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 Peregrine Falcon at Fairfield, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-01-18	1991-03-01	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Peregrine Falcon at Fairfield in Jefferson County, IA on January 18, 1991.	Alexander, Carol Ann	Peregrine Falcon	Fairfield	Jefferson County, Fairfield, IA - Adema St., Jefferson St, & "D" St.	Residential area, 30 degrees, snow on ground.	The documentation form by Carol Ann Alexander is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Richard M. Alexander. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel and Merlin. Both too small (about 6 inches smaller). Also no other bird could dive at that speed. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 12:35:00/12:35:35.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	34
Rare bird documentation form for Red-shouldered Hawk at Clear Creek Township in Jasper County, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-01-22	1984-02-05	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-shouldered Hawk at Clear Creek Township in Jasper County, IA on January 22, 1984.	Zaletel, Hank	Red-shouldered Hawk	Clear Creek Township	Jasper County, Clear Creek Twnshp T8IN-R21W Section 13 SE	Steep hills, flat valleys, wooded slopes	The documentation form by Hank Zaletel is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Red tail does not have barred tail, does not have orange brown breast as well as underside wing linings. Broad wing has fewer bars on tail, does not have orange brown underside wing linings neither have dark, white spacing on top side secondaries. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:30:00/13:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	26
Rare bird documentation form for Vesper Sparrow around Jamaica, 1996	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1996-12-20	1996-12-26	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Vesper Sparrow around Jamaica in Guthrie County, IA on December 20, 1996.	Cummins, Raymond L.	Vesper Sparrow	Jamaica	Jamaica CBC, Guthrie Co. IA	Roadside	The documentation form by Bob Myers is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Maridel Jackson. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/10:02:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	52
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at ISU golf course, 1984	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1984-09-04	1984-09-09	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at ISU golf course in Ames in Story County, IA on September 4, 1984.	Munson, Erik	Merlin	Veenker Memorial Golf Course	ISU golf course, Ames, Story Co., Iowa	wooded edge - a 100 yd wide wooded ravine with a golf fareway 50 yds wide alongside it.	The documentation form by Erik Munson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Peregrine falcon by size. Immature sharp-shin by pointed wings and falcon shape. Prairie falcon by size, habitat, and tail. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:57:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Herring Gull at MidAmerican Energy Ponds near Council Bluffs, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-05-24	1985-06-03	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Herring Gull at MidAmerican Energy Ponds near Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, IA on May 24, 1985.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Herring Gull	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Settling Ponds, Council Bluffs, Iowa		The documentation form by Barb L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Similar to most of the other large immature gulls of the world. Mantle too light for Black-backed group. Wingtips, even in their folded condition, too dark for Glaucous, Glaucous-winged, etc. that leaves a whole mess of light-mouthed large gulls with dark wing tips. Description seems to match young Herring Gull (second summer ?) well enough. Eye color would probably be becoming pale in a Herring of this plumage, but perhaps not, + it might not show at the distance. I have trouble eliminating California Gull, but it is even harder to support that species.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	34
Rare bird documentation form for Sandhill Crane at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-02	1985-06-02	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Sandhill Crane at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 2, 1985.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Sandhill Crane	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	IPL Settling Pond, Council Bluffs, Iowa		The documentation form by Barbara Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Matt Towne, John Bakehouse, and Jeane-Marie Bakehouse. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron has longer bill, neck in S-curve.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	1
Rare bird documentation form for Northern Goshawk at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, 1982	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1982-11-21	1982-11-22	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Northern Goshawk at Hanover Township in Allamakee County, IA on November 21, 1982.	Robinson, John C., 1959-	Northern Goshawk	Hanover Township	Iowa; Allamakee County, Hanover Twsp., Sect. 8	Steep flood plain bluffs with mixed (cedar and deciduous) forest vegetation	The documentation form by John C. Robinson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Newlon and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Cooper's Hawk: Although size overlap is possible, this species lacks the blue-gray underparts and bold facial patterns mentioned above. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	25
