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 Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-29	1984-03-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Cardinal Marsh in Winnesheik County, IA on May 29, 1978.	Moore, Francis L.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area	North side of lake near dam at Cardinal Marsh,	Edging between grass 6" to 10" tall and cattail marsh	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow does not have a dark stripe down the top of its head. It had a light colored head stripe (crown stripe). The orange colored eye stripe eliminates all other species except LeConte's which is eliminated by the dark crown stripe on this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:25:00/09:27:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Lake MacBride, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Lake MacBride in Johnson County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Sandrock, James P., 1929-	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Lake MacBride	North wing of Lake Macbride, Johnson County (approx. 1 mi. west of Solon in Iowa Conservation Commission Wildlife Refuge.)	Small grove of deciduous saplings in frozen marshy area.	The documentation form by James P. Sandrock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Fall Chestnut-sided Warbler about same size with eye ring, but has longer bill, is a much brighter green, and has yellow wing bars. Fall Pine Warbler is more drab, has duller wing bars, longer bill. Obviously not Golden-crowned Kinglet. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:16:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Northwest Warren County, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-14	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a White-faced Ibis at Northwest Warren County, IA on May 14, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	White-faced Ibis	Warren County	north-west Warren Co.	wet spot in corn stubble adjacent to North	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Taylor Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: It was definitely an ibis. Glossy eliminated by the bill and leg coloration and the white facial border. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1984-02-15	1984-02-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on February 15, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	northeast Bremer Co, road just east of Sweet Marsh	from trees along marsh, over farmland	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt and Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk - too large for that; other hawk (buteos or harrier) - not that because of accipiter shape + flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:08:00/13:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Glossy Ibis at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-06-11	1984-07-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Glossy Ibises at Louisa National Wildlife Refuge in Louisa County, IA on June 11, 1984.	Hovell, Leroy E. Stanley, A. Wayne	Glossy Ibis	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division	northeast corner of Moist Soil Unit number one, Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Louisa County, Iowa		The documentation form by Wayne Stanley & Leroy Hovell is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Chuck H. Bartenhagen, Philip R. Earnest, Sarah M. Cross, Ramona R. Haight, Ginger A. Malcolm, Chris Weyrick, and Bill Knapp. \| Elimination of similar species: All characteristics matched Glossy Ibis including the blue skin at the base of the curved bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser White-fronted Goose at Lake Macbride, 1998	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-06-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Lesser White-fronted Goose at Lake Macbride in Johnson County, IA on June 11, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, a color photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Lesser White-fronted Goose	Lake Macbride State Park	Northeast corner of the south arm of Lake MacBride (Johnson County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Thomas H.Kent was submitted later. Other observers include James Huntington and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Greater White-fronted Goose is larger with a larger head and longer bill, and lacks a yellow eye-ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 05:55:00/06:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	6
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Allamakee County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-14	1981-11-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Golden Eagles along Highway A-26 in Allamakee County, IA on November 14, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Golden Eagle	Allamakee County	Northeast Iowa - along HWY A-26 in Allamakee County	hilly, forested area of northeast Iowa - birds were apparently catching updrafts along rocky ridges	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore and Darwin Koenig. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. bald eagle is somewhat similar but appears more mottled with white and does not have white tail with undetermined black band as in imm. golden. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:30:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sandy Beach in Johnson County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sandy Beach in Johnson County, IA on December 18, 1982.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Northern Goshawk	Sandy Beach Public Use Area	Northeast Johnson County near Sandy Beach	Deciduous wood open rolling fields	The documentation form by Tom Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sandrock and John Cordell. \| Elimination of similar species: White eye strip and size eliminate other accipiters. Falcons eliminated by short rounded, almost oval wing shape. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Great Horned Owl northeast of Green Mountain, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-02	1983-03-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great Horned Owl northeast of Green Mountain in Marshall County, IA on March 2, 1983.	Proescholdt, Beth	Great Horned Owl	Green Mountain	northeast Marshall County, north + east of Green Mountain	open farmland deciduous grove around farmstead	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Kurtz, Judy Levings, Ramona Sommerlot, Carol McMillan, John King, Mark Proescholdt, and Phyllis Harris. \| Elimination of similar species: Snowy owl - this owl had ear tufts + facial discs making it a Great Horned Owl \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	49
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at northern Fremont County, 1977	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1977-10-16	1977-10-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at northern Fremont County, IA on October 16, 1977.	Silcock, W. Ross	Prairie Falcon	Fremont County	northern Fremont Co.	river-bottom farmland, partly harvested corn & bean fields beside west Nishnabotna River	The documentation form by W. Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Peregrine - does not have dark axillars & underwing linings. Adult Peregrine - is grey above, not brown. Female Am. Kestrel - not as large, no dark axillars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose near Cone Marsh, 1990	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-03-15	1990-03-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese near Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on March 15, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Ross' Goose	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Northern Louisa County - 1 mile west of Cone Marsh	Farm field - corn stubble	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger with larger head and neck and bill, and has grin patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler in northern Marshall County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-28	1984-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler in northern Marshall County, IA on April 28, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Pine Warbler	Marshall County	northern Marshall Co, on ridge along Iowa River	high lightly-wooded pasture backed by heavy woodlands on ridge	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt and Phyllis Harris. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo is similar but has a plain unstreaked yellow breast and throat, yellow spectacles and a heavier bill, while this bird had a dimly streaked breast, no spectacles and a fine bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:05:00/12:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black Scoter at Volga Lake, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-11-21	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black Scoter at Volga Lake in Fayette County, IA on November 21, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, a letter from Tom Kent to Joe Schaufenbuel, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Black Scoter	Volga Lake	Northwest a rea [sic] of Volga Lake, in the Volga Lake Recreation Area, Fayette County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only bird that this duck reminded me of was a Ruddy Duck female, but this bird was difinitely [sic] not this species, and is mentioned because of vague plumage characteristic similarities. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:20:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	20
