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 Smith's Longspur at Union Slough NWR, 1997	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1997-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for five Smith's Longspurs at Union Slough NWR in Kossuth County, IA on April 27, 1997.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge	Union Slough NWR, Kossuth Co. main crossdike between B pool + C pool	marsh with open farm fields on both sides	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: These birds didn't have white on the belly or black spilling from the face onto the chest or "bib" like Lapland Longspurs. There were no "tew" notes thrown in with the rattle calls, a possible point of separation between Smith's + Laps. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:10:00 and 09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-20	1993-06-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for at least five Great-tailed Grackles at MidAmerican Energy Ponds at Pottawattamie County, IA on June 20, 1993. There are details of another sighting of another Great-tailed Grackle near Osceola in Clark County, IA on June 26, 1993 on the documentation form.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	South IPL pond, Pottawattamie County, Iowa (4+ males, 1 female); along Hwy. 2 in Nebraska City bridge area, Fremont County, Iowa (1 male)	[...] Observed in cattails at edge of IPL pond in Pottawattamie County [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event occurred in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle south of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 23, 1992.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Great-tailed Grackle	Council Bluffs	Off I-29 at south Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa.		The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Thomas Kent and Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major) with more rounded crown, characteristic call notes, much less likely to occur in Iowa. Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) much smaller, different call notes, female lacks rich brown foreparts and superciliary stripe. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00/09:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-04-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Great-tailed Grackle at Wapello Township in Louisa County, IA on April 30, 1992.	Ohde, Bill	Great-tailed Grackle	Wapello Township	SE 1/4 of section 19, T74N, R4W, Louisa County, Iowa	Rural farmstead on edge of large timber block. In tall (15') backyard shrubs.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common grackle - this bird was nearly crow-sized, longer tailed, with the peculiar whistles and rattles. Boat-tailed grackle - song was wrong. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	77
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
Rare bird documentation form for Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewer's Blackbird at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on May 11, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Brewer's Blackbird	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek M., Greene Co., IA	small island in pond	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bert Engebretsen. \| Elimination of similar species: The dark eye and lack of any rust color eliminates Rusty Blackbird, which is similar in size and shape to this bird. Common Grackle has a longer tail, females show lots of brown color, and the call note is different. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:54:00/16:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	76
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark west of McCausland, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-22	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark west of McCausland in Scott County, IA on December 22, 1988.	Blevins, Brian L.	Eastern Meadowlark	McCausland	Road just west of McCausland, Iowa.	Pasture with livestock and livestock feeders	The documentation form by Brian Blevins is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ann Barker. \| Elimination of similar species: Western meadowlark - eliminated by Song [sic]. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:54:00/14:57:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
Rare bird documentation form for Eastern Meadowlark east of Muscatine, 1988	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1988-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an Eastern Meadowlark east of Muscatine in Muscatine County, IA on December 17, 1988.	Petersen, Peter C.	Eastern Meadowlark	Muscatine	2 mi. E. Muscatine along Hwy 22	grassy roadside	The documentation form by Peter C. Petersen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Walter Zuurdeeg and Chris Reed. \| Elimination of similar species: Western has 6-7 note call, much less musical \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:01:00/08:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	73
Rare bird documentation form for Dickcissel at Hallet's Quarry at Ames, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1996-11-28	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Dickcissel at Hallet's Quarry at Ames in Story County, IA on November 28, 1996.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Dickcissel	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Hallett's Quarry, Story Co., IA	weeds along gravel pit	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I immediately recognized the bird by the call note, which is very distinctive. Additionally, the black throat, yellow wash on the breast, and chestnut shoulder patch were diagnostic. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:55:00/09:22:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	72
Rare bird documentation form for Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1993-06-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Blue Grosbeak north of Liscomb in Marshall County, IA on June 11, 1993.	Proescholdt, Mark	Blue Grosbeak	Liscomb	North of Liscomb - (Marshall County)	Trees along a gravel road	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Indigo Bunting has a quite different song, is much smaller, and lacks the big bill and Chestnut wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:50:00/09:51:00 and 10:00:00/10:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	70
Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, 1979	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1979-09-08	1979-11-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an unidentified Grosbeak at Anderson Township in Mills County, IA on September 8, 1979.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Cardinal-Grosbeaks	Anderson Township	Wilson farm: T73-N, R-41W, Sec 26, NE Mills County, Ia.		The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: these are Rose-breasted Grosbeaks or Blackheaded Grosbeaks. Or hybrids. Unfortunately, the identification depends on things I do not know. Ruth Green informs me that some Rose-breasted Grosbeaks in early September are so orange on the breast one would think them Black-headeds. Are these young Rose-breasted? What about the call? Do Rose-breasted Grosbeaks make a lower-pitched call, more mellow than the distinctive high-pitched call that is the only one I know for them? If you know, please tell me. These were odd-looking grosbeaks but I can't really identify them. \| The original documentation form events occurred around 08:45:00 and in the afternoon.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	69
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-04-19	1999-04-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eleven Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on April 19, 1999.	Goranson, Rita	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reece [sic] Wettlands [sic], Koss Co, Iowa near Union Slough	wettlands [sic] + old bean stubble	The documentation form by Rita Goranson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jan Walter and Matthew Kenne. \| Elimination of similar species: No other birds in immediate area, other than ducks, I had seen two Savannah Sparrows at beginning of area and knew these were larger than Savannah's and different coloring and marks. I have seen Laplands but they don't have this rich buffy color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/14:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1998-10-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two to three Smith's Longspurs at Maynard Reese Waterfowl Production Area in Kossuth County, IA on October 7, 1998.	Kenne, Matthew C.	Smith's Longspur	Maynard Reese Area	Maynard Reese WPA, Kossuth Co. SW of north side parking	Open area sparsely covered with grass (1 season restored prairie and mowed Pigweed) surrounding wetland potholes	The documentation form by Matthew Kenne is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Pipits were eliminated by their totally different voice, the pattern of the underparts, and bill & tail proportions. Lapland Longspurs have obvious white (not buff) underneath which would have been especially visible on several close flybys and passes overhead. Male Laplands should show some black streaking on the upper chest in sharp contrast with the white below. There wasn't any chestnut visible on the nape or upper wing. Although I don't have enough experience with Smith's to say I heard any difference in the sound of the "tics", I didn't hear any of the "tew" notes that Laplands (but not Smith's) mix in with their tic-tic-tics. Any regular sparrow that is not eliminated by white outer tail feathers is eliminated by the unique longspur calls. The buffy/tan color underneath and the calls also rule out Horned Lark. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1992-05-09	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Henslow's Sparrow near Lacey-Keosauqua State Park in Van Buren County, IA on May 9, 1992.	Fuller, James L	Henslow's Sparrow	Lacey-Keosauqua State Park	Grassy field near Lacey-Keosauqua SP, Van Buren County.		The documentation form by Jim Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	57
Rare bird documentation form for Great-tailed Grackle at Otter Creek Marsh, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-27	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Great-tailed Grackles at Otter Creek Marsh in Tama County, IA on April 27, 1990.	Fuller, James L	Great-tailed Grackle	Otter Creek Marsh State Wildlife Refuge	Otter Creek Marsh - Tama County	Cattails in marsh	The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Common Grackle is smaller with different call Boat-tailed Grackle male has dark eye \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:45:00/15:47:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation for Smith's Longspur north northwest of Lone Tree, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1990-04-06	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation for around a few hundred Smith's Longspurs north northwest of Lone Tree in Johnson County, IA on April 6, 1990.	Pinkston, Randall, 1956-	Smith's Longspur	Lone Tree	2 mi. NNW of Lone Tree, Johnson Co., Iowa	[...] In large hay stubble field with scattered bales, [...]	The documentation form by Randall Pinkston is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] Non-descript really, eye-ringed, suggestive of a Vesper Sparrow but for entirely buff underparts. [...] Also seen were a Red Fox and an alternate-plumaged male Lapland Longspur. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:30:00/19:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur at Oakland Township in Louisa County, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1987-04-15	1987-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six to ten Smith's Longspurs at Oakland Township in Louisa County, IA on April 15, 1987.	Proescholdt, Mark	Smith's Longspur	Oakland Township	Louisa Co. - NW Corner of section 24 of Oakland Township	short grassy hay field just east of Cone Marsh	The documentation form by Mark Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Beth Proescholdt, Carl Bendorf, and unidentified other observers. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrows are not buffy like this and have a very different color pattern. Other longspurs are not buffy like this and have different tail patterns. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 12:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1986-04-07	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Smith's Longspur south of Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on April 7, 1986.	