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

Documentation form for extraordinary bird sightings in Iowa, Michael C. Dooley, June 18 to July 5, 2001	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	2001-06-18	2001-07-05	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Documentation of a Pacific Loon sighting contributed by Michael C. Dooley, June 18, 2001. The bird was first sighted on June 18, 2001 and last sighted on July 5, 2001. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of summer 2001.	Dooley, Michael C.	Pacific Loon	Terry Trueblood Recreation Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	28	7
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-02-28	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Barrow's Goldeneye at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on February 28, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Obrecht, Josh	Barrow's Goldeneye	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend national WIldlife Refuge Missouri Valley, Iowa	Lake, Forest	The documentation form by Josh Obrecht is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Obrecht. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Goldeneye. I eliminated this species out because the bird I saw had only a little white on the speculum and a large yellow eye with a small pupil. The common Goldeneye has a lot of white on the speculum and a large pupil in the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Des Moines, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-08-22	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of three Mississippi Kites in the Des Moines Area in Polk County, IA on August 22, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Mark	Mississippi Kite	Des Moines	Olivet Baptist Church - Des Moines area	Church parking lot with large trees and open spaces and creek	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner and Phil McFadden. \| Elimination of similar species: It's quite distinctive. A white-tailed Kite has black shoulders and a white tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1995	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-27	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on October 27, 1995. Includes one record review document with votes and a documentation forms.	Hulsebus, Terry J.	Eurasian Wigeon	DeSoto Lake	De Soto Nat'l. Wildlife Refuge	Oxbow Lake - nearshore	The documentation form by Terry J. Hulsebus is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mindy Sheets. \| Elimination of similar species: American wigeon - located in close proximity. Close comparison was very helpful. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Eider at Red Rock Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-01-27	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Common Eider at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 27, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence over the sighting, photos, drawings of the bird sighting, articles in Iowa Bird Life, Field Notes, and other publications, and twelve documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Common Eider	Red Rock Dam	Des Moines River below Red Rock dam - Marion Co., Iowa	open stretch of river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, Mark Proescholdt, Chris Edwards, Peter C. Petersen, Ray Cummins, Robert Cecil, and Diane Porter were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: See above discussion (Description). Steller's Eider eliminated by size. Female and immature King Eider eliminated by pattern of barring on flanks, size of bill, position of eye, faint white supercilium, and pattern of feathering on bill. Spectacled Eider eliminated by facial pattern and bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	18
Documentation form for extraordinary bird sightings in Iowa, Selasphorus hummingbird, Rita Goranson, July 19-24, 2000	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds Apodiformes \| Swifts and Hummingbirds	2000-07-19	2000-07-24	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Documentation of a Selasphorus hummingbird sighting in Mason City contributed by Rita Goranson and others, July 19-24, 2000. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 2000.	Goranson, Rita		Mason City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	28	6
Documentation form for extraordinary bird sightings in Iowa, Rufous Hummingbird, Carolyn J. Fischer, June 22 and June 28, 2000	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Ornithology--Methodology Rare birds	2000-06-22	2000-06-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Documentation of a Rufous Hummingbird sighting in Mason City contributed by Carolyn J. Fischer, June 22 and June 28, 2000. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of summer 2000.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Rufous Hummingbird	Mason City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	28	6
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	1999-11-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pacific Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County) - Whitebreast Area	Large reservoir	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and reported on the Birdline. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loons have massive bills, are much larger, and have a jagged look to their sides of the neck between dark and light colors. Red-throated Loons are paler in color and do not have that sharp dividing line on its neck but a more gradual merging of colors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-20	1999-08-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 20, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Iowa - on lake north side	water	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common loons were out further but darker with dark around face and around neck, bill larger & darker. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-12	1999-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on May 12, 1999.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry - north of Ames - (Story County)	Large gravel pit filled with water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Hank Zaletel, Jim Dinsmore ,Tom Kent, Russ Widners, etc. \| Elimination of similar species: The chin strap, small size and small bill, and the sharp demarcation line on the side of the neck eliminate Common, Red-throated, and Yellow-billed Loons. No white flank marks eliminate Arctic Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:50:00/14:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-21	1999-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 21, 1999.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Red-throated Loon	Clear Lake	Clear Lake, Clear Lake Ia	Large lake, northside	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Curt Nelson, Jan Walter, and Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - was also present, could see larger loon, heavy bill, Pacific Loon - straight bill, black cap extends to eye -	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Lake Cona-Toma, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-16	1999-05-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Lake Cona-Toma in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 16, 1999.	Fischer, Carolyn J.	Red-necked Grebe	Lake Cona Toma	Lake Cona-Toma, Mason City	small lake with homes around it -	The documentation form by Carolyn Fischer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rita Goranson and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned Grebe - smaller size bird, no horns. Eared Grebe - smaller size, too dark all over.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Mississippi River in Davenport, 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-23	1998-12-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Trumpeter Swan at Mississippi River near Enchanted Island in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 23, 1998.	McKay, Kelly	Trumpeter Swan	Horse Island	~0.25 mile downstream of Enchanted Island, Davenport (Scott Co.)	Mississippi River side channel. Surrounding habitat consists of a backwater slough and a developed shoreline.	The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra Swan - Smaller, more of an angle between bill and forehead. Snow Goose - Smaller, pink bill, black primaries. American White Pelican -'pouched' bill, black primaries and secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Field reports form for submitting seasonal observations of Iowa birds, Beth Proescholdt, fall 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Identification Birds--Migration Falconiformes \| Hawks, Eagles, Falcons, Osprey, and Vultures Ornithology--Methodology	1998-08-01	1998-11-30	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Fall report of birds and locations contributed by Beth Proescholdt and other observers. Also included are the results from a Hawk watch held at Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area from September 9 through November 25, 1998. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of fall 1998.	Proescholdt, Beth	Rough-legged Hawk Red-shouldered Hawk Broad-winged Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Swainson's Hawk Cooper's Hawk Prairie Falcon Turkey Vulture Golden Eagle Black-billed Cuckoo Pileated Woodpecker Northern Mockingbird Pine Siskin Cape May Warbler Dark-eyed Junco Northern Harrier Sharp-shinned Hawk	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area Liscomb Madison County Marshalltown				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	28	2
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-31	1998-11-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on October 31, 1998.	Proescholdt, Mark	Pacific Loon	Red Rock Dam	Red Rock Reservoir - Marion County	Big reservoir just above the dam on north side	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: A Common Loon is bigger with a big bill, has light areas above and in front of eye, and a jagged heavily patterned side of the neck. Red-throated Loon has upturned bill mandibles and the division between dark and light on the neck is not nearly as defined as in a Pacific Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/15:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Colo Ponds, 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-06-28	1998-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on June 28, 1998.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red-necked Grebe	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	Colo Ponds - Story County	Flooded farm field - south side of highway	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Hooded Merganser discussed. Not shaped like ducks. Too big for 3 little grebe species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 33, Number 3, January/February 1998	Forms (documents) Newsletters	Bird feeders Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1998-01-01	1998-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 33, Number 3, January/February 1998. Highlights of the newsletter include reports from several recent field trips, details from many bird sightings including a rare observation of a Ross's Gull, and the results from the Ames, Saylorville Reservoir, and Boone County Christmas Bird Counts. Also included is the 1998 Winter Bird Feeder Survey with instructions and a documentation form to complete.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.	Ross's Gull	Ames Red Rock Dam Saylorville Lake Boone County				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	6
