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 Northwestern States Portland Cement Co. (Lehigh Cement Co. now) in Mason City, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Mute Swan at Northwestern State Portland Cement Co. (Lehigh Cement Co. now) in Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Walter, Janice L.	Mute Swan	Mason City	Northwestern States Portland Cement Co., Mason City, Ia.	Open water pond on cement plant grounds	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Walter, Curt Nelson, and plant workers. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, color, and shape eliminate all but Tundra and Trumpeter Swans. Neck curve and bill coloration eliminate them. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:25:00/13:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	29
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Zirbel Slough, 1988	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-08-04	1988-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Zirbel Slough in Cerro Gordo County, IA on August 4, 1988.	Walter, Janice L.	Red-necked Grebe	Zirbel Slough	East-west dike on north side of Zirbel Slough, Cerro Gordo Co., Ia	small open pool in dense marsh. Pool at base of dike.	The documentation form by Jan L. Walter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Walter. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape and behavior of Grebe. Size eliminated Pied-billed, Eared, and Horned Grebes. Reddish instead of white neck and thicker, heavier bill eliminated Western Grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 20:14:00/20:24:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-02-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-headed Blackbird at Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on February 26, 1978.	Greer, Janet	Yellow-headed Blackbird	Council Bluffs	Feeder at 341 Steven Circle, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501		The documentation form by Janet Greer is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include the Greer family. \| Elimination of similar species: There are none. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	75
Rare bird documentation form for Gray Catbird at Iowa City, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-04-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Gray Catbird at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 2, 1989.	Hollis, Janet	Gray Catbird	Iowa City	Iowa City	backyard, suburban, around feeders	The documentation form by Janet Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. The form was transcribed from an oral account by Richard Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: I discussed some plain birds - Female Cowbirds, some female or young grackles, showed her pictures + could not shake her opinion \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	12
Rare bird documentation form for Bewick's Wren at Shenandoah, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-08	1991-05-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bewick's Wren at Shenandoah in Page County, IA on May 8, 1991.	Braley, Jean B.	Bewick's Wren	Shenandoah	209 W. Thomas Ave., Shenandoah, IA.	Residential yard; large trees, variety of shrubs	The documentation form by Jean Bordner Braley is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include F.M. Braley. \| Elimination of similar species: Carolina Wren: I observed the bird was white on breast + throat; tail different; have not heard Carolina sing the way Bewick's did; tailflicking/switching sideways not noticed in Carolina. \| The original documentation form event occurred on and off from 07:30:00/10:00:00 .	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	1
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at MacBride Recreation Area, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1994-06-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at MacBride Recreation Area in Johnson County, IA on June 5, 1994.	Dankert, David L. Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Prairie Warbler	Macbride Nature Recreation Area	Johnson Co: 4/10 mi into MacBride Recreation Area, in a field on private land.	Dry upland, grassy field, with many low trees and shrubs; a few larger trees	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert and Dave Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chris Edwards. \| Elimination of similar species: The observation of the bird, singing during observation, left no doubt to its identity. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:20:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Common Yellowthroat at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-11-27	1992-11-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Yellowthroat at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County, IA on November 27, 1992.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Common Yellowthroat	Morgan Creek Park	Morgan Creek Co. P., Linn Co., 1 mile NW of Cedar Rapids, IA	Pond and stream bordered by grass and shrubs	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I did not confuse this warbler with any other warbler. Its behavior and field marks were diagnostic of the Common Yellowthroat \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	40