Staudt, Thomas J.	Smith's Longspur	Iowa City	Eden Farm S. of Iowa City in Johnson Co. same location as previous years	open fields - bean stuble [sic] to full plowed	The documentation form by Thomas J. Staudt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow has a chestnut colored shouldered patch and eye ring. Other possible Longspurs have whitish underparts, not buffy. The bill on this bird was thinner and longer than on other longspurs. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:20:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur west of Hendrickson Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Smith's Longspurs west of Hendrickson Marsh in Story County, IA on March 30, 1985.	Martsching, Paul	Smith's Longspur	Hendrickson Marsh Wildlife Management Area	3 1/2 miles West of Hendricksons Marsh, Story County, Iowa	General: agricultural area Specific: soybean stubble field	The documentation form by Paul Martsching is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Vesper Sparrow - has longer tail (There were two of these by the road) Pipit - has longer tail (these birds (Smith's) were easy to distinguish from Laplands because of so much more white on the sides of the tail) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 15:45:00/16:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Smith's Longspur south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-23	1985-04-06	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for one hundred twenty Smith's Longspurs south of the IA 17 bridge near Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 23, 1985.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Smith's Longspur	High Bridge	1 mile south of the HWY 17 Bridge across Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County	on grassy road shoulder and gravel along road	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Erik Munson. \| Elimination of similar species: Eliminated from other longspurs and Vesper Sparrow by combination of buffy underparts, white shoulder patch on males, white on outer tail feathers and distinctive black markings on males head.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	67
Rare bird documentation form for Harris' Sparrow at Coralville Reservoir, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1976-04-10	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Harris' Sparrows at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on April 10, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Harris' Sparrow	Coralville Lake	Coralville Reservoir Iowa City, Iowa 52240	woodlot with tall trees, weed patches, brush pile, in an area of fields and second-growth woods.	The documentation form by Michael C Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers are unidentified in the documentation form. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] large sparrow, built like a white-crown but larger, longer-tailed, posture less erect.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	64
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1989-03-26	1989-05-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA on March 26, 1989.	Armstrong, Eloise Armstrong, Eugene	Lincoln's Sparrow	West Des Moines	1601 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines	Shrubs in a yard - Brushy ravine feeding into yard	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong and Eloise Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Reid Allen and Pam Allen. \| Elimination of similar species: no question \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Ornithology--Technique Rare birds	1989-04-15	1989-06-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lincoln's Sparrow at West Des Moines in Polk County, IA on April 15, 22, and 23, 1989.	Allen, Reid I.	Lincoln's Sparrow	West Des Moines	1601 Pleasant Street, West Des Moines, IA	Suburban yard, with wooded area behind home consisting of large trees and brushpiles	The documentation form by Reid Allen is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Pam Allen, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Song sparrow has center dot and no buffy upper breast streaking. Savannah has white dotted breast. Vesper sparrow has white out tail. Mostly distinguished because of its song which was sung two or three times and Reid played a tape and it came right up to us as we were sitting and waiting for the Armstrongs to come to our house. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 08:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	61
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Snake Creek Marsh, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1985-09-30	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two or more Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Snake Creek Marsh in Greene County, IA on September 30, 1985.	Myers, Robert K.	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Snake Creek State Game Management Area	Snake Creek Marsh - Greene County	General: Marsh Specific: open water surrounded by duck weed (waist high)	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: Longer + darker than LeConte's and did not have light central crown stripe. LeConte's do not show the vivid white stripes on back. Several LeContes were also present and comparison was easy. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:45:00/12:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59
Rare bird documentation form for Sharp-tailed Sparrow at Muskrat Slough, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1982-05-23	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for two Sharp-tailed Sparrows at Muskrat Slough in Jones County, IA on May 23, 1982.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Muskrat Slough State Game Management Area	Muskrat Slough, Jones Co., Iowa	grassy marsh, catails [sic] - NW end of marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carl Bendorf and Tom Staudt. \| Elimination of similar species: LeConte's Sparrow - has crown stripe and lacks white lines on back. Also late. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:30:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	59