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 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
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow north of Muscatine, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-27	1999-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows north of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 27, 1998.	White, Gerald Forbes, Janet	Harris' Sparrow	Muscatine	Home feeder, RR 4 Box 30	small woods surrounded house in urban area	The documentation form written by Gerald White based on the observations of Janet Forbes is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Looked up sparrows in the Peterson Eastern Bird guide and found the picture that matched the bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 16, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-27	1999-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine County, IA on December 27, 1998.	Blevins, Brian L.	Great Black-backed Gull	Mississippi River Lock Dam Number Sixteen	Below Lock + Dam #16 in Muscatine County, Muscatine, Iowa	Below Lock + Dam #16 on the shoreline of Muscatine, Iowa. Mississippi River plus boat harbor that is iced over where the gulls like to roost.	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey T. Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: Pink feet eliminates - Yellow footed Lesser Black-backed Size + Jet Black mantle eliminates - Western Slaty-Backed \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:52:00/09:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Sabula, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-26	1999-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Sabula in Jackson County, IA on December 26, 1998.	Blevins, Brian L.	White-winged Scoter	Sabula	Mississippi River at Sabula, Iowa. Jackson County	small open section of water with ice surrounding	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Corey Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: white cheek patch and white secondaries eliminate other scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:48:00/15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for American Pipit at Lake Ahquabi State Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1999-01-01	1999-01-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Pipit at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warren County, IA on January 1, 1999.	Sinclair, Jim	American Pipit	Lake Ahquabi State Park	Lake Ahquabi St. Pk.	stream bed in bottomland forest	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The long bill eliminated any kind of sparrow and the white outer tail feathers eliminated water thrush species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	15
Rare bird documentation form for Eared Grebe at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-19	1999-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eared Grebe at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 19, 1998.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Eared Grebe	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir, Marion County, Iowa	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maridel Jackson. \| Elimination of similar species: The only species this bird could have been confused with was Horned Grebe. The combination of head shape, smaller, thinner bill, darker foreneck and cheek, and white 'crescent' mark on cheek eliminated Horned Grebe in basic plumage. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:14:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	14
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Lake Panorama, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-22	1999-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Grebe at Lake Panorama in Guthrie County, Iowa in December 22, 1998.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Western Grebe	Lake Panorama	Lake Panorama, Guthrie County, Iowa	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Raymond Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Clark's Grebe was eliminated on the basis of dull yellow-green bill color and dark color around the eye. The longer neck, smaller body, and bill color eliminate all species of loons. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:07:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Common Yellowthroat at Riverton Wildlife Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-29	1999-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Yellowthroat at Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on December 29, 1998.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Common Yellowthroat	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.A., Fremont County, Iowa	grassy edge of a frozen canal	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include W. Ross Silcock. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of an incomplete mask, pattern of yellow on the underparts, lack of wingbars, long tail, and leg color is diagnostic for Common Yellowthroat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:25:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	40
Rare bird documentation form for Loggerhead Shrike at west southwest of Low Moor, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-21	1999-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Loggerhead Shrike at west southwest of Low Moor in Clinton County, IA on December 21, 1998.	Konig, Ulf	Loggerhead Shrike	Low Moor	Approx. 5 miles WSW of Low Moor, Iowa Clinton County, IA	Open farmland with small creek & marshy area nearby 1/4 mile	The documentation form by Ulf Konig is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gary Ostrom. \| Elimination of similar species: Mockingbird - The bird I saw had the definite dark mask of a Shrike. Northern Shrike - The bird I saw was smaller in size darker in appearance and had a mask which extended above & below eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	74
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at IA 17 bridge over the Des Moines River, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-20	1999-01-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at IA 17 bridge over the Des Moines River in Polk County, IA on December 20, 1998.	Healy, Kevin	Golden Eagle	High Bridge	e. side of the Des Moines River about 1/2 mile n. of the IA 17 bridge.		The documentation form by Kevin Healy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Karl Jungbluth. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was soaring above the river in the vicinity of two adult Bald Eagles. We saw a large dark buteo similar in size to the Bald Eagles. Head projected less than 1/2 the length of the tail, noticeably less than that of the adult Bald Eagles in view at that time. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:50:00/12:53:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird northwest of Mason City, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-13	1999-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight Brewer's Blackbirds northwest of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 13, 1998.	Goranson, Rita	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	Wheelerwood Drive, north + west of Mason City, 1 mile before intersection with Killdeer Ave	River + trees on one side - farm land on other side	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Had been seeing grackles - a larger bird - larger tail. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-02-06	1999-02-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Black-backed Gull at Lock and Dam 15 in Scott County, IA on February 6, 1999.	Proescholdt, Mark	Great Black-backed Gull	Lock and Dam 15	above Lock and Dam #15 - Davenport - (Scott Co.)	on ice in Mississippi River with other gulls	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: A 1st winter Lesser Black-backed Gull is much smaller - about the size of a Ring-billed Gull. This is a really big gull - bigger than other possibilities. Also, much different from 1st winter Herring Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:48:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	38