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-03-17	1996-06-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on March 17, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Greater Scaup	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn County	Lake	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dave Dankert. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser, as described above. I watched the birds for several minutes, making sure that they weren't changing crown feathers and 'hiding' the peak characteristic of L. Scaup.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at Nezekaw Point, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	1996-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Summer Tanager at Nezekaw Point in Allamakee County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Summer Tanager	Nezekaw Point	Allamakee Co. S of Yellow River, along HWY 76, (label on topo map: "Nezekaw Point"	Forest, Upland, Oak-Hickory	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Lesher and Brian Collins. \| Elimination of similar species: It lacked the black wings of the scarlet tanager (in any plumage) and also the dark tail of the scarlet. It lacked the wing bars and bill of a female Baltimore Oriole. Its bill and crown were unlike that of a female cardinal. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 13:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-rumped Warbler at Union City Township in Allamakee County, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-01-27	1996-02-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-rumped Warbler at Union City Township in Allamakee County, IA on January 27, 1996.	Dankert, Jeffrey B.	Yellow-rumped Warbler	Union City Township	Allamakee Co.: Corner of A26 and English Bench Rd.	Cedar Grove on hillside	The documentation form by Jeff Dankert is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Fred Lesher. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] We clinched this bird on its call, the yellow rump, and habitat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:35:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	26
Rare bird documentation form for Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pileated Woodpecker at Nine Eagles State Park in Decatur County, IA on May 3, 1985.	Livingston, Jeffrey R.	Pileated Woodpecker	Nine Eagles State Park	Nine Eagles State Park (Decatur County)	Dense mature wood lands	The documentation form by Jeffrey R. Livingston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	62
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Grosbeak at Lamoni, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-08	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Grosbeak at Lamoni in Decatur County, IA on November 8, 1984.	Livingston, Jeffrey R.	Pine Grosbeak	Lamoni	Lamoni, Iowa	A small wood lot with good undergrowth. Most of the larger trees have fallen over. Most of the small bushes have berries.	The documentation form by Jeffrey R. Livingston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Joe Breshears. \| Elimination of similar species: Upon first seeing the bird and noticing the bill, I thought of an Evening Grossbeak, [sic] but this bird had a dark bill not a yellow-green one. The body was definitely gray not yellowish. When I saw it closer and in better light, I noticed the rust on the head and rump. This eliminated the Evening Grossbeak. [sic] The bird had no crest or prominent eye markings as do the Waxwings. The under tail coverts were gray. The waxwings are rusty. The White-winged Crossbill is lots smaller and has red on the breast and throat. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:50:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	80
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow at Cayler Prairie, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-17	1988-04-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow at Cayler Prairie in Dickinson County, IA on April 17, 1988.	Probst, Jerry	Henslow's Sparrow	Cayler Prairie State Preserve	Cayler Prairie Dickenson [sic] Co.	Prairie Marsh	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Audubon Group and Bill Huser. \| Elimination of similar species: Bairds - median crown stripe continuous down back olive coloring Savannah - olive crown stripe plain nape with contrast with back Vesper - no white on tail, olive nape, contrast with back LeConte's - streaked on breast, olive med. crown stripe, unstreaked olive nape \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:05:00/15:06:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-21	1988-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Surf Scoter at Ventura Marsh in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 21, 1988.	Probst, Jerry	Surf Scoter	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh part of Clear Lake	Shallow lake	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Livermore and Wayne Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: Obviously a mature female Surf Scoter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:45:00/07:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	11
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Five Ridge Prairie State Park, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-01-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Five Ridge Prairie State Park in Plymouth County, IA on January 3, 1999.	Probst, Jerry	Northern Goshawk	Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve	5 Ridge Prarie Plymouth Co. IA	Below dam Riparian + Upper transition Red Cedar - Burr Oak	The documentation form by Jerry Probst is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Warren Dunkle. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's - This bird was too heavy bodied, strong wing beats and the whitish gray ventral side (body). Red-shouldered - Goshawk gray color - wing pattern - flight. \| The original documentation form event occurred twice at 09:00:00 and 11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-12-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for four Trumpeter Swans at Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 19, 1999.	Toll, Jerry	Trumpeter Swan	Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge	Boyer Chute NWR	open field	The documentation form by Jerry Toll is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. It was compiled into a document by Mindy Sheets later. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Rare bird documentation form for Stilt Sandpiper east of Ames, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-26	1993-06-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Stilt Sandpiper east of Ames in Story County, IA on June 26, 1993.	Dinsmore, James J.	Stilt Sandpiper	Ames	one mile east of Ames on 13th Street (by Holub Greenhouse)	flooded field	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Yellowlegs-bill shape, thickness, leg length, head markings. Solitary Sandpiper-eye line rather than eye ring \| The original documentation form event occurred twice around 10:00:00 and 18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	25b
