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 Townsend's Solitaire at southeastern Webster County, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-05	1986-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Townsend's Solitaire at southeastern Webster County, IA on May 5, 1986.	Munson, Erik	Townsend's Solitaire	Webster County	s.e. Webster Co., along Des Moines r.	overgrown pasture with cedars, woody draws meeting cropland	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: mockingbird by underlined portions above, posture [...] basic uniform gray all over. [...] bold eye ring; \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:07:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	5
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle north and west of Hendrickson's Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-19	1983-03-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle north and west of Hendrickson's Marsh in Story County, IA on March 19, 1983.	Proescholdt, Beth	Golden Eagle	Hendrickson Marsh Lake	s.e. Story County, north + west from Hendrickson's Marsh	farmland about 3 miles from Hendrickson's Marsh - open, flat fields, bare with no crops	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: Bald Eagle - no white head + tail of adult, + not an immature Bald Eagle as it had dark wing linings, not white in the linings. Buteo - much too big for a buteo. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Say's Phoebe southeast of Missouri Valley, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Say's Phoebes southeast of Missouri Valley in Harrison County, IA on August 25, 1978.	Gochenour, Ruth A.	Say's Phoebe	Missouri Valley	S.E. of Missouri Valley, Iowa. Boyer River bridge on County Road F66. Harrison County.	General--river. Specific--small willow and other small trees and rather high grasses along the river dike. The bird was first observed in this habitat from the river bridge.	The documentation form by Ruth Gochenour is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ardyth Newberry. \| Elimination of similar species: The female Vernillion [sic] flycatcher--streaking was absent. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/11:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	70
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-tailed Kite at Otter Creek Marsh, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Forms (documents) Maps (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-09-18	1996-04-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a White-tailed Kite at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on September 18, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, a request for reconsideration, map, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee. Within the original documentation, the bird is identified as a Black-shouldered Kite.	Petersen, Peter C.	White-tailed Kite	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	S.E. corner Otter Creek marsh, near Chelsea, Ia.	rather dry marsh, some wooded margins	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Brian Blevins. \| Elimination of similar species: The only similar raptor would be an Osprey which is much larger, has a black mask, elbow with large black area, mottled gray underwing and on tail and dark on upper surface of wing. Gulls are closer, but wings with dark area at tips of wings on top side, shorter tail, different flight, not pursued by small birds. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	25
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-02-03	1988-02-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Booth Township in Palo Alto County, IA on February 3, 1988.	Knight, Calvin A.	Prairie Falcon	Booth Township	S.E. Cor. Section 33, Booth Township (T94-N,R34-W) Palo Alto Co., Iowa	open farms land; snow covered	The documentation form by Calvin Knight is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Reese, Jim Fuller, M. Stewart, Bernie Knight, and Ron Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon: lighter color + underwing pattern eliminated the Peregrine \| The original documentation form event occurred at 07:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon south of Sheldahl, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-19	1985-09-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon south of Sheldahl in Story County, IA on September 19, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Peregrine Falcon	Sheldahl	S. of Sheldahl, Story County	open country near town	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The large size, long pointed wings, dark back contrasting with light underparts, and the black hood eliminate all other raptors. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff south of Grimes, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-05-10	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff south of Grimes in Polk County, IA on May 10, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Engebretsen, Bery	Ruff	Grimes	S. of Grimes	minimum-till corn field with standing water, old stocks	The documentation form by Bery Engebretsen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Dennis Thompson, Reid Allen, and Pam Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: white underwings, U-Shaped white tail patch, small head, & size seem to eliminate other species. Too large for White-rumped. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 17:30:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Ely, 1986	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-25	1986-09-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Ely in Linn County, IA on September 25, 1986.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Glossy Ibises	Ely	S. of Ely, IA	Marshy roadside pond	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:00:00/13:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lazuli Bunting at Spencer, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-05-29	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lazuli Bunting at Spencer in Clay County, IA on May 29, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Schoenewe, Lee A.	Lazuli Bunting	Spencer	Russ Heine Acreage 2110 370th St. Spencer, Clay Co.	Backyard garden w/ locust tree and pine windbreak	The documentation form by Lee A. Schoenewe is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Harold White was submitted later. Other observers include Nancy Schoenewe and Alice Kehoe. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo bunting - color of blue, wing bars, rufous wash on breast. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:25:00/18:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	4