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Volga Lake, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-21	1980-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Volga Lake in Fayette County, IA on November 21, 1980.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Black Scoter	Volga Lake	Northwest area of Volga Lake, in the Volga Lake Recreation Area, Fayette County, Iowa.		The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only bird that this duck reminded me of was a Ruddy Duck female, but this bird was definitely not this species, and is mentioned because of vague plumage characteristic similarities. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:20:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at the interchange of IA-130 and Interstate 80 in Davenport, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-01-23	1985-02-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at the interchange of IA-130 and Interstate 80 in Davenport in Scott County, IA on January 23, 1985.	Blevins, Brian L.	Peregrine Falcon	Interchange 292	Northwest Blvd. and the I-30 [actually IA-130] + I-80 turn-off	Open grassland and cropland near interchange	The documentation form by Brian L. Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Kenneth Brehmer. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than crow, but not as heavily winged or bodied as Goshawk. Bird was definitly [sic] larger than Kestrel or Merlin. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:30:00/11:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at University of Northern Iowa, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-05-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at University of Northern Iowa in Black Hawk County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Young, Ronan	Yellow Rail	University of Northern Iowa	Northwest corner of UNI prairie preserve		The documentation form by Ronan Young is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rail has a larger bill and no white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:30:00/19:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Chestnut-collared Longspur northwest of Larchwood, 1997	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-04-11	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Chestnut-collared Longspur northwest of Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on April 11, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Henrickson, Dennis	Chestnut-collared Longspur	Larchwood	northwest of Larchwood, Lyon County	Roadside (snow covered)	The documentation form by Dennis Henrickson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Male lapland lonspur [sic] has (1) much less ventral black (2) black streaks on the sides (3) black throat (4) tail mostly black \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	43
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-billed Magpie at Loess Hills in northwest Plymouth County, 1998	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-01-24	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for three Black-billed Magpies at Loess Hills in northwest Plymouth County, IA on January 24, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Smith, Brian L.	Black-billed Magpie	Plymouth County	Northwest Plymouth County	Loess Hills (prairie)	The documentation form by Brian L. Smith is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mike Martin. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing similar w/ long tail + white wing patches.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	45
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 Western Kingbird near Croton, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-06-09	1979-08-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird near Croton in Lee County, IA on June 9, 1979.	Newlon, Michael C.	Western Kingbird	Croton	nr Croton, IA; Lee Co.	General: wire fence at edge of pasture. Specific: area of mixed woods, pasture, cropland	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent and James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: white outer tail feathers and lack of notch in tail eliminate other yellow-breasted kingbirds; heavy build and lack of rufous in tail eliminate myarchius flycatchers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from circa 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Whimbrel at Hendrickson Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-12	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Whimbrel at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on May 12, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Whimbrel	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	NW corner of Hendrickson Marsh, Story Co.	drained area of marsh adjacent to a grassy field	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Paul Martsching was submitted later. Other observers include Gordon Brown and Mark Dixon. \| Elimination of similar species: Separated from Godwits and Willet by the long downward curved bill and the distinct head pattern. Separated from Ibis' by the strongly marked head and the mottled brown color of bird. Separated from Long-billed Curlew by much shorter bill and the strongly marked head. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	23
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-28	1985-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 28, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Egret	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	NW corner of Hendrickson Marsh, Story County	shallow mudflat area near grassy marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Told from other egrets and Little Blue Heron by slender black bill and black legs, and size. \| The original documentation form event lasted around 16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-21	1981-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on November 21, 1981.	Zaletel, Hank	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	NW end of Big Creek State Park, Polk County	Lake edge overgrown pasture	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Robinson and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk eliminated because of size, this bird was much larger. \| The original documentation form event occurred for ten minutes between 09:00:00/10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Green Castle, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Green Castle in Johnson County, IA on December 17, 1983.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Northern Goshawk	Green Castle (historical)	NW Johnson Co. (just SW of Greencastle Corner)	Open field with scattered small trees, brush)	The documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lanny Haldy, Dan Ray, Randy Graesser, and all of the Amanas. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk eliminated by large size and light(not rusty) underparts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Smith's Longspur near West Liberty, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-16	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an estimated fifty Smith's Longspurs near West Liberty in Muscatine County, IA on April 16, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Smith's Longspur	West Liberty	NW Muscatine Co. IA on Johnson Co. line 2 1/2 mi. s. of route #6 -- Wright's farm	short grassy field on high ground, corn stubble in adjacent field	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Carl J. Bendorf was submitted. Another observer was James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Male with face pattern, yellow underparts, wing patch, and white outer tail feathers is diagnostic. Others were in variable plumage and variable well seen in the grass. Longspur type note was quite evident although I have not heard enough to be sure of separation of Smith's and Lapland. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 06:20:00/06:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	42