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 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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-10-08	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Western Tanager at Hope Martin Memorial Park in Black Hawk County, IA on October 8, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a letter from Bruce Peterjohn to Tom Kent, a letter from Bob Myers to Tom Kent, a letter from Francis Moore to Tom Kent, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Western Tanager	Hope Martin Memorial Park	Hope Martin Park, Waterloo, Ia. (Part of Waterloo Greenbelt)	Riverbottom Timber on edge of park - brushy area First seen in top of willow thicket, then flew to top of oak in the park.	The documentation form by Robert Myers is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: Fall scarlet tanager is possible - see attached page. My first thought was that this was late for a scarlet Tanager and when I looked closer I saw the wing bars. My second thought was that someone told me that one of a hunderd [sic] ♀ scarlets have wing bars. I also knew the Peterson Guide says some scarlets have two wing bars. When I went home that night I was anything but convinced the bird was a western tanager even though most literature states wing bars = western tanager. When I got home I phoned Fancis Moore and he went to the park and was able to relocate the bird. Even though he had never seen western tanagers before, Francis thought this was one. His enthusiasm prompted me to research further. I am now also convinced that this bird was indeed a western tanager no matter how unlikely it seems. Ironically, my first western tanager, a male seen April 26, 1980 at Forney Lake, was also with a mixed flock of yellow-rump + palm warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:00:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	29
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Black-necked Stilt at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 1984	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1984-06-02	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of two Black-necked Stilts at Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge in Kossuth County, IA on June 2, 1984. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, a photocopy of a photo, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Black-necked Stilt	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge - Kossuth County, Iowa	General: Large cattail marsh. Specific: Shallow muddy pool on north edge of Refuge.	The documentation form by Robert Myers forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Francis L. Moore was submitted. Other observers include Russell Hays and several unidentified observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing really is similar. American Avocet has upturned bill and shows much white in wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:58:00/08:00:00 and 08:30:00/08:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	20
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls, 1981	Administrative records Correspondence Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1981-12-20	2000-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Bullock's Oriole at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on December 20, 1981. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, e-mail correspondence between Jon Dunn, Jim Fuller, James Rising, David Sibley, and Paul Lehman, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Bullock's Oriole	Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls, Iowa - Black Hawk County	coming to feeder in residential area	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers includes Don Irwin and Paulina Irwin. \| Elimination of similar species: The 'Baltimore' subspecies has the yellow-orange on breast going down the breast thru belly and has a more yellowish back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	11
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
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-21	1984-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 21, 1984.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co. (east side)	Extensive marshy area - Dike separated 2 shallow pools.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays. \| Elimination of similar species: Bird was too dark for Kestrel and too small for Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-08-30	1980-09-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Snowy Egret at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on August 30, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Snowy Egret	Sweet Marsh	approx. 3 mi. south of Sweet Marsh, Iowa	cow pasture with marshy areas, water for marsh comes from natural artesian wells.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Tom Stone, and Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: An immature little blue was also present & next day a cattle egret was with the snowy and separating all three was easy \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	19
Rare bird documentation form for Varied Thrush at Waterloo, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-12-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Varied Thrush at Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on December 7, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Varied Thrush	Waterloo	Waterloo, Iowa	General: A very affluent residential area Specific: Many trees including a lot of evergreens - many by feeders + heated bird baths - The area offers everything a bird could want - safety - food water - shelter + a degree of privacy	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Evelyn Ehlers, Francis Moore, Tom Stone, Jr., Tom Stone, and Ruth Buck. \| Elimination of similar species: Somewhat like robin but robin lacks the breast band and eye stripe. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:00:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	11
