow stripe on very dark head. Wings wider than on Marsh Hawk. Much larger than other accipiters. Other accipiters don't have wide white eye brow stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for about twenty minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-25	1988-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Yellowlegs at Big Creek Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on November 25, 1988.	Johnson, Ann	Lesser Yellowlegs	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats at end of freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unknown number with unknown names. \| Elimination of similar species: The long, yellow/orange legs eliminated most other shorebirds. In order to differentiate from the greater yellowlegs, I compared body size to the killdeer with which it was feeding and the bill size to the head. Both field marks eliminated the greater and confirmed the lesser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:10:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Western Sandpiper at Big Creek Lake, 1988	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-10-09	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Sandpiper at Big Creek Lake in Polk County, IA on October 9, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about the sighting by Guy McCaskie, Kim Eckert, and Bruce Peterjohn, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Western Sandpiper	Big Creek Lake	Big Creek Wildlife Area, Polk Co., IA	Mudflats from low water on freshwater lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Thomas. \| Elimination of similar species: Although I understand the difficulty in identification of fall western sandpipers, the Baird's and white-rumped were eliminated because of wing length. The least sandpiper was eliminated by leg color and bill shape/size. The most difficult elimination was that of the semipalmateds, especially since other semipals were present in the area. After careful observation and comparison, however, the prototypical western sandpiper bill was too obvious to make the bird into a semipalmated. The bill was enough longer and had an obvious droop. The others in the area had varying bill sizes but none had the general shape of this bird. Consequently, I believe this was a late date western sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	3
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	1984-04-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on March 25, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk County	overgrown pasture with red/cedars + honey locust next to the lake	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing similar when we saw at such good advantage the gray accipiter with dark crown + white eye stripe, the fluffy undertail coverts & darker gray back \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Indigo Bunting at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 4, 1984.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Indigo Bunting	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co., Iowa (S.W. Boat ramp)	Brushy, weedy tangle on lake shore, (Veg. browned Killed by frost.)	The documentation form by Joseph Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Dinsmore and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow species: White wing-bars lacking, No hint of rust on crown, back or wings. No distinct supercilium. No strong streakage. No strong head pattern. Was a nondescript small brown finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	71
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Big Creek State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-12	1986-11-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Black Scoters at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 12, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black Scoter	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	large body of water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Mark Proescholdt, and Beth Proesholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: No other duck shows the combination of a dark body, a white cheek patch, and dark wings lacking speculums. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-17	1988-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Greater Scaups at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on May 17, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Greater Scaup	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	with other ducks near muddy area at north end of lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andrew Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup eliminated above. The birds were bigger than nearby Blue-winged Teal, but smaller than a Mallard. Identified the bird as a Greater Scaup by the very large, almost spatulate bill, very wide bill nail, large size compared to a Mallard (the bird wasn't much smaller than the Mallard), rounded head (not peaked like a Lesser Scaup), and white wing stripe extending on to the primaries (seen when the bird preened). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Big Creek State Park, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-05	1987-10-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Big Creek State park in Polk County, IA on October 5, 1987.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Greater Scaup	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk Co.	swimming on large lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Roger Sedlacek. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup eliminated above. Both birds had smoothly rounded heads, not peaked like Lesser Scaup. Both birds seemed to have larger, heavier bills than Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10