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 Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1984	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-03-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 30, 1984.	Moore, Francis L.	Ross' Goose	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co., IA	At edge of open water along cattail edge.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger with a black "grin" patch on the bill and a longer looking neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:15:00/14:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-24	1981-03-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 24, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co. Ia	Lake and marsh in Nishnabottna River bottoms. - Willow S.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:55:00/14:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1982	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-28	1982-03-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form fro a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 28, 1982.	Moore, Francis L.	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co.	Marsh, flooded grassy portion	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow Goose is larger and shows a definite 'grin' patch on the bill. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
Rare bird documentation form for Cattle Egret at Willow Slough, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-03-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Cattle Egret at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 27, 1988.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Cattle Egret	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Mills Co.	flying around marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The small size eliminates Great Egret. The heavy, yellowish bill, dark legs, and short-necked appearance eliminates Snowy Egret and immature Little Blue Heron (not very likely at this date anyhow). \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:45:00/14:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	21
Rare bird documentation form for Grasshopper Sparrow at Willow Slough, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-11-05	1980-12-10	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Grasshopper Sparrow at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on November 5, 1980.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Grasshopper Sparrow	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Iowa	weedy old field, brush nearby but it was in the weedy grass	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Le Conte's Sparrow - eliminated by lack of orange, + by lack of streaks on side of breast Henslow's - eliminated by nape streaks, but it's hard to be sure. Perhaps the difference in color between a Henslow's face + Grasshopper's face would be hard to tell in a backlit bird. Looked pale, though. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon for five minutes or more.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	56
Rare bird documentation form for Hooded Merganser at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-04	1978-07-14	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Hooded Merganser at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 4, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Hooded Merganser	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Anderson Twp., Mills Co., Iowa	Lake, out near the middle, where there where tops of drowned weeds sticking out of the water.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Only mergansers have thin bills (of the ducks, that is). Only Hooded Mergansers have yellow bills or unpatterned heads. Shape and bill color eliminate the grebes. Size eliminates the loons. I really can't think of anything else it could be.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	15
Rare bird documentation form for Red-breasted Merganser at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-06-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-breasted Merganser at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on June 4, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Red-breasted Merganser	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough, Anderson Township., Mills Co., Iowa.	open water on a lake, near shore	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: This was no Common Merganser. This bird's throat color was light and so unsharp in its border that the color really started fading at the crown to get to the light of the throat.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	17
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Willow Slough Public Hunting Area, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-03-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at Willow Slough Public Hunting Area in Mills County, IA on March 22, 1982.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Long-tailed Duck	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough Public Hunting Area, Mills County, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: had a faint resemblance to a Bufflehead while sleeping. Really too odd to be any thing else. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:25:00/15:58:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for Least Tern at Willow Slough, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-08-02	1978-11-19	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Least Tern at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on August 2, 1978.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Least Tern	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough in NE Mills County, Iowa	a shallow lake. It was feeding near water plants.	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other White Terns are bigger than Black Terns. The Least Tern differed from the Black Terns in size, color, + most of all behavior - rate of wing beats, the way it done.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	44
Rare bird documentation form for Ross' Goose at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-28	1981-03-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ross' Goose at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on March 28, 1981.	Myers, Robert K.	Ross's Gull	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough (SW Iowa)	marsh at very low water level - mud flat	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Snow goose is bigger - has grinning patch - has longer neck. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:15:00/07:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	28
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 Ruddy Turnstone at Willow Slough, 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-05-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Ruddy Turnstone at Willow Slough in Mills County, IA on May 30, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Ruddy Turnstone	Willow Slough State Game Management Area	Willow Slough	mudflats at edge of what water remains in the slough	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tayce Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Nothing looks like a breeding-plumage Ruddy Turnstone. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:45:00/19:00:00 and other times.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	15
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for an Eurasian Collared-Dove at Willow Creek Park, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1989-08-20	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for an Eurasian Collared-Dove at Willow Creek Park in Osceola County, IA on August 20, 1989. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Eurasian Collared Dove	Willow Creek Fen - Wetlands Area	Willow Creek Park, Osceola County		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Ed Thelen was submitted later. Other observers include Linda Thelen and unidentified Thelen observers. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] A dove larger than Mourning Dove. [...] It was a series of "hoo's" - "hoo - hoo - hoo" without any bubbling notes associated with the song of the Ringed Turtle-Dove. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	9
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-12	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 12, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park, Muscatine County, Iowa	General: edge of forest along stream Specific: along stream at Wildcat Den State Park	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Shires, Peter Petersen, Mike Newlon, Carol Newlon, and unidentified others. \| Elimination of similar species: other warblers. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:10:00/10:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1979-05-14	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 14, 1979.	Petersen, Peter C.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park, Muscatine Co, Iowa	General: creek bottom - juncture of Pine Creek + small stream coming from Devil's Punch bowl. Specific: bottomland forest, large clearing, trees well spaced, surrounded by more dense forest.	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackburnian Warbler Female it is orange through eye, different call Call reminded me of La. Waterthrush which was calling from lower areas nearby at the time. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:20:00/10:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-03	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 3, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat den State Park	General: dense forest and stream bottom Specific: 1 mile from Mississippi R.	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include T.K. Shires, Carl Bendorf, and Tom Staudt. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 11:15:00/11:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	19