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-19	1981-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on December 19, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Northern Goshawk	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh (Bremer County)	River bottom Timber at south edge of marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays, Eleanor Corvin, and Antoinette Camarata. \| Elimination of similar species: The shape + size made the choice either goshawk or coopers hawk and the white crescent over the eye made the choice goshawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Volga River Recreation Area, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-12	1981-12-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Volga River Recreation Area in Fayette County, IA on December 12, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Northern Goshawk	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga River Recreation Area (Fayette County)	Mixed deciduous Timber	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Russell Hays and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| Elimination of similar species: An imm. Coopers hawk could be similar in size and coloring but would not show the very obvious white stripe above the eye. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:52:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Forney's Lake, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-07-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Great-tailed Grackles at Forney's Lake in Fremont County, IA on July 22, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Great-tailed Grackle	Forneys Lake	Forney Lake - Freemont [sic] County	Grassey [sic] islands in lake and bushes at lake's edge.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ross Silcock and Steve Dinsmore. \| Elimination of similar species: Much larger + longer biled [sic] than common grackle Range would probably rule out Boat-tailed Grackle. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:05:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-11	1980-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 11, 1980.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	East side of Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co. Iowa	This bird flushed in exactly the same place as one did May 26, 1979 for Francis Moore and me. The area has short grass (less than a foot high) and the water under the grass is about 4" or 5" deep. Francis flushed the bird again May 18, 1980.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-11	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 11, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	East side of Sweet Marsh - Bremer Co. Iowa	The bird flushed in exactly the same place as one did May 26, 1979 for Francis Moore and me. The area has short grass (less than a foot high) and the water under the grass is about 4" or 5" deep. Francis flushed the bird again May 18, 1980.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	11
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-26	1979-05-28	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 26, 1979.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh		The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: We have similarly flushed many soras this spring and at first glance the very buffy (yellowish) undersides made me think of a immature sora. However, this rail was smaller than a sora and had a very dark (almost black) back. Along the trailing edge of each wing out from the body about 2" and about 1/2" wide (maybe wider) was a white bar. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Pine Warbler at Hope Martin Memorial Park in Waterloo, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pine Warbler at Hope Martin Memorial Park in Waterloo in Black Hawk County, IA on September 5, 1984.	Myers, Robert K.	Pine Warbler	Hope Martin Memorial Park	Injun Country Park - downtown Waterloo along Black Hawk Creek	Riverbottom Timber - elder berries	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Unstreaked back ruled out black poll + bay-breasted. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:05:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	29
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Sweet Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-16	1985-09-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Merlins at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on September 16, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Merlin	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh - Bremer County	Marsh - Wooded edge and perching on stickups in marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Too small for Peregrine and wrong color pattern for Kestrel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:00:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Recreation Area, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-07-11	1981-07-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Clay-colored Sparrow at Volga River State Recreation Area in Fayette County, IA on July 11, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Clay-colored Sparrow	Volga River State Recreation Area	Volga River Rec. Area	General: a clearing in otherwise quite dense woods along old road Specific: 1 cedar tree in opening and many sumacs and other short (10') trees	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: The only real probable problem is the imm. chipping sparrow but song + brown rump ruled this out. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	50
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Warbler at Sweet Marsh, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1983-05-13	1983-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Warbler at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 13, 1983.	Myers, Robert K.	Prairie Warbler	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh	Small clearing where a river birch overgrown area meets more upland riverbottom timber <- [pointing to river birch overgrown area] Area is wet under foot	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: The basic coloration, facial marking, and side streaking rule out all else I can think of. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:05:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	30
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-30	1984-04-08	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 30, 1984.	Myers, Robert K.	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough - Mill Co. Iowa	Man-made marsh edge of marsh	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger, has more pronounced bill and shows a grinning patch. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Cedar Falls, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-12-26	1981-12-27	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County, IA on December 26, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Northern Goshawk	Cedar Falls	Cedar Falls (Black Hawk County)	River bottom timber along Cedar Riv.	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size and white eyestripe and very fluffy under tail covets eliminated the Cooper's hawk. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Seven Bridges Park, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-11-21	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Seven Bridges Park in Bremer County, IA on November 21, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Northern Goshawk	Seven Bridges County Park	Seven Bridges Park - Bremer County	Wooded river bottom timber along Wapsipinicon Riv. Tree where hawk was sitting is tallest in area- the park has several openings in the timber all visible from this perch	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Francis Moore. \| Elimination of similar species: Coopers is only species I can see any trouble with but size and color and broad white eye stripe make the choice easy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:45:00/09:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25