Rare bird documentation form for Cooper's Hawk at Rush Lake, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-02	1980-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cooper's Hawk at Rush Lake in Palo Alto County, IA on May 2, 1980.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Cooper's Hawk	Rush Lake	Rush Lake, Laurens, Iowa	Woods bordering farm field + lake. Tree on slope. 30' high in a 40' tree.	The documentation form by Wallace E. Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ray Cummins. \| Elimination of similar species: Sharp-shinned. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	24
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at Rush Lake, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-06-29	1981-07-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Western Grebes at Rush Lake in Osceola County, IA on June 29, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Western Grebe	Rush Lake	Rush L., Osceola Co, IA	Lake with extensive marshy edge N. side of lake	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Douglas Harr. \| Elimination of similar species: None similar. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:10:00/08:25:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Hoary Redpoll at Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-02-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a Hoary Redpoll at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on January 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Hoary Redpoll	Pocahontas	Rural Pocahontas, IA	Rural back yard (about 1 acre). Young trees + shrubs. Bounded on three sides by 100+ acre fields. Thistle feeder located next to a 20' Linden three about 30' north of house	The documentation form by Wallace E. Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common redpoll. This bird was paler and had a red washed unstreaked rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	16
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Water Pipit near Pocahontas, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-02-27	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Water Pipit near Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on February 27, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Jardine, Wallace E.	Water Pipit	Pocahontas	Rural Pocahontas, IA	General: Rural back yard (about 1 acre). Young trees + shrubs bounded on three sides by 100+ acre fields. Specific: Base of stone fireplace with feeder on top. Fireplace is 6' from concrete patio in back yard.	The documentation form by Wallace Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper sparrow. Breast not streaked as heavily as vesper sparrow + white outer tail feathers more prominent than on vesper sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	12
Rare bird documentation form for American Pipit at Pocahontas, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-02-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American Pipit at Pocahontas in Pocahontas County, IA on February 27, 1982.	Jardine, Wallace E.	American Pipit	Pocahontas	Rural Pocahontas, IA	General: Rural back yard (about 1 acre). Young trees, shrubs, bounded on three sides by 100+ acre fields. Specific: Base of stone fireplace with feeder on top. Fireplace is 6' from concrete patio in back yard.	The documentation form by Wallace E. Jardine is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow. Breast not streaked as heavily as Vesper Sparrow + white outer tail feathers more prominent than on Vesper Sparrow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	15
Rare bird documentation form for Semipalmated Plover at Red Rock Dam, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Semipalmated Plover at Red Rock Dam in Marion County, IA on November 28, 1989.	Brown, Beth	Semipalmated Plover	Red Rock Dam	running along the sandy shoreline below the Red Rock Dam in the tailwaters.		The documentation form by Beth Brown is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: There was a white ring above the breastband. The mantle, crown dark-brownish, too dark for a Piping Plover. The color was similar to the color of a Killdeer, but had no rust color on the rump. I did not note leg color. I saw it fly but took note of nothing except the white underparts, because I was surprised that another like bird was with it. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	4
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of White-faced Ibis at Runnells Game Area, 1981	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-09-11	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a White-faced Ibis at Runnels Game Area in Polk County, IA on September 11, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Sinclair, Jim	White-faced Ibis	Runnells Overlook	Runnels [sic] Game Area	slough	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Glossy Ibis. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	24
