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 Black Scoter at DeSoto Bend, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-11-16	1985-11-17	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at DeSoto Bend in Harrison County, IA on November 16, 1985.	Proescholdt, Beth	Black Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	De Soto Bend, Horshoe Bend, far south end	Center of channel, flying to Iowa side near beach	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller and Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruddy Duck - this bird was much larger than Ruddies close by, bill was different, no pointed tail as Ruddies have - also this bird had light cheeks, extending further than Ruddies. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Hamburg exit I-29, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-12-20	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Hamburg exit on I-29 in Fremont County, IA on December 20, 1986.	Bray, Tanya	Black Scoter	Interchange 1	Hamburg exit of I-29, Fremont County		The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, Jerry Toll, Ross Silcock, and Barbara Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: White-winged + Surf Scoters eliminated by head pattern described above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Jester Park at Saylorville Lake, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-04-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Jester Park at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on April 9, 1989.	Johnson, Ann	Black Scoter	Jester Park	Jester Park area of Saylorville Lake, Polk County, IA	Large impoundment with much open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Andy Fix. \| Elimination of similar species: The coot was eliminated by bill color and general body shape. Other scoters were eliminated by the rounder head shape, lack of any white on the head or body, and by the distinctive bill color and pattern. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:20:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Jester Park at Saylorville Lake, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-04-09	1989-04-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Jester Park at Saylorville Lake in Polk County, IA on April 9, 1989.	Fix, Andrew S.	Black Scoter	Jester Park	50 ft. off Jester State park South end - Saylorville Reservoir	water	The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Johnson, Bery Engebretsen, and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Other breeding plumage male scoters have characteristic white markings on head, coots have a white bill, moorhens have white along the side. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:30:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 29, 1989.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Black Scoter	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power and Light North Settling pond, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than Ring-necked ducks which were also present for comparison. It had rounded forehead as opposed to the sloping forehead of the White-winged and Surf Scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake in Linn County, IA on October 25, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Black Scoter	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake, Linn Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randy Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bill and Daniel Pinkston. \| Elimination of similar species: Among ducks, only scoters are so thoroughly black. Only Black Scoter shows uniformly pale face and foreneck. No white in wing. American Coot smaller, has white chicken-like bill. \| The original documentation form event occurred around midday.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-24	1992-10-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek Lake State Park in Linn County, IA on October 24, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Black Scoter	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek Lake State Park, Linn County		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Wickham, John Daniel, Tom Kent, and Randy Pinkston. \| Elimination of similar species: The only other waterfowl with a white pattern on the side of face and neck is a Ruddy Duck, and a male of that species was always within a few feet during the observation. Differences between the two were general size, relative bill size, tail in the air, white pattern that didn't extend nearly as far down the neck, and generally lighter coloration of the ruddy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:29:00/10:43:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-10-24	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Pleasant Creek State Park in Linn County, IA on October 24, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black Scoter	Pleasant Creek State Park	Pleasant Creek S.P.	lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pete Wickham. \| Elimination of similar species: A rather distinctive bird, easily separated from Ruddy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Pool 19, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-03-31	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Pool 19 in Lee County, IA on March 31, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Black Scoter	Pool 19	Pool #19 of Mississippi River, Lee County		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The only bird that this bird should be confused with would be ruddy duck, and they were in close proximity so that good comparisons could be made. The white area on ruddy duck's head does not extend onto the neck, they are smaller in size, have a relatively larger bill, and a stiff raised tail, all features which differ from this bird. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:35:00/06:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at Ventura Marsh in 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-04	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at Ventura Marsh in Cerro Gordo County, IA on November 4, 1990.	LaGrange, Ted	Black Scoter	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
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 Black Scoter at West Lake Okoboji, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-18	1993-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at West Lake Okoboji in Dickinson County, IA on December 18, 1993.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Black Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	West Lake Okoboji, Dickinson Co.	open water	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Douglas C. Harr. \| Elimination of similar species: Ruddy Duck - carriage of head, bill shape and longer body. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at West Okoboji, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-13	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 13, 1993.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson County	Open Lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee A. Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Scoters -- other species all have swollen base of bill; other female scoters lack prominent off-white on neck, cheeks, throat & chin. Female Redhead--browner in overall color, light colors on throat ,etc. not prominent. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at West Okoboji Lake, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-12-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County, IA on December 18, 1993.	Harr, Douglas C.	Black Scoter	West Okoboji Lake	NW side of West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa	Open lake	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Lee Schoenewe. \| Elimination of similar species: larger than nearby Lesser Scaup. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-25	1988-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1988.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-25	1998-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-backed Gull species at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 25, 1998.	Proescholdt, Mark	Gulls	Lake Red Rock	Red Rock Reservoir - (Marion County)	Whitebreast area east of the church - large open water	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was probably a Lesser Black-backed Gull or a Great Black-backed Gull. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	36
