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 Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-03	1988-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, IA on February 3, 1988.	Knight, Calvin A.	Prairie Falcon	Booth Township	S.E. Cor. Section 33, Booth Township (T94-N,R34-W) Palo Alto Co., Iowa	open farms land; snow covered	The documentation form by Calvin Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Reese, Jim Fuller, M. Stewart, Bernie Knight, and Ron Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: lighter color + underwing pattern eliminated the Peregrine \| The original documentation form event occurred at 07:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in Cerro Gordo County, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-02-22	1997-02-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in Cerro Gordo County, IA on February 22, 1997.	Thelen, Rob	Prairie Falcon	Cerro Gordo Wind Farm	1/2 m. S of 210th + Cardinal, Cerro Gordo Co.	Dead Cottonwood in Farmland (Open)	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Clark. \| Elimination of similar species: This Falcon had the Dark Armpits. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:33:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Wall Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-03-12	1996-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Wall Lake in Sac County, IA on March 12, 1996.	Thelen, Rob	Prairie Falcon	Wall Lake	1 m. East of Wall Lake	Gravel pits, Railroad Tracks, and Farmland	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Natasha Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin - was to [sic] big to be a Merlin didn't have strong tail bars. Peregrine - didn't have strong face marks or cap on head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon northeast of Spirit Lake, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-12-31	1996-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon northeast of Spirit Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 31, 1995.	Thelen, Ed	Prairie Falcon	Spirit Lake	NE of Spirit Lake - Dickinson County	Gravel roadside - on telephone pole	The documentation form by Ed Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine & Gyrfalcon don't have dark axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon south of Yale, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-04-16	1995-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon south of Yale in Guthrie County, IA on April 16, 1995.	Widner, Russ	Prairie Falcon	Yale	South of Yale IA	Bean Field	The documentation form by Russ Widner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Norm Larsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, manner of flying + facial coloration eliminate even a [illegible] female Kestrel. The size, facial pattern, probable axillary pigmentation + lack of strong tail bars eliminate Merlin. The head + face pattern + lack of a broad sideburn a helmet, coloration + somewhat shallower wing beat rule against Peregrine. The face pattern, wing shape, manner of flying + lack of a white rump patch eliminate Harrier. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird sighting for Prairie Falcon at Hitchcock Nature Area in 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-25	1994-12-12	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting for a Prairie Falcon at Hitchcock Nature Area in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 25, 1994.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Prairie Falcon	Hitchcock Nature Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-03-03	1995-03-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon between Treynor and Carson in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 3, 1995.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Treynor Carson	between Treynor and Carson on highway 92, Pottawattamie Co., IA	gently rolling hills; small stream with scattered trees.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: The falcon shape was clear to us. The bird was flying directly into a strong southwest wind, but I don't think an accipiter's wing could be that pointed even in a strong wind. The bird was too large and plain to be a kestrel and the flight pattern and behavior were unlike any of the many kestrels seen that day. The light color and open farmland habitat favor Prairie over Peregrine. A Merlin would be smaller and darker. However, I would not have identified this bird as to species with out seeing the underwing pattern. \| The original documentation form event occurred at approximately 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
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 Prairie Falcon east of Lost Island Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-04-03	1993-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Lost Island Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on April 3, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Lost Island Lake	East of Lost Island Lake, Clay County [actually Palo Alto County], Iowa	farmland near glacial lakes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe, Bob Cecil, and Harold White. \| Elimination of similar species: This was the best view I have ever had at the underwing of Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:45:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird sighting for Prairie Falcon at Clay County in 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1993-04-02	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting for a Prairie Falcon at Clay County, IA on April 2, 1993.	Cecil, Robert I.	Prairie Falcon	Clay County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden in western Sioux County, IA on November 23, 1990.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Hawarden	some five miles east of Hawarden in western Sioux County.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in Cass County east of Walnut, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in Cass County east of Walnut, IA on October 25, 1990.	Petersen, Marietta	Prairie Falcon	Walnut	RR #1, Walnut, Iowa 51577	The area is Upland Prairie Land-pasture, hayfields, corn a soybean fields- and hilly. Little Timber along creek bottoms. We live on a farm in Northwestern Cass County. The bird was sitting on top of a semi-dead Ash tree in our old orchard.	The documentation form by Marietta Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Red Tailed would not have those kind of face markings. But it was about the size of a Red Tailed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon southeast of Larrabee, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-07-28	1987-07-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Prairie Falcons southeast of Larrabee in Cherokee County, IA on July 28, 1987.	Brewer, Marion M.	