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 Hooded Warbler at Pellet Wildlife Refuge, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-15	1982-08-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Hooded Warblers at Pellet Wildlife Refuge in Cass County, IA on May 15, 1982.	Hensley, R. Craig	Hooded Warbler	Pellet Memorial Woods State Preserve	Pellett [sic] Wildlife Refuge - Cass County	Bottomland wooded area - dominant trees included silver maple, basswood, slippery elm and hackberry; understory partial.	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bachman's warbler and the Kentucky warbler are somewhat similar, however, neither species has the distinct hood and yellow face, therefore, I ruled these species out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	41
Rare bird documentation form for Eared Grebe at Lake Anita State Park, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-06	1981-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Eared Grebes at Lake Anita State Park in Anita in Cass County, IA on November 6, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	Eared Grebe	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park, located one(1) mile south of Anita	Large, open lake	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pied-billed grebe is the only other relative that is commonly encountered in Cass County. This species was ruled out due to body size and proportions and the different beak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	14
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Lake Anita State Park in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1981-11-06	1981-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four White-winged Scoters at Lake Anita State Park in Cass County, IA on November 6, 1981.	Hensley, R. Craig	White-winged Scoter	Lake Anita State Park	Lake Anita State Park, one mile south of Anita, Iowa	Large, open lake	The documentation form by R. Craig Hensley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The surf scoter and black scoter are similar. However, the specimans [sic] that I observed had the white wing patch that these two species do not have. In addition, two of the birds seen had white about their eyes, as neither of the other two have. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter in western Polk County, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-11-15	1977-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter in western Polk County, IA on November 15, 1977.	Mooney, Richard D., 1905-1997	Surf Scoter	Polk County	Small farm pond in western Polk Co.	Usual farm pond, no emergent vegetation at this season	The documentation form by R.D. Mooney is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Light spots eliminate Common Eider and lack of white in wing eliminates White-winged Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-10-19	1986-10-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at North Marshall County, IA on October 19, 1986.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	North Marshall county, country gravel road (dead end) leading to timber and creek- corn fields and a wet shrubby area.	wet, marshy, weedy low spot by road in a corn field with three shrubby bushes	The documentation form by Ramona R. Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LE CONTES--too small, striped head Lincon's [sic] Sparrow--facial pattern not right--too little Henslow's--not right coloration in breast and side of head \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:30:08.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Union, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-09	1983-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Union in Hardin County, IA on May 9, 1983.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Summer Tanager	Union	Backyard in town of Union at - Hardin County	Merle Stenfield residence	The documentation form by Ramona R. Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Harriet Stenfield and Merle Stenfield. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Tangers - \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Marshall County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-22	1983-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Marshall County, IA on May 22, 1983.	Sommerlot, Ramona R.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Marshall County	marsh edge - marshall county	marshy low ground - permenent [sic] small marsh	The documentation form by Ramona Sommerlot is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Contes - white stripe on head head pattern not same. Saw Le Contes at forney at IOU conference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Burrowing Owl at Rathbun Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Burrowing Owl at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on December 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Strough, Randy D.	Burrowing Owl	Rathbun Lake	Appanoose County, Lake Rathbun, 1.5 miles North on paved road to Southfork Marina off J5T	Open; harvested bean field west side of road, harvested corn field east side of road. The ditches were mowed clean of weeds and lacked trees or shrubs	The documentation form by Randal D. Strough forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ray Cummins and Steve Dinsmore were submitted. Another observer includes Tom Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Screech Owl: a screech owl has ear tufts (except young screech owls may lack conspicuous ear tufts). The belly has vertical barring, and lacks definate [sic] spots on head and back. Legs are not conspicuously long. Saw-whet Owl: has vertical streaked belly, and lacks conspicuously long legs. Habitat: conifer groves, there where [sic] none in the immediate area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-05-22	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Peterson Pits in Story County, IA on May 22, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Peterson Pits Recreation Area	"Peterson Pits" Mine Reclamation Area, Story County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall "Randy" Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Mark Proescholdt was submitted later. Other observers include Dan Dorrance, Mary Kuhlman, Carlyn Fischer, Jan Walter, Daniel Pinkston, Dorothy Zehr, and Sibyl Sand. \| Elimination of similar species: Falcons also have pointed wingtips but wings typically appear more sickle-shaped, less plank-like. Falcon not expected to sail so effortlessly on fixed wings for so long. Dark slate-gray plumage and white head seen in good light does not fit with any North American falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:50:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park, 1991	Administrative reports Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-12-14	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Swainson's Hawk at Stone Park in Plymouth County, IA on December 14, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Williams, Randall D.	Swainson's Hawk	Stone State Park	1 mile north of west entrance to Stone State Park on highway 12	hovering above loess bluff; overlooking Big Sioux River Floodplain	The documentation form by Randall D. Williams is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Franken. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk: wings held flat when soaring; presence of red tail patagial patches present, no bib. Rough-legged Hawk: dark belly-band or girdle. carpal wing patches present. Dark band on trailing edge of wing (immature). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	32
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Western Sandpipers at Sand Point in Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 1, 1991.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956- Pinkston, Daniel P.	Western Sandpiper	Sand Point	Sand Point on Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston and Daniel Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Some 30+ Semipalmated Sandpipers observed in same area simultaneously: Less robust and proportionately shorter-legged, bills clearly the shorter in all individuals with less distinct or no droop at tip, cold grayish coloration with no hint of rust in scapulars or crown. Sanderling larger with proportionately shorter bill, always shows dark bend of wing in basic plumage. Basic-plumaged Dunlin comparable in size to Pectoral Sandpiper with more substantial and drooped bill, gray wash across entire breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Ventura, 1992	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-03-18	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon 4 miles south of Ventura in Cerro Gordo County, IA on March 18, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Eurasian Wigeon	Ventura	County Roads B43 at S14, approx. 