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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at North Twin Lake, 1984	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-05-01	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-faced Ibis at North Twin Lake in Calhoun County on May 1, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Miller, Lannie R.	White-faced Ibis	North Twin Lake	South across road from S. Boat ramp on North Twin Lake, Calhoun Co. Iowa	Sheetwater pond in pasture	The documentation form by Lannie R. Miller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Judas, Don Herrig, and Dan Mork. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis - Too much white around eye and under chin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon east of Hawarden in western Sioux County, IA on November 23, 1990.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Hawarden	some five miles east of Hawarden in western Sioux County.		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Curve-billed Thrasher west of Solon, 1980	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-11-17	1999-10-15	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Curve-billed Thrasher west of Solon in Johnson County, IA on November 17, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in American Birds, an article in Iowa Bird Life, correspondence relevant to review, and six documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Newlon, Michael C.	Curve-billed Thrasher	Solon	Solon, IA	General: mixed cropland/timber/houses. Specific: yard with small trees; adjacent to brushy creek bottom.	The documentation form by Michael Newlon is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas Kent, Peter C. Petersen, Joe Schaufenbuel, Robert Myers, and Francis Moore were submitted later. Other observers include Carl Berridge, Ruby Jean Berridge, Thomas Shires, Russell Hays, Tom Stone, Sr., Tom Stone, Jr., and other unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: The two other grey, speckle-breasted thrashers, Bendire's and Sage, have smaller, less decurved bills; Sage has much stronger ventral marking and wing-bars, is smaller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:55:00 as reported by Thomas Kent.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	11
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Snyders Bend Lake, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-04-06	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Black-necked Stilt at Snyders Bend Lake in Woodbury County, IA on April 6, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and five documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Huser, Bill F.	Black-necked Stilt	Snyder Bend Park	Snyder's Bend Lake, Woodbury County, IA	Mudflats with mats of vegetation near old cattails	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Bill Huser (additional sightings), Tanya Bray and Ross Silcock, Jim Fuller, and Babs and Loren Padelford were submitted later. Other observers include John Van Dyke, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene Armstrong, Bob Livermore, Bob Moritz, and Jerry Probst. \| Elimination of similar species: Phalaropes - smaller, not as distinct black + white pattern or as long legs. Am. Avocet: upturned bill, white or tawny head + necks - not black over white \| The original documentation form event occurred from 10:45:00/11:10:00, from 11:25:00/11:55:00, and around 13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-20	1991-09-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Yellow Rails at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 20 and September 21, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Rail	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh (Greene County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [first sighting] The first bird appeared to be smaller than the second, and had white wing patches along the trailing edge, which I could not see on the second bird. I identified the first bird as a yellow rail, and the second as a sora. [...] [second sighting] This bird certainly was smaller than any of the six soras we flushed previously and later, and the white wing patches were very obvious \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00 on September 20 and 08:30:00 on September 21.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Snake Creek Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 30, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	General: Marsh Specific: open water surrounded by duck weed (waist high)	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Longer + darker than LeConte's and did not have light central crown stripe. LeConte's do not show the vivid white stripes on back. Several LeContes were also present and comparison was easy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-03	1986-04-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on April 3, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	wet grassy area at edge of cattails	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White patches on wings separate from other rails. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 30, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	marsh, bull rush + duck weed	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: White wing patches eliminates sora. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:30:00/14:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-14	1986-09-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 14, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene Co. - north of Rippey	Natural cat-tail marsh surrounded by prairie grass	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Dark crown with no light central streak eliminates the LeConte's Sparrow as does the larger size and somewhat darker color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:20:00 intermittently.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for White-faced Ibis at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-23	1986-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two White-faced Ibises at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on April 23, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	White-faced Ibis	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - 240 acre cattail marsh which is two miles north of Rippey in Greene County Iowa		The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The birds were obviously ibis species. I believe they were white-faced ibis. Glossy ibis in spring may also show a faint whitish border to the facial area but it would not be as broad as in this case and would not extend behind the eye or under the chin as was the case in this sighting. The legs and feet would also not appear totally reddish in the glossy but would be gray with reddish joints. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	25
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Brewer's Blackbird	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek M., Greene Co., IA	small island in pond	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bert Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark eye and lack of any rust color eliminates Rusty Blackbird, which is similar in size and shape to this bird. Common Grackle has a longer tail, females show lots of brown color, and the call note is different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:54:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Smiths Slough, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-04	1991-06-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Yellow-throated Warblers at Smiths Slough in Clay County, IA on May 4, 1991.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Smiths Slough	Smiths Slough along road on east side of Trumbull Lake Clay Co., IA.	Trees in low area between lake + slough	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Nancy Schoenewe and Dennis McFarland. \| Elimination of similar species: Ample opportunity to confirm sighting w/ field guide plates over 1/2 hour period of observation \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for Common Barn Owl at Smith's Slough, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-10-16	1988-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Barn Owl at Smith's Slough in Clay County, IA on October 16, 1988.	Kanago, Dixie	Barn Owl	Smiths Slough	Smith's Slough - clay [sic] County - Dewey Pasture Area	Forest-edge-slough near by lake within 1/4 mi.	The documentation form by Dixie Kanago is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Judy Knight, Alice Kehoe, and Wayne Souer. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] An owl - larger than screech - but smaller than gt. horned owl. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	48