Prairie Falcon	Larrabee	3 east, 1 south of Larabee [sic], Iowa	Rough rolling pastureland (bluff of the Little Sioux River)	The documentation form by Marion M. Brewer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin & Peregrine (see above) [...] It was to [sic] large to be a merlin. It didn't have the wide wisker [sic] of a Peregrine falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in the Fairview area, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in the Fairview area in Sioux County, IA on January 4, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Fairview Area	Iowa in Sioux County just east of the Big Sioux River in the Fairview area		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I at once ruled out a Peregrine: the bird did not have strong head markings (no dark crown, and no heavy 'sideburns') and was altogether too light to be a female Peregrine.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County and Swan Lake Township in Pocahontas County in 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1988-01-25	1988-02-01	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for two separate sightings of Prairie Falcons in Iowa. The first sighting of a Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, IA on January 25, 1988. The second sighting of a Prairie Falcon in Swan Lake Township in Polk County, IA on February 1, 1988.	Carlson, Judith	Prairie Falcon	Booth Township Swan Lake Township				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon north of Laurens, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon north of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on February 1, 1988.	DeWall, Rita	Prairie Falcon	Laurens	5 miles north of Laurens, Pocahontas County, Iowa	Open farm ground	The documentation form by Rita Dewall is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Judy Carlson, Helen Carlson and Ron Reese. \| Elimination of similar species: More brown than Peregrine Falcon, both female Merlin and Peregrine Falcon lack underwing pattern observed in this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/10:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, IA on February 7, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Prairie Falcon	Booth Township	SW Palo Ato [sic] Co, Section 27 Booth twnship, IA	Flat glaciated open farm land with mixed grass & stubble	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: The size and flight eliminate Kestrel. The dark axillaries eliminate Gyrfalcon and Peregrine Falcon. The long shape eliminates other raptors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon north of Laurens, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon north of Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on February 4, 1988.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon	Laurens	4 miles N of Laurens - Pocahontas & Palo Alto Co. line area	open farmland	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Snyder and Ron Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine - Peregrine darker upperparts & lacks the dark underwing areas. Merlin - size and underwing areas. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:40:00/07:40:45.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-06	1988-02-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on February 6, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Prairie Falcon	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co.-near north Elk Rock State Park	perched in dead trees over ice	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bart Ballard. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size eliminates American Kestrel and Merlin. The black axillaries, dark whisker, and light crown eliminate Peregrine Falcon and Gyrfalcon \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:18:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Ringgold Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-22	1988-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Ringgold Wildlife Area in Ringgold County, IA on April 22, 1988.	Petersen, Peter C.	Prairie Falcon	Ringgold State Wildlife Area	Ringold [sic] Wildlife Area, Ringold [sic] Co. IA	Overgrown pasture with scattered wooded areas.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gil Sandvick. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon - would lack black axillaries, facial marking would be darker. Merlin - much smaller, facial markings much less distinct, lacks black axillaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon south of Saylorville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-11-10	1991-11-12	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon south of Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1991.	Cecil, Robert I.	Prairie Falcon	Saylorville Lake	1/2 mile S. of Highway 17 bridge at Sailorville [sic] Res., Polk Co.	Ag. land interspersed with woodlots.	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sue Spieker. \| Elimination of similar species: Narrow, uniform width mustache, streaked crown, and dark axilaries [sic] eliminate Peregrine. Size eliminates Merlin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Swan Wildlife Refuge, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Swan Wildlife Refuge in Marion County, IA on October 27, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Prairie Falcon	Swan Wildlife Refuge	Swan Wildlife Refuge, Warren County [incorrect county], IA	Overlook of river bottom, waterfowl refuge	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings and powerful, direct flight identified the bird as a falcon. Size eliminated all but the more likely Peregrine. The pale color and narrow facial markings with light supercilliary all but eliminated the Peregrine. The brief look at the black on the underwing confirmed this. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/15:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Irvington, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Irvington in Kossuth County, IA on October 23, 1988.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Prairie Falcon	Irvington	2 mi E of Irvington, Kossuth Co. Ia	open, harvested fields	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karla Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird did not have dark color of Peregrine's back, dark cap, or heavy 'sideburns'. Did not have the heavy barring on the underside of the tail like the Merlin. Dark axillaries and dark bar on underwing are features of no other raptor, falcon or other wise. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-14	1988-10-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 14, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Prairie Falcon	Jester Park Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-along river channel north of Jester Park	flying back and forth along river channel	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, wing shape, and dark axillaries eliminates all other falcons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:36:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Big Creek State Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-09-05	1988-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on September 5, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Prairie Falcon	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek S.P., Polk Co.-north end	flying over lake	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen and Pam Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, long tail, long, pointed wings, and dark axillaries eliminate all other raptors. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:38:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35