Rare bird documentation form for American Pipit at Runnells Wildlife Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-08-10	1991-08-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two American Pipits at Runnells Wildlife Area in Polk County, IA on August 10, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	American Pipit	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells Wildlife Area, Polk County, IA	Mudflats of Des Moines River floodplain	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Beth Brown, and Wyman Borts. \| Elimination of similar species: Sparrows and longspurs were eliminated by bill shape and posture. The rarer Sprague's Pipit was eliminated based on the relatively plain back and darker face. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Ruff at Red Rock Wildlife Area, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-10-23	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Ruff at Red Rock Wildlife Area in Marion and Warren Counties, IA on October 23, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Ruff	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells Wildlife Area, Marion/Warren Co.'s, IA	large mudflat area with shallow pools	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, shape, and plumage was very distinct and eliminated all other shorebirds. The buffy plumage, bill shape, and tail pattern eliminated Lesser Yellowlegs. The larger size, longer legs, bill shape, and plumage eliminated Pectoral Sandpiper. The larger size, very buffy plumage, bill shape, and tail pattern eliminated Stilt Sandpiper. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:26:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	9
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Runnells Wildlife Area, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-14	1991-12-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Peregrine Falcons at Runnells Wildlife Area in Warren County, IA on September 14, 1991.	Porter, Diane C.	Peregrine Falcon	Runnells Overlook	Runnells Wildlife Area	Mud flats	The documentation form by Diane Porter is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Jim Fuller, Peter Petersen, and others. \| Elimination of similar species: Birds were too big and grey for kestrels; too big and too much face pattern for merlins; no black axillaries and too dark for prairie falcons; too small, slim, and dark for gyrfalcons. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the mid morning.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Laughing Gull at Runnells Area, 1996	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-08-17	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Laughing Gull at Runnells Wildlife Area in Marion County, IA on August 17, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, a photograph, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Laughing Gull	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells W.A., Marion Co., IA	large lake	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ray Cummins was submitted later. Other observers include Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: The combination of size, brown coloration, and bill and leg color eliminated other gull species. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	18
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Runnells Game Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-30	1984-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Runnells Game Area in Warren County, IA on September 30, 1984.	Sinclair, Jim	Peregrine Falcon	Runnells Overlook	Runnells Game Area - Warren Co.	Open floodplain	The documentation form by Jim Sinclair is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include David Youngblut. \| Elimination of similar species: Coloration, size and most importantly head pattern confirmed bird as Peregrine Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:45:00/07:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Trumpeter Swan at Runnells Area, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-02-29	1992-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form two Trumpeter Swans at Runnells Area in Marion County, IA on February 29, 1992.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Trumpeter Swan	Red Rock Wildlife Area	Runnells A.; Marion Co., IA	Refuge area at upper end of Red Rock Res.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil, Ann Johnson, and another man. \| Elimination of similar species: The appearance of the adult's bill eliminates Mute Swan. The lack of a yellow bill spot on the adult argues against Tundra Swan, but I understand that this is not an absolute criteria. The straightness of the culmen and shape of the feather extension along the forehead are difficult to judge, especially at a distance. Perhaps most convincing was the amount of darkness on the immature. Tundra Swans are said to be quite white on the back and wings by spring. The size of the bill on the immature was also quite impressive. The date is a bit early for Tundra Swan, but fine for Trumpeter. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	30
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-legged Kittiwake at Estherville, 1980	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-11-02	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Estherville in Emmet County, IA on November 2, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence about bird sightings and the review, and field notes submitted to the committee.	Henrickson, Dennis	Black-legged Kittiwake	Estherville	RR4 Estherville, Iowa 51334		The field notes by Dennis Henrickson are the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Most were mature and immature Franklins with a few Ring billed. Eventually one appeared within 20 ft of the tractor that was different. During its first pass I noticed its size between a Franklin and Ring billed, a dark spot and streak behind the eye and that the upper wing front was blackish.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	10
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in Cass County east of Walnut, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-25	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in Cass County east of Walnut, IA on October 25, 1990.	Petersen, Marietta	Prairie Falcon	Walnut	RR #1, Walnut, Iowa 51577	The area is Upland Prairie Land-pasture, hayfields, corn a soybean fields- and hilly. Little Timber along creek bottoms. We live on a farm in Northwestern Cass County. The bird was sitting on top of a semi-dead Ash tree in our old orchard.	The documentation form by Marietta Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The Red Tailed would not have those kind of face markings. But it was about the size of a Red Tailed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
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