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 Least Tern at Cone Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 24, 1978.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Least Tern	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh - N. of bridge	open marshy lake with mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: See above. Two Forster's terns were seen earlier in the morning - larger, slower, overall and white wing with white areas in primaries were distinctly different from the least tern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/08:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Cone Marsh, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on August 2, 1980.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh, Louisa Co Iowa	mud flat at marsh near long dike at Cone M.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Semipalmated and Pectoral in same field, least 10 ft. away, but had yellow-leg, dirty brown back + bib. Semipalmated had short uniform bill, overall gray with no detail in back feathers, gray bib, no eyeline. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:50:00/17:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Mehaffey Bridge at Coralville Reservoir, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Glaucous Gull at Mehaffey Bridge at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 5, 1983.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Glaucous Gull	Mehaffey Bridge	Mahaffy [sic] Bridge - Coralville Res., Johnson Co. IA	Reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and probability tend to eliminate Iceland Gull. Too light for Thayer's. White wing tips exclude Herring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Pectoral Sandpiper at Cone Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-02-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pectoral Sandpiper at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on February 19, 1983.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pectoral Sandpiper	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co., Iowa	Mud flat and marsh edge near spring-fed inlet	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, bib, leg color, and bill shape exclude other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:50:00/09:00:00 and 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	23
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at West Overlook at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at West Overlook at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 2, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross' Goose	Coralville Dam	West overlook, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., Iowa	reservoir above dam	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, bill shape and size, head shape used to separate from Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 14, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-12-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 14 in Scott County, IA on December 24, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 14	Lock + Dam 14, Scott Co.	Mississippi R., on ice in backwater near dam	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, yellow legs, not pure black eliminates other dark-mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:40:00/08:50:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Coralville Lake, 1979	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-10-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Coralville Lake in Johnson County, IA on October 28, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-necked Grebe	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Lake, Johnson Co, Iowa	wide area of reservoir near shore, west of Jolly Roger recreation area	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Smaller than Western Grebe, larger than Horned or Eared. Neck-band bill longer than smaller grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:40:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Cone Marsh, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 11, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross' Goose	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louisa Co., IA	Marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose - see above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-03-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 11, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Merlin	Sugar Bottom Campground	Sugar Bottom Recreation area on Coralville Reservoir	wooded valley with adjacent open fields. Small valley 1/4 - 1/2 mile from Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrow hawk - no red on tail, no facial marking, unlikely habitat. Sharp-shinned Hawk - wing shape and flight pattern different from Sharp-shinned. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Dunlin at Babcock Access in Coralville Reservoir, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-07-30	1995-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dunlin at Babcock Access in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on July 30, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Dunlin	Babcock Access	Coralville Res., Babcock Access, Johnson Co., Iowa	mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill and body proportions were those of a Dunlin, but the date and plumage were new for me. The streaks on the underparts, worn edging on some wing feathers, and eye line appear to be retained alternate features, while the lack of black on belly and rufous in wing are features of basic plumage. I assume that this was an adult partially molted to basic plumage. Although Dunlin is usually a late fall migrant, both Iowa and Minnesota have a few July records. According to Prater et al. (1977), nearctic birds molt before migrating; therefore, a bird in mostly basic plumage would not be unusual. White-rumped Sandpiper is exclude [sic] by the tail pattern, body proportions and bill length. Baird's Sandpiper has a shorter bill, longer tail/wing extension, slimmer profile, and browner and scaly upperparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:45:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	24
Rare bird documentation form for Red-breasted Merganser at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-breasted Merganser at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 1, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-breasted Merganser	Coralville Lake	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	Reservoir, shallow water	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill and general shape identified the bird as a merganser. The bill was much too long and big for a hooded. The head size, shape, and crest; white throat and breast and wing bar; and size are that of red-breasted rather than Common Merganser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	17
Rare bird documentation form for Hermit Thrush at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hermit Thrush at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 4, 1991.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Hermit Thrush	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res, Johnson Co., IA	small stand of woods	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The eye-ring was indistinct and small compared to Swainson's. The contrast of tail and body was the deciding factor. This is my latest date for Hermit Thrush in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	9
Rare bird documentation form for Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lapland Longspur at Babcock Access at Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on October 1, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lapland Longspur	Babcock Access	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	mudflat	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The face pattern made me think of Smith's Longspur, but the chestnut color and black bib excluded this. Chestnut-colored Longspur has a yellow or buff throat and more extensive black on front. The color and face pattern do not fit Horned Lark or American Pipit. Horned Larks were present on the flats and I saw pipits later at another location. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/17:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	66