Rare bird documentation form for Burrowing Owl north-northwest of Mason City, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-08-23	1987-08-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Burrowing Owls north-northwest of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on August 23, 1987.	Dinsmore, James J.	Burrowing Owl	Mason City	5 miles NNW of Mason City	birds were on fenceposts and along ditch next to a soybean field	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much too small for a Short-eared Owl, flight pattern different. Only other small earless owl, the N. Saw-whet, is smaller, juvenile pattern is different, and doesn't have long legs like this bird. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	51
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-09-05	1998-09-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-winged Scoter at Big Wall Lake in Wright County, IA on September 5, 1998.	Dinsmore, James J.	White-winged Scoter	Big Wall Lake	Big Wall Lake, Wright County	open water of large freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and color immediately pointed toward a scoter. Eye patch immediately identified it as White-winged, further cooroborated [sic] when white wing patch seen. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Red-throated Loon at Saylorville Reservoir, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-11-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-throated Loons at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 7, 1999.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-throated Loon	Saylorville Dam	Saylorville Reservoir, off of west end of dam	freshwater lake	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bery Engebretsen and Dennis Thompson. \| Elimination of similar species: I spent a long time puzzling over these birds, both in the field and later when I had several references to consult. None of the guides I looked at showed a bird that looked like these. Common (a small one): removed on the basis of size (birds too small for Common Loon), the thinner and bicolored bill, and the color pattern on the neck. At this time of year, all of the Common Loons I have seen (and saw on Saylorville that day) were distinctly white on the front of the neck with some partial bands of brown extending back in to the white. Pacific Loon: Eliminated on behavior (head posture), lack of a distinct dark/white line along the side of the neck, lack of chin straps across neck, and presence of brown on front of neck. Also the gray/brown contrast between neck and back would point away from Pacific but not eliminate it. Red-throated Loon: This is what I first thought the birds were but as I viewed them, I convinced myself several times that they were Pacific Loons. However, the combination of characters listed above seem to eliminate the other two possible species and also are positive characters for the Red-throated Loon. One character that puzzled me was the size of the bill. At least some of the guides (Advanced Birding esp) show the Red-throated Loon as having a tiny bill, much smaller than on this bird but those illustrations do not match those in other guides which emphasize more the shape of the bill than the size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	8
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Hallett's Quarry at Ames, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Hallett's Quary at Ames in Story County, IA on October 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, James J.	Red-necked Grebe	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett Quarry, north side of Ames	deep freshwater gravel pit	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Erik Munson, Paul Martsching, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: ducks in general-bill shape; Western Grebe (Clark's too) - too small in comparison to Ruddy; Horned and Eared Grebe-bill length and shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Finn Pond in Greene County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birds--Nests Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-31	1984-06-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Great-tailed Grackles at Finn Pond in Greene County, IA on May 31, 1984.	Dinsmore, James J.	Great-tailed Grackle	Finn Pond Wildlife Area	Finn Pond (2 miles west of Jefferson, Greene Co)	freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle-size Boat-tailed Grackle- range and eye color \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Colo Ponds, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-14	1991-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Colo Ponds in Story County, IA on April 14, 1991.	Dinsmore, James J.	Cinnamon Teal	Colo Bogs Wildlife Management Area	Colo Ponds, weast [sic] of Colo, Story County	flooded waterway	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Dinsmore and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: no other duck matches this color pattern and size. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 18:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
Rare bird documentation form for Cinnamon Teal at Anderson Lake, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-31	1986-04-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cinnamon Teal at Anderson Lake in Hamilton County, IA on March 31, 1986.	Dinsmore, James J.	Cinnamon Teal	Anderson Goose Lake	Anderson Lake, Hamilton County	freshwater marsh	The documentation form by Jim Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore and Jack Holloway. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing else shows this color pattern that I am aware of. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	6
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