Rare bird documentation form for Western Kingbird near Ames, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-11	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Western Kingbird near Ames in Story County, IA on May 11, 1978.	Heagy, Patricia A.	Western Kingbird	Ames	Iowa, Story County; T84N, R24W, sec 30; ISU Beef Farm	General: In a wooded pasture with a creek running through. Specific: Along the creek in a single locust, above a brush pile scattered trees nearby, open wooded pasture. Farmland adjacent (plowed).	The documentation form by Patricia A. Heagy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Cassin's Kingbird - does not occur this far northeast and lacks the white outer tail feathers, has a white chin and dark breast Myiarchas flycatchers do not have black tails. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:42:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	72
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm, 1978	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1978-05-01	1978-05-16	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon at Iowa State University Beef Farm in Story County, IA on May 1, 1978.	Heagy, Patricia A.	Prairie Falcon	Story County	Iowa, Story County, T84N, R24W, Sec 30; ISU Beef Farm	wooded pasture, surrounded by grassy pasture, cropland, and woods. Open woodland pasture along Onion Creek	The documentation form by Patricia A. Heagy is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: American Kestrel - smaller and without dark axillar. They also have rusty backs, and do not have complete tail bands. Peregrine Falcon - has a darker face pattern and a slate-colored back. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:41:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry in Ames, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-08	1999-05-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pacific Loon at Hallett's Quarry in Ames in Story County, IA on May 8, 1999.	Overton, Michael D.	Pacific Loon	Ada Hayden Heritage Park	Iowa, Story co., Ames, Hallett's Quarry	Lake in old quarry at edge of urban residential area	The documentation form by Michael D. Overton is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dixie Overton, Michael Freiberg, Kevin Healy, and Hank Zaletel. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-throated Loon by parallel sided bill, horizontal bill and head position, no white areas above or in front of the eye, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and sides of neck, lack of white spots on back. Arctic Loon by presence of "chinstrap", lack of white flank patches, realistic attitude. Common Loon by smaller size, smaller parallel sided bill, rounded crown, no white areas in front of or above eye, nape lighter than back, white auricular area, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and sides of neck. Yellow-billed Loon by smaller size, smaller parallel sided bill, rounded crown, no white areas in front of or above eye, white auricular area, distinct straight demarcation between light and dark areas on head and side of neck.\| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/17:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	9
Rare bird documentation form for White-rumped Sandpiper at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1988-08-07	1988-10-07	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a White-rumped Sandpiper at Sandpiper Recreation Area at Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on August 7, 1998.	Overton, Michael D.	White-rumped Sandpiper	Sandpiper Recreation Area	Iowa, Polk co., Saylorville Reservoir, Sandpiper Recreation Area	Near lakeshore of large manmade lake in mixed hardwood forest, agricultural cropland. Wet mudflat in deep ditch (outflow channel from small pond along entrance road to parking lot).	The documentation form by Michael D. Overton is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Other Calidris sp. except Baird's eliminated by amount of primary extension beyond tail on standing bird. Eliminate Baird's Sandpiper by white uppertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	21
Rare bird documentation form for Merlin at Jefferson Township, 1983	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-03-15	1983-03-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Merlin at Jefferson Township in Madison County, IA on March 15, 1983.	Armstrong, Eugene	Merlin	Jefferson Township	Iowa, Madison County, Jefferson 11	Grass, cropland, waste land, tree covered creek. Tree top, cottonwood along small ditch	The documentation form by Eugene Armstrong is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: Kestrel, this bird larger, no face pattern, no red on any part of back not large enough for Peregrine. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:30:00/14:32:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	32
Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at the Mississippi River near Davenport, 1992	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1992-12-20	1992-12-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for Osprey at the Mississippi River near Davenport in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1992.	Sandvick, Doris	Osprey	Davenport	Iowa side of Mississippi River from Rock Island IL.	River edge - in a cottonwood	The documentation form by Doris Sandvick is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Rogers. \| Elimination of similar species: Red-tailed Hawk - this bird too large, back entirely dark brown, top of head white. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:40:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	19