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at the DuPont Bridge in Coralville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-08-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Western Sandpipers at the DuPont Bridge in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 3, 1985.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res. (DuPont Bridge A.), Johnson Co, IA	Dry backwater with mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The heavy marking on the underparts would be unusual for any other peep. We usually see Westerns in basic or juvenile plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:05:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Cedar Lake, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Cedar Lake in Linn County, IA on January 5, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake, Linn Co., Iowa	backwater lake and cooling pond with some ice	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The leg color and size eliminate other dark mantled gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:00:00 and 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-08-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Western Sandpipers at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 22, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	mud flat along waterway at upper part of reservoir.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The overall color made me think of Least Sandpiper first, but the legs were definitely black and the bill was more decurved than any Least Sandpiper I have seen. I have seen rather rufous appearing Semipalmated Sandpipers, but they looked much more uniform on the upper parts than this bird did. Also the bill was too curved for a semi. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-03-26	1988-03-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on March 26, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Golden Eagle	Coralville Lake	Coralville Res., near DuPont Bridge, Johnson Co., IA	Upper area of reservoir - open areas	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pattern of white was too restricted for a dark phase Rough-legged Hawk and too specific for other dark phase buteos. An immature Bald Eagle would have patchy white on wing coverts, axillars, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Mississippi Kite at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on May 19, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Mississippi Kite	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Babcock Access, Johnson Co., IA	wide part of reservoir with open mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings indicate a kite or falcon. The gliding flight was that of a kite not a falcon. The white body and head also eliminates all falcons. The lack of white rump as well as the flight pattern eliminate Northern Harrier. Swallow-tailed Kite would have a forked tail and different flight pattern. Black-shouldered Kite has a white tail and black shoulder. The lack of white patches in the secondaries and brownish tail indicate a subadult (first year bird). I looked for bands in the tail but could not appreciate them. Failure to see bands could be due to the lighting and distance or, as noted by Clark and Wheeler, to the fact that "A few immatures have solid, unbanded dark brown tails." The prominent light and dark underwing puzzled me, but Dunne says "Immature has body and underwing coverts buffy, with dark streaking and spotting of variable density; may be lighter or darker than illustrated." The underwing coverts and body appeared about the same shade to me. The lighting and distance may have precluded my appreciating any streaking. This bird appeared lighter than the bird I saw at Dudgeon Lake last year, especially the underwing coverts. The profile and flight characteristics allowed me to immediately recognize the bird as a Mississippi Kite. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	20
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Lake Macbride, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Lake Macbride in Johnson County, IA on November 25, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Lake MacBride	Lake Macbride, Johnson Co., IA	large artificial lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, bill shape, and gray head and neck eliminate Pacific Loon or small Common Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00 and 12:30:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for White-rumped Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-09-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-rumped Sandpiper at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 13, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	White-rumped Sandpiper	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	backwater with mud flats	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, elongated profile, and lack of sharp belly band but [sic] this bird in the category of Baird's or White-rumped Sandpiper. I have seen a number of Baird's at this location in the last few weeks. They were browner above and had a buffy breast. The streaks on the sides also suggested White-rumped. Having seen the white rump on two consecutive days convinced me of my first fall White-rumped Sandpiper for Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/10:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	21
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 Long-billed Dowitcher at Swan Lake, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-11-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Long-billed Dowitchers at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on November 25, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Long-billed Dowitcher	Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area	Swan L., Johnson Co., IA	small natural marsh with low water, mud flats, no vegetation	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds did not have the bold streaking of a snipe. I wouldn't believe a Short-billed Dowitcher at this date if I saw it myself. At any rate, the gray neck and some retained thin rufous edge on wing feathers is typical of molting juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher at this date in Iowa. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	26
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Bays Branch, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-08-06	1994-08-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Trumpeter Swans at Bays Branch in Guthrie County, IA on August 6, 1994.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Trumpeter Swan	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch, Guthrie Co., IA	In pond area formerly used to raise Canada Geese	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds were easy to identify. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on May 3, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-billed Cuckoo	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill P., Iowa City, Johnson Co, Ia	Wooded edge, heavy bushes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-billed - bill, lack of rufous, lack of tail spots. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	46
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Cone Marsh, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on April 27, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pine Warbler	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone Marsh	small wooded area on northwest side of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has a thicker bill, pronounced eyering, and larger head. It is also more sedentary than this bird was. In the fall, Bay-breasted and Blackpoll warblers might be a consideration, but they have streaked backs and are rarely this yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29