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 Eared Grebe at Lake Anita State Park, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-06	1981-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Eared Grebes at Lake Anita State Park in Anita in Cass County, IA on November 6, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	Eared Grebe	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park, located one(1) mile south of Anita	Large, open lake	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pied-billed grebe is the only other relative that is commonly encountered in Cass County. This species was ruled out due to body size and proportions and the different beak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	14
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Lake Anita State Park in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1981-11-06	1981-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four White-winged Scoters at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on November 6, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	White-winged Scoter	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park, one mile south of Anita, Iowa	Large, open lake	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The surf scoter and black scoter are similar. However, the specimans [sic] that I observed had the white wing patch that these two species do not have. In addition, two of the birds seen had white about their eyes, as neither of the other two have. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Saylorville Dam, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1982-11-15	1982-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-winged Scoters at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 15, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	White-winged Scoter	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Dam, Polk Co., Iowa	Larger Reservoir, surrounded by wooded hills.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The uniform dark brown, with white eye and orange bill separates the birds from other two scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/13:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa City, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-01	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa CIty in Johnson County, IA on November 1, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Northern Flicker	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	lawn with many large hickory trees, in Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City - park contains second growth woods, pastures, brush old fields surrounded on 3 sides by residential areas, farmland on the other side.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: local 'yellow-shafted' has (1) yellow linings to wing + tail, (2) yellow shafts to primaries -> rectrices, (3) black mustache-mark, (4) brown face + grey crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	61
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Allamakee County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-14	1981-11-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles along county road A26 in Allamakee County, IA on November 14, 1981.	Moore, Francis L.	Golden Eagle	Allamakee County	Along county road A26 in Allamakee County	Limestone bluffs and hills topped with hardwood and conifer trees	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle as described above. The bird was not mottled in appearance as an immature Bald Eagle would be but was a rather uniform dark brown overall except for the white in the upper retrices and wing linings which was noted before. As we watched the bird through our binoculars and a 20x telescope another large bird appeared from the East and this too was another Eagle. The second bird was an overall dark brown except for a very small amount of white to whitish color at the base of the retrices. This bird had a lighter brown color to the back of the head and on the nape. There was no mottled effect as would be shown in an immature Bald Eagle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Allamakee County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-21	1982-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles on County Road A26 in Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Golden Eagle	Allamakee County	County Road A26 in Allamakee County, Iowa	Limestone bluffs near upper Mississippi River in Iowa	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers, Joe Schaufenbuel, John Robinson, Peter Petersen, Hank Zaletel, and many other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Bald Eagle has a more massive looking bill and are more mottled with white or light colored areas on the upper and lower surfaces of the wings. These birds did not have this characteristic.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon south of Cherokee, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-09-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon south of Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on September 19, 1992.	Bierman, Dick	Prairie Falcon	Cherokee	6 miles South of Cherokee, Cherokee County	Little Sioux River Valley Timbered hillsides & pastures	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sy Runkel and Brian Fulton. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon is much darker on the back. Swainson's Hawk is buteo shaped. I've seen thousands and monitored nests. Merlin is smaller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:34:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle north of Cherokee, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle one mile north of Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on October 28, 1989.	Bierman, Dick	Golden Eagle	Cherokee	1 mile north of Cherokee, Cherokee County	Little Sioux River Valley. Hilly, woods, pastures	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Quinn. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle - an immature bald eagle has some white feathers on the body & wings. This bird was all dark except for the above mentioned places. Dark Phase Rough Leg: This bird was much larger and chunkier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-12-31	1988-01-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bonaparte's Gull at the Mississippi River at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on December 31, 1987.	Cecil, Robert I.	Bonaparte's Gull	Keokuk	Miss. River at Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa	Lock and Dam 19 Tailwaters	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Black-headed has dark underwings. I would have noticed this. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	33
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Waubonsie State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Bray, Tanya	Bewick's Wren	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie State Park Fremont County, Iowa	Loess Hills Oak-Hickory Forest The wren was seen in a narrow strip of woodland bordered on one side by the park road, on another side by an open and mowed picnic area, and backed by an area of low shrubby tangles. Across the road was a deep, wooded ravine	The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose and Babs Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Nearly size of Carolina Wren, but with a slimmer more elongated 'look'. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Dunbar Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1980-09-21	1980-09-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, IA on September 21, 1980.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Peregrine Falcon	Dunbar Slough	Dunbar Slough, Greene Co Iowa	long narrow marsh with a few trees at edge. Dunbar S.