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 Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow south of Tripoli in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Hays, Russell	Vesper Sparrow	Tripoli	South of Tripoli, Ia. (Bremer County)	edge of ditch along gravel road along open field	The documentation form by Russell Hays is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eleanor Corwin and Antoinette Camarata. \| Elimination of similar species: The song sparrow usually shows the breast stick-pin and would not have the white eye ring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Hays, Russell	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh (south side), Bremer County, Ia.	River bottom timber	The documentation form by Russell Hays is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eleanor Corvin, Antoinette Camarata, and Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Imm. Cooper's would not show eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:20:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon south of Yale, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-04-16	1995-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon south of Yale in Guthrie County, IA on April 16, 1995.	Widner, Russ	Prairie Falcon	Yale	South of Yale IA	Bean Field	The documentation form by Russ Widner is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Norm Larsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The size, manner of flying + facial coloration eliminate even a [illegible] female Kestrel. The size, facial pattern, probable axillary pigmentation + lack of strong tail bars eliminate Merlin. The head + face pattern + lack of a broad sideburn a helmet, coloration + somewhat shallower wing beat rule against Peregrine. The face pattern, wing shape, manner of flying + lack of a white rump patch eliminate Harrier. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-24	1984-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lark Bunting southeast of Hawarden in Sioux County, IA on May 24, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Lark Bunting	Hawarden	5 mi e, 1 mi s, JCT 10+12 in Hawarden, Sioux Co, Iowa	Farmland	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Bobolink- No white on head or back. Small bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:08:00/10:08:05.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	54
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-28	1985-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Ross' Geese at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 28, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ross' Goose	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont Co, IA	Lake; Roosting Area for Snow Geese	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ione Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose -Bill Shape, Size & Color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Riverton Game Management Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-28	1985-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for three Greater Scaups at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 28, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Greater Scaup	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont Co, IA	Lake	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ione Getscher. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup, Ringnecked Duck. ID as Greater Scaup but confirmed when birds flew and displayed very obvious white wingstripe extending to outer primaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Wilson's Phalarope at Riverton Game Management Area, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Wilson's Phalaropes at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on July 15, unknown year.	Silcock, W. Ross	Wilson's Phalarope	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton GMA, Fremont County	It was feeding near the shoreline in dead weeds, mostly on foot, but occasionally in deeper water.	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Other species we considered (albeit briefly) were: Ruff: eliminated by bill size and shape (thin and straight, rather than fairly heavy and thick-based with a slight droop); also eliminated by phalarope feeding actions. Some far out of range Tringa (eg Wood Sandpiper or juv Redshank): legs relatively short; also phalarope feeding actions.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	29
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-12-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 21, 1985.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Boat ramp area; Riverton GMA.	Floodplain, open deciduous	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barb Wilson. It was compiled by Betty Walters. \| Elimination of similar species: small, bigger than Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:10:00/11:12:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1982-01-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Riverton Game Management Area in Fremont County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Silcock, W. Ross	Ross' Goose	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton G.M.A. Fremont Co. Iowa	Swamp, surrounded by farmland	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Barb Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose eliminated by 1 size comparison 2 wing beat speed 3 possibly by reduced black in underwings tips - juvenile? \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/15:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Grandview Cemetery in Fremont County, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-09-04	1976-12-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Grandview Cemetery in Fremont County, IA on September 4, 1976.	Silcock, W. Ross	Pine Warbler	Grandview Cemetery	Grandview Cemetery, Fremont Co, Iowa	Oak-hickory woods surrounding cemetery atop Loess Bluffs at Missouri River Bottoms.	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo prob. most similar in general appearance, but no spectacles; also warbler bill (feature implied above when bird described as 'large warbler'. [note] Why not Bay-br. or Blackpoll. [end note] \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Farragut, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-12-28	1985-01-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Farragut in Fremont County, IA on December 28, 1984.	Silcock, W. Ross	Merlin	Farragut	2 Miles N. of Farragut, Fremont Co., IA	Mixed cedar + deciduous wooded hillside	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: At first, when seen perched, possibility of Prairie Falcon, but lack of axillars eliminates this. Facial mark + flight characteristics (pointed wings, rapid wing beats) eliminate Cooper's or female Sharp-shin immatures. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:10:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret near Interchange 35 of I-29, 1974	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1974-08-22	1974-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret near Interchange 35 of I-29 in Mills County, IA on August 22, 1974.	Anderson, Rose	Cattle Egret	Keg Lake Wildlife Management Area	Lake by I-29 right after Plattsmouth exit	small marshy lake - a lake along I-29 beside a corn field - some mud flats & marshy areas along the edge	The documentation form by Rose Anderson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ruth Green. \| Elimination of similar species: Snowy Egret would be larger & have black bill & black legs. Common Egret would be larger with longer, thinner neck & have black legs. Immature Little Blue Heron would be larger, thinner & longer neck, dark-tipped bill which would look dark even if light was wrong for it to be bluish & legs would be more greenish - not bright yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
