Documents • Iowa State University • Avian Archives of Iowa Online

Title	Genres	Topics	Date (Start)	Date (End)	Type	Description	Creator/Author	Birds	Locations	Locality	Habitat	Remarks

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Great Black-backed Gull	White Breast Creek	Whitebreast Point, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Flying over open water and ice	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size (larger than Herring) eliminated most others. White head and black and white checkering eliminate Lesser Black-backed and Herring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Rehead at Willow Slough in 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-30	1978-07-13	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for seven Redhead at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 30, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Redhead	Willow Slough State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Clear Lake in Polk County, IA on November 6, 1999.	Engebretsen, Bery	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Lake	above dam	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dennis Thompson and Jim Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Small loon, small head slightly upturned beak and head. White visible on flanks. Faint fleck on dark back at tips of feathers. No chin strap, but from front had faint inverted V. Head, neck brownish/gray. Darker on back of neck, top of hood, much lighter chin, front of neck, sides of neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, off of west end of dam	freshwater lake	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen and Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: I spent a long time puzzling over these birds, both in the field and later when I had several references to consult. None of the guides I looked at showed a bird that looked like these. Common (a small one): removed on the basis of size (birds too small for Common Loon), the thinner and bicolored bill, and the color pattern on the neck. At this time of year, all of the Common Loons I have seen (and saw on Saylorville that day) were distinctly white on the front of the neck with some partial bands of brown extending back in to the white. Pacific Loon: Eliminated on behavior (head posture), lack of a distinct dark/white line along the side of the neck, lack of chin straps across neck, and presence of brown on front of neck. Also the gray/brown contrast between neck and back would point away from Pacific but not eliminate it. Red-throated Loon: This is what I first thought the birds were but as I viewed them, I convinced myself several times that they were Pacific Loons. However, the combination of characters listed above seem to eliminate the other two possible species and also are positive characters for the Red-throated Loon. One character that puzzled me was the size of the bill. At least some of the guides (Advanced Birding esp) show the Red-throated Loon as having a tiny bill, much smaller than on this bird but those illustrations do not match those in other guides which emphasize more the shape of the bill than the size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 3, 1999.	Fuller, James L	Red-throated Loon	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Red Rock Reservoir (Marion County) Off Whitebreast Point.		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observer includes Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Pacific Loon is generally darker, shows less white on the side of the neck and face, and usually exhibits a chin strap. Winter adult Pacific does not show light flecking on the back. Common Loon is larger with a larger bill, and shows an angular head outline. The dark-white line on the side of the neck is irregular and indistinct, compared to the Red-throated. Both other loons hold their bills horizonatally [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Spirit Lake, 1999	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-06-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on June 28, 1999.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Red-throated Loon	Spirit Lake	Spirit Lake, Dickinson County	open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon + Pacific Loon - size, upturned bill & brownish, speckled neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
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-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 Red-throated Loon at Coralville Reservoir, 1998	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 27, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Coralville Lake	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. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
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 Red-throated Loon at Mid-America Power Plant south pond, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-11-13	1998-11-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Mid-America Power Plant south pond in Pottawattamie County on November 13, 1998.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Red-throated Loon	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Mid-America Power Plant south pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Brewer's Blackbird at Zirbel Slough, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-09-08	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Brewer's Blackbird at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on September 8, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Bangma, Jim Johnson, Ann	Brewer's Blackbird	Zirbel Slough	Zirbel Slough, Cerro Gordo Co., IA	Marsh	The documentation form by Jim Bangma and Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Rusty Blackbird ruled out by solid black color, deeper call note, bill shape. Grackles ruled out by tail length, bill size and shape and call note. Cowbirds ruled out by eye color, tail length and head/bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge, 1985	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1985-12-18	1993-09-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Wood Thrush at Eden Valley Refuge in Clinton County, IA on December 18, 1985. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kaufman, Sharon	Wood Thrush	Eden Valley County Refuge	West Valley at Eden Valley Refuge (Lost Nation CBC)	Shrubs at hardwood timber edge	The documentation form by Sharon Kaufman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Jack Wohlstadter. \| Elimination of similar species: Hermit and Grey Cheeked Thrush. This bird had more conspicuous eye, larger and more numerous breast spots. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	8