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Newlon, Carol S. Newlon, and Tom Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Shaped definitely that of falcon. Size and flight different from Merlin. Face mark heavier than Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:10:00/07:15:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-10-29	1993-10-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on October 29, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough N.W.R., Kossuth Co., IA	long narrow slough	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The underwing markings and apparent light coloration argue against Peregrine Falcon. The date and location are appropriate for Prairie Falcon in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:50:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha, 1988	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Trapping	1988-02-09	1988-02-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Chipping Sparrow west of Hiawatha in Linn County, IA on February 9, 1988.	Bradley, Rob	Chipping Sparrow	Hiawatha	Home patio feeder - 1 mile west fo [sic] Hiawatha, Iowa (Linn County)	Low bushes and trees around a cement patio	The documentation form by Robert Bradley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karen Bradley. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree sparrow too large. Cap with only a few rufous feathers. No central breast spot. No black eyeline. Buff supercilliary [sic] line. Breast was gray as compared with buff on clay colored sparrow also gray rump instead of brown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00 on February 9, 1988 - 07:30:00 on February 10, 1988.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	49
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 Least Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Least Sandpiper	Babcock Access	Coralville Reservoir (Babcock Access), Johnson Co., IA	low water in field	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Only size comparison with Killdeer - about 1/2 as long and 1/3 as big - crude estimate. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	19
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Lower Pine Lake, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-09-20	1982-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Lower Pine Lake in Eldora in Hardin County, IA on September 20, 1982.	Harris, Phyllis J.	Red-necked Grebe	Pine Lake State Park	Lower Pine Lake, Eldora, Hardin County	Lower Pine Lake is small, surrounded by trees, marshy habitat in the upper end of the lake. Small island in the middle. Bird was observed between the island and the marshy area.	The documentation form by Phyllis Harris is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Loon, because of the size of the neck and head in comparison to the rest of there body. They have larger body. Western Grebe, has thinner bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
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 Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at George Wyth State Park in Black Hawk County, IA on April 12 in an unknown year.	Stone, Tom, Jr. Stone, Tom	Mississippi Kite	George Wyth Memorial State Park	George Wyth State Park	Lowland river bottoms with Deciduous Woodland	The documentation form by Tom Stone, Jr. and Tom Stone is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Male Marsh Hawk which has a white rump patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Mississippi River between Bettendorf, IA and Moline, IL, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull on the Mississippi River between Bettendorf in Scott County, IA and Moline in Rock Island County, IL on February 2, 1992.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf Moline	Miss. River between Bettendorf, Scott Co., IA + Moline, R.I. Co., IL.	Main channel of Miss. River	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson and Gerald White. \| Elimination of similar species: Great-Black-backed- seen with one, much smaller, mantle not black. Slaty-backed. This bird smaller than Herrings, legs were yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Mason City, 1982	Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-01	1983-03-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mute Swan at Lake Cona Toma in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 1982. It also includes an article "Sign of spring" in the Mason City Globe Gazette on March 22, 1983 about the bird sighting.	Powell, John M., 1913-1995	Mute Swan	Lake Cona Toma	Mason City, Iowa - Lake Conatoma [sic]	Man made lake -13 acres-	The documentation form by John M. Powell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include wife, daughter, grandson, and 47 residents. \| Elimination of similar species: Whistling Swan - Black straight bill - Pictures for proof. Orange bill with black knob at base is Mute Swan. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning and evening.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Goose species at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, 1993	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-10-06	1993-11-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Goose species at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown in Marshall County, IA on October 6, 1993.	Stegmann, Mike	Ducks, Geese, Swans	Riverside Cemetery	Riverside Cemetary [sic], Marshalltown, Marshall County, Iowa.	Man made pond	The documentation form by Mike Stegmann is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Garry Brandenburg. \| Elimination of similar species: Canada Goose and Snow Goose - show characteristics of both species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	27
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Cedar Lake, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-12	1982-04-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Greater Scaups at Cedar Lake at Nashua, in Chickasaw County, IA on April 12, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Scaup	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake at Nashua, Chickasaw County, Iowa	Man-made 700 acre lake, with average depth of four ft.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lynn Barth. \| Elimination of similar species: Directly compared with numerous Lesser Scaups. The Lesser Scaups appeared smaller, peaked-headed, and duller on sides than the Greaters. Both of the females had a light colored area behind the eye that none of the female Lesser Scaup possessed. When the male Greater stretched the extensive amount of white in wings was strongly evident more so than the Lesser Scaups wing stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Badger Creek State Park, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Badger Creek State Park in Madison County, IA on April 19, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Surf Scoter	Badger Creek State Recreation Area	Badger Creek State Park - Madison County	Man-made Lake	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Male White Winged Scoter has white eye comma and different bill markings + forehead slope, and no large white areas on head and male Black Scoter has different bill, a dark eye and no white markings on head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:38:00/12:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Viking Lake State Park, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1978-09-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Viking Lake State Park in Red Oak in Montgomery County, IA on September 24, 1978.	Bray, Tanya	Merlin	Viking Lake State Park	Viking Lake State Park	Man-made lake surrounded by scrubby fields; some mature woodland	The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-30	1984-04-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 30, 1984.	Myers, Robert K.	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough - Mill Co. Iowa	Man-made marsh edge of marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger, has more pronounced bill and shows a grinning patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28