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 American Tree Sparrow at Sweet Marsh, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Tree Sparrow at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 18, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	American Tree Sparrow	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	marsh	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown. \| Elimination of similar species: Lark Sparrow - no facial pattern; rusty cap Swamp Sparrow - breast spot Song Sparrow - no streaking on underparts Chipping Sparrow - breast spot; song different \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:21:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	48
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Sweet Marsh, 1987	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-05-12	1987-05-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 12, 1987.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-necked Grebe	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, Bremer Co., IA	large open water area of man-made marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Size, large bill, gray face and red neck eliminate small grebes. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 5, 1979.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, Tripoli, Iowa	A grassey [sic] marsh area along edge of a pond. This area had an average water depth of four inches. The size of the grassey [sic] marsh is about half an acre and is located in and area of extensive cattail marsh and wet meadows.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-16	1978-04-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 16, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Peregrine Falcon	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located 1 mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh, where bird was first perched is a grazed grassy pasture. Which after much rain in recent weeks, is partially flooded, and often had attracted shorebirds of several species.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's and Goshawk do not have pointed wings, and never perch in open. Merlin is much to [sic] small, size of a big Blue Jay, my bird was larger than a Crow. Prairie Falcon, the falcon I saw was grey not dull olive. [start handwritten annotation] ? (brown, NSH) [end handwritten annotation]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation from for Ibis species at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Ibises at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Glossy Ibises	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer Co. Iowa	The ibis settled down in a cattail marsh which covered several hundred acres. Apparently they prefered [sic] shallow water openings in the cattails. Sweet Marsh has a variety of habitats including open water, grassy marsh and cattail marsh.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Farmer. \| Elimination of similar species: None of the herons or cranes has curved beak, and none as far as I know exibit [sic] the alternately flapping and gliding flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ibis species at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1978-04-26	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of six birds (Ibis species) at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Glossy Ibises	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer Co., Iowa	The ibis settled down in a cattail marsh which covered several hundred acres. Apparently they prefered shallow water openings in the cattails. Sweet Marsh has a variety of habitats including open water, grassy marsh and cattail marsh.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Larry Farmer. \| Elimination of similar species: None of the herons or cranes has a curved beak, and none as far as I know exhibit the alternately flapping and gliding flight. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	21
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-29	1978-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh where the bird was flushed had a water depth of about two feet. Many large and small clumps of grass covered mounds of earth, there was a shallow marshy spot that was heavily vegitated. Otherwise the area surrounding sighting was similar. This type of habitat covered several acres. The grasses were mostly remanent [sic] of last years growth, with new sprouts over a foot in height. The water was slightly stagnant, and water level was slightly higher than normal because of recent rains.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I can think of no species of bird of similar size with a white patch on hind wing. Other rails would be uniform dark and larger. Perching birds such as a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza gerogiana) have long tails. Extreme comparisons could be made with Common Snipe (Capella gallinago) which is long billed, has pointed wings, and has a rapid zig-zag flying style. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at Sweet Marsh, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-04-15	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 15, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of review, and eight documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Main, Stephen	Eurasian Wigeon	Sweet Marsh	Sweets Marsh, NW section, Tripoli, IA	Marsh - see above	The documentation form by Stephen Main is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Elaine Main, Francis L. Moore, Robert K. Myers, Thomas H. Kent, Thomas J. Staudt, Peter C. Petersen, and Carl J. Bendorf were submitted later. Other observers include Roberta Oppedahl and Lucille Liljedahl. \| Elimination of similar species: have previously seen American Wigeon, Shoveler (present this time) and Redhead. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lake MacBride Beach, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-04-16	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Black-backed Gull at Lake MacBride Beach in Johnson County, IA on April 16, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, James L	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Lake MacBride Beach	Swim Beach of Lake MacBride State Park (Johnson County).		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All of the other larger gulls that are dark-mantled are larger than Lesser Black-backed. In addition, all those adult birds have pink legs, except Yellow-footed Gull, which has never been seen away from southern California and is larger than Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:59:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	5
