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 for Barrow's Goldeneye at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-01-02	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Barrow's Goldeneye at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on January 2, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs of the bird, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Silcock, W. Ross	Barrow's Goldeneye	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	DeSoto NWR	Oxbow Lake, Partly open	The documentation form by Ross Silcock is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore and Jim Fuller were submitted later. Other observers include Ann Johnson, Ruth Green, and Tanya Bray. \| Elimination of similar species: See above - all features eliminate Common Goldeneye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	21
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Port Neal, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Greater Scaups at Port Neal in Woodbury County, IA on June 6, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Greater Scaup	New Lake	Port Neal	Oxbow Lake with fringe cattail	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup: Bird lacked peaked head was clear white on sides head rounded and wide. Speculum extended to wing tip. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon at Half-Moon Lake in Hawkeye Wildlife Area, unknown year	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Half-Moon Lake in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on September 27, unknown year.	Newlon, Michael C.	Peregrine Falcon	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Half-moon Lake, Hawkeye Wildlife Area, Johnson Co, IA	oxbow lake surrounded by dead trees, willow scrub	The documentation form by Mike Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John Cordell, James Huntington, Cal Knight, Bernie Knight, and Pete Wickham. \| Elimination of similar species: Shape clearly falcon form. Blue-grey coloration, wide dark facial bar indicate peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Eurasian Wigeon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge, 1995	Administrative records Field notes Forms (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-10-27	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Eurasian Wigeon at De Soto National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on October 27, 1995. Includes one record review document with votes and a documentation forms.	Hulsebus, Terry J.	Eurasian Wigeon	DeSoto Lake	De Soto Nat'l. Wildlife Refuge	Oxbow Lake - nearshore	The documentation form by Terry J. Hulsebus is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Mindy Sheets. \| Elimination of similar species: American wigeon - located in close proximity. Close comparison was very helpful. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	14
Rare bird documentation form for Western Grebe at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-01	1980-11-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for Western Grebe at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on November 1, 1980.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Western Grebe	De Soto Lake	De Soto Bend National Wildlife Refuge Harrison County	Oxbow lake - bordered by second-growth poplar stands, it was seen in the open portion of the lake, where the water depth was about 5 to 10 feet.	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Frederick and Rebecca Rogge. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Loon - Loons are much larger, have thicker necks, & hold their necks in a different posture. Red-necked Grebe - This species does not have a distinctly white neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:30:00/16:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	15
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-09	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Greater Scaup at Lake Manawa in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 9 ,1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	Lake Manawa	Lake Manawa, Council Bluffs	Oxbow lake	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, BJ Rose, W. Ross Silcock, and others.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Little Tern at Decatur Bend River Access, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-06-03	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Little Terns at Decatur Bend River Access in Monona County, IA on June 3, 1982.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Little Tern	Decatur Bend Park	Decatur Bend River Access. (WNW of Blencoe) Monona Co. IA	Oxbow -- shallow areas, riparian willow.	The documentation form by Joe P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other white terns are larger with more deeply forked tails. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Lesser Scaup X Ring-necked Duck hybrid at New Lake, undated	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	N/A	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lesser Scaup X Ring-necked Duck hybrid at New Lake in Woodbury County, IA on June 26 in unknown year.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Diving Ducks	New Lake	New Lake, Woodbury Co., IA	Ox bow lake surrounded by cattails.	The documentation form by Joseph P. Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: NA. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	9
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Swan Wildlife Refuge, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-10-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Swan Wildlife Refuge in Marion County, IA on October 27, 1991.	Johnson, Ann	Prairie Falcon	Swan Wildlife Refuge	Swan Wildlife Refuge, Warren County [incorrect county], IA	Overlook of river bottom, waterfowl refuge	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The pointed wings and powerful, direct flight identified the bird as a falcon. Size eliminated all but the more likely Peregrine. The pale color and narrow facial markings with light supercilliary all but eliminated the Peregrine. The brief look at the black on the underwing confirmed this. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:50:00/15:51:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Peregrine Falcon west of New Albin, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-11-22	1986-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon west of New Albin in Allamakee County, IA on November 22, 1986.	