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

Ione Getscher letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, February 15, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-02-15	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings were contributed by Ione Getscher in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Getscher, Ione	Townsend's Solitaire	Hamburg				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Rare bird documentation form for Orange-crowned Warbler at Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Area, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-21	1996-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Orange-crowned Warbler at Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on May 21, 1996.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Orange-crowned Warbler	Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area	Kettleson Hogsback A., Dickinson Co., IA	wooded edge of lake.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include James Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: There were several Tennessee Warblers in the area. They had contrast between head and back, no streaking, and whitish under tail coverts. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	19
Rare bird documentation form for Orange-crowned Warbler at Ledges State Park, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-08-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Orange-crowned Warbler at Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on August 22, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Orange-crowned Warbler	Ledges State Park	Ledges S.P.	deciduous woods	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Erik Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller bill, yellow undertail coverts, and streaking on the sides eliminate the very similar Tennessee Warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	19
Rare bird documentation form for Least Sandpiper at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-12-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Sandpiper at Oak Grove Beach at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 2, 1990.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Least Sandpiper	Oak Grove Recreation Area	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.-Oak Grove Beach		The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The extremely small size easily identified the bird as a small sandpiper (peep sp.). The short, needle-like bill, dull, yellow-green legs, and very small size eliminates other peeps. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	19
Rare bird documentation form for Least Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Sandpiper at Babcock Access at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 6, 1998.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Least Sandpiper	Babcock Access	Coralville Reservoir (Babcock Access), Johnson Co., IA	low water in field	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: Only size comparison with Killdeer - about 1/2 as long and 1/3 as big - crude estimate. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 30, 1980	Moore, Francis L.	Snowy Egret	Sweet Marsh	2 mi East of South entrance to Sweet Marsh then 2 1/2 mi South, across road.	grassy-marshy field, grassy-marshy field with cattle	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone, Bob Myers, and Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: See question above for notation that all three small white heron's were seen together; Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret and immature Little Blue Heron. What a sight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-30	1980-09-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 30, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Snowy Egret	Sweet Marsh	approx. 3 mi. south of Sweet Marsh, Iowa	cow pasture with marshy areas, water for marsh comes from natural artesian wells.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Tom Stone, and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: An immature little blue was also present & next day a cattle egret was with the snowy and separating all three was easy \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Lake Manawa, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-23	1978-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form with handwritten annotations for a Snowy Egret at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on April 23, 1978.	Brown, Larry D.	Snowy Egret	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, southeast quarter of lake	Standing along shore of lake in shallow water near a muskrat den. Lake shore environment with some reeds and cattails along shore plus other vegetation growing in shallow water where bird was observed.	The documentation form by Larry D. Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include his wife and two other birders. \| Elimination of similar species: Approximately 10-15 feet to the west of the Snowy stood an American Egret which was identified by its yellow bill and much larger size. By comparing the field marks and size of both, they could both be identified. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Albion, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-04-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Snowy Egrets at Albion in Marshall County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Dinsmore, James J.	Snowy Egret	Albion	on southwest edge of Albion, Marshall County	in flooded field/small marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore, Eric Munson, Hank Zaletel, Joe Schaufenbuel, "et al". \| Elimination of similar species: leg/foot color eliminates Little Blue, Cattle and Great Egret. Also the size was much smaller than a Great Egret. \| The original documentation form event lasted occurred around 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
W. Ross Silcock letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding highlights of the Christmas bird count, January 30, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Fringillidae \| Finches	N/A	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Report contributed by W. Ross Silcock in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding highlights of the Christmas bird count. The Spotted Sandpiper, Townsend's Solitaire, Northern Shrikes, Rough-legged Hawk, and Bald Eagle are among the species mentioned. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Silcock, W. Ross	Bald Eagle Rough-legged Hawk Townsend's Solitaire Spotted Sandpiper Northern Shrike	Decorah Dubuque Omaha				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding Snowy Owl sightings and Iowa Ornithologists' Union membership, January 24, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watchers Bird watching Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-01-24	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Snowy Owl sightings contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. Gladys is also commenting on a recent increase in Iowa Ornithologists' Union memberships. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl	Iowa Warren County Wright County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Winter Raptor survey, 1977	Field notes Maps (documents) Reports	Bird surveys Bird watching Birds of prey Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-12-01	1977-12-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Winter Raptor Survey for 1977, written by Dean M. Roosa and Paul Bartelt for the State Preserves Board. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Roosa, Dean M. Bartelt, Paul Iowa Preserves Board		Iowa				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Ames Audubon Society Newsletter, February 1977	Field notes Serials (publications)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Ornithology--Societies, etc Citizen science Wildlife habitat improvement	1977-02-01	1977-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	February 1977 issue of the Ames Audubon Society Newsletter reporting on the 1977 Christmas Bird Count and describing birdwatching trips in Story County. The newsletter is published in Ames, Iowa and later changed its name to Big Bluestem Audubon Society. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Ames Audubon Society		Ames Story County				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Marie Carlson letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings, February 9, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird declines Bird populations Bird watching Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-02-09	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings were contributed by Marie Carlson in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Carlson, Marie	Harris' Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White-crowned Sparrow American Tree Sparrow Hairy Woodpecker Dark-eyed Junco	Boone				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding bird sightings, January 10, 1977	Correspondence Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird declines Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-01-10	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings were contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Vernon M. Kleen. Her report on the Snowy Owls count includes a sighting map. The Red Rock Christmas count and the absence of Evening Grosbeaks are mentioned in the report. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Bald Eagle Evening Grosbeak Snowy Owl Mallard	Lake Red Rock				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Iowa Snowy Owls, 1976-1977 contributed by Gladys Black	Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1976-12-01	1977-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Iowa Snowy Owls report and sighting map contributed by Gladys Black. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl	Iowa Pleasantville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding sightings of Snowy Owls and a Goshawk, February 25, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-02-25	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Sightings of Snowy Owls in Guthrie County, Poweshiek County, and Lake Red Rock and a Goshawk in Fayette County contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl Northern Goshawk	Guthrie County Lake Red Rock Poweshiek County Fayette				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird counts of Snowy Owl and Northern Shrike, February 28, 1977	Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology Weather	1977-02-28	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird counts of Snowy Owls in Iowa counties and Northern Shrike in Kossuth County contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl Northern Shrike	Algona Kossuth County Fayette				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Nicholas S. Halmi regarding bird sightings and Iowa Northern Shrikes checklist, February 8, 1977	Checklists Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1976-12-01	1977-02-28	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sighting contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Nicholas S. Halmi. Enclosed with the letter is a checklist for Iowa Northern Shrikes. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter, 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Gray Jay Northern Shrike	Cedar Falls Mason City Pleasantville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Gladys Black letter to Vernon M. Kleen regarding Snowy Owl counts, March 5, 1977	Correspondence Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird watching Birds--Counting Birds--Research Ornithology--Methodology	1977-03-05	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Bird sightings and an enclosed map showing a count of Snowy Owls contributed by Gladys Black in a letter to Vernon M. Kleen. This item was used as supporting documentation for the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union Quarterly field report of winter 1976-1977.	Black, Gladys	Snowy Owl	Iowa Pleasantville				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	17	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Franklin's Gull at Saylorville Reservoir, 1988	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-12-25	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for one to two Franklin's Gulls in Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on December 25, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Franklin's Gull	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co.	large reservoir with some open water	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark mantle, black hood, white eye crescents, small size, and red bill and legs eliminates all other gulls. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Franklin's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk, 1987	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1987-01-16	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Franklin's Gull at Lock and Dam 19 in Keokuk in Lee County, IA on January 16, 1987. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kleen, Vernon M.	Franklin's Gull	Lock Number 19	Hamilton (Hancock Co), Il. + Keokuk, Iowa	The bird was flying over + around the pool of the Mississippi River just below the lock and dams at Keokuk. The water was open.	The documentation form by Vernon Kleen forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Robert Cecil was submitted. Other observers include Doug Reeves, Kathy Andrews, Mary Grapperhans, Joel Greenberg, and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: white windows in wing eliminated Laughing; lack of extensive white in wing eliminated Bonaparte's and Black-headed or Sabines \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds, 1986	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-07-09	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mountain Plover at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on July 9, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, numerous correspondence about the bird sighting, an outside review of the sighting from Don Roberson, a summary of the review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and nine documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Zaletel, Hank	Mountain Plover	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	3 miles east of Colo, County Road E-41, 1/2 mile north, section 1 T83N R21W, Story County.	General: Recently plowed field with several pothole ponds Specific: The bird stayed in the waterways that led to the ponds. These areas were wet and contained no vegetation.	The documentation form by Hank Zalatel is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Mark Proescholdt, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, Tom Staudt, and Paul Martsching were submitted later. Other observers include Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Steve Dinsmore, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden and Black-bellied plovershave [sic] gray-white and brown-gold scaly backs, this bird's back was brown and was unmarked. These two plovers have streaked throats which this bird did not have. These two plovers have streaked breasts which this bird did not have. The white above the eye of this bird was clear and contained no streaking as does the Black-bellied Plover. The bird associated with Golden Plovers in breeding plumage and one that was not so that comparison could be made on the spot for the two plumages. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:55:00 July 9, 1986 and 18:45:00 - 19:15:00 on July 10, 1986.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Reddish Egret at Colfax, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-09-05	1996-08-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Reddish Egret at Colfax in Jasper County, IA on September 5, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and ten documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Reddish Egret	Colfax	1 mi. west of Colfax IA. Jasper Co.	Flood water pool of the Skunk River	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Tim Schantz, Peter C. Petersen, Ann Johnson, Gerald White, Ross Silcock, Thomas H. Kent, Pam Allen, Jim Fuller, Randy Pinkston, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. Other observers include Chuck Fuller, Jim Scheib, Kelly McKay, Dan Dorrance, Jim Sinclair, Hank Zaletel, Reid Allen, Dick Tetrault, D. Thompson, D. and V. Hendrickson, Ella Moeller and Jean Moeller, Kenneth R. Nelson, Rita Goranson, Carolyn Fisher, and Jan Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Blue Heron adult would have darker body and neck with no brown tones. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	19
Richard Jule Hollis letter to Hank Zaletel regarding setting up a Bird Hotline, May 27, 1981	Correspondence	Bird watching Birds--Identification Ornithology--Methodology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-05-27	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Richard Jule Hollis letter to Hank Zaletel regarding progress made in setting up a Bird Hotline in Iowa. The letter includes a short paragraph on his recent bird sightings such as seeing a Bewick's Wren at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, Iowa. The hotline is later known as the Iowa Birdline.	Hollis, Richard Jule	Bewick's Wren	Hickory Hill Park Iowa City				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	4	18