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-shinned Hawk at Lucas County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-06-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sharp-shinned Hawk at Lucas County, IA on June 16, 1988.	Ehresman, Bruce	Sharp-shinned Hawk	Lucas County	T-71N, R 23 W, Sec. 17 (NW Qtr)	Flying over bottomland deciduous timber 2 mi s. of Stephen's Forest	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk is larger and normally has rounded tail. I've never seen a Cooper's with a notched tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:10:00/13:13:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	23
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle near Washta on the Little Sioux River, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle near Washta on the Little Sioux River in Cherokee County, IA on February 17, 1985.	Bierman, Dick	Golden Eagle	Washta	T90N R41W section 21 Cherokee County 2 miles northeast of Washta along the Little Sioux River	River bottomland woods mixed with pasture.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Huber, Marion Brewer, and Vernon Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature Bald Eagle. Dark phase Redtail or Roughleg. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher northeast of Cherokee, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher northeast of Cherokee in Cherokee County, IA on October 27, 1984.	Bierman, Vernon	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Cherokee	t92-R39 Section 7 Cherokee County, or 3 1/2 miles	Mixed pasture, brushy fence lines, and open timber.	The documentation form by Vernon Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ruth Bierman. \| Elimination of similar species: Shrikes, Mockingbirds \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike near Peterson, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-12-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike near Peterson in Cherokee County, IA on December 1, 1979.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Shrike	Spring Township	T93 - R39 - Section 2, Cherokee County, Iowa	Hilly-open woods with thickets and pasture	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include an unidentified observer. \| Elimination of similar species: Mockingbird, Kestrel \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Spring Township in Cherokee County, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-10-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Spring Township in Cherokee County, IA on October 3, 1980.		Merlin	Spring Township	T93N R39 W Section 23, Spring Township, Cherokee Co. Iowa	Open farm land. Much timber and pasture one mile away.	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel, Peregrin Falcon, Broadwinged Hawk, Coopers and Sharpshinned Hawks. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike near Gere Creek, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-01-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike in Cherokee County, IA on January 10, 1981.	Bierman, Dick	Northern Shrike	Cedar Township	T93N, R40W, Section 32 Cherokee Co. Iowa	Open cropland and pasture	The documentation form by Dick Bierman is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Mocking Bird, Loggerheaded Shrike, Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:55:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Four Mile Lake, 1993	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-09	1993-06-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Red-necked Grebes at Four Mile Lake in Emmet County, IA on June 9, 1993.	Ehresman, Bruce Flaherty, Molly	Red-necked Grebe	Four Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area	T99N, R34W, Sec 8 SE 1/4 at Four Mile Lake Restored Area. ~150 yds NW of NW corner of furthest east parking lot along County Rd. A22.	Restored wetland w/ emergent vegetation - surrounded by grassland	The documentation form by Bruce Ehresman and Molly Flaherty is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Head similar to Western Grebe, but this grebe's neck is rusty red color. Body also smaller than western grebe, and bill not as long and pointed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:15:00/11:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-01-09	1985-01-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Glaucous Gull at Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk in Lee County, IA on January 9 ,1985 and January 10, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Glaucous Gull	Lock Number 19	Tailrace behind Mississippi River dam at Keokuk, Iowa	River Rapids	The documentation form by Robert I. Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White wingtips ruled out Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:45:00/13:10:00 on January 9, 1985.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	37