Moore, Francis L.	Peregrine Falcon	New Albin	2-3 mi. West of New Albin on A-26 county road - Allamakee Co.	Overhead along Limestone Bluffs in N.E. Iowa Along A-26	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Kent and Robert Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Falcon shape eliminates Red-tailed Hawk, size & color eliminates Merlin, light axillaries eliminates Prairie Falcon. \| The original documentation form event lasted in the late AM.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Ringgold Wildlife Area, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-22	1988-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Ringgold Wildlife Area in Ringgold County, IA on April 22, 1988.	Petersen, Peter C.	Prairie Falcon	Ringgold State Wildlife Area	Ringold [sic] Wildlife Area, Ringold [sic] Co. IA	Overgrown pasture with scattered wooded areas.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Gil Sandvick. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine Falcon - would lack black axillaries, facial marking would be darker. Merlin - much smaller, facial markings much less distinct, lacks black axillaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/18:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-25	1984-04-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Big Creek State Park in Polk County, IA on March 25, 1984.	Proescholdt, Beth	Northern Goshawk	Big Creek State Park	Big Creek State Park, Polk County	overgrown pasture with red/cedars + honey locust next to the lake	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mark Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: nothing similar when we saw at such good advantage the gray accipiter with dark crown + white eye stripe, the fluffy undertail coverts & darker gray back \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:08:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
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 Western Kingbird east of Steamboat Rock, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-05-11	1990-05-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird east of Steamboat Rock in Hardin County, IA on May 11, 1990.	Proescholdt, Mark	Western Kingbird	Steamboat Rock	East of Steamboat Rock in Hardin County	Overgrown pasture area	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cassin's Kingbird does not have white along the tail edges. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/09:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin between Big Creek State Park and Saylorville Reservoir, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-20	1987-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin between Big Creek State Park and Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on April 20, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Merlin	Big Creek State Park Saylorville Lake	Between Big Creek State Park and Saylorville Reservoir	Over wooded hillsides along the Des Moines River	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt. \| Elimination of similar species: A sharp-shinned Hawk has rounded wings and not pointed like a falcon. A Peregrine is considerably larger and a Kestrel is much smaller. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:11:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Bald Eagle at Coralville Reservoir, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-08-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Bald Eagle at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on August 4, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Bald Eagle	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir Iowa	over wide area of reservoir - area with many dead trees - seen from sand point - 1 mile north of Swan Lake, Johnson Co, IA	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Nick Halmi and Tom Shires. \| Elimination of similar species: Location of white areas do not fit immature Golden Eagle. Bald Eagles are commonly seen here in season. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	21
Rare bird documentation form for Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-10-27	1976-10-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black-legged Kittiwake at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 27, 1976.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Black-legged Kittiwake	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir, Johnson Co. Iowa	Over water. in a small inlet formed by the scalloped SW shore of the reservoir	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Mike Newlon, Carol Newlon, Rich DeCoster, Allan Mueller, Lillian Serbousek, and Weir Nelson. \| Elimination of similar species: Bonaparte's has no nuchal crescent, more white on wings, square on rounded tail; Black-headed - ditto, with even more white on wings; Sabine's: no nuchal spot, wing pattern of black-gray-white triangles, head gray in back; Ross's - no nuchal crescent, wedge-shaped tail, no spot behind eye; Little - much smaller, nuchal crescent (if present) merely an extension of the dark gray back, not demarcated in white, black cap. Of these only the imm. Bonaparte's is more common than the Kittiwake in Iowa. This is the third record for the state (last seen in Davenport Dec. 1967). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:20:00/16:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	40
Rare bird documentation form for Swainson's Hawk at Hawkeye Wildlife Area, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-04	1992-04-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Swainson's Hawk at Round Pond in Hawkeye Wildlife Area in Johnson County, IA on April 4, 1992.	Scheib, James	Swainson's Hawk	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Just east & south of Round Pond in Hawkeye WIldlife Area, Johnson Co.	Over trees lining a grassy field on south side of Swan Lake Road.	The documentation form by James Scheib is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sharon Scheib. \| Elimination of similar species: I assumed a Red-tailed hawk until I put my binoculars on it and saw that it lacked the patagial marks of a RTH and had a dark mottled pattern underneath including the breast, thus really getting my attention. I next assumed a Rough-legged Hawk and looked to the wing pattern, but the wrist markings were dark commas, not the large carpal patch in a RLH. See above for RTH & RLH. From the first I never considered it to be a Red-shouldered Hawk because of the highly contrasting patterning of the underside as opposed to the duller, finer underside of the RSH. The size was also that of a larger hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/09:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	28
