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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Great-tailed Grackle at Ames, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-12-19	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great-tailed Grackle at Ames in Story County, IA on December 19, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Niyo, Kayleen	Great-tailed Grackle	Ames	Max Bailey Farm on Dayton Rd. N.E. of Ames	Spruce Windbreak	The documentation form by Kay Niyo is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by John Richard was submitted later. Another observer was Judy Shearer. \| Elimination of similar species: Common grackle - this bird was much larger with a much longer tail. Common crow - this bird was not quite as large, had a much longer tail than a crow, bill was long & grackle shaped, not as a crow, & body stance was like a grackle not a crow. Ani - bill and body shape & carriage was grackle-like. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	9
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-19	1999-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on April 19, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reece [sic] Wettlands [sic], Koss Co, Iowa near Union Slough	wettlands [sic] + old bean stubble	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Matthew Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: No other birds in immediate area, other than ducks, I had seen two Savannah Sparrows at beginning of area and knew these were larger than Savannah's and different coloring and marks. I have seen Laplands but they don't have this rich buffy color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on October 7, 1998.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reese WPA, Kossuth Co. SW of north side parking	Open area sparsely covered with grass (1 season restored prairie and mowed Pigweed) surrounding wetland potholes	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipits were eliminated by their totally different voice, the pattern of the underparts, and bill & tail proportions. Lapland Longspurs have obvious white (not buff) underneath which would have been especially visible on several close flybys and passes overhead. Male Laplands should show some black streaking on the upper chest in sharp contrast with the white below. There wasn't any chestnut visible on the nape or upper wing. Although I don't have enough experience with Smith's to say I heard any difference in the sound of the "tics", I didn't hear any of the "tew" notes that Laplands (but not Smith's) mix in with their tic-tic-tics. Any regular sparrow that is not eliminated by white outer tail feathers is eliminated by the unique longspur calls. The buffy/tan color underneath and the calls also rule out Horned Lark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Prairie Warbler at MacBride Nature Recreation Area, 1977	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-05-21	1993-08-19	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Prairie Warbler at MacBride Nature Recreation Area in Johnson County, IA on May 21, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Newlon, Michael C.	Prairie Warbler	Macbride Nature Recreation Area	McBride [sic] Field campus (NE of No. Liberty, IA)	Old field with saplings, poison ivy, briars, but rather sparsely placed. Second growth woods in one side of field.	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Rich DeCoster. \| Elimination of similar species: of the other warblers with yellow underparts + streaks + wingbars, none other have the combination of (1) facial pattern described (2) brown streaks on back (3) song \| The original documentation form event occurred at 09:30:00/09:50:00 and around 12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	22
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at MacBride Field Campus, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Northern Goshawks at MacBride Field Campus in Johnson County, IA on December 17, 1983.	Newlon, Carol S.	Northern Goshawk	Macbride Nature Recreation Area	McBride [sic] Field Campus, Johnson Co., IA	mixed conifer groves + deciduous woodland	The documentation form by Carol S. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Michael Newlon and J. Dawson Mohler. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration eliminates all N. Am raptors except for male N Harrier + the kites - These eliminated by size, proportions, habitat, season. Huge size, grey underpants rules out other accipiters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at McFarland Lake Park in Story County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at McFarland Lake Park in Story County, IA on September 15, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Pine Warbler	McFarland Lake Park	McFarland Park, Story Co.	General: wooded edge Specific: tree on edge	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Erik Munson, and thirty unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Solitary vireo has eye ring this bird did not \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at McFarland Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at McFarland Park in Story County, IA on September 15, 1984.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	McFarland Lake Park	McFarland Park, Story Co.	flying south with other hawks over woods near a river	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel and Erik Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Merlin was eliminated because of smaller size and lack of black hood. Accipiter sp. eliminated because of wing shape and lack of dark color on head or a hood. Prairie Falcon eliminated because of overall brown rather than black appearance and lack of black hood. \| The original documentation form event occurred at approximately 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-14	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 14, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1 mi. E of Ventura, Cerro Gordo County	brome uplands	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora, Virginia rail - Both too dark and lack white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for King Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-06-10	1986-06-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a King Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on June 10, 1986.	Hellickson, Mickey	King Rail	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, Cerro Gordo Co., IA	Upland - prairie	The documentation form by Mickey Hellickson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Clapper Rail is similar but very uncommon in this area \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	41
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at McIntosh Wildlife Area near Clear Lake, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-04-22	1982-06-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Sharp-tailed Sparrows at McIntosh Wildlife Area near Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 22, 1982.	Heinz, Fred	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, Clear Lake, Iowa	General: lowspot in Hayfield Specific: Wet area in Brome and alfalfa field, with very little residual cover, due to winters snowfall	The documentation form by Fred Heinz is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews and Bill Ohde. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Conte's - No stripes on crown + triangle on face was very evident \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Field Sparrow at McLamarrah Park in Bettendorf, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Field Sparrows at McLamarrah Park in Bettendorf in Scott County, IA on December 21, 1980.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Field Sparrow	McLamarrah Park	McLammarrah [sic] Park, N. of Bettendorf, Scott Co, IA	General: as above [...] In brushy area along wood creek [...] Specific: Small creek flowing into Mississippi between low bluffs	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Tree sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	51