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
Rare bird documentation form for Summer Tanager at northwest Rush Lake in Palo Alto County, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-13	1983-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Summer Tanagers at northwest Rush Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on May 13, 1983.	Harms, Ronald	Summer Tanager	Rush Lake	Ron Reese farm, Palo Alto Co., NW corner of Rush Lake	Pine + apple trees	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Reese and Pat Reese. \| Elimination of similar species: No dark wings No wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/20:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	44
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-28	1980-10-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Sunken Grove State Park in Pocahontas County, IA on September 28, 1980.	Harms, Ronald	Golden Eagle	Sunken Grove State Game Management Area	Sunken Grove State Park, Pocahontas Co.		The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pat Harms and Don Winkler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:32:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Laurens, 1984	Field notes	Bird banding Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Laurens in Pocahontas County, IA on September 7, 1984.	Harms, Ronald	Pine Warbler	Laurens	Laurens	mature scotch pines + Highbush cranberry	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Judy Carlson. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird southwest of Pleasantville, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird southwest of Pleasantville in Marion County, IA on May 1, 1981.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Western Kingbird	Pleasantville	3.4 mi S.W. of Pleasantville, Iowa - West Marion Co.	Scattered white oaks, cottonwoods and black locust along a small stream with an understory of multiflora rose and blue-grass pasture.	The documentation form by Robert Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Eastern Kingbird, Great Crested Flycatcher the different markings and color of the tail back, belly, and head. The Great Crested Flycatcher shows too much red in the tail and wing tips and has a bigger head. The voice also helped to seperate [sic] these birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Pleasantville, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-01-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Pleasantville in Marion County, IA on January 7, 1983.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Northern Goshawk	Pleasantville	4 miles S.W. of Pleasantville Marion County	Pine Grove ~ 5 acres ; trees ~ 25 feet tall	The documentation form by Robert Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers Hawk could not have been so large or had the head markings. The head and bright red eyes and size left little doubt as to the birds identity. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Owl at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-12-16	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Owl at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on December 16, 1989.	Starr, Robert E.	Snowy Owl	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	"Orchard" area on DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Scattered trees	The documentation form by Robert Starr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	50
Rare bird documentation form for Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Little Swan Lake Wildlife Area, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-10-16	1995-11-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Little Swan Lake Wildlife Area in Dickinson County, IA on October 16, 1995.	Benedict, Robert R.	Scissor-tailed Flycatcher	Christopherson Slough / Little Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area	Gravel Rd East Side of Little Swan Wildlife Area N of Superior, IA.	Roadside between wildlife habitat area + pick crop field	The documentation form by Robert R. Benedict is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dan Lempianen and Ed Thelen. \| Elimination of similar species: No other species in our area is of similar shape, color, and size. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	73
Rare bird documentation form for Pileated Woodpecker at Welch Lake, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pileated Woodpecker at Welch Lake in Dickinson County, IA on unknown date.	Benedict, Robert R.	Pileated Woodpecker	Welch Lake	Welch Lake Dickinsin [sic] County	Lakeside Timber - (Burr oaks + Ashes)	The documentation form by Robert R. Benedict is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: None. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	62
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon near Denver, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-31	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon near Denver in Bremer County, IA on December 31, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Peregrine Falcon	Denver	2 mi. N. and 2 mi. E of Denver, Iowa	Barren open farmland - very few trees	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Viola Bebout. \| Elimination of similar species: I know the bird was a falcon and as it was much too large for a Kestrel or Merlin I suspect a Prairie (also by habitat + season). A young Peregrine can not [sic] be ruled out however. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon along Cedar River in Waterloo, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-09-19	1980-10-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon along Cedar River in Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on September 19, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Peregrine Falcon	Waterloo	Sandpit along Cedar River in Waterloo	private-deserted sandpit along Cedar River. Bird perched in a dead elm to feed-then flew off down the river	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Stone. \| Elimination of similar species: The merlin is falcon shaped and blueish backed but the size + the black sideburns were all peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:15:00/16:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-10-21	1985-10-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-necked Grebe at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 21, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Red-necked Grebe	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Res. (Polk Co.), Ia.	Large reservoir - bird was way out but I don't know how deep water is there as there were also pied-billed grebes & cormorants present also. May be fairly shallow at that point.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small and short necked for Western grebe and to [sic] big with much too big of a bill for horned grebe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-10-28	1987-10-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on October 28, 1987.	Myers, Robert K.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir (Polk Co.) - from Jester Park	Large, man-made lake	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark bar on nape of neck would eliminate imm. Bonaparte's Gull. (and Little + Ross' for that matter) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40