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 Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 17, 1979.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Hickory Hill Park	Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City	General: under brush and scattered trees to deep woods. Specific: main valley at Hickory Hill Park and woods to north	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: least, alder, willow flycatchers \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 07:00:00/07:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	65
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park in 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1981-09-19	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Hickory Hill Park in Johnson County, IA on September 19, 1981.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Hickory Hill Park				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	65
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-02-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow-throated (i.e. Yellow-bellied) Flycatcher at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on September 2, 1985.	Cecil, Robert I.	Yellow-bellied Flycatcher	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, Lee County, Iowa		The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Although the yellow was dull, it was unmistakably yellow, in what I felt was obvious contrast to the faint hint of yellow wash of the Acadians in the area. Most of the empidonax sp. I have seen this fall have shown no yellow at all. Also conspicuous about this bird was the yellowish eye ring. Again, this contrasts with the whitish or eggshell color of the eyerings of other empids in the area. The bird remained within the canopy of the thicket, occasionally darting out, then returning. This behavior is different that other empids I have observed, which seem to utilize a more exposed perch.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	65
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail south of Emerson, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-04-29	1988-05-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail south of Emerson in Mills County, IA on April 29, 1988.	McGrew, David E.	Yellow Rail		3 miles South of Emerson, Mills County, Iowa	In foxtail stubble in government set aside acres. The grass had been clipped about knee high + the machinery passing through had smashed much of it, leaving rows of standing stubble, some leaning into it, + flat rows. Dave said the bird was hard to see in it. This was next to end rows planted to a sparse stand of alfalfa, halfway to Knee high.	The documentation form based upon notes and observations by Dave McGrew is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. The documentation form was written by Barb L. Wilson. \| Elimination of similar species: Upland Sandpiper (which he had seen in the same field same day), quail, partridge. I showed Dave rail pictures in Peterson's Eastern guide + the Audubon Master guide. He didn't think much of the yellow rail picture objecting particularly to the white feather edging on the back, + the dull color of legs + bill (which may vary seasonally). After looking through the book he felt rails were the best match, though the bill was a bit too acute but the tail matched. He felt some other species in the Yellow Rail/juvenile Sora area might be it. Except of course there is no other rail like that, at least here. \| The original documentation form event occurred at 19:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail near Cone Marsh, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-05-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail near Cone Marsh in Louisa County, IA on May 7, 1989.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Rail	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	near Cone Marsh; Louisa County	Tall grass field - upland	The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora + Virginia - Darker, larger, + no white wing patch-trailing edge. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 06:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Ventura Marsh, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-09	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Ventura Marsh in Hancock County, IA on May 9, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	Ventura Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Ventura Marsh, north side, 1 mile W of Ventura, Hancock County	uplands with a mixture of switchgrass and brome, ~ 80' from marsh	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora, Virginia rail - Both are darker and lack white wing patches \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at University of Northern Iowa, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-04-27	1984-05-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at University of Northern Iowa in Black Hawk County, IA on April 27, 1984.	Young, Ronan	Yellow Rail	University of Northern Iowa	Northwest corner of UNI prairie preserve		The documentation form by Ronan Young is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Virginia Rail has a larger bill and no white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 19:30:00/19:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
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
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-18	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 18, 1980.	Moore, Francis L.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Bird was located on East side of Sweet Marsh, which is outside of Tripoli to the East. Observation was on a dike that comes off of and South of parking lot on second road going to the marsh as you proceed North from the Southern part of the Marsh. See map for location at asterisk.	Habitat bird was found in was a grassy area about 2' to 2 1/2' tall about 2' from dike and extending approximately 50' from dike. All around this particular area was large concentrations of cattails and sedges. Water was approximately 2" to 4" deep in area of sighting with deeper water on 3 sides of the area and the dike on the fourth side.	The documentation form by Francis L. Moore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bob Myers and Joe Schaufenbuel. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:15:00/08:15:02.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1979-05-05	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on May 5, 1979.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, Tripoli, Iowa	A grassey [sic] marsh area along edge of a pond. This area had an average water depth of four inches. The size of the grassey [sic] marsh is about half an acre and is located in and area of extensive cattail marsh and wet meadows.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 11:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