Rare bird documentation form for American White Pelican at Oakville, 1997	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1997-12-23	1998-01-13	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for an American White Pelican at Oakville in Louisa County, IA on December 23, 1997.	Ohde, Bill	American White Pelican	Oakville	Iowa River, 1 mile NW of Oakville, Louisa County, Iowa	large shallow river with sandbars, forested shorelines.	The documentation form by Bill Ohde is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ron Cross. \| Elimination of similar species: Our first thought was swan when we saw the the [sic] large white bird in the water. We first used binoculars and immediately saw the huge orange bill. Then I got out the spotting scope to take a close look. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/15:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	16
Rare bird documentation form for Pied-billed Grebe at City Park, 1983	Field notes Forms (documents)	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1983-12-17	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Pied-billed Grebe at City Park in Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on December 17, 1983.	Williams, Ruth	Pied-billed Grebe	Iowa City City Park	Iowa River at City Park, Ia City	open water river	The documentation form by Ruth Williams is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Robert Lechner. \| Elimination of similar species: Horned or Eared Grebe smaller size bill shape - shorter or pied [illegible] white only under chin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:00:00/14:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	32	11
Rare bird documentation form for Baird's Sandpiper at Iowa Public Service Settling Ponds near Sioux City, 1985	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1985-03-30	1985-04-30	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for around twenty Baird's Sandpipers at Iowa Public Service Settling Ponds near Sioux City in Woodbury County, IA on March 30, 1985.	Huser, Bill F.	Baird's Sandpiper	Sioux City	Iowa Public Service Settling Ponds near Sioux City	mudflats with sparse vegetation, pools of water (mud is fly ash)	The documentation form by Bill Huser is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Wayne Livermore and Bob Livermore. \| Elimination of similar species: Sanderling: no noticeable wing stripe in flight White-rumped: dark rump when in flight Least: dark legs, long tail/wing Western - long tail/wing, no droop in bill tip, no probing Semi-palmated: long tail/wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/09:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	22
Rare bird documentation form for Black Scoter at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Black Scoter at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 29, 1989.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Black Scoter	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power and Light North Settling pond, Pottawattamie County		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Larger than Ring-necked ducks which were also present for comparison. It had rounded forehead as opposed to the sloping forehead of the White-winged and Surf Scoters. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:15:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	13
Rare bird documentation form for Greater Scaup at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds), 1981	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1981-03-12	1981-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for eight or more Greater Scaups at Iowa Power Light Settling Ponds (MidAmerican Energy Ponds) in Pottawattamie County, IA on March 12, 1981.	Wilson, Barbara L.	Greater Scaup	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power + Light Settling ponds	Large pond	The documentation form by Barbara L. Wilson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Loren Padelford, and BJ Rose. \| Elimination of similar species: Lesser Scaup has square to slightly crested head. \| The original documentation form event occurred around 10:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	10
Rare bird documentation form for Long-tailed Duck at MidAmerican Energy Ponds, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-10-29	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Long-tailed Duck at MidAmerican Energy Ponds in Pottawattamie County, IA on October 29, 1989.	Padelford, Babs Padelford, Loren	Long-tailed Duck	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power & Light North Settling Pond, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa		The documentation form by Babs and Loren Padelford is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Small duck, smaller than Redhead ducks and much smaller than Black Scoter, both present for direct comparison. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	14