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Warbler at MacNiders Woods in Mason City, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1994-05-08	1994-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Warbler at MacNiders Woods in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 8, 1994.	Goranson, Rita	Hooded Warbler	MacNiders Woods	McNider [sic] Woods Mason City IA	Park of cotton wood, willows, ash + under growth	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carolyn Fischer. \| Elimination of similar species: Cap reminded me of Wilson's but the black throat was different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Mehaffey Bridge at Coralville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-15	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form a Red-necked Grebe at Mehaffey Bridge at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on November 15, 1986.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Red-necked Grebe	Mehaffey Bridge	Mehaffey Bridge area Johnson Co.	large open water area, bend in river	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: bill and neck longer/thicker than Horned or Eared Grebe larger size overall. Horned has more white in face, Eared legs. Clarks, western grebes have longer white neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Merritt County Park, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-01-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Merritt County Park in Carroll County, IA on January 1, 1998.	Thelen, Rob	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Merritt County Park	Merritt Access Racoon [sic] River Carroll Co.	River bottom scattered dead tree + underbrush	The documentation form by Rob Thelen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ed Thelen and Marty Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden Crowned Kinglet. This Kinglet had no Golden Crown [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
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 of Laughing Gull at Midwest Power Pond, 1994	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-10-19	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Midwest Power (South) Pond in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 19, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a documentation letter from Paul Lehman to Ross Silcock, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Laughing Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Midwest Power (South) Pond, Pottawattamie Co., IA		The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentations by Babs and Loren Padelford as well as Paul Lehman were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Later it was seen at rest with Ring-billed and Franklin's Gulls, the latter group including a few individuals of the same age as the Laughing Gull, allowing careful comparison. [...] The wings were long and pointed, the overall jizz of the bird more attenuated than a Franklin's. [...] There was a grayish-black wash over the crown and nape, slightly intensified in the upper nuchal area, and a paler grayish wash on the flanks in the area below the bend of the wing, imparting a "dirtier" look to the underparts than on same-age Franklin's Gulls (seen when at rest). At rest, the black primaries extended well past the tail, a feature compared easily with nearby Franklin's, and there were no small white crescents in the primaries of the Laughing Gull, a feature easily seen in same-age Franklin's nearby. The Laughing Gull was almost as big as the Ringbills near it, while it appeared significantly larger than the adjacent Franklin's. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Rare bird documentation form for Cooper's Hawk at Mill Creek State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cooper's Hawk at Mill Creek State Park in O'Brien County, IA on September 19, 1985.	Harr, Douglas C.	Cooper's Hawk	Mill Creek State Park	Mill Creek State Park, 1 mi. w. of Paullina, O'Brien Co., IA	along edge of park woods & cornfield	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharp-shinned Hawk - smaller, slimmer, squared tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:14:00/11:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	24
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon near the Bellevue Bridge, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-10-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon near Bellevue Bridge in Mills County, IA on October 20, 1981.	Bray, Tanya Kovanda, Sandra Padelford, Babs	Prairie Falcon	Bellevue Bridge	Mills County, Highway 370, approx 1 1/2 miles east of the Bellevue Bridge	Missouri River bottomland; cornfields	The documentation form by Babs Padelford, Sandy Kovanda, and Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pale brown upperparts and black axillars elimate [sic] Peregrine Falcon. Size and black axillars eliminate Merlin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-23	1984-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on November 23, 1984.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Golden Eagle	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Mills County, Iowa, near Willow Slough		The documentation form by Barb Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Young Bald Eagles are similar but usually mottled with light feathers. They have white on the under wing coverts, not the bases of the flight feathers, & they do not have the neat tail pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Bettendorf, IA and Moline, IL, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-01-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Mississippi River between Bettendorf in Scott County, IA and Moline in Rock Island County, IL on January 11, 1992.	Petersen, Peter C.	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Bettendorf Moline	Miss. R. between Bettendorf + Moline, Scott + R.I. Cos.	river channel	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Black-backed - back not black, too small. Slaty-backed - a bit small, trailing edge of wing with narrow, not wide, white edge. Western - a bit small bill not larger + heavier than the several nearby Herrings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:50:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Bryant, Robert R.	Black Scoter	Davenport	Miss. River along S. Concord at corner Wapello Ave. Davenport, Scott Co.	Miss. River near outlet of sewage treatment plant.	The documentation form by Bob Bryant is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Dorrance and Leroy Sowl. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruddy Duck - smaller, wide bill, one was nearby for a while for comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Mississippi River in Davenport, 1991	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-12-06	1991-12-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Trumpeter Swans at Mississippi River near Enchanted Island in Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 6, 1991.	Petersen, Peter C.	Trumpeter Swan	Horse Island	Miss. River along S. Concord St. near Enchanted Island on Davenport, IA	Miss River + adjacent shore	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kelly McKay, Weir Nelson, Jim Durbin, Joyce Durbin, and Dawn Fisher. \| Elimination of similar species: Tundra Swan - would have yellow area between eye & bill. In addition these birds were marked & from a known Trumpeter population. \| The original documentation form event occurred in various times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
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 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