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Macbride Recreation Area, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-03-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Macbride Recreation Area northeast of North Liberty in Johnson County, IA on March 19, 1975.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Golden Eagle	Macbride Nature Recreation Area	over Univ. of Iowa Macbride Campus, NE of North Liberty, Iowa	over park with deciduous woods and clumps of planted conifers, between Coralville Reservoir and Lake Macbride	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger than dark-phase Rough-legged Hawk. White on wing the reverse of that in imm. Bald Eagle. Tail larger in relation to body than in Bald Eagle, not mottled but distinctly banded. General plumage lighter than that of imm. Bald Eagle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Ibis species at Nashua, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-29	1984-10-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Ibis species at Nashua in Chickasaw County, IA on the Cedar River on September 29, 1984.	Proescholdt, Mark	Glossy Ibises	Nashua	Nashua, Chickasaw County, Cedar River	over main river channel - sandbars, some marshy areas	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Double-crested Cormorant. From a distance the ibis had a similar body shape but long decurved bill and dark purplish brown color determined an ibis. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:48:00/15:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	24
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Upper Iowa River in Allamakee County, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-02-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Upper Iowa River in Allamakee County, IA on February 14, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Golden Eagle	Allamakee County	Upper Iowa River, Allamakee Co IA	Over high rocky hills and river valley - 5 mi east of #76 on county road #26 in Allamakee C.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature bald eagle - location of white, head size and habitat for Golden Eagle. Known to winter in this area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:42:00/11:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-04-28	1991-04-29	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on April 28, 1991.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Golden Eagle	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, Van Buren Co., Iowa	Over forested area of Des Moines River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Cecil. \| Elimination of similar species: Osprey, Turkey Vulture, and immature Bald Eagle are all eliminated by the distribution of white. The size and profile was typical of Golden Eagle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Co. Rd. W48 in Johnson County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology--Societies, etc Rare birds	1979-03-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Co. Rd. W48 in Johnson County, IA on March 18, 1979.	Halmi, Nicholas S.	Merlin	Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area	Co. Rd. W48, Johnson Co., Iowa	over flooded fields, tailwaters of Coralville Reservoir	The documentation form by Nicholas S. Halmi is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel - slimmer, flight less direct and powerful. Sharp-shin: Rounded wings, relatively longer tail, more flapping flights \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:00:15.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for House Finch at Davenport, 1983	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1983-06-17	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for a House Finch at Davenport in Scott County, IA on June 17, 1983. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review and a letter from Ann Barker to Tom Kent containing a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Barker, Ann M. Barker, William S.	House Finch	Davenport	in yard around feeder	our yard is at the edge of a suburban neighborhood with 30 or so houses, with cultivated fields immediately adjacent on 2 sides.	The documentation form by Bill and Ann Barker is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: A finch, slightly larger than Goldfinches concurrently at feeder. A thinner or less puffy appearance than Purple Finch, with brighter more orange red color. Shape of head may be flatter than Purple Finch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:10:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Golden-crowned Sparrow at Jamaica, 1977	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1977-05-03	1993-08-26	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Golden-crowned Sparrow at Jamaica in Guthrie County, IA on May 3, 1977. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Burns, R. E. (Rollin Eugene)	Golden-crowned Sparrow	Jamaica	Jamaica, Iowa (Guthrie County), in my back yard.	Our back yard, which is kept closely mowed, surrounded by many different kinds of trees and bushes. I keep 4 ground waterers filled at all times and had my garden hose dripping into one of them. He was feeding close to our ground feeders, but not actually in them.	The documentation form by Gene Burns is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marilyn Burns, Woodward H. Brown, Dick Mooney, Margaret Brooke, Ruth Buckles, Eugene Armstrong, Barney Cook, Dean Mosman, and Diane Mosman. \| Elimination of similar species: My first sight told me it was something different than a White-throated, White-crowned or Harris Sparrow. I immediately called for my wife to come quickly and observe him with me. We sit by the hour at our large window where I have my desk and bird books and binoculars, scope, recorders and camera. We had an excellent view of him at close range in good light. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:15:00/17:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	40