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

Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Burrowing Owl east of Larchwood, 1998	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1998-08-30	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Burrowing Owl east of Larchwood in Lyon County, IA on August 30, 1998. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and a photograph submitted to the committee.	Harr, Douglas C.	Burrowing Owl	Larchwood	[...] probable nest site three miles east of Larchwood.		The article by Doug Harr forms the basis of this record. Another observer is Dolly Zangger. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] I saw no evidence of other owls on this or subsequent visits.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Rare bird documentation form for Bewster's Warbler at Greenwood Park in Des Moines, 1999	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1999-05-16	1999-05-23	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewster's Warbler at Greenwood Park in Des Moines in Polk County, IA on May 16, 1999.	Cecil, Robert I.	Vermivoras	Greenwood Park	Greenwood Park, Des Moines, Polk Co.	Woodland	The documentation form by Robert Cecil is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Sue Spieker. \| Elimination of similar species: Pure Blue-winged does not have wing bars. The song is distinctive for Blue-wing. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:10:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Lawrence's Warbler near Cedar Bluff, 1995	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1995-05-13	1995-05-24	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Lawrence's Warbler near Cedar Bluff in Cedar County, IA on May 13, 1995.	Thompson, Carol A.	Vermivoras	Cedar Bluff	woods near Cedar Bluff, Ia	160 acre wooded-wetland above Cedar River	The documentation form by Carol Thompson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bud Gode. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden-winged - too yellow. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:45:00/08:46:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Bewster's Warbler at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, 1991	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1991-05-02	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewster's Warbler at the Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest in Lee County, IA on May 2, 1991.	Fuller, James L	Vermivoras	Shimek State Forest Wildlife Management Area - Croton Unit	Field with scattered saplings at Croton Unit of Shimek State Forest, Lee County.		The documentation form by James Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Golden Winged: Gray upperparts White underparts Yellow cap of male Blue Winged: Black eyeline Thin light yellow wing bars \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:30:00/07:35:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Brewster's Warbler at Greenfield Township in Warren County, 1989	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1989-05-11	1989-05-25	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewster's Warbler at Greenfield Township in Warren County, IA on May 11, 1989.	Johnson, Ann	Vermivoras	Greenfield Township	My Yard - small acreage in northern Warren County, IA	Mixed open woods and field edge with creek and many shrubs	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The parent birds were eliminated because of the totally white underparts eliminating the blue-winged and the lack of dark throat and narrower eye stripe eliminating the golden-winged. The golden yellow cap reminded me of a chestnut-sided but the lack of streaking on the back and absence of any markings on the side eliminated this bird also. The combination of field marks leaves the Brewster's as the only logical possibility. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 07:00:00/07:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Brewster's Warbler at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area, 1986	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1986-05-09	1986-05-15	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Brewster's Warbler at Grammer Grove Wildlife Area in Marshall County, IA on May 9, 1986.	Proescholdt, Beth	Vermivoras	Grammer Grove County Wildlife Area	Grammer Grove W.A., Marshall County	River bottom woodlands, in sapling	The documentation form by Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Ramona Sommerlot. \| Elimination of similar species: Blue-winged Warbler - this bird was all white below with broad yellow wingbars. Golden-winged - this bird didn't have a dark throat or ear patch. Tennesse - although this bird was white underneath it had a yellow forehead + wing bars. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 08:00:00/08:01:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Rare bird documentation form for Brewster's Warbler at the Lost Lake in Ledges State Park, 1980	Field notes	Birds--Identification Birdsongs Ornithology Rare birds	1980-05-19	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for six-hundred forty-one and two-tenths Brewster's Warblers at the Lost Lake in Ledges State Park in Boone County, IA on May 19, 1980.	Newhouse, David A.	Vermivoras	Lost Lake	Lost Lake, Ledges State Park, (Boone County) Lat. 4159/Long. 09352)	General: Mixed deciduous woodland near water course Specific: Singing from honey locusts, larger boxelders and oaks; foraging in sumac and boxelder	The documentation form by David Newhouse is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Bruce Ehresman and an unnamed observer. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:15:00/13:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	35	17