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Smith Lake, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-17	1984-05-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Smith Lake in Kossuth County, IA on April 17, 1984.	Clark, Joe	Red-necked Grebe	Lake Smith	Smith Lake ~ 3 mi. North of Algona IA	Open water of Smith Lake	The documentation form by Joe Clark is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Brian Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Western Grebe - shorter thicker and neck & white cheek patch stuck out like a sore thumb. Horned or eared grebe - much larger, longer neck, white cheek patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Iceland Gull at lake near Des Moines River, 1993	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-04-17	1995-07-08	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Iceland Gull at lake near Des Moines River in unknown county, IA on April 17, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	Iceland Gull	Des Moines River	small lake adjacent to D.M. River		The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Appeared much paler than second year Herring Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	4
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 from for Turkey Vulture at Mark Twain Refuge, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-19	1987-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Turkey Vultures at Mark Twain Refuge near Toolesboro in Louisa County, IA on December 19, 1986.	Wiederrecht, Ed	Turkey Vulture	Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Big Timber Division	Sky over Mark Twain Refuge at Mississippi river bluff no Road Toolsboro IA.	Woods, River Bluff, Ponds, Sloughs etc.	The documentation form by Ed Wiederrecht is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald Cross. \| Elimination of similar species: Bald Eagles are approximately same size but the adults have white heads. Tails & the immatures do not have the distinctive 2 toned pattern on their flight feathers under the wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	26
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ferruginous Hawk south of Shenandoah, 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-10-27	1994-02-03	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ferruginous Hawk south of Shenandoah in Page County, IA on October 27, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, two articles in Iowa Bird Life, a transcription of the documentation form, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Phipps, Ruth O.	Ferruginous Hawk	Shenandoah	Six miles south of Shenandoah, Iowa - Highway No. 59	General: western great plains Specific: open grasslands and plains	The documentation form by Ruth O. Phipps is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wayne Phipps. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk and Rough-legged. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00 and 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	1
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Shrike north of Decorah, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-03-31	1979-04-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Shrike north of Decorah in Winneshiek County, IA on March 31, 1979.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Northern Shrike	Decorah	Six miles no. of Decorah, Winneshiek 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 Loggerhead Shrike has a stubbier less strongly hooked bill, and has less white in facial pattern and black mask meeting over bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	75
Rare bird documentation form for Common Gallinule at Iowa City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-23	1985-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Gallinule at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 23, 1985.	Towner, Robert Towner, Nancy	Common Moorhen	Iowa City	six acre impoundment 1 1/2 miles north of Iowa City in Johnson Co.		The documentation form by Nan and Bob Towner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 19:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	44
Rare bird documentation form for Western Sandpiper at Sioux-Prome Lagoons in Sioux Center, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-08-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Sandpiper at Sioux-Prome Lagoons in Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on August 19, 1983.	Brand, Gordon James	Western Sandpiper	Sioux Center	Sioux-Prome Lagoons, Sioux Center	aerobic waste treatment lagoons with exposed mudflats	The documentation form by Gordon Brand is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tina Van Dyke. \| Elimination of similar species: Noted in the above description. Also I had been daily observing the shorebirds and so could quickly note the difference. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	18
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Sioux Center, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-09-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on September 16, 1993.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Peregrine Falcon	Sioux Center	Sioux Center, IA 51250		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Its clear head markings definitely rule out a Prairie Falcon (which is now becoming a regular visitor here in winter), and the bird was much too large to be a smaller (e.g., Merlin). \| The original documentation form event occurred for around five minutes.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Sioux Center, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-03-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruby-crowned Kinglet at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on March 28, 1993	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Ruby-crowned Kinglet	Sioux Center	Sioux Center, IA 51250		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wendy Van Dyk. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I quickly determined it to be a Kinglet, and, given the time of year, initially assumed it would be a Golden-crown [...] the little creature looked like a Ruby-crown. In fact, I was sure it was: I saw an eye-ring and could not detect any kind of striping on its head. But I could not be absolutely sure since I studied the bird from a distance of at least 25 yards [...] we observed the bird in a leisurely fashion: eye-ring and no stripes of any kind on its crown. A Ruby-crown, without any doubt. \| The original documentation form event lasted all day.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	4
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin west of Sioux Center, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-09-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin west of Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on September 17, 1988.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	Sioux Center (Sioux Co).		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was either a female or a juvenile: brownish above, and striped (lengthwise) breast. There was no possible confusion with a Kestrel: the bird possessed no distinctive Kestrel head markings and no rufous on back and tail.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sioux Center, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sioux Center in Sioux County, IA on March 27, 1987.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Merlin	Sioux Center	Sioux Center (Sioux Co).		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There were many migrating Kestrels in the area, but I recognized this bird at once as a Merlin because of its distinctively striped breast (it was facing the road) [...] Size about of a Kestrel, but no distinctive Kestrel-like head markings and no rufous on back and tail. [...] I rule out Kestrel on basis already indicated above, as well as Sharp-shinned Hawk, since this bird had pointed wings and the breast striping was lengthwise on light background, rather than crosswise on reddish or rusty background.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32