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-05-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Cuckoo at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on May 3, 1988.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Black-billed Cuckoo	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill P., Iowa City, Johnson Co, Ia	Wooded edge, heavy bushes	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-billed - bill, lack of rufous, lack of tail spots. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:20:00 estimated.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	46
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Cuckoo at Norwalk, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-04-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Cuckoo at Norwalk in Warren County, IA on April 23, 1989.	Johnson, Ann	Black-billed Cuckoo	Norwalk	My Yard - small acreage in northern Warren County, IA	Mixed open woods and field edge with creek and many shrubs	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-billed Cuckoo - Was eliminated because of the black bill, red eye ring and lack of rust on wings \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	46
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-10-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Magpie at Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve in Plymouth County, IA on October 9, 1999.	Fields, Will	Black-billed Magpie	Broken Kettle Grasslands Preserve	Broken Kettle Grasslands (a Nature Conservancy Preserve, Plymouth Co., IA)		The documentation form by Will Fields is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include unidentified members of the Iowa State University Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Club. \| Elimination of similar species: The American Crow and the Common Raven lack do not have [sic] such a long tail and they usually do not have white in their plumage. I had seen American Crows flying around the preserve earlier that morning. This bird definitely had a longer tail than the American Crows. Ring-necked Pheasants also have a long tail, but they do not normally have a [sic] black and white plumage. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	83
Rare bird documentation form for Black-billed Magpie at Hitchcock Wildlife Area near Crescent, 1999	Correspondence Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-09-27	1999-10-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-billed Magpie at Hitchcock Wildlife Area near Crescent in Pottawattamie County, IA on September 27, 1999. It is accompanied by an e-mail from Sue Mattix to James Fuller dated September 28, 1999 regarding the bird sighting.	Mattix, Sue	Black-billed Magpie	Hitchcock Nature Area	Hitchcock Wildlife Area, Crescent, IA	forest	The documentation form by Sue Mattix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Howard Mattix. \| Elimination of similar species: Only similar species would be yellow billed magpie - this one had a black bill \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	83
Rare bird documentation form for Black-crowned Night Heron at Saylorville Reservoir, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-02	1986-11-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-crowned Night Heron at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on November 2, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Black-crowned Night Heron	Saylorville Lake	Saylorville Reservoir, Polk Co. (ponds below dam)	sitting in a willow along a pond	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-crowned Night Heron was eliminated by the yellowish bill color and the streaking, not spotting, on the underparts. American Bittern was eliminated by size, bill shape, and lack of a black whisker mark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	22
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-04	1990-11-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 4, 1990.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Black-legged Kittiwake	Carter Lake	Carter Lake, Iowa and Nebraska		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Rushton G. Cortelyou, Alice Rushton, Tanya Bray, and B.J. Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: The bird was approximately the same size or possibly slightly smaller than Ring-billed Gull. [...] Not as large as the bill of the Ring-billed Gulls. [...] The mantle was a darker gray than the Ring-billed Gulls. It was dark enough to distinguish easily by the darker mantle from the Ring-billed Gulls. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-11-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Carter Lake in Pottawattamie County, IA on November 4, 1990.	Bray, Tanya	Black-legged Kittiwake	Carter Lake	Carter Lake, Pottawattamie County, Iowa and Douglas County, Nebraska		The documentation form by Tanya Bray is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include B.J. Rose, Rusty Cortelyou, Alice Rushton, Loren Padelford and Babs Padelford. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonapartes Gull eliminated by black nape mark, black outer primaries and larger size. Sabine's Gull (1st winter) eliminated by lack of scaled appearance on back, black nape mark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Cedar Lake, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-11-01	1991-11-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Cedar Lake in Linn County, IA on November 1, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Black-legged Kittiwake	Cedar Lake	Cedar Lake, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, IA	Lake formed by backwater of Cedar River	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Brown, Tim Schantz, and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: A first winter Bonaparte's Gull, the most likely gull to be confused with this bird, was eliminated by the presence of a distinct black collar, black outer primaries, and white trailing edge of the wings. Other gulls which show a distinct "M" in flight include Little - eliminated by gray richer than brown mantle, lack of cap, pure white secondaries, and size; Ross's - eliminated by presence of collar, shape of tail, and extensiveness of tail band; Sabine's - eliminated by combination of gray mantle with full tail band and black carpal bar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Centerville City Reservoir, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-11-26	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Centerville City Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on November 26, 1988.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Upper City Reservoir	Appanoose Co. Centerville City Reservoir	Fairly large open water	The documentation form by Ray Cummins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Size eliminates little gull, thick black nape everything else. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:05:00/11:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40