Red-breasted Merganser, 12-20-98, Kelly J. McKay	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Field notes written by Kelly J. McKay detailing the sighting of a Red-breasted Merganser at Lock and Dam 14 in Scott County, IA on December 20, 1998.	McKay, Kelly	Red-breasted Merganser	Lock and Dam 14				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	17
Details of sighting on Cedar Falls-Waterloo Christmas Bird count held December 20, 1998	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1998-12-20	N/A	Manuscript, graphic, and printed material	Rare bird sighting details for Red-breasted Merganser during the Cedar Falls-Waterloo Christmas Bird Count in Black Hawk County, IA on December 20, 1998.		Red-breasted Merganser	Cedar Falls Waterloo				Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	17
Rare bird documentation form for Red-breasted Merganser at Coralville Reservoir, 1990	Field notes	Birds--Identification Ornithology Rare birds	1990-10-01	N/A	Rare birds documentation form	Rare bird documentation form for a Red-breasted Merganser at Coralville Reservoir in Johnson County, IA on October 1, 1990.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Red-breasted Merganser	Coralville Lake	Babcock Access, Coralville Res., Johnson Co., IA	Reservoir, shallow water	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: The bill and general shape identified the bird as a merganser. The bill was much too long and big for a hooded. The head size, shape, and crest; white throat and breast and wing bar; and size are that of red-breasted rather than Common Merganser. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:30:00/18:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	33	17
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
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Lesser Goldfinch at Rockford, 1999	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1999-08-05	2000-11-28	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Lesser Goldfinch at Rockford in Floyd County, IA on August 5, 1999. Includes a record review document with votes, photographs, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Montgomery, Ellen S.	Lesser Goldfinch	Rockford	1105 200th St, Rockford, IA - Floyd Co. Rockford Township Sec 5	Scattered oak trees, open pasture, brush-along Winnebago R.	The documentation form by Ellen S. Montgomery is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Barb McKinstry. \| Elimination of similar species: American goldfinch - bird was smaller, entire crown was black, had yellow undertail coverts. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:35:00/17:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	14	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Black-throated Gray Warbler near Cedar Bluff, 1997	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1997-05-10	2000-11-24	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Black-throated Gray Warbler near Cedar Bluff in Cedar County, IA on May 10, 1997. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Huntington, James	Black-throated Gray Warbler	Cedar Bluff		Open woods near field or sedge meadow	The documentation form by James Huntington is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Carol Thompson and John Cordell. \| Elimination of similar species: Blackpoll - This bird was first called a Blackpoll, but then discrepancies were noted. Color of top of head was gray not black, white above and below black on cheek. Blackpoll has no loral spot. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 09:30:00/09:45:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	13	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Burrowing Owl at Rathbun Reservoir, 1986	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1986-12-20	1993-09-07	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Burrowing Owl at Rathbun Reservoir in Appanoose County, IA on December 20, 1986. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of the review, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Strough, Randy D.	Burrowing Owl	Rathbun Lake	Appanoose County, Lake Rathbun, 1.5 miles North on paved road to Southfork Marina off J5T	Open; harvested bean field west side of road, harvested corn field east side of road. The ditches were mowed clean of weeds and lacked trees or shrubs	The documentation form by Randal D. Strough forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Ray Cummins and Steve Dinsmore were submitted. Another observer includes Tom Johnson. \| Elimination of similar species: Screech Owl: a screech owl has ear tufts (except young screech owls may lack conspicuous ear tufts). The belly has vertical barring, and lacks definate [sic] spots on head and back. Legs are not conspicuously long. Saw-whet Owl: has vertical streaked belly, and lacks conspicuously long legs. Habitat: conifer groves, there where [sic] none in the immediate area. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/17:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Burrowing Owl south of Archer, 1982	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1982-04-13	1993-09-01	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for a Burrowing Owl south of Archer in O'Brien County, IA on April 13, 1982. Includes a record review document with votes, a summary of review, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Harms, Ronald	Burrowing Owl	Archer	O'Brien County, Ia. 1.75 South of Archer	Flat land	The documentation form by Ronald Harms is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: it's just a burrowing owl \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 09:00:00/09:15:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting for Burrowing Owl at Union Township in Kossuth County, 1980	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1980-05-01	1993-08-16	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review for two Burrowing Owls at Union Township in Kossuth County, IA in May, June, and July, 1980. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Roberg, Craig C.	Burrowing Owl	Union Township	NW1/4 sec. 6 Union twp. Kossuth county	Alfalfa hay field - about 80 acres. Burrow on extreme west edge.	The documentation form by Craig Roberg is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Another observer was Bob Moats. \| The original documentation form events lasted approximate one hour in the morning on several occasions through May, June, and July, 1980.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	12	17
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tricolored Heron at Cone Marsh, 1989	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Maps (documents)	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc Wildlife conservation	1989-04-29	1993-08-05	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tricolored Heron at Cone Marsh, Louisa County, IA on April 29, 1989. Includes record review documents with votes, articles in Iowa Bird Life and the Loon, maps of Tri-Colored Heron sightings and breeding areas, correspondence about the sighting from Ross Silcock to Carl Bendorf, from to Dick Shaffer to Thomas H. Kent, from Bruce Peterjohn to Thomas H. Kent and committee votes, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Kent, Thomas H. (Thomas Hugh), 1934-	Tricolored Heron	Cone Marsh Wildlife Management Area	Cone M., Louise Co., IA	marsh	The documentation form by Thomas H. Kent is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Dick Shaffer. \| Elimination of similar species: Size and white belly eliminate other herons. Apparently an immature or non-breeding plumaged adult. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 10:50:00/10:59:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Riverton Wildlife Area, 1992	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-13	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover at Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County, IA on May 13, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Proescholdt, Beth Proescholdt, Mark	Snowy Plover	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton Wildlife Area - (Fremont Co.)	Huge mudflat area and lots of water	The documentation form by Mark and Beth Proescholdt is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Jim Fuller, Jim Scheib, Tom Kent, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: A non-breeding plumaged Piping Plover would be the only bird that could be similar. A Piping Plover has a conspicuous white rump in flight and a distinctive call-a 'peep-lo" which was different from the high musical whistle which we heard. A Semipalmated Plover would be much too dark brown in color. \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 15:00:00/15:03:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Riverton Wildlife Management Area, 1992	Administrative records Field notes Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1992-05-10	1994-10-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County, IA on May 10, 1992. Includes a record review document with votes, two photographs, and four documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Rose, Douglas L.	Snowy Plover	Riverton Wildlife Management Area	Riverton W.M.A, Fremont County Iowa	Mud Flats	The documentation form by Doug Rose is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by B.J. Rose, Pam Allen, and Thomas H. Kent were submitted later. Other observers include Babs Padelford, Ross Silcock, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, and Richard Tetrault. \| Elimination of similar species: Semi-Palm + Piping - Both have crane legs This bird had all blk all black bill smaller size \| The original documentation form event lasted from 17:00:00/17:30:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover north of Burlington, 1990	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1990-04-28	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover north of Burlington in Des Moines County, IA on April 28, 1990. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Fuller, Charles R.	Snowy Plover	Burlington	Highway 99 2 miles north of Burlington, Water Treatment Plant Pond	Water edge of settling pond	The documentation form by Chuck Fuller is the only one submitted and forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: Piping Plover--See above description Bill-size and color Legs--color Smudge behind eye Absence of a white rump. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:45:00/19:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Dunbar Slough, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-22	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover at Dunbar Slough in Greene County, IA on May 22, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article in Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Fix, Andrew S.	