4 miles south of Ventura, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Obvious differences from American Wigeon include the American's dark (green) face mask, white forehead and crown ("baldpate"), as well as those other differences discussed above. Female American has finely mottled grayish head and brownish sides, lacks striking patterns on wings and hindparts. Redhead (Aythya americana) has 'pochard' gestalt with darker brick-red vs. cinnamon-buff head, head more rounded in profile, tricolored bill broad and stout. Also has relatively plain wing with gray coverts and pale gray remiges. Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) of either sex safely separable on the basis of head and bill in profile. Again, male's head is dark brick-red, back and sides whitish, lacks bold wing pattern. Female mergansers easily separable on the basis of bill alone. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mississippi Kite at Clive, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-23	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Mississippi Kite at Clive in Polk County, IA on May 23, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, a photo and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Mississippi Kite	Clive	Clive, Polk Co., Iowa. Same bird observed by many others and photographed by Tom Kent.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Really unmistakable perched at such close range. Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) basically a white bird with a white tail, much less likely in Iowa.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	26
Rare bird documentation for Smith's Longspur north northwest of Lone Tree, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for around a few hundred Smith's Longspurs north northwest of Lone Tree in Johnson County, IA on April 6, 1990.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Smith's Longspur	Lone Tree	2 mi. NNW of Lone Tree, Johnson Co., Iowa	[...] In large hay stubble field with scattered bales, [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Non-descript really, eye-ringed, suggestive of a Vesper Sparrow but for entirely buff underparts. [...] Also seen were a Red Fox and an alternate-plumaged male Lapland Longspur. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird near Mason City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Brewer's Blackbirds near Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on April 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	near Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Comparison made to Comm. Grackle above. Unlikely habitat and date for Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolingus). \| The original documentation form event occurred in the late afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull southeast of Jolly Roger Marina at Coralville Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull southeast of Jolly Roger Marina at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Thayer's Gull	Jolly Rogers Campground	Coralville Reservoir (1/4 - 1/2 mile southeast of Jolly Roger Marina), Johnson County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Contrasted with first-winter Herring Gull above. First-winter Iceland typically much paler, especially the uppersurface of the primaries which are paler than the rest of the mantle, and Iceland should show mottling in the tertials and tail band. I suppose I cannot exclude a heavily-pigmented 'Kumlien's' Gull or an Iceland-Thayer's intergrade as described in Kevin Zimmer's Birding article. Both species are apparently highly variable. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Marbled Godwit at Amana Lily Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-05-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit at Amana Lily Lake in Iowa County, IA on May 20, 1993.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Marbled Godwit	Lily Pond	Amana Lily Lake, Iowa Co., Iowa	The bird foraged in shallow water against the lakeshore mudflat	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Initially spotted by it's large size, dwarfing nearby Black-bellied Plovers. Heavy-bodied and long-billed, at first I thought it might be a Willet except, even at great distance, the bill appeared gently upcurved. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	14
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sugarbottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sugarbottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 22, 1991.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Yellow Rail	Sugar Bottom Recreation Area	Coralville Reservoir (Sugarbottom recreation area..see map on back), Johnson Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Large white wing patches are diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-04-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area in Johnson County, IA on April 24, 1994.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Pine Warbler	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	DuPont bridge road, Johnson County, Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Observed with Yellow-rumped and Palm Warblers. Really there was nothing else it could be. I considered an immature Palm Warbler but by late April the diagnostic marks should be apparent. The lack of a superciliary line and brownish cap, coupled with feeding behavior higher in the canopy and lack of tail-wagging, rule out Palm Warbler. Extensive white in the outer rectrix supports Pine Warbler.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on May 3, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Long-tailed Duck	Pleasant Creek State Park	west end of Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn Co., Iowa	open water in middle of lake	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Unmistakable. \| The original documentation form event occurred around five minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-11-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on November 19, 1989.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	White-winged Scoter	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake north of Palo, Linn Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White wing patches and typical facial pattern of young White-winged rule out other scoters. Large size, large bill, dual facial patches eliminate female Bufflehead. White wing patches and large bill eliminate female Harlequin Duck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on October 3, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Northern Goshawk	Oakland Cemetery	Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, Johnson Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Wings proportionately longer and narrower than either Cooper's or Sharp-shinned Hawks', distinctly broad at secondaries, narrowing at primaries. Tail too long for any Buteo, proportionately shorter than other accipiters or N. Harrier. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:25:00/10:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler west of Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler west of Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 4, 1991.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Pine Warbler	Coralville Lake	Swan Lake Road west of Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co., Iowa	Tall poplars at the edge of second-growth mixed hardwoods forest near the reservoir. Surrounded by cornfields. Groves of cultivated pines within 1/2 mile of the area. The bird was first spotted in the top-most branches of a bare (poplar?) snag.	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo has thick, less pointed bill and distinct yellow spectacles. Immature or female Northern (Baltimore) Oriole much larger. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:00:00/11:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Black-throated Blue Warbler at Hickory Hill Park and Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-09-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-throated Blue Warbler at Hickory Hill Park and Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on September 7, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Black-throated Blue Warbler	Hickory Hill Park Oakland Cemetery	[map]		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00/09:30:03.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	25
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-20	1993-06-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least five Great-tailed Grackles at MidAmerican Energy Ponds at Pottawattamie County, IA on June 20, 1993. There are details of another sighting of another Great-tailed Grackle near Osceola in Clark County, IA on June 26, 1993 on the documentation form.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	South IPL pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa (4+ males, 1 female); along Hwy. 2 in Nebraska City bridge area, Fremont County, Iowa (1 male)	[...] Observed in cattails at edge of IPL pond in Pottawattamie County [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77