Winter 1999 Iowa Field Report, Chris Edwards	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1998-12-01	1999-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes submitted by Chris Edwards for the 1998/1999 winter season. The notes feature Eastern Meadowlark sightings south of Lake Red Rock in Marion County, IA on December 27, 1998 and at Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on February 15, 1999.	Edwards, Chris	Pied-billed Grebe Franklin's Gull Long-tailed Duck Eastern Meadowlark Eurasian Tree Sparrow Wood Duck Northern Saw-whet Owl Spotted Towhee	Cedar Lake Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area Iowa City Lake Red Rock F W Kent County Park Pool 14				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Green Warbler at Redbird Farms Wildlife Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-01	1999-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Green Warbler at Redbird Farms Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on April 1, 1999.	Dooley, Michael C.	Black-throated Green Warbler	Redbird Farms Wildlife Area	Red Bird Farms Natural Area, Johnson County.	Deciduous woods, no foliage	The documentation form by Mike Dooley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Hermit Warbler unlikely and lacks eye line. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	27
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Waubonsie Wildlife Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-02	1999-04-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-faced Ibis at Waubonsie Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on April 2, 1999.	Schmid, Rick	White-faced Ibis	Waubonsie State Park	Waubonsie Wildlife Area; Fremont County, Iowa; north of Highway 2 near the town of Percival.	The bird was seen in the water immediately to the south of the paved road that runs through the Area, and about one-quarter mile west of the bridge.	The documentation form by Rick Schmid is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was assumed to be a White-Faced Ibis (as opposed to Glossy) because of geographic location. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-bellied Whistling Duck at Zirbel Slough in 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Rare birds	1977-05-08	1999-04-09	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Records Committee review for a Black-bellied Whistling Duck at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo, IA on May 8, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, letter from George Crossley to Kenneth Formanek, letter from Bob Barratt to Peter C. Petersen with commentary by the IOU Records Committee, the original sighting record found in the publication Waterfowl in Iowa 5th ed. State Conservation Commission, Des Moines p. 111 by J.W. and M.R. Musgrove and seen by Ken Reynolds and DeWaine Jackson, and referenced by two other publications.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union Records Committee	Black-bellied Whistling-Duck	Zirbel Slough				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	3
Rare bird documentation form for Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-16	1999-04-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Laughing Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on April 16, 1999.	Thompson, Dennis	Laughing Gull	Saylorville Dam	Below Saylorville Dam, Polk Co. Ia		The documentation form by Dennis Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Franklin's + this bird were swimming side by side. Bill longer, bulkier. No white in the wing tips while resting. Stretched its wings once, with no white visible in the primaries nor any white bar separating the gray wing from the black primaries. White spots + bar visible in nearby Franklin's. Direct size comparison noted above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	31
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 Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry in Ames, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-08	1999-05-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry in Ames in Story County, IA on May 8, 1999.	Overton, Michael D.	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Iowa, Story co., Ames, Hallett's Quarry	Lake in old quarry at edge of urban residential area	The documentation form by Michael D. Overton is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dixie Overton, Michael Freiberg, Kevin Healy, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-throated Loon by parallel sided bill, horizontal bill and head position, no white areas above or in front of the eye, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and sides of neck, lack of white spots on back. Arctic Loon by presence of "chinstrap", lack of white flank patches, realistic attitude. Common Loon by smaller size, smaller parallel sided bill, rounded crown, no white areas in front of or above eye, nape lighter than back, white auricular area, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and sides of neck. Yellow-billed Loon by smaller size, smaller parallel sided bill, rounded crown, no white areas in front of or above eye, white auricular area, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and side of neck.\| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird sighting for Prairie Falcon north of Fairfield in 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-03-16	1999-05-14	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting for a Prairie Falcon north of Fairfield in Jefferson County, IA on March 16, 1999. Document contains additional species sighting information.	Fuller, James L	Prairie Falcon King Rail	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge Fairfield				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Mount Hosmer Park in Lansing in 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Rare birds	1999-05-07	1999-05-15	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Mount Hosmer Park in Lansing in Allamakee County, IA on May 7 and May 8, 1999.	Lesher, Fred	Yellow-throated Warbler	Mount Hosmer Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-14	1999-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on May 14, 1999.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry, Story Co., Iowa	large quarry pond	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russ Widner and the Birdline. \| Elimination of similar species: see above. The bird was not small enough for a Red-throated and did not hold the bill pointing up. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-08	1999-05-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on May 8, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry, n. edge of Ames, Story County	gravel pit	The documentation form by James Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kevin Healy, Roseanne Healy, Wolf Oesterreich, Hank Zaletel, Pam Allen, and Reid Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon seen next to it with side-by-side comparison. 1. No chin stripe on this bird. 2. Back of head and neck uniformly dark colored 3. White on side of head extended further forward and included the eye. Also there was a white 'bump' that extended back into dark color of side of neck. 4. Bill seemed darker than other bird and was all light colored. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for Bewster's Warbler at Greenwood Park in Des Moines, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-16	1999-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewster's Warbler at Greenwood Park in Des Moines in Polk County, IA on May 16, 1999.	Cecil, Robert I.	Vermivoras	Greenwood Park	Greenwood Park, Des Moines, Polk Co.	Woodland	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sue Spieker. \| Elimination of similar species: Pure Blue-winged does not have wing bars. The song is distinctive for Blue-wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
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