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-09	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 9, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park	uppermost pine branches often to the very tips of the branches	The documentation form by Robert Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula Warbler Magnolia Warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	19
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds Wildlife conservation	1980-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 9, 1980.	Thornburg, Robert E.	Yellow-throated Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park	uppermost pine branches, often to the very tips of the branches	The documentation form by Robert E. Thornburg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula Warbler Magnolia Warbler. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	28
Rare bird documentation form for Worm-eating Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-10	1979-05-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Worm-eating Warbler at Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine County, IA on May 10, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Worm-eating Warbler	Wildcat Den State Park	Wildcat Den State Park	General: Deep wooded ravine Specific: main ravine leading to 'Den' at Wildcat Den State Park	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas K. Shires and Peter C. Petersen. \| Elimination of similar species: Other warblers \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:45:00/11:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	36
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir, 1993	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1993-12-19	1995-07-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Mew Gull at Whitebreast Recreation Area at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 19, 1993. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentations submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Mew Gull	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Sandy area at edge of open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Russ Widner and Jim Fuller were submitted. Other observers include Dick Tetrault and Roy Godwin. \| Elimination of similar species: Size eliminated any gull larger than a Ring-billed. Although structurally the bird more closely represented one of the larger hooded gulls, they were eliminated by the lack of any hood or auricular spot. Furthermore, most hooded gulls with a tail band would also show a strong carpal bar. Laughing Gull could be eliminated by the more diminuative [sic] bill and leg color. Although some individuals seem to carry a vestige of their more motley juvenile plumage into first winter, Ring-billed Gull was eliminated by size, head and bill structure, and clear-cut as opposed to more diffuse tail band. I originally identified this bird as a Mew Gull based on my experience studying structural differences between Ring-billed and Mew gulls on the west coast. I have never seen a first-year Mew Gull, however. In researching the Mew on my return home, I concluded that the bird in question was not dark enough, nor brown enough, to be of the west coast sub-species. By virtue of its strong similarity to a Ring-billed Gull, this bird was most likely the European sub-species known as the Common Gull. Although according to Grant the bill description comes closer to L.c. brachyrhynchus, I assume that this bird's bill coloration was still changing from juvenile plumage. Apparently the Common Gull appears on occasion on the east coast and is therefore probably as likely a vagrant to Iowa as is the western form. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:30:00/10:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	10	23
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir, 1990	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-12-16	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Least Flycatcher at Whitebreast Recreation Area in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 16, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and two documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Least Flycatcher	Whitebreast Recreation Area	Whitebreast Recreation Area, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Primarily open edge and grassy area with pine tree plantings	The documentation form by Ann Johnson forms the basis of this record. Another documentation form by Tim Schantz was submitted. Other observers include Roy Godwin and Jim Sinclair. \| Elimination of similar species: Body and bill shape and behavior identified this bird as a flycatcher. The size, eye-ring and wing bars eliminated all but Empidonax flycatchers. Because of the late date on this bird, it is difficult to get an understanding of molt sequences which may or may not be helpful. From what I can find on molts, however, the following is based on best available information. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:55:00 and approximately 13:30:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	34
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir, 1994	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1994-12-17	1996-04-25	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Great Black-backed Gull at Whitebreast Point in Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on December 17, 1994. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Great Black-backed Gull	White Breast Creek	Whitebreast Point, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Flying over open water and ice	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer includes Tim Schantz. \| Elimination of similar species: Large size (larger than Herring) eliminated most others. White head and black and white checkering eliminate Lesser Black-backed and Herring. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:40:00/10:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	11	8
Records Committee review for rare bird Sighting of Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir, 1996	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1996-11-03	2000-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Pacific Loon at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on November 3, 1996. Includes a record review document with votes and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Pacific Loon	Lake Red Rock	Whitebreast Boat Ramp, Red Rock Reservoir, Marion Co., IA	Open lake	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, and Chris Edwards were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: The apparent size differential, bill size and clean line to the neck eliminated Common and Yellow-billed Loon. Red-throated is approximately the same size but the bill appears upturned because of the angular shape of the lower edge. Red-throated also has a head lighter than the body. A chinstrap would not be seen on any other species. Grebes were eliminated by thickness of neck and general jizz. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	7
Rare bird documentation form for Golden Eagle at White Pine Hollow, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-25	1989-11-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Golden Eagle at White Pine Hollow in Dubuque County, IA on October 25, 1989.	Rouw, Mark	Golden Eagle	White Pine Hollow State Park	White Pine Hollow Dubuque County Iowa	Stream valley bordered by steep bluffs in woodland	The documentation form by Mark D. Rouw is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Immature bald eagle was eliminated because of this birds distinctive white patches and shorter beak. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:00:00/12:00:30.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	31
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird northwest of Mason City, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-13	1999-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight Brewer's Blackbirds northwest of Mason City in Cerro Gordo County, IA on October 13, 1998.	Goranson, Rita	Brewer's Blackbird	Mason City	Wheelerwood Drive, north + west of Mason City, 1 mile before intersection with Killdeer Ave	River + trees on one side - farm land on other side	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Had been seeing grackles - a larger bird - larger tail. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76