Rare bird documentation form for American White Pelican at Oakville, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-23	1998-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American White Pelican at Oakville in Louisa County, IA on December 23, 1997.	Ohde, Bill	American White Pelican	Oakville	Iowa River, 1 mile NW of Oakville, Louisa County, Iowa	large shallow river with sandbars, forested shorelines.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Cross. \| Elimination of similar species: Our first thought was swan when we saw the the [sic] large white bird in the water. We first used binoculars and immediately saw the huge orange bill. Then I got out the spotting scope to take a close look. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Rare bird documentation form for Turkey Vulture at Eden Valley Refuge, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-19	1998-01-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Turkey Vulture at Eden Valley Refuge in Jackson County, IA on December 19, 1997.	Wickham, Walt	Turkey Vulture	Eden Valley County Refuge	1 1/2 miles south, 1 mile west of Eden Valley Refuge	mixed cropland and woods	The documentation form by Walt Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chip Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: lack of head feathers, \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Rare bird documentation form for American White Pelican at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-21	1998-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a American White Pelican at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1997.	McKay, Kelly	American White Pelican	Bettendorf	Bettendorf, IA. shoreline of Missisippi River, Scott County		The documentation form by Kelly J. McKay is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Kingman, Chris Kingman, Keith Blunt, Donna Blair, and Mary Foulk. \| Elimination of similar species: All swans - dark torsi and they all lack the lark dark punched bill and black primaries and secondaries. Snow Goose - much smaller and lacks the large pale punched bill and black secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/12:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
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
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 32, Number 3, January/February 1997	Forms (documents) Newsletters	Bird feeders Bird populations Bird surveys Bird watching Birds--Conservation Birds--Counting Ornithology--Societies, etc Books--Reviews	1997-01-01	1997-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	The newsletter of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa), Volume 32, Number 3, January/February 1997. Highlights of the newsletter include a Birder of the Month column profiling past society president Mike Meetz, details on a book "Birds of Iowa" authored by Thomas H. Kent and James J. Dinsmore, the results of the 1996 Ames, Saylorville Reservoir, and Boone County Christmas Birds Counts, and the 1996 Watch List of approximately 90 species of birds with declining populations. Also included is the 1997 Winter Bird Feeder Survey with instructions and a documentation form to complete.	Big Bluestem Audubon Society (Ames, Iowa) Shivvers, Rebecca A.	Red-headed Woodpecker Sandhill Crane	Ames Saylorville Lake Boone County				Big Bluestem Audubon Society \| MS 592	3	6
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Anderson Lake, 1996	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-07-04	1996-07-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Anderson Lake in Hamilton County, IA on July 4, 1996.	Proescholdt, Mark	Red-necked Grebe	Anderson Goose Lake	Anderson Lake - East of Jewell - (Hamilton Co.)	small marshy pond across R.R. tracks from big marsh	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: No other grebes are like this one. Not a duck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:50:00/20:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-09-26	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on September 26, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth	Mississippi Kite	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove, Marshall County - hawk-watch	Wooded ridge paralleling Iowa River	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine, imm male, is similar. See above. It was near the size and shape of a Peregrine with long tapered wings & slim body. I knew this wasn't a Peregrine (but an immature male Peregrine & an imm. Mississippi Kite are similar). However the slim, pointed wings of this bird had a different shape; the tail was longer, proportionately, than a Peregrine's, & squared-off rather than tapered like a Peregrine's. I couldn't see if its tail flared at the tip, but in the gap where we had a second, very quick look, Eloise noted its twisting of the tail which is a Mississippi Kite trait. But it was the wing beat that determined absolutely that it was a Mississippi Kite- light, bouyant, [sic] floppy, leisurely, like a moth-so different from the powerful, rapid, direct flight of a Peregrine, and different from any other raptor's flight we have observed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-22	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits in Story County, IA on May 22, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Peterson Pits Recreation Area	"Peterson Pits" Mine Reclamation Area, Story County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall "Randy" Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Mark Proescholdt was submitted later. Other observers include Dan Dorrance, Mary Kuhlman, Carlyn Fischer, Jan Walter, Daniel Pinkston, Dorothy Zehr, and Sibyl Sand. \| Elimination of similar species: Falcons also have pointed wingtips but wings typically appear more sickle-shaped, less plank-like. Falcon not expected to sail so effortlessly on fixed wings for so long. Dark slate-gray plumage and white head seen in good light does not fit with any North American falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26