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Dam, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-11-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 25, 1984.	Sinclair, Jim	Northern Goshawk	Red Rock Dam	Tailwater area - Red Rock Dam	Deciduous bottomland	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut and Paul Felsing. \| Elimination of similar species: accipiter shape - rounded wings, long tail, strong direct flight - wing shape and tail length eliminated buteo - size was too great for Coopers. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Saylorville Dam, 1983	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-11-10	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull at Saylorville Dam in Polk County, IA on November 10, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a summary of the review, and eleven documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Armstrong, Eloise	Sabine's Gull	Saylorville Dam	Tailwaters of Saylvorville Dam - Polk County, Iowa	Large body of water	The documentation form by Eloise Armstrong is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Carl Bendorf, Thomas J. Staudt, Peter C. Petersen, Thomas H. Kent, James Dinsmore, Hank Zaletel, Mike Newlon, Robert K. Myers, Francis L. Moore, and Beth Proescholdt were submitted later. Other observers include Phyllis Harris, Carol McMillen, Ramona Sommerlot, Mark Proescholdt, Russell Hays, Carol Newlon, Bernie Knight, Cal Knight, BJ Rose, Steve Dinsmore, Joe Schaufenbuel. Dick Mooney, Pauline Mooney, Eugene Armstrong, Bery Engebretsen, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Little Gull and Kittiwake \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:15:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-11-13	1993-11-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 13, 1993.	Cecil, Robert I.	Thayer's Gull	Lake Red Rock	Tailwaters, Red Rock Res.	Tailwaters/River	The documentation form by Bob Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Dick Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: 1st winter Herring Gull has a very dark secondary bar, often has lighter head, and generally has a much more 'contrastry' appearance involving darker and lighter shades of brown. Overall, the 1st winter Herring is darker brown. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for Horned Grebe at Tama, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-03-19	1986-03-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Horned Grebe at Tama in Tama County, IA on March 19, 1986.	Kubik, Nicholas A.	Horned Grebe	Tama	TAMA, IOWA. The surfaced road as it turns west from the airport.	flooded roadside ditch	The documentation form by Nick A. Kubik is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Eared Grebe should have a gray neck in winter or a black neck in summer, but not white. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:50:00 (est.).	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	12
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle near Waukon, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-03-26	1978-03-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle near Waukon in Allamakee County, IA on March 26, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Golden Eagle	Waukon	Ten miles North of Waukon, on Highway 76, Allamakee County, Iowa	The general area under the soaring bird was a bluff, covered mostly with Oak, Maple, Birch and scattered Junipers. The bluff rises about 150 feet from the floodplain of the Upper Iowa River. There are many other bluffs similar to the one briefly described here, that surround the area of sighting.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Alan Branhagen. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagle; my bird was not mottled as an immature Bald is, also my bird had totally dark under wing coverts. The distinct demarcation of light to dark on my bird also was rather un-Baldlike. Since an on the spot size comparison was made with a buteo, and the latter was found to be much smaller, I feel safe to say all others of this genus can be rolled out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Barrow's Goldeneye at Tera Lake, 1994	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-11-28	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at Tera Lake in Polk County, IA on November 28, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes, a photograph, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Allen, Pam Allen, Reid I.	Barrow's Goldeneye	Terra Lake	Tera Lake, IPTV Pond, Johnston, Polk County, Iowa	Enclosed freshwater pond.	The documentation form by Reid and Pam Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jerry Jancik, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, and Maridel Jackson. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Goldeneye eliminated because of head shape, wing and side markings, facial pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:15:00/12:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Terra Lake, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-01	1996-12-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Terra Lake in Johnston in Polk County, IA on December 1, 1996.	Gilliam, Jacob T.	Ross' Goose	Terra Lake	Terra Lake on Pioneer Parkway, Johnston IA	Partially-frozen pond in suburban area surrounded by grassy areas. It was in the midst of around 1000-2000 Canadian Geese	The documentation form by Jacob T. Gilliam is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson and Jim [last name not recorded]. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Snows were larger and had larger bills. Couldn't find any pictures of gulls that were similar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:00:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Sabine's Gull at Terra Lake in Johnston, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-09-06	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Sabine's Gull at Terra Lake in Johnston in Polk County, IA on September 6, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Thompson, Dennis	Sabine's Gull	Terra Lake	Terra Lake, Johnston		The documentation form by Dennis Thompson forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Phil Walsh, Stephen Dinsmore, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Cecile Thompson, Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, and many unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: No other gull has this wing pattern \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:00:00/20:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	9