Rare bird documentation form for White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 1987	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1987-03-14	1987-05-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form with additional notes for a White-winged Scoter at DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge in Harrison County, IA on March 14, 1987.	Fix, Andrew S.	White-winged Scoter	DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge	Iowa part of DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Refuge	water, along shore until alerted, then swam further out and finally flew off	The documentation form by Andrew S. Fix is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Craig Harms. \| Elimination of similar species: By general shape, bill characteristic, and color this bird was identified as a scoter. The white/creamish spot between the cere and eye and lack of pale cheeks and throat ruled out the Black Scoter; the bill was Also too extended up the forward part of head for a Black Scoter. I did not feel comfortable differentiating Surf from White-winged based on the morphology of the head. No white wing patch was evident while this bird was on the water. In my experience (see #14), the white patches on the heads of female and immature scoters are very unreliable and highly variable. Fortunately the two key characteristics were plainly visible when the bird flew; paddling along the water for a short distance (confirmed scoter), and prominent white secondaries (confirmed white-winger scoter) \| The original documentation form event lasted from 14:00:00/14:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	12
Rare bird documentation form for Prairie Falcon in the Fairview area, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-01-04	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Prairie Falcon in the Fairview area in Sioux County, IA on January 4, 1989.	Van Dyk, John, 1936-	Prairie Falcon	Fairview Area	Iowa in Sioux County just east of the Big Sioux River in the Fairview area		The documentation form by John Van Dyk is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: I at once ruled out a Peregrine: the bird did not have strong head markings (no dark crown, and no heavy 'sideburns') and was altogether too light to be a female Peregrine.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	35
Rare bird documentation form for Thayer's Gull at Iowa City, 1993	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1993-01-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Thayer's Gull at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on January 19, 1993.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Thayer's Gull	Iowa City	Iowa City, Johnson Co., Iowa.	partially open Iowa River	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller. \| Elimination of similar species: I distinguished this bird from Herring Gull based on smaller body size, smaller head and bill, shorter wing span, uniform light tan coloration, medium brown (not black) outer primaries, translucent primaries from below, and medium brown tail band. I distinguished it from Iceland Gull by the brown outer primaries, relatively more tan coloration, and medium brown tail band. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:40:00/11:50:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	35
Rare bird documentation form for House Finch at Iowa City, 1986	Field notes	Bird feeders Birds--Behavior Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-10	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a House Finch at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on May 10, 1986.	Hollis, Richard Jule	House Finch	Iowa City	Iowa City, Iowa	Suburbs - Niger [sic] feeder in Sycamore Tree	The documentation form by Richard Hollis is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Janet Hollis. \| Elimination of similar species: Purple Finch: lack of strong marking around face the pale mousey [sic] brown Rose b grosbeak: the above and size bill shape Pine Siskin - this bird showed no yellow Bill shaped wrong Pine Siskins' tails are very strongly notched Cassin's Finch. I am not familiar with this species, but from reveiwing [sic] the Field Guides it would appear to be ruled out by Bill Shape - if Cassin's really has bill as long as in Geog guide, I would have noted same. Tail of Cassins appears more notched than this bird Cassin's have more strongly marked head and the spots on Cassins the belly are darker + more distinct \| The original documentation form event lasted from 18:00:00/18:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	82
Rare bird documentation form for Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa City, 1975	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1975-11-01	1975-11-20	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Common Flicker hybrid at Iowa CIty in Johnson County, IA on November 1, 1975.	Newlon, Michael C.	Northern Flicker	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	lawn with many large hickory trees, in Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City - park contains second growth woods, pastures, brush old fields surrounded on 3 sides by residential areas, farmland on the other side.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: local 'yellow-shafted' has (1) yellow linings to wing + tail, (2) yellow shafts to primaries -> rectrices, (3) black mustache-mark, (4) brown face + grey crown. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 10:00:00/10:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	34	61
Rare bird documentation form for Dark-eyed Junco at Iowa City, 1976	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1976-03-30	1976-04-11	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six Dark-eyed Juncos at Iowa City in Johnson County, IA on March 30, 1976.	Newlon, Michael C.	Dark-eyed Junco	Iowa City	Iowa City IA	feeding on lawn in flock of slate-colored's. , in residential neighborhood.	The documentation form by Michael C. Newlon is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] head + 'bib' lighter grey than slate-colored's \| The original documentation form event lasted for around a half an hour.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	65