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Great Black-backed Gull at Black Hawk Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-10-23	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Black Hawk Lake in Sac County, IA on October 23, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Ernzen, Peter	Great Black-backed Gull	Black Hawk Lake	Black hawk Lake	Lake	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Because I did not see the bird from front I could not eliminate other species - However due to its extreme size I eliminated all other species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:34:00/10:34:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Lock and Dam 18, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-throated Loon at Lock and Dam 18 in Des Moines County, IA on December 18, 1998. Incorrectly recorded as Lack and Dam 18 on the documentation form.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-throated Loon	Lock and Dam Number 18	Lack [sic] and Dam 18, Des Moines Co., IA	Mississippi River above dam, swimming on Iowa side	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: Smaller and slimmer than Common, smaller bill. I could not see whether the eye was in the dark or light part of the face. The size and upturned bill argue against Pacific Loon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf, 1997	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1997-12-12	1998-01-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Bettendorf in Scott County, IA from December 12, 1997 to December 27, 1997.	McKay, Kelly Statser, Jack L.	Baltimore Oriole	Bettendorf	1515 29 Street Bettendorf, Scott County, IA.	suburban yard surrounded by a wooded ravine.	The documentation form by Kelly McKay and Jack Statser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Vera Blevins. The documentation form was written by Kelly McKay from a phone conversation with Jack Statser. \| Elimination of similar species: Orchard Oriole - smaller; much darker red-orange underparts; all dark tail. American Redstart - very much smaller; all black with orange restricted to spots on sides, wings, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Rare bird documentation form for Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids, 1990	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-15	1990-12-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Baltimore Oriole at Cedar Rapids in Linn County, IA on December 15, 1990.	Wickham, Peter P.	Baltimore Oriole	Cedar Rapids	Bird feeder, 100 Thompson Drive S.E., Cedar Rapids	Suburban area, with condominiums, private homes, lawns & trees	The documentation form by Pete Wickham is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Durbin and three unidentified people with other bird feeders. \| Elimination of similar species: There are no similar species that I can think of. It wasn't a Bullock's type, which would have orange on the face and a big white wing patch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	79
Rare bird documentation form for Warbling Vireo at Grammer Grove, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Warbling Vireo at Grammer Grove in Marshall County, IA on September 27, unknown year.	Proescholdt, Mark	Warbling Vireo	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove		The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] The most identifying mark was its face pattern around its eye. It had a 'blank look' around its eye. [...] This is definitely different from a Phil. Vireo with dark line through its eye and the Philadelphia's 'dark loral spot'. I've seen many Warbling Vireos (and have heard more) and I'm sure that it was a Warbling Vireo that I saw. \| The original documentation form event lasted for 15 to 30 seconds.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	79
Rare bird documentation form for Solitary Vireo at Brookside Park in Ames, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Solitary Vireos at Brookside Park in Ames in Story County, IA on October 27, 1982.	Martsching, Paul	Blue-headed Vireo	Brookside Park	Brookside Park in Ames, Story County, Iowa	General: woods Specific: woods (bottomland) a lot of trails. most of trees lost 3/4 or more of leaves.	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow Throated Vireo - specticles [sic] not yellow; throat not yellow White Eyed Vireo - specticles [sic] not yellow (they both had darkeyes, as does imm. White Eye) Bell's Vireo - specticles [sic] wider - prominent white wing bars \| The original documentation form event occurred once at 14:45:00 and again at 14:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	78
Rare bird documentation form for Solitary Vireo at Moorehead Park, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-08-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Solitary Vireo at Moorehead Park in Ida County, IA on August 20, 1994.	Ernzen, Peter	Blue-headed Vireo	Moorehead Pioneer Park	Moorehead Park	Wooded shrubby	The documentation form by Pete Ernzen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred between 12:00:00 - 13:00:00 for several minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	78
Rare bird documentation form for Orchard Oriole at Lake Manawa in 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1986-10-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Orchard Oriole at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Orchard Oriole	Lake Manawa State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	78
Rare bird documentation form for Bell's Vireo at Big Creek in 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for six Bell's Vireos at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA from May 26 to July 21, 1985	Engebretsen, Bery	Bell's Vireo	Big Creek State Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	77
B.J. Rose letter to Doug Rose regarding Christmas Bird Count sightings, January 16, 1993	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1993-01-16	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Letter from B. J. Rose to Doug Rose documenting birds seen during the Glenwood Christmas Bird Count on December 27, 1992. Rose gives details for the sighting of a Great-tailed Grackle, a Chipping Sparrow, and four Yellow-rumped Warblers.	Rose, B.J.	Yellow-rumped Warbler Chipping Sparrow Great-tailed Grackle	Glenwood Bartlett Bartlett State Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Bell's Vireo north of Iowa City, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bell's Vireo north of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on November 19, 1984.	Fuller, James L	Bell's Vireo	Iowa City	Yard of Home - N. of Iowa City (Johnson Co)	Shrubbery and trees in yard	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruby Crowned Kinglet - Too large, yellow on sides + buffy wing bars. White eyed Vireo - Dark eye Orange Crowned Warbler - eye ring, wing bars and white of breast and throat Chestnut sided warbler (imm.) - Yellow wing bars + sides back color gray-green not green. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	77
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