Snowy Plover	Dunbar Slough	Southwest corner of Dunbar Slough		The documentation form by Andrew Fix is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Steve Dinsmore and Brian L. Blevins were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: [...] 2) Semipalmated plover - completely banded; darker nape broken by band; dark mantle and wings; light legs; shorter bicolored bill 3) Wilson's plover - larger heavy bill; larger, heavy full band; larger size; no distinct auricular patch; pale legs 4) Killdeer - much larger size; two full bands; large, heavy bill; \| The original documentation form event lasted from approximately 14:45:00/15:10:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Snowy Plover at Bays Branch, 1988	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1988-05-06	1993-08-04	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Snowy Plover at Bays Branch Wildlife Management Area in Guthrie County, IA on May 6, 1988. Includes a record review document with votes, an article of Iowa Bird Life, and three documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Snowy Plover	Bays Branch State Wildlife Area	Bays Branch W.M.A., Guthrie Co.	feeding on mudflat area with other shorebirds	The documentation form by Steve Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Thomas H. Kent and Bob Myers were submitted later. Other observers include Ross Silcock, Francis Moore, Eugene Armstrong, and Eloise Armstrong. \| Elimination of similar species: The smaller size and relatively small bill eliminated Killdeer and Wilson's Plover. The pale appearance, dark legs and bill, markings on the head, and lack of a dark breastband [sic] eliminates Semipalmated [sic] Plover. The dark legs and bill, brown (now white) rump, and dark ear patch eliminates Piping Plover. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:34:00/13:52:00, 14:16:00/14:35:00 and 18:15:00/18:55:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	9	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Eider at Jester Park, 1995	Administrative records Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-03-26	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Common Eider at Jester Park, Saylorville Reservoir in Polk County, IA on March 26, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Johnson, Ann	Common Eider	Jester Park	off Jester Park boat ramp, Saylorville Reservoir, Polk County, IA	open water	The documentation form by Ann Johnson is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. \| Elimination of similar species: ID based solely on head profile whichwas [sic] identical to the Red Rock bird studied at length earlier in the year. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 16:55:00/17:00:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Common Eider at Red Rock Reservoir, 1995	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Correspondence Field notes Forms (documents) Photographs	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1995-01-27	2000-11-18	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Common Eider at Red Rock Reservoir in Marion County, IA on January 27, 1995. Includes a record review document with votes, correspondence over the sighting, photos, drawings of the bird sighting, articles in Iowa Bird Life, Field Notes, and other publications, and twelve documentation forms submitted to the committee.	Dinsmore, Stephen J.	Common Eider	Red Rock Dam	Des Moines River below Red Rock dam - Marion Co., Iowa	open stretch of river	The documentation form by Stephen J. Dinsmore is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other documentation forms by Jim Dinsmore, Thomas H. Kent, Jim Fuller, Reid Allen, Ann Johnson, Mark Proescholdt, Chris Edwards, Peter C. Petersen, Ray Cummins, Robert Cecil, and Diane Porter were submitted later. \| Elimination of similar species: See above discussion (Description). Steller's Eider eliminated by size. Female and immature King Eider eliminated by pattern of barring on flanks, size of bill, position of eye, faint white supercilium, and pattern of feathering on bill. Spectacled Eider eliminated by facial pattern and bill shape. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 13:45:00/15:05:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	8	18
Records Committee review for rare bird sighting of Tricolored Heron at IPL Ponds, 1991	Administrative records Clippings (information artifacts) Field notes	Bird watching Ornithology Ornithology--Societies, etc	1991-05-04	1993-07-17	Rare birds documentation form	Records Committee review of a Tricolored Heron at the Iowa Power and Light settling ponds, in Council Bluffs, IA on May 4, 1991. Includes a record review document with votes, an Iowa Bird Life article, and a documentation form submitted to the committee.	Greer, Janet	Tricolored Heron	MidAmerican Energy Ponds	Iowa Power and Light settling ponds, Council Bluffs, IA	lakeshore	The documentation form by Janet Greer is the earliest and the one that forms the basis of this record. Other observers include Marge Graf, Dutch Graf, and Mary Jo Harlow. \| Elimination of similar species: Great Blue Heron: Eliminated by bill color, rusty feathers on the breast, white belly and leg color, and dark face and crown. Little Blue Heron: Eliminated by size, rusty wing coverts, and white chin. \| The original documentation form event lasted from 11:30:00/12:40:00.	Iowa Ornithologists' Union \| MS 166	7	18