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 Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-04-29	1978-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sweet Marsh in Bremer County, IA on April 29, 1978.	Schaufenbuel, Joseph P.	Yellow Rail	Sweet Marsh	Sweet Marsh, which is located one mile East of Tripoli, Bremer County, IA.	The area of Sweet Marsh where the bird was flushed had a water depth of about two feet. Many large and small clumps of grass covered mounds of earth, there was a shallow marshy spot that was heavily vegitated. Otherwise the area surrounding sighting was similar. This type of habitat covered several acres. The grasses were mostly remanent [sic] of last years growth, with new sprouts over a foot in height. The water was slightly stagnant, and water level was slightly higher than normal because of recent rains.	The documentation form by Joe Schaufenbuel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I can think of no species of bird of similar size with a white patch on hind wing. Other rails would be uniform dark and larger. Perching birds such as a Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza gerogiana) have long tails. Extreme comparisons could be made with Common Snipe (Capella gallinago) which is long billed, has pointed wings, and has a rapid zig-zag flying style. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Swan Lake, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-28	1980-05-18	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on April 28, 1980.	Glasson, Marilyn Smith	Yellow Rail	Swan Lake	Marshy area about 1/2 mi. NE Swan Lake. N of Swan Lake Road S of Pine Stand	marsh; noted no plant species First flushed from drier grassy area (I didn't see) 2nd time flushed from water edge to dry grass area	The documentation form by Marilyn Smith Glasson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: The Sora is the only other bird that is similar. It has no white on its wings. I've never noticed back striping to be so evident. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 06:30:00/08:00:00 approximately.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Swan Lake in 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1980-04-28	1980-05-05	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Swan Lake in Johnson County, IA on April 28, 1980.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Yellow Rail	Swan Lake				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Sugarbottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Sugarbottom Recreation Area at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on September 22, 1991.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Yellow Rail	Sugar Bottom Recreation Area	Coralville Reservoir (Sugarbottom recreation area..see map on back), Johnson Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Large white wing patches are diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 12:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-09-20	1991-09-21	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one to two Yellow Rails at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 20 and September 21, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Rail	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh (Greene County)		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Sinclair, Pam Allen, Reid Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: [first sighting] The first bird appeared to be smaller than the second, and had white wing patches along the trailing edge, which I could not see on the second bird. I identified the first bird as a yellow rail, and the second as a sora. [...] [second sighting] This bird certainly was smaller than any of the six soras we flushed previously and later, and the white wing patches were very obvious \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:35:00 on September 20 and 08:30:00 on September 21.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-03	1986-04-04	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on April 3, 1986.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	wet grassy area at edge of cattails	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: White patches on wings separate from other rails. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/18:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 30, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Yellow Rail	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	marsh, bull rush + duck weed	The documentation form by Robert K. Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: White wing patches eliminates sora. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:30:00/14:31:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Otter Creek Marsh in 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-05-06	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on May 6, 1994.	Fuller, James L	Yellow Rail	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 1, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Yellow Rail	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat S. Jones Co IA	Marsh	The documentation form by T.H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf, Tom Staudt, and James Huntington. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora: white wing patches, smaller, lighter tan color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:10:00/07:10:10.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Muskrat Slough in 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-01	1982-05-31	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 1, 1982.	Bendorf, Carl J.	Yellow Rail	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-05-14	1984-05-31	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at McIntosh Wildlife Area in Cerro Gordo County, IA on May 14, 1984.	Hansen, James L.	Yellow Rail	McIntosh Woods State Park	McIntosh Wildlife Area, 1 mi. E of Ventura, Cerro Gordo County	brome uplands	The documentation form by James L. Hansen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ronald D. Andrews. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora, Virginia rail - Both too dark and lack white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Larson's Marsh, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-09-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Larson's Marsh in Story County, IA on September 23, 1986.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Yellow Rail	Larson Marsh	Larson's Marsh, Story Co.	wet, grassy area along edge of marsh	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: All other rails eliminated by the white wing patches. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 15:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Dugout Creek Waterfowl Production Area, 1994	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1994-10-05	1994-10-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Dugout Creek Waterfowl Production Area in Dickinson County, IA on October 5, 1994.	Harr, Douglas C.	Yellow Rail	Dugout Creek Wildlife Management Area	Dugout Creek Waterfowl Production ARea [sic], 3 mi. SE of Lake Park, Dickinson Co.	sedge mat zone of a glacial fen, near banks of Dugout Creek	The documentation form by Douglas C. Harr is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Station Evaluation Team. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora--larger, darker, commonly seen in area wetlands. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:10:00/14:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39
Rare bird documentation form for Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Yellow Rail at Doolittle Prairie in Story County, IA on May 7, 1986.	Martsching, Paul	Yellow Rail	Doolittle Prairie State Preserve	Doolittle Prairie, Story County	wet prairie	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include John E. Mayfield. \| Elimination of similar species: Sora does not have white patches on top side of wings. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:20:00/15:20:20.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	39